That did it. “A child is missing. He’s in mortal danger.” Sera surged forward, pushing her face in the snooty lady’s. “And you’re worrying about dinner parties?”

Bethany Harrower met her stare without fear. She was wearing disdain like it was this season’s color, though. “Ms. Dering.”

Sera wasn’t sure if she should be flattered or worried that the old lady remembered her name. And she was too pissed off to decide. Or care.

“I wouldn’t expect you to comprehend such things,” Bethany Harrower continued. “I have been planning this dinner for two months. And I will not have some kidnapped child ruin it.”

Fury boiled inside of Sera. Her magic snapped out, raw and unchecked. It would have slapped Bethany Harrower flat on her bony little ass too if Kai hadn’t put up his magic to shield the lady.

“Go with Naomi. Help her,” he told Sera, his tone soothing.

She smashed her magic against his, trying to break through. He didn’t budge. Damn dragons. She’d have to use her magic-breaking powers to break through his shield. Shattering his magic would hurt him. It would hurt her too. The only person who won in that scenario was Bethany Harrower. Taking a deep breath, Sera pulled her magic back in.

“I’ll deal with this.” Kai kissed her softly, which made the old lady’s magic flare up in disgust. Her nose crinkled up like a shriveled potato too.

“We’ll have to reschedule,” Sera replied, brushing her nose against his.

“Of course,” he said with a wicked grin. “I’m not letting you get out of our date so easily.”

CHAPTER THREE

Haunted Loop

NAOMI HAD CHASED the vampires to Illusion on foot, so they walked rather than drove from the restaurant to Haunted Loop. The sky was dark, the air foggy, and the chilling wind particularly persistent tonight. In other words, perfect vampire conditions. For those people who still had a pulse, however, the weather was downright wretched.

“So, have you met with Simmons yet?” Naomi asked, rubbing her hands up and down her arms.

Sera mimicked the motion, trying to smooth down the goosebumps popping with arctic bite across her skin. “Not yet.”

“So you haven’t been reinstated?”

“Will that be a problem?”

“I won’t tell Simmons if you don’t.” Naomi shot her a crooked smile. “Though I don’t think the guild’s accident insurance will cover you if you get maimed during this job.”

Sera snorted. “I’ll just have to make sure I don’t let the bad guys get in a punch.”

“You’re good, Sera. You’ll be ok. I’m more concerned about your clothing.” Naomi smirked. “Your boyfriend seems to really like that top.” She winked.

Sera blushed.

Naomi continued, her teasing merciless. “If those vampires hadn’t crashed through the window, you two would still be ogling at each other from across your table.”

“Kai would take issue with your words. According to him, dragons don’t ogle.”

“Oh, sure they do, just like the rest of us.” A slow, sly smile slid across Naomi’s glittery pink lips. “Now, tell me when you’re going to meet with Simmons so you can be reinstated.”

“I’m meeting with him later this week to renegotiate my contract.”

“Should be fun.”

“Trying to get more money out of a penny pincher like Simmons? Yeah, it will be awesome,” Sera said drily.

“Simmons likes muffins.”

Sera nodded. “Apple cinnamon is his favorite.”

“Really? I’ll have to remember that,” said Naomi. “You have to come back, Sera. Soon. I miss my partner. I’ve had to work with Hadley on my last few jobs, and she’s just such a hard ass. No fun at all.”

“She’s not that bad.”

Naomi shot her a look of complete horror. “The woman bench-presses dinosaurs for fun.”

“San Francisco offers many supernatural wonders,” replied Sera. “Dinosaurs are not one of them.”

“Hadley tried to make me spot for her while she lifted baby elephants.”

“Oh? And how did that go?”

“It didn’t go. And then she scoffed at me when I suggested yoga instead. Apparently, flexibility is ‘overrated’.”

“I wonder if she uses that excuse on her lovers,” said Sera.

Naomi’s magic swirled with merriment.

“Oh.” Sera gaped at her friend. “You didn’t actually say that to her, did you?”

“Something of the sort.”

“And how did she react?”

Naomi shrugged. “As expected. All I have to say is it’s a good thing she’s not immune to Fairy Dust.”

Wow. “Maybe I can move up my appointment with Simmons,” Sera told her. “You’re getting into all sorts of trouble without me.”

“Yes, do that.” Naomi grinned. “It’s much more fun to get into trouble with you.”

“Indeed,” said Sera. “And speaking of trouble, how was your family weekend?”

Naomi turned a tad green—and it wasn’t because of her shape-changing magic.

“That bad?” Sera asked her. “Was your mom complaining about your job again?”

“Of course. She always does that. I just ignore her.” Naomi’s words were calm, but her magic was bucking like an enraged bull.