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Sam sat down and launched into her pitch. She outlined the universities that had already extended invitations. UCLA, Berkeley, Columbia, Harvard.

“And I just received a request from Oxford as well,” Sam added. “They’re interested in me teaching a condensed 2-week seminar on the Lilith mythology. It would be an intensive course, but a tremendous opportunity.”

Dr. Kapoor looked hesitant. “That’s quite a bit of time away from campus, Sam. I’m just concerned about you being absent for so long when you have classes to teach and dissertation committees here.”

Sam nodded. She’d expected pushback. “I’ve arranged for Dr. Chen to cover my undergraduate courses in my absence. My PhD students are at a stage where they can work independently for a few months. As for the committees, we’ve been meeting on Zoom since the pandemic. No reason I can’t meet those commitments.” She leaned forward, hands clasped on her desk. “Rashmi, this is the chance of a lifetime. My research is gaining momentum — invitations from these institutions prove it. This tour will expand my reach exponentially.” Sam held Dr. Kapoor’s gaze. “I know I’m asking a lot. But I promise the payoff will be immense, for me and for this department. I’ll be bringing back knowledge and connections that will benefit everyone.”

Dr. Kapoor considered her words. Sam stayed quiet, letting her think. “I don’t think I can get Dean Merman to sign off on such a long?—”

“I know the dean can be tough, but surely he’ll see the prestige this brings to our department. After all, your leadership is the reason we’re attracting interest from top institutions.” Sam gave Dr. Kapoor an earnest look. “You’ve built this department into a powerhouse, Rashmi. My tour will showcase that to the world. I’ll be sure to highlight in every interview how vital your mentorship has been to my career.”

Dr. Kapoor looked slightly mollified by the flattery. Sam pressed on. “Just imagine the dean’s pride when Harvard and Oxford come calling again, wanting more of our professors to lecture. He’ll know it’s because of your work elevating our scholarship.” Sam smiled encouragingly. “This is your chance to really put our department on the map. I know the dean trusts your judgment. If you approve my sabbatical, he’s sure to agree.”

Dr. Kapoor tapped her fingers on her desk, considering. After a moment, she said, “Perhaps I can convince the dean, if I propose it strategically.”

“I have no doubt you can,” Sam said warmly. “You’ve always been a skilled negotiator. That’s why I know I can count on your support with this.”

Smirking at her, Dr. Kapoor shooed at her to get up. “Alright, alright. That’s as much blown smoke as I can take.” She chuckled. “I don’t want you to sprain anything.”

Sam laughed. “I meant what I said. You?—”

“Go on before your talk gets any sweeter and I leave my husband for you.”

Taking her advice, Sam slipped back into the hall and resisted the urge to pump her fist. She was re-energized about her upcoming tour. She’d cleared the biggest hurdle — now she just had to get through a few more committee approvals. The finish line was in sight.

The moment she sat down to work, her phone rang. It was the Key West resort where she planned to host her parents’ Fiftieth anniversary three years earlier, before the world shut down. They’d had a cancellation and would be able to accommodate their first weekend of April date. Thrilled, Sam started drafting an informal invitation to let everyone know.

It was after 10pm and Sam was still in her office, poring over student papers. She’d meant to head home over an hour ago, but had lost track of time grading.

When her phone buzzed on the desk, she glanced at it without much thought. Then did a double-take. The text was from Natalia and contained nothing but a location pin.

Sam grinned, immediately intrigued. She plugged the location into her maps app. It pointed to a spot in Wynwood. Near a couple of cool bars, based on the street view. Not the highfalutin location she was expecting.

Sam quickly gathered up her things, anticipation building about where this night might lead. She texted back before changing into a pressed black button down that she tucked into her plum-colored trousers.

Sam: You do realize this is how people get murdered in horror movies?

Natalia: Please. I have far more creative ways of killing someone. This is an invitation. One you’re clearly interested in since you’re running to your car.

Sam laughed aloud. Natalia wasn’t wrong — she was already locking up her office and speed-walking to the parking lot. It was the confidence with which she said it that Sam found most amusing. She’d never met anyone more self-possessed than Natalia. It was intoxicating. She typed out another message as she slid into her car.

Sam: On my way. But fair warning, I’ve seen every slasher flick made since the 80s. I know all the rules for surviving a rendezvous with a mysterious and potentially homicidal maniac.

Natalia: Say less. Don’t keep me waiting.

Still grinning to herself, Sam tossed her phone onto the passenger seat and started the drive toward whatever awaited her tonight. Leave it to Natalia to keep her guessing. With that woman, the possibilities were always endless — and endlessly exciting.

Sam pulled up to the nondescript warehouse building Natalia had directed her to. A neon sign reading The Limelight was the only indication it was a bar.

Inside, music and fifty conversations converged into a swirling discordant sound wave, but Sam cut through it with ease. She spotted Natalia right away, sitting alone at the far end of the sleek concrete bar.

Dressed in an all-black suit with her hair pulled back, she looked like a panther waiting to pounce. The sight of her, combined with the noise and energy of the busy bar, was like crushing ten Cuban espressos at once.

Moving toward her, Sam had to resist the urge to jog. The closer she got to Natalia’s orbit, the more electricity ran through her body. Her heart raced and her skin warmed. Anticipation coiled in her belly until Natalia looked up from her cell phone when Sam approached.

Dark eyes framed by even darker makeup were a heart-stopping contrast to Natalia’s full lips painted glossy nude. When Natalia’s attention landed on her, the jolt was nearly fatal.

“Well, you look right at home in the serial killer bar,” Sam teased despite her pounding pulse making the words feel foreign in her mouth.