Page 37 of Thorn Evermore
“Well, there are witches, certainly. Shifters for sure. Likely a few fae. And vampires, of course.”
“Vampires, of course? Shifters, witches, fae? You’ve gotta be pulling my leg. Those things aren’t real.”
“Are you sure about that?” I turn my head to face him again. “You’ve never had an experience that felt a little off? Never peered beyond the veil with any items you’ve received in your store?”
“Well, I mean, it’s explainable.”
“Is it?” I gently pinch his chin. “Always? Every time?”
Kyson’s brow crinkles and he opens his mouth but closes it again. I return my attention to the road in time to make my exit.
“How do you know?” Kyson eventually asks.
“I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I have quite a bit of experience with the supernatural. In fact, it’s only supernatural to those who aren’t aware of how common it really is.”
Kyson nods, biting his bottom lip. I sense the thoughts racing through his mind, but he’s not turned off. Just the opposite, actually. He’s intrigued.
“We can talk more later,” I suggest. “Tonight my focus is on you, and I hope yours is on me.”
Kyson clears his throat, pushing his glasses up. “Absolutely.”
Chapter 10
KYSON
I’m still not sure I believe Thorn, or if he’s living in some kind of fantasy world. Supernatural beings running amok in New Onyx? That can’t be true. But then again…
Those people launched themselves over the guardrail like it was nothing more than a small step. They also made it across a busy freeway uninjured.
And then there was the time I worked late in the warehouse and swore I kept seeing shadows out of the corner of my eye. I wanted to convince myself it was my imagination, but it was pretty hard to do when I turned on all the lights and still saw dark shadows floating through the space.
Maybe it’s true. Could vampires really exist? Gah, that would be incredible. I wonder if…
“Hey, Thorn?”
“Yes, gorgeous?”
“Have you ever toured the oddities museum downtown?”
“No. Should I?”
“Yes. They have an entire exhibit dedicated to artifacts believed to have been owned by actual vampires. I mean, I just thought it was them being kitschy, but now I wonder…”
Thorn turns his head, focusing on my face. “Vampires? What kinds of artifacts?”
“Letters, clothing, items like canes and hats. Lots of cool jewelry. There’s even some vampire-hunting stuff, and a fang.”
“A fang?”
“Yep. One broken off by a supposed vampire hunter from, like, the 1500s.”
“I see.”
I’m not ready to tell him I secretly always hoped it was true and that vampires existed. I mean, how sexy would that be? Bonus if they were queer. I mean, why would you be straight? Centuries of being alive would certainly get boring if you didn’t switch things up.
But what if Thorn thinks vampires are disgusting? Or that I’m some kind of weirdo for being fascinated by them? Best to keep my mouth shut.
“Here we are,” Thorn says, pausing as he pulls up to a gate. It opens and he navigates the car inside the parking garage, swinging into a space. “Welcome to the House of Orpheus.”