by SF Benson
I glance at him. “Is this about your soon-to-be brother-in-law?”
“Yeah. I don’t want to repeat history. If helping you steps on his toes, I’ll back off. His father is more than capable of handling the situation with the police.”
“You are not stepping on any toes.” I take another sip from the cup. “It was the summer of my fifteenth year. I was not the same girl Colt knew. Curves replaced my awkward skinniness. My siblings noticed my transformation. They constantly fought off djinn who wanted to be more than my friend.” The memory makes me smile. “I, however, enjoyed the attention.”
Cash, his attention anchored on me, remains silent.
“I always thought Colt was interesting. It didn’t matter to me that he was an incubus. He hadn’t shown me those atypical qualities—promiscuity, little regard for females, and a general arrogance. I admit I was attracted to him.”
Cash huffs.
Is that a judgment of me or Colt? Why do I care?
“If anything, Colt was always kind to me. He stuck up for me when bullies threatened me. But most importantly, he didn’t care I was a djinniyah.”
My mother let me know Colt and his family had arrived. I put on my best blue dress—I had yet to wear the colors associated with my abilities—and met him in one of the great tiled rooms in our summer villa. The turquoise decor accented his handsome appearance. Unbeknown to me, he had already reached his peak as an incubus. Neither Mother nor Hadid, my brother, warned me. They should have.
“Dira, you’re more beautiful than I remember.” Colt held my hand as we walked through the bejeweled halls to the covered garden.
The exterior door snapped shut behind us. “I am still the same. Nothing has changed.”
“Oh, but it has.” He lifted my hand and kissed the back of my knuckles. “You’re reaching the age of consent.”
My face grew warm. “How does that concern you? You’re an incubus.”
“That’s never mattered before. Besides, djinn can enter into mixed arrangements.” Colt came closer and touched my chin. “We can be together. All I have to do is tell my father. He’ll arrange everything.”
My heart paused. Until that moment, Colt and I were only friends. Our relationship shifted with those words. He leaned forward and claimed my lips with his.
Before I could enjoy the kiss, the garden door flew open. His ornate ring caught on the sheer fabric of my dress. It ripped, leaving me exposed.
My mother entered the garden with my brother, Hadid, on her heels. She took one look at my disheveled state and screamed, “Take your hands off my daughter!”
Colt took another step back. He didn’t even seem surprised to see my mother. “I assure you. Nothing has happened between us. Yet.”
“And it never will,” Mother announced. “Get out of my house and never return.”
Colt whispered into my ear, “One day, Dira, when the time is right. You will be mine.”
Cash sits on the sofa and exhales. “Did you see him again after your mother kicked him out? Before today, that is?”
“Yes.” My cheeks burn. “Colt tormented me for a long time. He would show up at night in my room.”
“In your dreams?”
A shiver travels down my spine. “It didn’t stop there. He attempted to force himself on me.”
“No.” Cash rubs his jaw. “Colt would never do that.”
“Trust me, he did.” My voice hardens. “I went to my brother. He placed a guard inside my room.”
“But why?” Cash stares at the floor. “Colt has never had to force himself on anyone, female or male. What you’re saying makes no sense.”
I might as well tell the incubus everything. Let him view my shame. “I am a virginal princess. The one who I give myself to will be my mate forever.”
“So, Colt needed to take your virginity.” It’s not a question. “Then you would be his.”
“Yes.” My voice weakens. “I’ve avoided him till now. If I go with Colt, he will claim me.”
Shortly after Qadira drops her bombshell, I hang the closed sign and turn off the lights in the front of the shop. Work is no longer on my mind. I’m confused, tired, hungry, and horny—not in that exact order.
It’s hard for me to wrap my head around her words. I remember the summer Qadira told me about. Colt returned early from vacation that year. When we asked him what happened, he became furious. I caught a glimpse of the Najex’s traits in Colt. But then it passed, never to be seen again. If I had believed my friend was really dangerous, I would have never set him up with my sister.
