19. Dani

Sweetling. A word that was normally said as a term of endearment, spoken between loved ones out of a sense of adoration and respect.

The way Catalina says it, though, is the way one would say it to a plaything.

“What're you doing here?” Marco growls as the devil pulls up a chair. “I thought socializing was beneath you.”

The shrill sound of metal sliding across the floor grates at my ears and, hesitantly, I glance in Catalina's direction. Her long razor-straight black hair was tucked into a fancy updo and the dark gray pencil dress she wore only accentuated the regal confidence that oozed from every pore of her ebony skin. I hated to admit that she was attractive, but I guess that was part of the allure. Like a Venus fly trap made of flesh and bone. The perfect predator.

“No, darling,” Catalina purrs as she lowers herself elegantly between us. “Socializing with your kind is beneath me. Thankfully, I'm not here to see you.” Her chocolate eyes meet mine and my blood turns to ice in my veins. “Do you mind?” she asks, motioning to the carafe at the center of the table.

Her question sounds so harmless, so normal, that all I can do is blink. “Y-you want coffee?”

“Well I'd prefer a martini, but seeing as how this is a coffee shop I suppose coffee will have to do. Unless you had something a bit more”—her gaze travels slowly down my body and her red lips curve into a sinister grin—“appetizing, in mind?”

I don't think I've ever jumped out of my seat so fast in my life. “I'll get you a cup,” I mutter as I make a beeline for the counter. Whether she was serious in carrying out her subtle threat or simply messing with me, I was not about to provoke a vampire. I've seen far too many movies to know that it would not end well.

As I approach the counter I take a quick peek into the break room, but the bubbly blonde is nowhere to be seen. Great, just great. The one time I actually need Rose around to act as my lifeline from the supernatural and she disappears on me.

Just breathe, Dani. Catalina only wants to talk. She won't try anything in public with people watching. Just. Breathe.

I inhale sharply, willing my nerves to calm as I grab a styrofoam cup from the stack and turn around.

“Miss!”

I nearly jump out of my skin as a customer waves his hand in my face. “Do you work here?” He points an accusatory finger to the brown apron tied around my waist and doesn't wait for my response. “I've been standing here for ten minutes! What the hell kind of business are you running? Did everyone go on break at once or are you just this bad at your job?”

“I-I'm sorry?” Have I really been talking to Marco for that long?

“Who's in charge, here? I'd like to speak to your manager.”

Shit. Rose was in charge while David was out, and she'd probably kill me for getting her in trouble right before David killed her for letting a customer wait that long. His store's reputation was everything to him.

Before I can reply, a manicured hand grips the dissatisfied patron's arm and spins him around with little effort.

“What the—!”

“Your yelling is giving me a headache,” Catalina croons as she drags her nails along his chin. Flecks of red swirl in her irises, the chocolate hues melting away as she locks her gaze with his, and my stomach churns.

This was the same look she wore when I met her for the first time. It was a look that promised death.

The man's body goes slack and his eyes glaze over, the flame of his anger snuffed out like a light. “I'm sorry,” he mumbles.

His words sound distant, like he was lost in a daze, and Catalina's smirk widens. “Not yet, but you will be soon.”

Oh God, she was going to murder this guy in the middle of the café!

“It's fine, Catalina.” I really wish my voice wasn't shaking right now. How the hell was I supposed to talk down a murderous vampire when I couldn't even keep my own voice steady? “I'll just take his order, it's no big deal.”

Her blood-red eyes flick over in my direction and a wave of nausea hits me. Christ, she looks scary.

“No,” she says after several painstaking moments. “He'll make his own drink and pay triple the price for it.” She turns her attention back to the customer. “But first, you'll apologize to the nice barista for interrupting our conversation.”

His blank eyes, like frosted glass marbles beneath heavy lids, stare past me as he turns his head. “I'm sorry for interrupting your conversation.” A dreamlike emptiness echoes in his tone and I wonder if he would remember any of this when Catalina finally releases him from whatever spell she put him under.

“That's okay.” Should I be replying to him like this? Did he even know what I was saying? Hoping to alleviate the awkwardness of this interaction, I offer my best customer service smile. But he doesn't reciprocate it.

“Right then, off you go.” Catalina waves her hand and the man obeys, shouldering me aside as he steps behind the counter and proceeds to make his own beverage. “You have a bus to catch later.”

I didn't like the ominous edge that coated her words. But before I can even begin to contemplate their meaning the vampire turns on her stiletto heels and sashays back to the table. Did this woman ever wear anything casual?

“Fetch me that cup, sweetling,” she calls over her shoulder, but I don't miss the warning laced in her tone as she adds, “I could just about kill for a drink.”

Something taps my shoulder and I turn around just as the man shoves a styrofoam cup into my hands. His eyes were a little less cloudy but his face was expressionless as he placed a lid over his sweetened concoction and slips a twenty dollar bill into the tip jar.

That was way more than triple the price of his order.

“Thanks,” I say cautiously. “Are you okay?”

