Page 105 of Craving Carla

Amari takes my hand as we make our way through the restaurant. The lighting is dim, creating an intimate atmosphere. Candles flicker on each table, sending soft patterns across the wooden floors. Large windows line one wall, revealing the lake and bridge beyond, where the water shifts in subtle silver tones.

Selene is already seated at a table, wearing a stunning black dress that hugs her athletic frame perfectly. She stands as we approach, greeting me with a kiss on the cheek and an approving nod.

“You look lovely, Carla,” she says, her voice warm and genuine.

I blush even harder when Amari pulls out my chair for me, waiting until I’m seated before pushing it in and taking his place beside me. A glass of water sits next to my plate, and I grab it immediately, taking a long drink to calm my nerves.

A waiter in a crisp suit approaches with glasses and a bottle of red wine. He pours evenly into each glass, and I stare at mine uncertainly.

“I’ve never had wine before,” I admit to Amari.

He picks up his glass and holds it out to me. “Try mine first.”

I take a sip, the liquid rich and complex on my tongue. It’s bitter, with undertones of dark fruits and something earthy that stays with me after I swallow. My face must show my reaction, because Amari laughs.

“The older the wine, the more bitter the taste,” he explains. “But it’s better this way. You’ll get used to it.” His fingers brush mine as he takes back his glass. “This is the first of many dates to come.”

My stomach flutters at his words, at the promise of a future together.

“How are you adjusting to Wintermoon?” Selene asks Amari, her eyes curious.

“A lot better than I thought I would,” he replies, and I smile at that.

“Have you been able to learn anything with Amari’s intel?” Damon asks, swirling his wine.

Amari grins, holding his glass up. “I plan to meet with you soon to go over the details.”

The waiter returns, and Amari orders steaks for both of us, medium well with broccoli and potatoes. Damon orders the salmon special for himself and Selene. Once the waiter leaves, he places a basket of breadsticks on our table.

I stare at the bread, memories flooding back of my early days with my children—how they brought me bread when I was starving, hiding in a cave. I swallow hard against the sudden lump in my throat and reach for a breadstick.

As I take a bite, I notice the humans at nearby tables watching us from the corners of their eyes, their expressionsranging from curiosity to outright disgust. I glare back at them, taking another aggressive bite of my breadstick.

Damon notices and gives me a sympathetic smile.

“We’ve had a breakthrough on why the children won’t lift the veil,” Amari says, and Damon leans forward, interest clear in his expression.

“The children gave us memories of Carla being killed by humans,” Amari explains. “Tabatha, a Blackwood witch, came into the cave to revive her with a magical key that was absorbed by Carla and her children.”

Damon sits back, his face thoughtful. “That’s fascinating.”

“Tabatha also mentioned something about Aya’s curse having a strange effect on limbo,” Amari adds.

Damon’s eyes suddenly light up. “Tabatha was once a guardian for the two realms—the afterlife and the living. She must have known her time on earth was coming to an end, and since she didn’t have children of her own, she chose you to take her place.” He looks at me with a sense of understanding. “This is fascinating, but I don’t have the Blackwood journals to fully investigate my theory.”

“I know who does,” I mutter through my chews, still uncomfortable from the human stares. “Angie.”

“We should all go visit her at the Academy tomorrow night,” Damon suggests, and Amari nods in agreement.

Damon changes the subject, telling us how he met Selene—how he was tasked with collecting the Book of The First to trap dark magic and defeat Aya, but Selene was the assassin who took an oath to protect it.

“I kicked his ass a few times,” Selene admits, taking a sip of her wine.

“A few?” Damon raises a playful eyebrow.

“He enjoyed it,” Selene says, kicking him under the table and flashing a mischievous smile.

“Yes, very much,” Damon agrees, leaning in to kiss her.