Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
“Okay. Now it’s officially creepy,” Matteo murmured.
Luke frowned. “Maybe there’s a draft, and we’re not affected because of where we’re sitting.”
Matteo shot him a skeptical look. Thankfully, their Caprese salad appetizer arrived. It was delicious with fresh basil, soft mozzarella, perfectly ripe Roma tomatoes, and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. As they ate, they chatted about classes and how they were anticipating the holiday break.
“Are you planning to go home for the break?” Luke inquired and then wanted to kick himself. Of course, he was going home for the holidays. Everyone left town during the break.
“I am for winter break, but I’m staying here through Thanksgiving. My parents are going to visit my older sister and her family. I’ve begged off, telling them I need to stay and catch up on my studies.” While his words were serious, Matteo matched them with a wicked wink and smirk. “What about you? Are you leaving town?”
“No, I’m not super close with my family, and it’s too expensive to make the trip.” In fact, he’d already planned for Chinese takeout and a horror-movie marathon with the demons for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“Would you be interested in doing our own Thanksgiving? Would your landlord mind if we borrowed the kitchen? Unless they’re planning a big holiday party.”
“Of course! I’m sure they’re not. They’d be happy to let us use the kitchen,” Luke answered. He could not imagine demons celebrating Thanksgiving. And Christmas? He shuddered at the thought. Maybe he should find a way to get out of town for Christmas.
“I’ll warn you. I’m not much of a cook,” Matteo murmured.
Luke shrugged. “Me neither. Maybe we could get a precooked turkey at the store. That’s the hardest part, right?”
They lost themselves for several minutes in Thanksgiving dinner planning until the server returned with their main course. He’d scarcely set the plates down when a strange, icy wind swept through almost the entire restaurant. Everywhere, tablecloths fluttered and customers gasped, grabbing for sweaters and coats to bundle up. Yet, the strange wind didn’t touch them. Luke and Matteo remained toasty warm in their corner by the front window.
At least two tables called for their checks, asking to have their food put in to-go containers rather than staying to eat.
This wasn’t normal. It had to be demon magic.
“Um…I’m going to slip away to the restroom. I need to wash my hands.” Luke made a show of pressing his fingers together as if there were a sticky substance on them. “The vinaigrette.”
“Okay, but hurry,” Matteo admonished. He leaned in close. “I’m starting to think this place is haunted.”
Luke forced a smile. “Don’t worry. You’re perfectly safe. I’ll be right back.”
He wove his way through the tables to a pair of doors near the rear of the restaurant. He slipped into the men’s room and peeked in all the stalls to make sure he was alone. With the restaurant so empty, he’d guessed this was the one area he could go that would be at least temporarily private.
“Azroth?” he hissed in a harsh whisper, pacing from one end of the bathroom to the other. “Ogos? Bath’tuk? Come on, guys! I know one of you is here. Come out right this instant!”
It was a small room with red brick walls and black tile floors. There were three stalls and three sinks with elegant silver faucets. Everything appeared neat and tidy, as if he were the only person to visit the restroom all evening.
“Come on! This isn’t funny.”
The door to the farthest stall opened, which was odd because Luke could have sworn the door had been left open when he walked in. Ogos in his human form sauntered out with a devilish smirk on his lips.
“Having fun?”
“No! Well, almost. Unfortunately, my date is scared the restaurant is haunted.” Luke frantically waved his hand toward the main dining room. “What are you doing here?”
“Making sure you have a perfect night.” There was no mistaking the look of pride on his face.
Luke covered his eyes and massaged his temples with his fingertips and thumbs. “You’re the reason there was no one in the restaurant earlier.”
“Yep. Made sure you’d have your choice of tables. You and Matteo deserve the best.”
Luke dropped his hand to his side and opened his mouth, but there were no words. He appreciated the effort to make sure he and Matteo had a “magical” night; he could just do without the real magic. His mouth closed, and he made a second attempt after a deep breath. “Thank you. Really. But why the candle trick and the cold wind? You’re scaring everyone away.”
“Exactly!”
Oh, God…
“If I scare them all away, you and Matteo will have the perfect dinner. All the servers and cooks will be at your beck and call. None of the other customers will disturb you with their noise.”
“It’s okay. We don’t mind a little ambient noise, and we don’t need the attention of everyone. The service is perfect. Please let everyone eat in peace. Go home. When the date is over, I’ll be happy to tell you and the others all the details.”