The man merely smiles and walks away. At the opposite end of the café, the only two other customers continued to read their book or type away on their computer, oblivious to the supernatural creepshow that transpired only seconds ago. Did I imagine that whole exchange? What the hell just happened?

“What did you do to him?” I ask as I walk back to the table.

“No more than I would do to you,” the succubus remarks, her dark gaze cutting through me as she takes the cup from my hand and pours herself some coffee. “Pity my charm doesn't seem to have the same effect on you.”

Her charm? Ashe had mentioned something about the eyes of a vampire being charming, but I didn't think she had meant it so literally.

Marco scoffs. “There's nothing charming about what your lot do,” he says as he drinks his coffee. “Using cheap tricks to get what you want.”

Is that how it works? “You can make anyone do what you tell them to?”

Catalina glances me over with a shrug. “Almost anyone, it seems.”

“So you, you've never done that to me?” I can't help the skepticism in my voice. Could I even trust her? I feel sick every time she looks my way. How would I know if I was being charmed or not in those moments?

“I'm afraid not, though it hasn't been for a lack of trying.” Catalina takes a sip of her coffee, a contemplative look falling over her as the corner of her lips curl. “Your mind is off limits to me, it seems. I'm curious as to why.”

My eyes instantly flick to the soul ring. “Does this have something to do with that?” Ashe told me that the ring keeps her from hurting me. Does that same magic work against vampires and their mind tricks, too?

Catalina hums. “Don't be absurd. That ring was designed for demons. It can only control the one it was made for, but it won't protect you from me.”

“Big talk for someone whose mother made a deal with a demon,” Marco chimes in, his words laced with venom as his lips twist into a scowl. “Your kind isn't too far off from them.”

“Careful, Marco,” the devil warns. “You may have Ashe's confidence, but even that only goes so far with me. Don't forget your place.”

“Where is Ashe?” I ask before Marco can retort. Usually, Catalina only came around when Ashe was nearby to 'feed', or so she calls it. My chest tightens at that thought but I try to push it to the back of my mind. I'd rather not reflect on those memories right now.

“She's working and that's all you need to know.” She tilts her chin to my hand and quirks a brow. “Tell me, how did you know about the ring?”

“I didn't,” I say a little too quickly. “It was an accident, I swear. I had no idea—”

“You seem to have a lot of accidents for a nosy little human.”

Marco bristles. “Watch it, Catalina.”

“Oh relax, I'm not going to hurt her. The last thing we need is for the ring to summon Ashe here and cause a scene. No, I just want to know what her intentions are.”

I blink as a heat flushes my cheeks. Is she sure she can't read my mind? “M-my intentions?”

“You expect me to believe that you had no idea about Ashe's ring that night when you targeted her on that dance floor?”

“I didn't . . .” Well, no, that wasn't entirely untrue. I did target her, but not for that reason! “It was just a dance! I didn't know anything about the ring, or about her!”

“You're either very clever or very naive.” She leans back, one eyebrow arched as she traces a nail over the rim of her cup. “Or perhaps you really are just a foolish girl with a crush who has gotten in way over her head.”

My face is on fire now. Catalina smirks, no doubt enjoying my discomfort, and I avert my gaze. “I don't—”

“Sweetling, I'm in the business of pleasure. I may not be able to read your thoughts but I can certainly smell your infatuation with our little half-breed. It practically oozes from you.” She wrinkles her nose. “It's revolting, really.”

“That's enough, Catalina. Leave the girl alone.”

“I'm only trying to help her, Marco.” Catalina purses her lips as her eyes fall once more to the ring. “Do you even know what it is you control?”

It. Like she was some kind of toy to be played with and then discarded the moment she was no longer useful. Is that how this devil woman saw Ashe?

I snap my head up, narrowing my eyes despite the blush that still colored my cheeks. “Ashe is a person. I don't control her—”

“She's a cambion, a half-breed, possibly the last one left on this earth. And what's more, she should not even exist. That ring you wear? It was made to trap demons, but unfortunately for her she was born from its magic. She's bound to it. And now that magic binds her to do whatever you tell her to.” Catalina hums again. “Such a dangerous gift for someone so foolish.”

Like I could ever tell Ashe what to do. “Even if she would listen to me, I'd never have her do things against her will. I'm not a vampire.”

Marco snorts at my comment and I can't help the smile that tickles my lips as Catalina glowers at me. I'll take any victory I can get with her, no matter how small.

“Do not misunderstand me. Ashe is . . . important. You, however, are a wrinkle. And I don't much care for wrinkles.”

“Dani, what the hell is this?” I whirl around just as Rose appears beside me. “I'm on the phone for five minutes and you're sitting here gossiping with your lumberjack friend and”—her eyes widen in recognition as they land on the seductress—“Oh God, you really did join a sex cult.”

“It's been longer than five minutes,” I grumble, but I don't miss the implication in her tone. I told her that I would watch the store for her and I had let her down.

“A sex cult? Oh my, that sounds delicious,” Catalina purrs, licking her lips. “Dani, aren't you going to introduce me to your little friend?”

Like hell I was!