“I thought you had work to do,” Qadira says as I turn off the music.
“I had no appointments today, but I like to be here in case someone walks in. Honestly, I don’t feel like working anymore.” I walk through the curtain and plop down on the sofa.
I listen to the sharp click of Qadira’s heels on the floor. The cushion dips beside me. “Is something wrong? Well, besides the trouble I’m in.”
“We’re in,” I point out. My giving her an alibi makes me just as guilty.
“I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”
“This isn’t about you. I have a lot of shit in my life right ‘bout now.” I let my head fall back. When I get like this, I always go to Edwina for a little relief. With her out of my life, what the fuck am I supposed to do? I’m miserable with no way to work through it.
“I’m a good listener,” Qadira offers.
“Babe, you can’t help with this.” I close my eyes.
“Try me,” she urges.
“I’m tired, hungry, and horny. Which one you wanna help me with?”
Qadira flinches.
I glance at her. My mouth zeroes in on her lips. Just thinking about kissing her makes my skin tingle and my dick get harder. I move toward her, like a fucking magnet’s on me. We’re so near—her lips almost touch mine.
At the last second, I snap to my senses and sit back. “Why don’t we go eat? We can walk to the diner.”
Shit, that was close.
Agnes Charles, a middle-aged waitress with fading blonde hair, comes to take our order. She’s one of the few humans in this town with knowledge of the supernaturals living here. The Charles Family is one of the founding families in Falls Creek. When our ancestors wiped the memories of the humans, they decided to only let the founding families retain their awareness. It has been a beneficial decision. Families, like the Charles’s, keep our secrets and make sure we’re not discovered. Supernaturals protect them from other humans and hellbent creatures.
Her hazel-brown eyes sparkle and gleam. “What will it be today, Cash?”
“Steak and eggs sound good. Cup of coffee.” I prop my head on my hand.
“Late night, huh?” She winks at me. “And for the lady?”
Qadira flips over the menu. “I’ll have a short stack with bacon.”
“How do you want your eggs?”
“Scrambled with a little cheddar. I’ll have orange juice and a cup of hot tea.”
“I’ll get your orders in and bring your drinks right out.” Agnes takes her time gathering the menus. She glances around the diner, not making eye contact with anyone. She leans close and asks, “Maybe you can help me with a little something?”
I tilt my head to the side. “Sure, Agnes. What’s up?”
She rests her ample hip against the side of the booth. “One girl has been telling a wild tale about this dream with a man in her bed.”
“No need to finish,” I say, hiding my eyes in my hand. My quivering stomach tells me I won’t like where this conversation is going.
Agnes laughs. “He didn’t finish either.”
My face feels hot. I glance over at Qadira. She quirks up an eyebrow.
“Do me a favor, Cash. If you know who this man might be, tell him to stay away from the dark-haired girl with the large bosom. She’s a friend of my sister’s. I love Candace like a daughter.”
Enough said. The lump in my throat subsides. “I’ll spread the word.”
“Thanks, hun.”
“No problem, Agnes.” Thank Siren, nothing happened with the girl. The last thing I want is to have Agnes Charles on my back.
Qadira waits for the waitress to walk away from the table before speaking. “What was that about?”
“Nothing important,” I say, hoping she’ll drop the matter.
“Sounds to me like an incubus couldn’t finish the job,” Qadira taunts.
“I got interrupted,” I start. I’ve never had a failed conquest. Why would I share this embarrassing moment with her? The words continue out of my mouth as if they have a mind of their own. “Happened the night we met. I was in the middle of a good dream when the fellas made their presence known.”
She presses a hand to her mouth, stifling the giggle slipping from her lips. “Nice to know an incubus can have a lukewarm night.”
I wag my finger at her. “It was one time. Won’t happen again.”
“Okay. I’ll stop.” She reaches for the water glass on the table, and her hand brushes mine.
