“You can learn this too,” she says. “It’s not the easiest illusion, so some people don’t bother, but if you love your family, you can do it.”

Diantha clears her throat and nods her head toward the bar.

Reina’s eyes shift in that direction and back to me. “Sorry, Ava. Looks like duty calls.”

I sit up straighter. “A vampire?” I whisper.

“Vampires aren’t the only ones that prey on the vulnerable,” Reina says. “Xander and Aristelle tend to focus their energies there, but our interests lie elsewhere. Look behind you and to the left. The woman and man who are about to leave.”

I turn just in time to watch a woman in a silver dress stumble as she slides off her barstool. A man catches her by the arm, and she looks at him like she’s surprised to see him, like maybe she doesn’t know him that well. He wears jeans and a button-up blue shirt that fits like it’s expensive, and he smooths chin-length light brown hair back from his face. He flashes the people around him an apologetic smile. His round baby face makes it look sincere.

I know fake smiles though. This one makes my skin crawl.

The woman steps away from him, brushing her dark brown hair out of her dazed green eyes. She might just be drunk, but she could be drugged. Either way, something doesn’t feel right. The man drapes her coat and his over his arm and hurries after her as she weaves her way to the front door. She never once glances back to see if he’s following.

My guess would be a first date.

I turn back around as Diantha lays enough twenties on the table to cover our bill three times over, and then we’re on the move. I trail behind them as we burst into the night. I may not be hunting vampires, but I’ll watch and learn this too. I’ll never say no to helping someone who might be preyed upon—no matter who the predator is.

Reina and Diantha glance down each side of the street.

“Damn it.” Reina’s fists clench as she stalks back and forth. “Did they hop in a car already?”

“Wait,” Diantha says. “I see them.” She stalks straight into the street, making cars stop for her. Reina strides behind her, and I hurry after, feeling like that awkward sidekick in a movie who’s going to end up hiding while the badass heroine takes down every bad guy who ever dared breathe near her—at least, that’s definitely the vibes Diantha and Reina are giving off. Alicia Vikander and Angelina Jolie don’t have anything on them. Their shoulders are back, their steps are sure. This is why they’re here.