MERIBELLA

Joe's place was packed by nine, and the rush didn't slow down. Meribella could scarcely get one group cashed out before new guests took their places. Most were understanding and had downed a few beverages while waiting. They were just thankful for the seat. The few that tried to act out grew quiet as soon as she narrowed her eyes.

"Good lord when are they gonna stop?" Vivian groaned, pulling a shoe off behind the counter and rubbing her thumb along the pad of her foot. "The musical festival doesn't start until this weekend. We're gonna need help to get through those days for sure."

Mopping up spilled vodka on the bar, Meribella nodded. "I can ask Thorne if she'd like to pitch in. She doesn't really have to find a job, but she may be tired of sitting around the boat." And I can keep an eye on her and not worry myself to death.

The band on stage announced they were stopping for a break, and in the momentary silence that broke out, she heard the buzzing in her apron pocket. Her hand tightened on the damp towel, but she reached for the phone after a moment of hesitation. Psychic abilities hadn't been amongst her new powers, but she knew exactly who was blowing up her phone.

Raff: Woman... (She could hear the exasperation in the ellipses.) While I will acknowledge that the note you left is a sign of progress, I'm calling bullshit. You didn't have to work tonight. You're safer here. With me. Until we get this sorted out.

Meribella: First of all, I was getting itchy away from the ocean. I'll have you know I do have to work. Some of us have bills to pay and new tires to buy.

Raff: I can buy you new tires, and you'd have no need to pay bills if you would just move in with me. I do have a house by the ocean...

The phone clattered to the countertop. He'd just asked her to move in with him. Pressing her

palm into her stomach to calm the flapping of paper butterflies-butterflies she'd thought were torn and crushed beyond repair. Her hands trembled as she typed out her response, hoping her sass would redirect the conversation. Her mission was to push him away, not draw him closer. Those wings flinched and stilled.

Meribella: I don't particularly relish the idea of being a kept woman. I think I'd feel a

bit like a prostitute.

Raff: I'll give you that point, but to be fair- we're not having sex. Something I intend to

rectify as soon as I get my hands on you again.

Well shit. Her skin heated and moisture pooled in all sorts of inconvenient places. Vivian, who was returning for another round of drinks gave her a questioning glance before setting her tray down.

"Everything all right? You're looking a little flushed."

"Yep, it's good. Kind of hot in here with all these people." Even she noticed the husky quality of her voice, and she winced.

"Ok, well when you catch your breath, can you take this tray to table eight? I've gotta find some healing drops for the guitarist. A string on his guitar popped and cut him in the eye. Thankfully, he's a Kelpie so he won't ask any questions."

"Sure thing, Viv," Meribella answered, another text catching her eye as she went to drop the phone in apron. Why is my mom texting? Gods, I hope everything is okay.

"Hey, we just ordered drinks, but it looks like we got a prettier waitress to go with em, boys." The speaker was an older man, a regular whose name she could never remember. His mouth was loose, but his hands weren't, so most of the girls ignored him. The other men cheered at his words, their eyes blinking together in what she assumed were drunken winks. Only one man remained quiet as she placed his drink in front of him.

"Hey, Tom," she said, flipping the tray sideways and resting it against her stomach. "How are you?"

"H-hey Meribella," he stammered. "Your boyfriend ain't here tonight, is he? I mean, I'd want him to know I never meant to touch you that night."

Had that night really happened over six months ago? Raff chasing her through the bar as she fled in fear. Now, she'd do anything to be able to run into his arms and stay. "I'll make sure he knows Tom. You gents let me know if you need anything else. Looks like the band is starting back up."

She buzzed past all of her tables, checking to make sure no one needed anything before untying her apron and waving at a returning Vivian. The older witch smiled and waved her on as she leaned down to hear an order. All she wanted was to get outside, breathe in a bit of cool air and let her eardrums recover from the screeching, out of tune instruments.

As soon as she stepped outside, the ocean air calmed her, and she sighed as the breeze tendriled around her body, begging her to follow it to the water. It had been too long since she'd gone for a swim, but time had not been kind to them. Tonight, she promised herself. Once she made certain that Thorne was safe and sleeping, she'd go.

"Looks like you're lost in thought there, hon."

Mariah's voice was a discordant note in her peaceful moment, and she had to force her lips to turn up in greeting. "Just enjoying my break."

The beautiful woman returned the smile with one that looked equally forced before placing the end of a cigarette between her dark red lips. The tip flared orange, casting her features in cruel shadows, before the light dimmed and died. Dropping her hand to her side, she puffed the blue smoke towards the skies.

Mariah flicked the ash from the end and offered it to Meribella. She shook her head no, appalled by the idea of filling her lungs with soot and tar. But she supposed it didn't matter. To either of them really-their fast healing Fae genetics counterbalanced all sorts of bad habits.

"Suit yourself," she shrugged, taking another deep pull. The smoke masked the salted scent of the sea.

"How are you enjoying your time back? I bet your dad is glad you're home," Meribella said, unable to take the silence.

"I've always loved home, but the memories make it hard to stick around."

"Oh. Your mother?" She was just shooting in the dark. Joe had never talked about a wife, only a lost daughter.

Another puff. Another moment of awkward silence, punctuated by the tinkling of glass breaking within the bar. "Yeah- I guess. Dad met her while in Columbia, and he brought her back to the states. She died years ago, though. Human. It's my sister that makes being here so damned hard."

Every hair on her arm stood straight up, and she had to fight to keep her voice even. "I thought Joe only had one child."

Mariah's laugh was bitter. "He does now. I had a twin-her name was Meghan. She married a fucking werewolf and died having his baby. Dad hoped she'd be safe, but it only takes a hint of human ancestry and you're toast. It's been about thirty years now, but every time I come home, I swear my dad sees only her when he looks at me."

Ears ringing, Meribella stumbled away from the other woman and rested her forehead against the cool brick. Surely the Meghan she spoke of and the one Vivian told her about couldn't be the same? But she had to be certain. Righting herself, she turned back to face Mariah, the sinister smirk on those red lips giving her pause.

"Are you Raff's aunt?"

"Shit, no. How much would that suck? That man is fine."

"Yeah, that'd be crazy," Meribella joked, her relief at the news turning to jealousy.

"Totally," Mariah agreed, reaching around her to hold the door open. The raucous music and laughter almost drowned out her next words. "He's my brother-in-law."