Chapter 8

Chapter

Eight

HARPER

A nd then the woman shot into the air and transformed into a crow.

I stared at the words I'd just written. Biting my lip, I scratched out "woman" and wrote "Myrna." Banshee or not, she had a name. According to Einar, she wasn't a spirit.

But was he a reliable source? It wasn't like I could ask him. I hadn't caught so much as a glimpse of him in three days. On the other hand, I'd seen plenty of Arlo.

Every time I opened my door, the steward appeared. The first day, he'd rounded the corner just as I stepped from the bedroom. The second day, he was dusting the banister as I approached the stairs.

And this morning, he met me in the hallway with a breakfast tray in his hands.

"No need to come downstairs, Miss Ward," he said cheerfully. "I'm happy to bring your meals to your room. I'm sure you'll be more comfortable eating in there."

It was as if Arlo possessed an uncanny ability to know when I left my room. After witnessing Myrna's terrifying decapitation and inexplicable transformation, I could only assume he did. He looked human, but that didn't mean anything. The memory of him pulling the copy of Einar's contract from thin air still hovered in my mind.

I tapped my pen against my lips as I snuggled more deeply in the oversized chair next to my bed. My gaze strayed to my bare toes peeking from under the throw I'd draped across my lap. The scrape from the patio steps was fully healed. Apparently, Einar wasn't worried about me developing sepsis. He hadn't even inquired about the injury through Arlo.

Whatever. Einar's silence was a good thing. He was cocky and overbearing. He'd kidnapped me, and now he had Arlo serving as my warden. I didn't want to hear from him.

But his absence meant my reporting had hit a dead end. Pursuing Myrna's story was a pivot. And, if I was honest with myself, a way to keep from losing my mind. The problem was I knew next to nothing about banshees. Maybe if I asked Arlo for some books on Irish folklore…

I let my gaze drift to the sitting room, where stacks of books lined the low table in front of the sofa. Moonlight glowed through the windows, casting the sitting room in shades of silver.

Arlo had delivered the books—along with a flat screen television—the same afternoon I saw Myrna transform. "I can order more books," he'd said with a shy smile. "Just give me a list of the genres you like to read."

I'd folded my arms. "Did Einar tell you to bring these? Nice of him to make my cage more comfortable."

Arlo's smile faded. "Prince Einar isn't a monster."

I raised a brow. "He transforms into a wolf under the full moon."

"Oh no, Miss Ward, that's a myth. The moon has no effect on lycans. Or werewolves, for that matter."

"What about silver?" I asked, my fingers itching for my notebook.

"Another myth."

"Garlic? Or is that just for vampires? Are there vampires?"

Arlo seemed to consider his answer. Finally, he offered a soft smile. "There are more things in heaven and earth, Miss Ward, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." He went to the door. Before he left, he turned back. "Prince Einar told me you visited the maze. It's best to keep your distance. The hedges can be disorienting if you venture too far inside."

A shiver sprinted down my spine. "Will I encounter a ghost as Hamlet did?"

Arlo opened the door. "Good night, Miss Ward." He slipped from the room, leaving me alone once more—and no closer to gaining my freedom. His unspoken order was clear: I could watch television, and I could read. But I couldn't leave my room.

And under no circumstances could I go anywhere near the hedge maze.

Cold air whistled down the hearth, pulling me from my memories. Setting my notebook aside, I stood and went to one of the windows in the sitting room. As I had every night for the past three nights, I stared down at the hedge maze, which gleamed in the moonlight. It didn't look disorienting. The turns and angles were straightforward enough.

What was Einar hiding? Arlo's warning to stay away tripped senses I'd honed since I was a child in my family's newspaper office. It wasn't anything I could articulate—just a "wrongness" that compelled me to stop and take a second look. But investigating was impossible as long as I was unofficially confined to my room.

Frustration rose, and I squinted, trying to peer into the center of the maze. Dammit, the next time I saw Arlo, I was going to ask him what was so dangerous about a bunch of manicured shrubbery. Let him go on the record denying the maze held any significance. Then I could prove him wrong.

A knock rang out.

I turned from the window, braced to hear Arlo call through the door as he usually did. On the other hand, it was too late in the evening for food. Maybe he could read my thoughts, and he knew I was prepared to call him on his bullshit. Or maybe something was wrong.

Dad. My father had been so volatile since my mother died.

I rush to the door and yanked it open. "Is everything oka—?" I snapped my mouth shut at the sight of the creature in front of me. No taller than my hip, he stared up at me with green eyes that glowed like gemstones. A shock of white hair waved back from his face, which was humanoid but covered with an intricate tattoo the same shade as his eyes. His ears tapered to points, and a pair of stubby black horns protruded from his forehead. His tight black T-shirt showed off muscular arms, and his jeans were artfully ripped at the knees. More green tattoos swirled down his forearms. A chain ran from one of his belt loops to his pocket.

