Destiny Calling by Bonatch Maureen

Author:Bonatch , Maureen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Charmed Type
Published: 2024-01-13T00:00:00+00:00

12

“You can see them.”

I struggled to open the heavy back door to the Last Call. Apparently, I’m the only one who notices the odd haze surrounding the demons known as the Oppressors. It must take one to know one.

Despite my disappointment that Destiny and Chance didn’t share my gift, at least they couldn’t see me for what I might be.

I found Ruthie in the kitchen. “Chance told me only I can identify the Oppressors,” I said before Ruthie started talking. “What good is seeing the bad guys if I don’t know what to do about them?”

Ruthie laughed. Her reaction didn’t provide me with the encouragement or advice I sought. I wasn’t sure why I kept expecting her to.

I sighed. “This isn’t a laughing matter.”

“Aw, child, you’ve been around Oppressors more than you realize. They’ve always been in the world. Where do you think all the serial killers and other terrible people come from? Why all the prisons are overflowing? Most just don’t know what they are.”

She nodded. “You do. Tonight’s nothing new.”

“How is that a good thing? Seeing people for what they really are?”

I thought about the leering man from the police station I’d assumed was your usual creep. Now I knew he wasn’t human; maybe he knew I wasn’t either.

“There are some things I don’t want to know.”

“I know,” Ruthie said. “There’s beauty in wearing blinders. The Oppressors walking the earth aren’t anything new or abnormal— but not normal like you’re thinking. Their motivations aren’t human.”

She nodded again in what she probably considered encouragement, but she looked like one of those bobbleheads to me.

“Imagine knowing who the bad guys are before they can do something bad. Think of the crimes you could prevent—but not tonight. Just get your feet wet tonight.” She winked, then walked away to open the freezer.

I hurried after her. “Get my feet wet? What the heck is that supposed to mean?”

She bent into the freezer and left me talking to her well-padded behind. “Like I told you before, just serve the drinks.” Her muffled voice echoed from the depths of the freezer.

“I don’t mean about bartending. I mean about the demon things. The Oppressors.” I stomped my foot.

The noise from the bar built to a dull roar. Chief would be looking for me soon.

Ruthie pulled herself upright from the freezer with a few packages of hamburger tucked under her arm and adjusted her glasses with the other. “I know you meant the Oppressors.”

She paused, facing me. “Have you ever thought about why you felt you needed to work here? At a bar? When you’ve never bartended before?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say I never bartended⁠—”

“Save it.” She held up her hand. “You never have. Anyone can see that.”

“Hey, I’m not that bad. I did all right.”

“You did exactly what you’re supposed to do.”

The bar noise rose, making it difficult to hear her words. “And you did it wonderfully.”

She set the meat on the counter with a clatter and hugged me before I could step out of reach.

Ruthie held me at arm’s length, extending her arms and searching my face.

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