Chapter 11

“What brings you to Beechworth, Drake?” Katsuro stood, putting himself between me and the newcomer.

A low rumble thrummed through Davin’s chest, matching Nimbus’s growl.

“You have something of ours.”

Though Katsuro was blocking the view, I could tell this Drake guy was staring through him, speaking directly to me. I didn’t answer.

“That nimbus is spoken for.”

Okay, I wasn’t about to ignore that. I surged to my feet, dislodging Nimbus and storming up to Katsuro’s side. I wasn’t dumb, I stayed well within the vampire’s reach.

“Oh, are you the one trying to enslave supernatural creatures?” I demanded.

“The nimbus—”

“Listen right here, asshole. This nimbus chose me after I rescued him from whatever evil plans you had for him. You can go fuck off if you think I’m handing him over.”

Drake seemed taken aback.

Whatever Drake was, and I had no doubt he was supernatural too, I was not nearly as scared of him as I was of the people I’d helped put behind bars.

Katsuro put a hand on my arm when I took a step forward.

“The nimbus is mine as long as he chooses to stay with me. I’ll protect him, with my life if I have to, and I’m sure as hell going to make it so people know that if something happens to me, they should connect it to you.” I pulled out my phone, snapped his picture, and showed him—after a quick glance to make sure the picture actually took. “Just say a threatening word and I’ll send this to my BFF in D.C.” BFF was a stretch, but my contact in witness protection was in D.C., and I’d been instructed to maintain a bit of contact.

Drake cleared his throat, and his gaze flicked to Katsuro before returning to me.

“I suppose we shall see if you are that brave when you don’t have a vampire and a werewolf standing at your back.”

I showed him my teeth. “Fuck off.”

Drake smiled, the unfriendly expression twisting his features and showing a hint of the evil I’d learned to look for over the last couple of years. “Good day, Hannah.” He nodded ever so slightly to Katsuro and ignored Davin as he turned abruptly and left.

Jaz’s eyes were wide as she bowed and followed Drake out.

“Are you sure she needs our protection?” Davin said softly once Drake was gone.

Katsuro burst out laughing. “That was unwise, my dear spitfire, but entertaining.”

Nimbus rubbed against my leg and rooed, his fluffy tail curled over his back and wagging.

“Shit, I’m going to have to start carrying a gun, aren’t I?” I pulled my glasses off and cleaned the lenses before shoving them back on my face.

“Do you know how to use a gun?” Katsuro asked, not unkindly.

“Yeah, I do.” I crossed my arms and rubbed my hands on my biceps. Fuck, I’d never wanted to have to carry one again.

I could see the questions in the vampire’s eyes, but he left me alone for now. Lots of people used guns, but I was sure the tone in my voice had clued him in that I hadn’t learned for sport.

Davin touched the small of my back. I took a deep breath and let him ground me with the contact.

“So, what do we do?”

“Tonight, we get you home safely. Davin and I will get our people to keep an eye on you. And, we will come up with a plan for when you go to Mayday Hills.”

“I don’t want bodyguards following me everywhere.” I was so done with that, too.

“Necessary to help protect Nimbus,” Katsuro insisted. “You did say you’d do whatever it took to protect him.”

I glared, annoyed that he was using my words against me, but he also had a fair point. “And what do you get out of this? No one does this kind of thing for free.”

Katsuro shared a glance at Davin before turning his attention to Nimbus.

“The good favor of a nimbus is payment enough. They are powerful, and when he has come into his own abilities, perhaps he will find a way to return the favor.”

Nimbus rooed and sat next to Katsuro, putting his paw up. The vampire kneeled smoothly and took the little fluffball’s paw before giving him a scratch behind the ears.

“It certainly doesn’t hurt that we may also win your good favor, Hannah. You are intriguing, in more than one way.”

Katsuro’s direct regard was intense, and I made myself remember to breathe. “Do I get to know what Drake is?” I asked to deflect his attention.

“Drake is an unfriendly shade. Though I doubt he’s the one that attacked us. He doesn’t like to get his hands dirty,” Davin replied.

“Right.” I hugged myself. “Okay. I need to go home and freak out now. Thanks for the lovely evening.” I shuddered and headed for the door. The men let me go, probably the right decision, though for a moment I hoped one of them would follow me.

Nimbus stayed right by my side, dragging the leash I’d put on him. “I suppose I don’t really need this, do I?” I bent over to pick it up, but when I went to unclip it from the cloud puppy’s collar, he danced away.

“Leave it?”

Nimbus wagged his tail and sat next to me.

“Okay.” Whatever he wanted, I supposed.

I got to the door of the coffee shop before Jaz caught up to me.

“Are you my guard for the night?”

She smiled. “You’ll be safe once you get to your apartment. Oliver is more than sufficient to keep you safe while you’re within his domain.”

“Oh, fuck. What is Oliver?”

Jaz held the door for me, and I went outside. “Ask him.”

I wanted to ask her what her story was, but right now I’d had more than enough for one evening and hopefully I’d get time alone with her again, soon.

“Why me?” I blurted when we were halfway back.

Jaz studied me before shrugging. “Why me? Why anyone. Wrong time, right place. Snuggle that nimbus and hopefully this will blow over.”

“You work for Katsuro or Drake?”

She frowned. “Depends on who you ask.” Later, she mouthed, and I recognized my mistake. If I only had to worry about humans, we would have been safe to talk quietly, but who knew what was out there now, listening, able to hear from any sort of distance or lurking in nearby shadows.

We walked, in silence, through the darkened streets until we got to my place.

“Well, here you are. Stay inside for the rest of the night if you can.” Jaz’s voice was cool and professional, a bit aloof.

We’d reached the brick building that had once been a school but was now an apartment complex full of mostly supernaturals, I imagined. That I hadn’t seen any of my neighbors now made a lot more sense.

“Thank you, Jaz.”

She winked, but her tone was at odds with her expression. “Don’t thank me yet, Hannah. Katsuro and Davin might be all over you, but I’m certainly not your friend.” Later, she mouthed again.

“Well, for the company on the walk, then,” I replied tightly. I didn’t know what would be safe for me to say in reply. Her back was to the street, mine was to the building. Anyone could see if I mouthed something or winked or whatever. I’d have to trust that, for now, she understood. Of course, I didn’t know her story yet, either. I’d seen her in Mayday Hills working for Drake, and I’d seen her here working for Katsuro. Where were her actual loyalties?

Hell, could I trust anyone?

That comforting thought followed me through the vestibule where our mail was and into the keypad-protected main entrance. I would check my mail in the morning. Right now, I just wanted inside.

Where I nearly ran into Oliver.

A soft roo of greeting was all that saved me from plowing into him.

“Fuck.” I jumped back, almost smacking into the doors.

Oliver grabbed my arm before I could hurt myself.

“Hannah, are you all right?”

His smell of cinnamon wafted over me, reminding me of the pastry I had sadly left behind in the coffee shop.

His light blue-gray eyes were narrowed in concern.

I tried to say yes, that I was fine, but I couldn’t force the words past my lips.

The attack earlier and the confrontation with Drake caught up to me, and I started to shake.