Free Waiting for Mercy (Cambions) by Shannon Dermott

was not shocked when my demon half began to stir.  The moment I felt it, I pressed my hands which had been dangling at my side against his chest.  With all the resistance I could muster, I shoved him away from me using the leverage from my back against the wall to help me.  He had not expected this and stumbled back.  We both stood in the hallway breathless.
     
    “I can’t do this,” I managed to say.
     
    He looked at me perplexed.  Obviously he hadn’t expected me to resist.  And if I waited a second longer I might not have been able to. “Why?” he said earnestly.
     
    “Sexy Lexi,” I said, staring him straight in his eye.  Stunned, he said nothing in response.
     
    “I have to go,” I said hastily. I still had time to make it to dinner.  I hadn’t totally decided until now.  He’d been right.  There were things I had to know and put to rest once and for all.
     
    “Where are you going?” he said, looking at me curiously.  He had to be wondering why I was leaving him on Valentine’s night.
     
     “A previous engagement,” I said.  I smoothed out my clothes and thought remorsefully that I might be hurting his feelings.  But I pushed it aside, his soul was worth a few hurt feelings.  Now, I needed to decide if I had time to change clothes.
     
    He just stared at me for a long moment.  I wondered if he’d wished he’d gone with Flynn on the double date.  “Okay,” he said.  Still standing there he looked like there was more he wanted to say.  But he just turned and headed downstairs.  I watched him go and couldn’t help thinking I’d made a big mistake.
     

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    toady (n.) one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors
     
     
     
    Driving on the highway trying not to break any speeding laws, I thought back to my destroyed birthday dinner a few months ago.  When I’d finally returned back to school, I’d opened my locker surprised by the bright gift bag that was a beacon of light radiating out of my locker.  I’d forgotten Paul’s unopened gift.  It wasn’t until after school that day alone in my room that I finally open it.  Inside was an invitation to dinner in the form of a printout of our reservation.  In addition in the gift bag was a small wrapped box.  Inside it was a silver Pandora charm bracelet.  The single charm that dangled from it was a half of a heart with the words best friends forever inscribed on it.  I’d never worn the bracelet.  It lay lovingly in my jewelry box all this time until I pulled it out this morning.  I’d left it on my nightstand to remind me I had a decision to make.  On the way out the door, I made certain to grab it. 
     
    The printout, for our reservations for Table 21 at Volt, sat on the empty seat next to me.  Tonight’s meal would be a twenty one course tasting as the name suggested.  Although I was excited for the meal to come, I couldn’t stop the guilt I felt.  I’d left Luke for Paul. But Luke and I weren’t yet together anymore despite the passion that we still felt for each other.  He left me over his concerns for my feelings for Paul.  It was another reason I had to go.
     
    When I finally arrived at the hostess station, I was five minutes late.  I was reminded of something Paul had written on the reservation.  In his own handwriting, Paul said that he would come.  If I didn’t show he would understand or if I wanted to share this experience with someone else I should show about five minutes late.  My heart was racing.  I hoped he hadn’t left.  If he wasn’t there, I would text him when I was seated. 
     
    Once I’d given Paul’s name for the reservation, the hostess led me back to a room with a bird’s eye view of the kitchen.  I was seated at a small table for two facing the Chef and his Sous Chef’s at work.  A single pink rose lay across the table setting.  Paul wasn’t there.  With shaky hands, I reached into the small purse I carried for this occasion and pulled