Page 103 of Taming the Beasts

“A permanent vacation,” I said. “Don’t be jealous.” I hit his chest with the back of my hand as I kept focusing on Kebe’s face. Waiting for her to give some kind of tell that she was a filthy liar.

She took a bite of mashed potatoes. “Oh, these are some of the best I’ve ever had. They could use someblood instead of gravy though. Am I right?” She laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world.

I cleared my throat. “I was actually wondering if any of you knew about any other supernatural creatures? Other than werecats or vampires I mean?”

“Sure,” Kebe said. “There’s so many. Too many to count really.”

“We actually haven’t heard of any others,” Ace said.

Kebe laughed. “Oh, right. I mean, none that exist any longer. But long ago in my youth, there were so many walking among us. The times have really taken a toll though. Now that you mention it, I don’t think I’ve run into another creature in centuries. I guess vampires and werecats are all that’s left.”

She’d literally just changed what she said halfway through. I stared around the table, hoping someone else would call her out. They did not. I elbowed Titan.

He just grunted at me.

What was he doing? He was supposed to be helping me! I looked back at Kebe. “Well, what other creatures used to exist? Anything that could maybe disappear? Like teleportation?”

She shook her head. “Teleportation is more of a sci-fi dream. It’s not rooted in facts, Zoey.”

And supernatural creatures were? “Well Callum was telling me the other day that when vampires move quickly, it’s notthatquick. And that humans can see a blur. Is that true for you too?”

“Everything Callum says is true. He is so smart. And lovely.”

That was not an answer! Gah! I was getting very agitated right now. I needed to go back and look at the security footage myself. But Grudge never mentioned ablur when she “disappeared.” So I was taking his word for it.

“Back to the other supernatural creatures,” I said. “What kind? Like...dragons?”

“And now you’ve gone way too fantasy.” Kebe laughed. “Although dragons did exist at one point. No longer though. It’s such a shame.”

“So what other creatures were there?”

“Any you could possibly think of. Goblins, ghosts, demons, mermaids, leprechauns, elves. Werewolves of course. They’re all extinct though. Oh, there are still a few genies out there. But they’re sneaky and good at hiding. You’d be lucky to find one that didn’t want to be found.”

“Can genies teleport?”

“You’ll have to ask a genie.”

“I’m asking you.”

“But I’m not a genie. I’m a vampire. You know, this burger is good, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for a wedding. And it could use a bit of blood instead of ketchup.”

Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit!Except for the burger not being an appropriate wedding meal. I agreed with that. I’d just gotten a few burgers because I knew the guys liked them.

Bennett cleared his throat.

I turned to look at him.

He was giving me a very strange look.

I knew I was coming off rude. Or weird. But I was trying to make a point. Going about it in a roundabout way wasn’t working though. It was time to be direct. I turned to Kebe. “Look, I’m just going to state the obvious. Titan and I don’t believe anything you’re saying.”

Titan shrugged.

Was that a shrug of agreeance? I couldn’t tell.

“Whatever do you mean?” Kebe asked.

“You’re literally eating human food without much complaint. And I’m sure you did meet King on a session, but I don’t think you were talking to him into the wee hours on Friday night. And I don’t think you’re a vampire because you’re disappearing, not making a blur on the video footage.”