Deadly Dreams (Fortuna Sworn Book 3) by K.J. Sutton

Author:K.J. Sutton [Sutton, K.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781733461634
Publisher: Once Upon a Time Books, LLC
Published: 2020-12-02T18:30:00+00:00

It was snowing again by the time I got to Bea’s.

An entire day had come and gone, and now the sky overhead was black. I parked my van on Main Street, still fighting the temptation to cancel on Ariel, who’d texted me to follow up on her invitation to get drinks. I’d been in such a good mood—and so desperate to avoid the fact I hadn’t found Creiddylad—that I had agreed.

As I turned the key, I reminded myself that I couldn’t cancel. I’d managed to sneak away from Lyari and Finn, and after tonight, it was a safe bet I wouldn’t be able to again. I stared up at the sign for Bea’s and drummed my fingers on the steering wheel. It felt like there was a riot happening in my heart. Why did the thought of actually enjoying myself cause so much turmoil?

Because you don’t deserve it, a voice whispered.

In another lifetime, I would have a retort ready. I wouldn’t allow anything, not even the voice in my own head, to shame me.

Now, though, I picked up my phone and found Ariel’s name in my contacts list. It rang once, then her cheery voice filled my ear. “Bitch, you better be calling me from your car,” she said.

I kept my eyes on that neon-bright sign and tried to sound normal. “Look, I don’t think—”

“That was your first mistake. Tonight isn’t about thinking,” she informed me. Before I could respond, a song blared through the speaker. I winced and held the phone away from my ear. Even from the street, it was obviously Lynyrd Skynyrd. The human said something else, but I couldn’t make out the words. She hung up a moment later.

Guess that settles it. I heaved a sigh, pocketed my phone, and got out of the van.

The night was in a somber mood, not a ray of moonlight anywhere. I tried not to see this as an omen, and I hurried inside to avoid more second thoughts. A burst of warmth and sound hit me—Fridays and Saturdays were always the busiest nights of the week. All the tables and booths were full, every bar stool occupied. Angela rushed past, balancing food-laden trays on her palms. Cyrus was visible through the order window, his bright mane tucked beneath a hairnet. As always, he was bent over the stove, and steam rose toward his concentrated expression. Diablo was here, as well, busing one of the tables. His scrawny arms struggled to hold the tub, which was dangerously full of plates and glasses.

I lingered near the doorway, loosening my scarf. I scanned the room and noted that Phil stood behind the bar. He was middle-aged, married, and had five children at home. When he wasn’t here, he was also a bus driver and an employee at the local lumber company. As I removed my coat, he finally noticed me. His beard split into a welcoming smile. “Need a drink, Fortuna?” he called.

The sound of my name made more than one person turn, including Ariel, who was standing next to a booth.

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