A sharp spark radiates between us. But it’s not the jolt of energy unnerving me. Tiny tendrils from our auras, one gold and the other silver, dance toward each other across the space. My heart twitches while images of her golden body beneath me flicker through my mind. I can’t explain this sensation. It sets me on edge, sending my pulse racing. Unable to bear another minute, I yank my hand away.
Qadira bites her plump, lower lip and glances down at the table. “Do you come here a lot?”
I notice the crimson coloring her cheeks. She felt the tingle. I’m certain she saw the weirdness with our auras. But if she can ignore it, so can I.
Yeah, right.
“Probably too much. The food isn’t bad, and Agnes is one of the better humans in town.”
Food will be out soon. Coffee will help with this overwhelming fatigue, but how do I get over my horniness? Worse. How do I stop this intense, foreign emotion taking over my thoughts?
“You were out all night,” Qadira starts. “Did you not take care of your needs?”
I scrub my hand over my face. “Sort of.”
“I know I asked before and you said no. But I am still willing to listen to whatever’s bothering you.”
“Someone I’ve been seeing for a long time broke it off with me this morning.”
Why did I tell her that?
Something must be wrong with me if I’m pouring out my thoughts and feelings to this female. I’ve only shared those things with Edwina, and even she doesn’t know everything about me.
“Sorry to hear.” Qadira’s forehead furrows. “I thought incubi did not have long-term relationships.”
Agnes shows up with the coffee, Qadira’s juice, and her tea. “Cream and two sugars, right?”
“You got it. Thanks.” I rip into the packets and start doctoring my cup. Once Agnes leaves, I say, “Well, the female reminded me of that fact this morning. She told me we only had an arrangement, not a relationship.”
Qadira stares at me a little too long for comfort. “But you are in love with her?”
I smirk. “Incubi don’t fall in love.”
What Edwina and I shared was friendship. I counted on her. She lifted me up when I had a bad day or night. It bordered on a commitment. I suppose it’s a good thing she ended things, though. Relationships complicate lives.
“If you insist.” Qadira runs a finger along the edge of her cup. “I guess it is safe to say you just care for her a lot.”
“Yeah.” A much better assessment. “That’s it.”
I’m only too glad when our food arrives. We eat in silence, and I’m grateful for that as well.
I pay the bill, and we walk back to the shop. “Listen, I don’t mean to be rude, but I need some sleep. Can I trust you to stay put? You won’t go off alone?”
“I’ll stay put. No need to worry. I do know how to entertain myself.” Qadira stops at the glass counter up front. She picks up my sketch pad. “Do you mind? I like to draw.”
“It’s cool. If the phone rings, let it go to voicemail,” I throw over my shoulder. “Wake me up in a couple of hours.”
In a matter of minutes, Cash is snoring away in the back room. He won’t admit it, but I believe he has deep feelings for this female who dumped him. What is it about incubi and love?
Colt once told me some nonsense about Lilin never falling in love. I can’t imagine living my entire life never loving anyone. Just because I don’t care to marry right now doesn’t mean I have ruled it out. I’ve yet to meet the right being to capture my heart.
I take a seat in a chair with a pencil in hand. What my mind wants to put on the paper scares me. Just like the co-mingling of our auras earlier. I cannot explain why my aura is reaching out to an incubus. We have nothing in common.
But the prophecy…
Yes, I heard the lock. I know what it means, but it jars me worse than Colt pursuing me.
Hours go by, and I realize I have yet to speak to Hadid. Ordering breakfast hardly counts as having a heart to heart with my brother. I pull out my phone and find his number. Before I can tap on his contact, the phone lights up with his name.
“Ahlan, brother. I was just about to call you.”
“Great minds, my dearest sister.” His voice lowers. “Are you free to talk?”
I glance over my shoulder. Cash is still asleep. “Go ahead.”
“The Si’lat reported to Father this morning.”
