Chapter 8

I stared in the mirror and hoped that I’d dressed up enough for the evening, while still remaining casual. Davin had said this wasn’t a fancy date, after all. I was so not ready for this. What if I slipped up and said something I shouldn’t? While I’d been able to keep my face out of the news, the trial and aftermath had made the national news. There had been some big names involved.

This was a mistake. I went to pick up my phone and tell Davin I needed to reschedule, but Nimbus placed a paw on my phone and snuffled me with his adorable little snoot. I got the feeling he was telling me everything would be okay.

The cool draft I’d felt every day since I moved in swirled around me. I couldn’t pin it down and it never seemed to be tied to any one location.

Grumbling, I took the phone after Nimbus moved his paw, grabbed his leash and my bag, and headed out of my apartment.

One of the doors down the hallway clicked shut just as I stepped into the hall. Nimbus perked his ears, and I took a step in that direction, but no one was there. It was the first real sign of any neighbors that I’d seen. I never heard anyone. Packages showed up in the entry where the mailboxes were and eventually vanished, but otherwise, Oliver was the only one I saw here. He said that was normal. I thought it was weird as hell, but then, so was everything else.

Starting to wonder if I’d gotten in over my head choosing Beechworth, I shivered and went down the stairs. Oliver wasn’t in, but Nimbus got his hackles up at a particularly dark shadow in the stairwell behind us.

Uneasy after a long day, I hurried outside.

Nimbus found his favorite tree to potty by, and I let him take care of business. I’d brought water and a bowl for him, as well as his dinner.

Davin pulled up in his old truck just as Nimbus was finished sniffing around.

Hoping I could hide my unease with a smile, I went over to the curb where he’d parked while he got out.

“Hi, Hannah. How are you tonight?” Davin’s grin was genuine, but I thought I caught a hint of wariness in his eyes.

Shit, was the vampire joke too much? In this town? I wouldn’t have thought it would be, but maybe I’d been wrong.

“It’s been a weird day,” I admitted.

“Anything you want to talk about?”

“I got a job at that weird bookstore in the next town.” I didn’t feel like elaborating more.

Davin smiled. “Clare is a character. Harmless, mostly. Congrats on the job.”

“Thanks. So, where are we headed?”

“Let’s go for a drive, then I’ll feed you.” He led me back over to his truck and offered me a hand before scooping Nimbus up and putting him on the bench seat next to me.

We drove for a bit, with Davin doing his best tour guide impression. I was interested, but I couldn’t help being distracted by everything that had happened that day. The forest that bordered the northern edge of town was particularly beautiful in the late afternoon sun.

Davin interrupted telling me about some of the lakes hidden away in the trees, trailing off and glancing at me. “What’s wrong, Hannah? I can take you back any time you want.”

“Oh. Uh. Sorry.” Apparently, my distraction was obvious, or Davin was uncommonly good at reading people. “I don’t know.

He pulled over and put the truck in park before shifting so he could face me.

“Hannah, if you’re not comfortable, I’ll take you home.”

“It’s not you, Davin.”

His shoulders eased when I said that. It was completely true and, somehow, he believed me. I couldn’t help noticing the way his shoulders stretched his shirt as he twisted to look at me. The powerful muscles in his arms and the shine in his eyes. I wondered what it would be like to be held by someone like him. Kissed. Loved.

A faint smile played across his lips, as if he could read my thoughts. There was no way, though.

“I just had a weird encounter after a weird couple of hours at the bookshop. It’s nothing.”

“Tell me?”

I shook my head and relayed my story.

Davin’s brow furrowed, and he looked grave. “Hannah, are you planning on staying in Beechworth for long?”

“I’d hoped to stay here indefinitely,” I admitted.

He took a deep breath. “We need to get a mark or two on you as soon as possible.”

I raised my eyebrows. “What, now?”

“Were you joking in your text earlier about vampires?”

“Yeah, of course. Despite what Bridger seems to think, vampires aren’t real. Humans are evil enough without having supernatural creatures, too.”

He massaged one of his temples before sighing. “I’m going to let Katsuro handle that one. Okay, well, for now, let’s finish the tour and get some dinner. I’m starving.” He smiled at me.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No, Hannah, not at all.” Davin took my hand and kissed my knuckles.

My pulse sped, and I bit my lower lip, enjoying the attention, but nervous at the same time.

“You are quite intriguing and very charming. I’m still hoping you let me take you out again, but I don’t want to push you and you’ve had a stressful day. Let’s eat. Burgers okay?”

“That sounds amazing.”

Nimbus rooed and wagged his fluffy tail.

“Kibble for you, young man.” I waved my finger at him.

The little guy just grinned at me.

Before Davin could get us moving again, the truck jolted, and I heard a pop and a loud hiss before the truck settled oddly.

“Fuck,” Davin muttered softly.

“What happened?”

“Somehow we lost a tire.” He tilted his head as if listening, or maybe sniffing the air. Nimbus sat up and looked out the window, lips drawn back from his teeth.

“Would you mind staying in the car, Hannah?”

“Sure. You don’t want help?”

“Let me check this out first.”

I was a strong, independent woman, but I knew evil was real and felt safer in the truck cab with Nimbus. At least it wasn’t dark yet.

Davin got out, slammed the door, and walked around the truck, paying more attention to our surroundings than he did to the vehicle itself. He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text before turning to the damage.

Something moved in the shadows. I banged on the window just as Nimbus barked a warning.

Davin spun around, but nothing was there.

I rolled the window down. “I swear I saw something in the shadows.”

“I believe you, Hannah. Help is coming.”

Howls in the distance chilled me. Nimbus added his own arwoo to the calls.

“Wolves?”

“They won’t hurt us,” Davin assured me. “The thing in the shadows, however… Shut the window.”

Before I could get it all the way up, a shadow detached from the trees and crashed into Davin, driving him down and out of view. A very familiar-looking six-legged shadow.

“Davin!” I threw the door open, not sure what I could do, but not willing to hide. I did manage to shut the door on Nimbus so he would be as safe as possible, though he shrieked and pawed at the partially closed window.

I stumbled out of the truck in time to see the creature go flying. Davin staggered to his feet, shirt torn and bloody.

He put himself between me and the creature. It turned, pink tongue flicking out of its black, shadowy mouth, licking gleaming white teeth. It very clearly wanted Davin and me dead.

It growled, a sound that vibrated through my bones and rattled my eardrums.

I whimpered, stomach clenching in fear.

Wolves howled in the distance as the creature leaped, teeth aimed for Davin’s throat.