I jerked my gaze down the hallway, expecting to see Arlo barreling around the corner.

"He's off tonight," the creature said in a deep, scratchy voice at odds with his size. He flashed an apologetic look before sweeping an elegant bow. A tail curled around his hip, the end tipped with a tuft of white hair. "I didn't mean to startle you, Miss Ward. I'm Goliath."

I blinked. "Um…"

He straightened, his eyes twinkling. "I'm aware of the irony."

I couldn't help my smile. "I'm happy to meet you, Goliath."

He brightened. "Really? I was worried I'd frighten you. Everyone said I shouldn't come to your room, but they changed their minds when I pointed out how Myrna made a bad impression. We don't want you thinking we're all like that, screaming at strangers and then flying off without so much as a hello."

It took me a moment to absorb his words. "Everyone?" I asked.

He nodded. "My friends in the maze. They're all curious about you. Prince Einar has never brought a human home before."

Goliath made me sound like a stray dog, which probably served me right for thinking of him as a "creature." But I got the sense he wasn't trying to insult me.

"Does Einar often bring people to Draithmere?" I asked.

"Not all that often. Maybe a few times a year. Sometimes their families call. Other times, he finds them."

I really needed my notebook. "And the people he finds… They're like you?"

Goliath smiled, showing the tips of small white fangs. "There aren't many like me around. But we have all kinds of supernaturals in the maze." He tilted his head, and his tail waved back and forth as if he was excited. "I could introduce you if you want. Everyone wants to meet you." His tail curled around his hip. "Prince Einar called you a reporter when you spoke near the maze. Do you write for a newspaper?"

Old pain tried to surface, but I pushed it away. "Not now. But I used to. Well, sort of. My family owned a paper while I was growing up. My father sold it a few years ago." God, I was rambling. I drew a deep breath. "I'm close to getting a bachelor's degree in journalism. Maybe I'll write for a paper once I graduate."

Goliath appeared to take all this in. "So, would you like to visit the maze?" His expression turned mischievous. "Arlo doesn't take a night off very often. This could be your only chance."

Indecision gripped me. Goliath didn't seem like a threat. On the other hand, I'd just met him—and he was most definitely not human. Arlo's warning ran through my mind. The hedges can be disorienting if you venture too far inside.

What if Goliath intended to lead me into a trap?

"I'm sorry," I said. "Maybe another time."

Goliath's eyes dimmed, but he recovered quickly. "Of course, Miss Ward. I understand." He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "I should get back. I need to tell the others so they can take everything down." He backed up. "Well, good night."

Guilt twinged in my chest. "Good night."

He turned and started down the hallway. His tail drooped behind him, the white tuft at the end brushing the floor. It was like a miniature lion's tail. But the rest of him was utterly unique. And he'd been so polite.

"Wait!" I called.

He stopped and turned back. "Yes?"

I stepped into the hallway. "Why do you need to tell the others I'm not coming? What are they taking down?"

"Oh. Well…" Pink spots appeared on his cheeks. "We planned a little welcome party. Like I said, most of the supernaturals in the maze have never met a human. They were excited to talk to you." The pink deepened. "We've seen you watching the maze from your window at night. They thought you might like to interview them. A lot of us are lonely, since we're separated from our families."

Oh my, they'd planned a party for me? And they wanted to answer questions? I could find out what lay inside the maze—and possibly learn more about Einar. Which could lead to getting out of Draithmere and going home.

"Can I bring my notebook?" I asked.

Happiness glimmered in Goliath's eyes. "Of course."

I nodded. "I'll be right back. And then I'd love to visit the maze with you."

Ten minutes later, nerves crawled over my skin as I trailed Goliath across the lawn. With every step, I waited to hear Einar bellowing for me to stop.

Goliath met my gaze over his shoulder. My anxiety must have showed on my face, because he flashed a reassuring smile. "You don't have to worry about Prince Einar. I cloaked us."

"What does that mean?"

"It's part of my magic. It doesn't really hide anything, just makes people far less likely to look in my direction. As long as you stay close to me, it'll cover you too."

I moved closer, but we were already at the maze's entrance.

Goliath held out his hand. "This only works if you enter with one of us."

My heart knocked against my ribs. I'd tucked my mother's notebook under an old corduroy jacket that buttoned down the front. The notebook's spiral binding dug into my skin, but I welcomed the pressure. It reminded me I was alive. My mother had missed out on so many things. I had the opportunity to explore a world that wasn't supposed to exist. It was the ultimate scoop. I had to go get it.

I took Goliath's hand. "All right. I'm ready."

His gemstone eyes reflected the moonlight. "It's as easy as stepping forward. Okay? One, two, three."

We entered the maze.

And the world changed in a blink.

The hedges were gone, replaced with soaring pine trees. Goliath and I stood on a forest trail lined with wildflowers in a riot of colors. The sky was the purple of twilight. Stars winked among fluffy white clouds. Mountains rose in the distance, their peaks capped by snow that looked like a giant had placed a dollop of frosting on every peak.

A warm breeze tugged at my hair, bringing the scent of pine and flower blossoms to my nose. Somewhere nearby, an owl hooted. When I turned toward the sound, I spied a waterfall spilling down the side of a mountain like a glossy blue ribbon.

"It's beautiful," I breathed, stepping toward it. The second my foot left the trail, water misted my face. I blinked, and the waterfall was directly in front of me, its roar drowning out my startled cry.

A tug on my hand jerked me backward. I stumbled, then gasped as Goliath steadied me. When I swung my head back toward the waterfall, it appeared in the distance once more.

My heart pounded as I turned back to Goliath. "How…?"

"Time and space work a bit differently here," he said. "The Fae built the maze for Prince Einar." He lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "They do good work, but sometimes you just want a door to be a door, know what I mean?"

I wiped water from my face with a shaking hand. "Yeah."

"Don't worry, Miss Ward. Just stick to the trail, and we'll get to the party without any trouble."

"Please, call me Harper." I smiled. "All my friends do."

Goliath beamed at me, his tail waving. "Harper it is."

We continued down the path, the beauty of the maze all around us. Fireflies danced among the trees on either side of the trail, their glow guiding our way. After a moment, the sound of lively music drifted toward us. A few more steps, and the trail veered right and then opened onto a clearing.

I caught my breath. A party was in full swing. It was a small gathering, but the participants were clearly enjoying themselves. A tall, dark-haired man played a fiddle as a woman and another man danced. Colorful lanterns hung from the trees above the clearing. Soft moss carpeted the ground. A huge tree stump appeared to serve as a table, its surface cluttered with teacups and a large platter piled with cakes and pastries. Smaller stumps around the clearing held candles that glowed as brightly as the lanterns. A black cauldron hung suspended over a fire, its contents bubbling. The cauldron looked like something straight out of a Halloween store display.

The woman whooped, her long skirts swinging in an arc as her partner spun her around. The woman was lovely, with stunning features and a willowy figure. But her hair, which flowed to her waist, was the same color as the moss under her feet.

Her partner's hair was just as boldly colored. Fiery red, it cascaded down his back in a riot of curls. A matching beard shadowed his jaw, and his white teeth gleamed between his lips as he smiled. At first glance, he looked like an ordinary human with really great hair. A closer look revealed amethyst eyes that glittered in the moonlight.

They were a gorgeous couple, and they moved with a gracefulness that was impossible not to watch.

Between one twirl and the next, the man's hair burst into flames.

I jumped, a yelp bursting from me.

The musician stopped playing. The couple stopped dancing, and the woman propped her hands on her hips.

"Not again, Leander!" she cried, her chest heaving.

The man's hair continued to blaze, the plume of fire leaping for the sky. But his face and body remained untouched, and his expression was more annoyed than panicked as he strode to the table, picked up a pitcher of water, and dumped it over his head.

The flames went out, revealing the man's charred, hairless skull. I pressed a hand over my mouth as my stomach threatened to revolt. The man wiped water from his eyes, then shook his head like a dog emerging from a swimming pool. Brilliant red hair sprouted from his head and fell down his back, the locks as glossy as if the fire never happened.

"Show off," Goliath murmured beside me. When I turned to him, he'd folded his arms, and his expression was affectionate as he watched the man. "Phoenixes and their hair."

As Goliath said the last, a faint pop split the air.

Everyone in the clearing focused on us.

"I beg your pardon," the redheaded man said. "It's plumage ." He approached us, a smile spreading on his face. Up close, his hair was threaded with long, red feathers that appeared to spring directly from his scalp. He looked at Goliath. "And you've been a naughty dragon, hiding yourself and our guest on the sidelines." He plucked my hand from Goliath's and bent over my fingers. "Enchanté, Miss Ward. I'm Leander."

"Hello," I said, my heart pumping faster. Wait. Was Goliath a dragon ? I couldn't help but gape at him.

Goliath gave me a mild look. "Never judge a book by its cover."

"I…"

"Oh, leave her alone," the woman said, crossing the clearing. She shouldered Leander out of the way. "And stop flirting, you rake." She smiled at me as she extended a hand. "Adina Norwood, bog witch."

I shook her hand. "I'm Harper Ward. Um, human."

Adina turned and cupped her hands around her mouth. "It's all right, Keir! Leander stopped bleeding."

The man with the fiddle nodded. A second later, he winked out of sight. Another second, and he appeared next to Adina.

"I'm Keir Holland, my lady," he said in a clipped English accent. Prominent fangs flashed as he spoke. "It's an absolute delight to meet you."

As I opened my mouth to respond, an enormous brown bear lumbered from the pine trees. I sucked in a breath, but Goliath put a hand on my arm.

"It's all right. It's just Rolfe. He always forgets to shift when he's tired." He raised his voice. "Hey, Rolfe! Go put some clothes on!"

The bear stopped. It blinked slowly, then looked down at its front paws. With an irritated-sounding groan, it turned and disappeared into the woods.

Goliath looked at me. "He'll be back in a second. Fingers crossed, he'll be wearing pants."

"Should we have tea?" Adina asked, gesturing to the tree stump table.

Leander offered me his arm. "This way, Miss Ward. You can sit next to me."

I placed my fingers on his elbow. "It's just Harper."

Five minutes later, I sat at the tree stump with a cup of tea at my elbow and a plate loaded with tiny cakes in front of me. Goliath and the others ate their cakes while Adina flitted around the table, pouring tea from a kettle she'd pulled from the fire.

A giant of a man in a pair of denim overalls trundled from the trees, yawning as he came to the table. Leander stood and shoved two chairs together.

"There you go, big guy."

The man sat heavily. Immediately, his head drooped, and he released a loud snore. As he tilted forward, Keir snatched a teacup from his path. Just as quickly, Leander caught the man's shoulders, then lowered the man's upper body gently to the stump.

The man sighed, a contented look spreading over his face as he continued snoring.

Leander gave the giant's head an affectionate pat. "It's okay, Rolfe." He met my gaze and dropped his voice to a stage whisper. "He's always like this when he's hibernating."

"He's a bear shifter?" I asked, unbuttoning my coat and pulling out my notebook.

"That's right," Leander said. "One of a handful left on the West Coast." Leander frowned as he slipped into his own chair. "Actually, Rolfe might be the only bear shifter left on this side of the country."

"Why?" I asked, flipping my notebook open. I wrote as fast as I could, scribbling down everything I'd experienced since entering the maze. "Did something happen?"

"War," Adina said, placing a tumbler with a straw and a lid in front of Keir. She smiled when he murmured his thanks. Then she sat next to Leander and turned serious eyes to me. "A century ago, there were five major bear clans. Then they started fighting. Skirmishes became battles. Battles turned into full scale warfare. The clans tried to wipe each other out. And they almost succeeded. Just two clans remain, and their numbers are dangerously low. The whole race verges on extinction."

I paused writing, and I looked at the top of Rolfe's head, where chocolate curls gleamed in the candlelight. "So Rolfe lives in the maze to escape the war?"

"He's the son of his clan's alpha," Keir said. "But Rolfe is unskilled in battle, and he takes too long to shift. He wouldn't survive long out in the world. His family would probably kill him before the rival clan could. So Prince Einar invited him to stay at Draithmere, where he can live in the maze."

My gut clenched. "His own family would kill him?"

Beside me, Goliath nodded. "Bears are very single-minded. Honor in battle is everything. Most bears believe that life without victory isn't a life worth living. Rolfe is different, but that doesn't make him any less of a bear. Not to us."

Leander thumped his fist on the stump. "That's right." The others murmured their agreement.

I looked around the table. "And the rest of you?" I asked. "Why do you live in the maze?"

Goliath gave me a level look. "My situation is similar to Rolfe's. I've never been able to shift into my beast form. Among my people, that kind of failure is unforgivable. Without the maze and Prince Einar, I would be hunted and killed."

I touched his hand. "I'm so sorry, Goliath."

"Don't be." He smiled around the table, the green tattoos on his face catching the light. "I have friends here."

A comfortable silence descended. The twilight had deepened, and the fireflies continued to bob among the trees that surrounded the clearing.

Keir cleared his throat. "I also came to the maze out of necessity. I'm a vampire, turned four centuries ago this week, actually."

"Ah!" Leander exclaimed, his smile bright in his beard. "Happy birthday. You don't look a day over three hundred."

"Thank you," Keir said, giving Leander a regal nod. "I try to take care of myself."

Hiding a smile, I bent my head and continued writing.

Keir waited until I paused, then offered a rueful expression. "As you might expect, I survive on blood. Unfortunately, I faint every time I see it." He tapped the side of his tumbler. "My friends are kind enough to donate and then place their blood in closed containers. But it hasn't always been that way. Europe during the Industrial Revolution was a tough place to live for a vampire who can't stand the sight of blood."

I rested my elbows on the table. "So what did you do?"

"Kept to myself as much as possible." Keir ducked his head. "And spent a lot of time passed out and nearly being incinerated by the sun." He looked up. "When telegraph lines first started stretching across England, I got word of a lycan prince who offered protection to supernaturals with…unique challenges. I wired Prince Einar, and he invited me to visit Draithmere. I've been here ever since."

An odd feeling spread through my chest. If Keir and the others were telling the truth, