Bloodlines and Broomsticks by Robyn Bachar

Author:Robyn Bachar [Bachar, Robyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-463-63751-7
Publisher: Robyn Bachar

Chapter Eight

Nikki the shapeshifter lived in a modest apartment on campus, but she wasn’t a student. She worked at Café Espresso, a coffee shop I visited every morning during the school year, and I recognized her from the pictures on her refrigerator. I didn’t spend as much time in the café as I had as an undergrad. I tried to avoid student hangouts for fear I’d run into someone from one of my classes, but I was addicted to mochas and didn’t want to make them myself. I might’ve seen Nikki every day, and I didn’t know her name.

There were no clues left in Nikki’s apartment, not even the slightest hint of who had taken her. The trail was cold—almost two weeks cold now. We decided to scout the Espresso to see if the hunters had spotted her there first. If nothing else, I was more comfortable in the coffee shop than I’d been in the Pinewood Tavern.

Jeremiah nursed a mug of black coffee, and I fought the urge to get another white chocolate mocha. I was wired from the caffeine of the first one and I didn’t need a second, but they were delicious.

“You don’t like it?” I nodded toward his coffee.

“I never really understood the coffeehouse thing.”

“You don’t like coffee?”

“I like coffee fine, in its original form. Exactly what is a mochachino?” Jeremiah frowned at the menu above the counter and I shrugged.

“A mocha cappuccino, I think. I’ve never tried one.”

“And what is this music?”

I glanced up at the speaker above our table. I’d been jotting down notes about what we knew and our theories on the hunters, and I hadn’t been paying attention to it. It was something South American, from the sound of the flutes.

“World music. It’s culture,” I said. “It’s better than that noise they were blaring at the bar last night.”

“You have something against country music?”

“Yes. I’m from Chicago,” I replied matter-of-factly.

Jeremiah snorted. “I’m sure there are people in Chicago who listen to country music.”

“Not in my family.”

“Is your brother your only sibling?”

“Yes.” I let him change the subject, because I didn’t want to pry. “We could drive to Indianapolis and catch one of Erik’s games. It’s not far from here.”

“You’re not worried about introducing me to your family?”

“No. Though after my last relationship they’ll probably watch you like a hawk.”

Jeremiah nodded and started to reply, but we were interrupted by the sudden arrival of one of my students from last semester.

“Riley, hi!”

“Bob, nice to see you,” I greeted. “Are you in town for summer session?”

“Yeah, I got my math credit out of the way.” Bob was a bright kid, always eager to ask questions. He’d gotten an A in my class, which had been a discussion section for a larger Introduction to Education lecture. “Are you teaching another class in fall?”

“Two, actually. The intro class again and a class on using technology in the classroom.”

“That’s great.” Bob’s smile slipped as he glanced at Jeremiah. “Who’s your friend?”

“Boyfriend,” Jeremiah corrected. He reached across the table and took my hand in his for emphasis, and Bob’s smile slipped a bit more.

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