Page 10

10

HAILEY

I rapped my knuckles against Kendra's door, feeling the thrum of her protective wards assessing me. After a moment, the door swung open, revealing my bestie's pinched face.

Kendra looked like she'd aged five years in the span of an afternoon, her shoulders slumped under an invisible weight as she waved me inside.

"Good, you're here," she muttered, turning to lead me into the living room. I caught a whiff of burnt sage and something sharper, like ozone after a lightning strike. Kendra's house was a fascinating blend of suburban normalcy and magical mayhem. Scuffed sneakers littered the floor by the front door while intricate sigils adorned the walls, humming with power.

Bookshelves strained under the weight of countless leather-bound volumes, their spines etched with arcane symbols. In the center of the room, a heavy oak table was strewn with bowls, candles, and the unmistakable glint of silver. The twin daggers. I had no idea when she'd moved her dining room table in here, but I wasn't going to ask right now. She looked too grumpy.

Kendra gestured to the blades with a scowl. "I've tried everything, Hailey. Potion amplification, cleansing rituals, even a blood sigil. Nothing makes a dent."

I picked up one of the daggers, the chill of the metal seeping into my skin. No surge of power, no hint of the magic that had transported me between worlds.

"What about the nullifying one?" I asked.

Kendra jabbed a thumb at a small lead box on the corner of the table. "Locked up tight. But even with it contained, the other dagger is about as magical as a butter knife."

She sank into a chair, running a hand through her hair. I'd never seen Kendra so frustrated. My unflappable, hyper-competent witch friend looked like she was one incantation away from tearing out her own hair.

"Maybe we need a sacrifice," she muttered darkly. "A goat or something."

I snorted. "Pretty sure the HOA would have something to say about that."

Kendra's lips twitched. "Can you imagine the look on Old Mildred's face? She'd probably file a complaint about the mess."

We shared a strained laugh, the tension broken for a moment. I perched on the edge of the table. "Jokes aside, this is serious," I said quietly. "If we can't figure out these daggers..."

I didn't need to finish the thought. We both knew the stakes. Someone out there wanted dragons dead and now Jax, Flint, Adalinda, and I were the last of the dragons.

A muffled thud from upstairs made me jump, my vampire reflexes kicking into high alert. Kendra waved a dismissive hand.

"It's just Howard," she explained, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "He showed up last night, fresh off some big bounty hunt."

I raised my eyebrows, a smile tugging at my lips. "Oh really? And how's that going?"

Kendra ducked her head, failing to hide her grin. "Good. Really good, actually. I've been thinking..."

She trailed off, chewing her bottom lip.

I leaned forward, sensing juicy gossip. "Thinking what?" I prompted.

"About asking him to move in," Kendra said in a rush, like she'd been holding the words in for weeks.

"His lease is almost up, and he's been hinting about relocating his office anyway..."

I reached out to squeeze her hand, my undead heartwarming with genuine happiness for my friend. "Kendra, that's fantastic. You should totally go for it."

She glanced up at me, her eyes sparkling.

"You think so? I mean, with everything going on..."

"Hey." I fixed her with a mock-stern glare.

"Don't you dare put your life on hold for supernatural bullshit. If Howard makes you happy, then that's all that matters."

Kendra's face softened into a smile, and she squeezed my hand back. "Thanks. You know, he's missed you. Your friendship. I think he'd really like to catch up when things calm down."

A twinge of guilt twisted in my chest. It was true, I'd been neglecting my friendship with Howard since…

well, pretty much since turning into a vampire had consumed my life.

I made a mental note to carve out some bestie time with my favorite bounty hunter.

As if on cue, Howard's footsteps creaked on the stairs, drawing closer. Kendra hastily swiped at her eyes and straightened her shoulders. I bit back a grin, remembering the giddy, blushing feeling of new love.

The door swung open, and Howard filled the frame, all broad shoulders and easy smiles. His eyes flicked from Kendra to me, lighting up with genuine warmth.

"Hailey! Long time no see, stranger." He crossed the room in two long strides, folding me into a bear hug.

I laughed, slapping his back. "Hey, I'm always here. You're the one taking high-profile, glamorous skips all over the states."

Howard snorted, releasing me to drop a casual kiss on Kendra's forehead.

I didn't miss the way she leaned into him, their bodies curving together like two puzzle pieces.

"Glamorous? I spent the last week staked out in a roach-infested motel. Definitely puts a damper on the badass bounty hunter vibe."

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't stop the grin from spreading across my face.

Watching the two of them, the easy intimacy in their teasing, made something warm unfurl in my chest.

Amidst all the supernatural chaos and dagger-induced frustration, it was a reminder that life went on.

That love could still bloom, even in a world of blood and shadows.

Howard's gaze fell on the daggers, his brows drawing together. "I'm guessing those are the cause of all the magical fireworks down here?"

Kendra sighed, some of the tension returning to her shoulders. "Yep. And so far, they're not giving up any secrets."

"Okay, let's take a step back." I held up my hands. "We're getting punchy. Why don't we take a break, clear our heads, and come back at this with fresh eyes?"

Kendra hesitated, her gaze darting between me and the daggers. I could practically see the wheels turning in her head, the burning need to solve the puzzle warring with her body's demands for rest.

"You're right," she said finally, letting out a long breath. "Staring at these things for another hour isn't going to change anything."

She turned to Howard, slipping her arms around his waist. "Think you can whip up some of your famous hot chocolate?"

Howard grinned, dropping a kiss on her forehead. "Anything for you, babe."

Warmth bloomed in my chest as I watched them, the casual intimacy a balm on my frazzled nerves. Howard caught my eye over Kendra's head, flashing me a grateful smile. At that moment, I understood everything he couldn't say out loud.

Thank you for being here. For supporting her. For reminding us both what really matters.

I smiled back, pouring all my love and friendship into the simple gesture. Then I clapped my hands together, breaking the spell.

"All right lovebirds, less canoodling, more hot chocolate. Kendra, grab your fluffiest blanket. It's time for an old-fashioned bestie break."

Kendra laughed, the sound loosening the knot of tension between my shoulder blades. "Yes ma'am."

As I followed them out of the living room, I spared one last glance at the dagger gleaming on the table. For a few hours, the mysteries could wait. Right now, my best friend needed me.