Malavita (Book One Of The Underworld Series) [ON HOLD]

Chapter One - Be Brave

I stepped into the cold night air, pausing only to send a wave a farewell toward the employee taking over the next shift at the front desk. It took a moment before he returned a sleepy, and almost floppy wave, before folding his arms and tucking his head down. And I couldn't blame him in the slightest. I was almost dead on my feet myself if not for the near thirty-degree weather.

I pulled the collar of my jacket up over my ears, wishing now that I'd brought one of my scarves to keep away the cold of the early morning air. You would assume it to be second nature, considering the fact that I walked home at the same time every morning and the weather had never once changed for the better. Yet somehow some part of me still continued to think it wouldn't be needed. And just like every other night, I was proven wrong.

I'd finally finished my shift at Marvins Palace; a seedy little Hotel on the edge of the city that hardly passed regulation codes on the best of days. I'd gotten the job almost eight months back when my job at the bakery fell through, mostly due to my inability to actually bake.

In hindsight, that in itself was probably a sign I shouldn't have gone for the job.

My job at Marvins Palace was more fit for my abilities, even though I was somewhat embarrassed to actually work there. It was my job to man the desk at night and make sure to answer the phone for any guests that needed assistance. In other words, it was my job to keep the laundry going and the floor clean. Which proved to be quite the task, as the Hotel itself was more commonly known for being a cheap place to bring a partner for sexual relations.

Sexual relations? Really? I huffed. This is why you got teased in high school.

I rubbed my hands together quickly in an attempt to create warming friction, soon blowing hot air into my palms to stop the cold from reaching my fingertips. I glanced briefly toward the bus stop as I passed by the familiar vibrantly tagged bench, wishing more than anything that the busses ran around this area during this time.

For the second time in the last twenty-four hours, I was struck with just how routine my life had become. Only this time, I was alone for my mini-realization. The short conversation echoing in my skull and causing me to cringe.

"Elena, you're doing it again."

I was jolted out of my thoughts abruptly, and with burning cheeks I brought my gaze back to meet the accusing stare of my best friend.

"No... I'm not."

Tory let out a loud, overdrawn sigh at my words. Her eyebrows rose and she gave me a sarcastic look.

"Seriously? You suck at even trying to lie."

I'd only known Tory for a year, but she had me pegged down since day one. And it was only thanks to her helpful hand in finding a cheap apartment that I wasn't sleeping on the streets.

She had quickly become my best, and sometimes most annoying friend.

"So, tell me what's wrong?" She encouraged, giving me the never fail megawatt smile that earned tips well above the usual percent.

"My life... it's sorta become... dull?" I bit the inside of my cheek, trailing off slowly. "I dunno..."

"That's not true. You just need to get out there," She protested, and I resisted the urge to groan.

"Where? My apartment? My job? I'm just saying it has sorta become routine enough to drive a monk insane." I rolled my eyes, supplying a somewhat sheepish smile for bringing up such a subject. It wasn't usually like me to dwell on things like that, considering I was more focused on rent most of the time. She still returned it with a wink.