Gypsy Freak (All The Pretty Monsters, #2)

by Kristy Cunning

A man without a dream is a man with no soul.

I know it’s not a fucking common thing. I’m a good stalker and know her routine by heart at this point.

It’s a screwed up situation when you can’t spend your best friend’s possible last day with her because she needs to borrow your body.

“Maybe monsters should just use Facebook instead of bullying people into weird, suspicious friendships that don’t sound optional,” I mutter petulantly.

He’s like Anna. Once they’re in your life, you just adapt to their creepy ways and start to find the weird charm in them.

I guess all monsters have their issues. He lacks boundaries, and I can’t be allowed to panic. In the grand scheme of things, I still haven’t met anyone who scares me as much as I scare myself.

A few rose petals decorate the table, and I can’t help but smile a little. It’s weird that the first semi-romantic thing anyone has ever done for me is coming from a psychotic vampire who initially gave me dead bodies as roses.

“Why the hell are you asking me about washing machines?” “Because that’s what she’s doing right now. Moving like one of those agitators…without the rhythm.” He goes quiet, possibly trying to picture that for himself. “Why?” he finally asks. “I think she’s dancing,” I answer unsurely as she starts flailing her arms and singing along with the music.

Arion’s words register, and I turn around to face him. He immediately bends down so quick that I startle, and his lips brush mine so softly, before he moves up to my ear to whisper, “Save me for last, sweet gypsy. I fall the hardest.”

“Happy birthday, kid,” Dad says a little awkwardly, dipping his head toward me in a cordial sort of way. I nod back, like it’s the sort of farewell one gives the father they might not see for another eight or so months. “I’ll call you next Tuesday to check in,” I say as he gets in. He tosses me a thumbs-up and drives off.

The one who lived her life hurting the ones she loved just to prove how much they loved her, while they continued to give all they had to give.

“Arion would slaughter a legion of people for vengeance if she was killed with his scent on her,” Mary assures her, which…definitely does not make me feel assured about anything other than the fact he’s certifiably insane and I’m still attracted to him. I’m not sure what’s wrong with me.