“And?” My muscles tense.
“Needless to say, he was not a pleased djinni. He told them to work harder. Heads will roll if they do not locate you.”
My heart plummets to my stomach. “Can you do anything, Hadi?”
“Done. I set up a false trail for them to follow. May take a few days for the truth to be seen.”
The familiar sounds of Lebanese music and laughter seep through the phone. “Hadi, what is going on?”
“Just a little party for my beloved. Remember, today is Djamila’s birthday?”
How could I forget the birthday of my favorite sister-in-law? Djamila is only a few years older than me. “Tell her happy birthday for me. I’m sorry I’m not there.”
Hadid laughs. “No, you’re not. If you were here, Djamila would be throwing a party for your wedding.”
“True.” The corners of my lips curl up. Djamila loves planning parties. “Thank you for helping me. I shall call tomorrow.”
“No. Let me call you in a day or so.”
“If you think it best,” I say. Speaking to my brother makes me more homesick, not less. I should be at the party. It will go on for a few days.
“I do. Take care.”
I end the call and flip through my phone, looking for appropriate music. If I can’t be at home celebrating with Djamila and Hadid, I will party here.
I wake up to a darkened room. Exotic music with a hypnotic dance beat plays up front. I pull back the curtain and catch Qadira rocking to the sound. She gyrates and shakes her hips like a belly dancer, oblivious to my standing behind her.
The way her body moves entices me, and a certain part of my anatomy agrees. “If you’re not taking care of my needs, you have to stop.”
She gasps and freezes in place. Her face turns a beautiful shade of red before she turns the music down. “Sorry.”
“No apology needed.” If anyone should apologize, it should be me for the lewd thoughts twisting in my mind. My eyes sweep over her voluptuous body. “You can’t move like that around me. It only makes my situation worse.”
“I said I was sorry.” She’s still blushing. “Can you drop it?”
It’s best I occupy my mind with something else. I walk over to a shelf and take a mental inventory of what I need to purchase, willing the throbbing in my crotch to stop. “What was the dancing ‘bout anyway? Did you receive good news or something?”
&nbs
p; Qadira takes a seat at a station. “I spoke to my brother today. My sister-in-law is celebrating her birthday. I’m missing the party.”
“Sorry ‘bout that.” I stare down at my feet, rubbing the back of my neck. “Maybe we’ll go dancing some time?”
Why the hell did I say that? I swear this female is causing me to say and do some really dumb shit.
When I look up, I’m surprised with a radiant smile. “It could be fun.”
To hell with it. “Turn the music up.”
She lifts an eyebrow. “You can dance to my music?”
“If it has a beat, I can work with it.”
An exotic sound fills the shop, and Qadira’s hips rock side to side. I fall in step with my own gyrations. She turns her back to me, grinding her ass near my crotch. My hands go to her waist, and I pull her closer. As my jeans tighten, I realize this is a dangerous game we’re playing.
But then the music slows down and Qadira faces me. Her hands rest on my chest, sending a tingle throughout my body. She watches me with an intense look. My pulse quickens as I lower my mouth to hers.
Furious pounding on my front door destroys the moment, stopping my lips before they connect. I lean my forehead against hers. As much as I want to taste her lips, maybe it’s best nothing happened.
I swing away from her and flip on a light. As I head up front, Qadira turns off the music. Alec, Dante, and Rocco gather near the entrance.
I shout, “Why the hell are you trying to break down my door?”
Alec exclaims, “Just let us in.”
As soon as I unlock it, the fellas rush inside.
“There’s another body,” Rocco exclaims.
“What the fuck?” I grab clumps of my hair and stare at my friends. “I told you I’m not cleaning up—”
“Not our doing,” Dante declares. He bends over and places his hands on his knees. After a couple of breaths, he continues. “We had dinner at the Depot and were walking past the alley when we heard a noise. Sounded like some female screaming her head off.”
