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“The three of us together will draw attention. It’s best if I go alone.”

Vale produced a throwing knife. “Take this. I’ll feel better knowing you have a weapon.”

“Are you sure you can spare it?”

“I have my sword. That’ll be enough.”

In the end, he decided to leave the family heirloom locked away. Although I was disappointed not to witness the sword in action, I understood. Mesharu was the most valuable sword in existence. Keith had a godly power, but he wasn’t a god. Traveling by sea, then fighting an island full of supernatural elders—Vale was rightfully mitigating the risk.

I took the knife and walked toward my cottage at a brisk pace, resisting the urge to break into a run. I was more likely to avoid detection if I walked. If only I still had the hoodie I’d given to Yume, I could hide beneath my hood.

I swore under my breath when I spotted Miguel lingering outside my cottage.

“Hi, Miguel. What are you doing over this way?” I asked, maintaining a friendly demeanor.

The vampire’s eyes were glazed, which made me think of donuts. Only then did I realize I was ravenous. My stomach gurgled.

“I’m supposed to tell Keith when I see you.” He pulled out his phone.

I curled my fingers gently around his. “Why don’t you wait a few minutes to do that? Come inside first and have a drink.”

Miguel stared blankly at his phone. “He said to call.”

“And you will. You’re not disobeying him, only delaying a few minutes.”

That seemed to satisfy him. The vampire accompanied me to the cottage. I opened the door to the sharp sound of hissing.

“Jinx!”

The black cat stood on the kitchen counter, her back arched like a Halloween display. The moment she saw me, her spine relaxed.

I leaned down and stroked her head. Jinx licked my nose with her sandpaper tongue. I withdrew before she could nip it.

“I’m pleased to see you, too.” I glanced over my shoulder at the glazed donut. “Let me get you that drink, Miguel.”

I had a potion ready for this type of occasion. Part of my paranoia. I opened the fridge and retrieved a small bottle of liquid, the color of a bruise. The shade might hold extra appeal.

I poured the potion into a highball and handed it to Miguel.

The vampire sniffed the contents. “What is this?”

“One of Meemaw’s special concoctions,” I lied. “Think of it as a liquid gummy.”

He took a hesitant sip. “Mhm. Tastes like bitter cherries.”

“It’s meant to be drunk quickly, like a shot,” I said, smiling.

He tipped back the glass and drained it dry.

I was already behind him when he fell. His shoulders slumped straight into my arms.

“Pleasant dreams, friend.”

I dragged him to the sofa and placed a cushion under his head. You didn’t survive as long as I did without learning how to lure somebody into a false sense of security.

I spun toward Jinx, now standing atop the coffee table. “I want you to stand guard over Miguel until I tell you the coast is clear, understood? I’m serious, Jinx. I don’t care who else comes. It has to be me. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

The cat sprawled across the coffee table, settling in for the night’s watch. I felt marginally better.