Page 68 of All Your Bloody Lies

Shifters likely have the best hearing, next to Vampires. I don’t know who could be in there, but I’m not taking any chances. Before moving in, I slip my flats off and tiptoe to my doorframe.

I listen in, but don’t hear anything. Maybe someone just broke in. Shitty luck for them; the best they’d get is my television, and even that isn’t worth much.

I hear footsteps right behind the door. I shove through quickly, my vision capturing cotton candy pink before my nails pierce through her neck. My eyes widen as Sydni stares right back at me with her sky-blue eyes.

“Hey Phiny-bear!” she says so casually, as if my middle finger’s nail wasn’t pushing against the vein in her neck. A bright smile crosses her lips, which are painted a beautiful shade of pink.

“What… the fuck, Syd?!”

“What?”

I’m baffled. “The door… You left it open! What if someone…” I’ve never felt my heart race so rapidly. Not from the fear of an intruder, but from the prospect of her being so careless, risking harm to herself. “Syd, this area is not the safest. Can you please be careful?”

Her lips part, and she looks at me like I’m the manic one.

“Don’t come here unless I’m home, damn it. What if someone snatched you on your way in from your car? Have you seen yourself? You’re so frail and cute and—”

I’m so immersed in my rant that I can’t prevent her from enveloping me in a hug. My eyes widen, and once again, I find myself holding my breath. She has never hugged me before, or at least, never succeeded.

Gently, I place my hands on her back. I don’t pull her into a tight embrace, but I do reciprocate it as best I know how.

“Listen to me,” I lower my voice and sigh. “If something happens to you because you’re being reckless, no one will survive.” She nods, stepping away from me. “I’m serious. I’ll go on a rampage.”

Her gentle smile slows my anxiety.Stupid girl… I can’t fucking lose you.

Brushing past her, I notice Mister sitting on the couch. Approaching, he meows so loudly that it startles me. Then he rolls onto his back, begging for belly rubs. “Okay, hi to you too,” I mutter, obligingly rubbing his belly.

Brr-oww. Rowwwww.

Silly cat.

“Did I miss something on my calendar again?” I turn my head over to Sydni, who is still dazed by the moment. She’s probably in just as much shock at me hugging her back, as I was that she left the damn door open.

She shakes her head and takes a breath, pulling herself from the haze she put herself into. “Nope!” There it is. My cotton candyprincess is back. “I am actually here to ask for a favor, and I’ll tell you where Rhysie-poo is.” I wish she wouldn’t call him that. I roll my eyes, exasperated by his nickname.

Though, I am curious. She has his location tracked, and while I’d love to put it on the phone I got back from him, I’m afraid he’s got some spyware on it and would know. I’m already convinced he is tracking my phone and likely sees everything: like texts and who I call. Though, I can’t be certain.

“Fine. First, what do you want, and then tell me where he is.” He isn’t around this afternoon, and I’m ready to pencil into my fury with him being at Hause Sidence.

“I…” She’s so dramatic, the pause and the cat-like grin all for show. “Have a date!” As if that is supposed to surprise me.

“Great, I’m super happy for you. What’s his name?” Sydni is straight, though I’m sure I could turn her if I wanted to.

“Brice. But listen, I know you aren’t going to like this but—”

“No. Absolutely not.”

“They aren’t all bad, Phiny-bear, and he is really sweet!”

My nose twitches. “What kind?” I’m trying not to be prejudiced toward an entire race, but I’ve never met a good Shifter.

“I don’t know…” She fiddles with her fingers, and I feel like I’m scolding her like a child, but it’s because she’s acting like one in this moment. “He asked me to dinner and then drinks afterward.” I’m waiting for her request. Waiting for her to ask me for permission to date a Shifter. Then, I can completely deny her, as though she’s my daughter or sister, or anyone that I can control.

“I was hoping you’d just come to watch over me and get a feel for him. I’ve done his background check; he went to college! He has a good job…” I’ve not stopped staring at her since she began, and I can see that my impenetrable glare is possibly beginning to scare her. “He’s really cute and sweet, Phiny-bear…”

“When is this date…” My eye spasms as I speak through my teeth.

“Tonight, in—” She pulls out her phone. “Thirty minutes.”