I bolt out of my chair, nearly tipping it over in my hurry to end this conversation. “I should get back to work. Marco, do you think you can show Catalina out?”

The vampire rolls her eyes and pushes herself elegantly to her feet. “Don't bother, darling. I can show myself out.” She runs her fingers over the length of her dress, smoothing out any wrinkles as she studies Rose. “I'm sure we'll meet again, though I hope next time you'll have the courtesy to shower first. You reek of death.”

The blonde waits until Catalina leaves the café before turning to me. “Well she seems charming.”

You have no idea. “Don't mind her. I think she's allergic to basic human decency.”

“Why was she here, anyway?” Before I can think of a proper lie, Rose huffs. “Let me guess, part of this whole 'figuring it out' crap you're going through?”

I grimace. “Something like that.”

“I'm having a really hard time trusting your choices right now, Dani girl.”

Can we change the topic already? I really didn't want to get back into this with Rose, not now. “So what'd James want?”

Rose opens her mouth, closes it in contemplation, then with a heavy sigh she relents. “He asked me to dinner tomorrow night.”

“You have another date?” My stomach knots as an uneasiness settles over me at the thought. “Are you sure that's a good idea?”

She lifts a brow, a look of annoyance flashing in her eyes. “It's not like I'm moving in with him.”

Goddammit.

Marco sets his coffee cup down as he shifts uncomfortably to his feet. “I, uh, think I'll go for a walk.”

“Yeah, you do that, Paul Bunyan.”

The bear growls as he looks at me. “I'll be back later to pick you up,” he murmurs, dipping his head in a nod as he lumbers past Rose.

I stare at the blonde in disbelief. “Rose, that was rude! Marco didn't even do anything!”

“I ask you to do one thing for me, one thing! And you couldn't even do that. I mean, did you even see the guy behind the counter? Or the two women who ended up leaving after waiting so long because you weren't doing your job?” She crosses her arms, her piercing blue glare shooting icicles up my spine. “Or were you too busy spreading your legs for Catalina to notice?”

Okay, that's taking it too far. “Dammit, Rose, you don't even know what I'm going through!”

“You're right, I don't.” The muscles in her jaw tighten as hot air whistles from her nose. “Look, you don't want to fill me in? That's fine. You do you.” She grabs the carafe from the table and stomps back to the counter. “Just get your shit together, Dani. And quit giving out free refills!”

***

Rose and I didn't speak for the remainder of our shift. And after we locked up the café for the night, she packed up her belongings and drove off into the setting sun without so much as a goodbye. Ice Rose could be downright cold when she wanted to be.

True to form, Marco was waiting for me just outside.

“Sorry about Rose,” I say as we cut across the parking lot. “She's normally not like that.”

His pace falls easily in line with my own. “I'm sure she'll get over it.” He glances down at me, one eyebrow raised in concern. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I'm fine.” But I don't think my friendship is. Rose was really upset, and the rock of guilt sitting in my stomach was only growing heavier with each lie. Are all of these secrets worth losing her over? A frustrated groan escapes my lips. “I can't keep lying to her, Marco. It's not right.”

“You know you can't tell her. It's forbidden to talk about the supernatural to outsiders.”

“For you maybe, but I'm not one of you! Your rules don't apply to me.”

“You knowing at all is bad enough. You really want to put your friend through this, too?”

“Can I at least make that decision for myself—?” The sound of screeching tires and startled screams draws our attention to the street ahead, halting our walk just as quickly as it halted our conversation. “What the hell?”

A small crowd begins to gather on the street corner and, curiosity bading me to take a look, I change course.

“Dani!” Marco calls after me as I elbow my way forward. A mixture of shouts and whispers circulate in the air as a city bus comes into view, the hazard lights blinking rhythmically and the doors thrown wide open.

“He just, he just jumped out in front of me!” The portly bus driver looks around, his eyes darting frantically between the onlookers as he runs nervous fingers through his graying hair. “I-I didn't see him!”

The couple standing in my line of sight move for only a moment, but it was long enough for me to see the lifeless body lying awkwardly in front of the bus. I crane my neck to get a better look and feel my eyes widen as a familiar face stares blankly back at me.

Oh my God, it's him! The irate customer from earlier, the one Catalina was talking to. He's dead!

I spin around and find Marco standing behind me, his forehead creased with worry as his gaze shifts between me and the gruesome scene unfolding around us.

“Marco, she killed him!”

It would be impossible to ever prove, but I know in my gut that it was true. How could it not be? No sane person buys a coffee hours before they decide to jump in front of a moving bus. She told him to do this!

“Come on, Dani.” He places a protective hand over my shoulder, guiding me back to his truck as quickly as he can. “Let's get you home.”

A darkness clouds his eyes and I get the strange feeling that he's seen this happen before. Was this the danger he's been talking about? Could that just as easily have been Rose if Catalina tried to charm her?

Or me?

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A/N: Rose does not seem happy with Dani right now, and can you really blame her? Bad choices and even worse company! And how about Catalina? I wouldn't want to get on that woman's bad side!

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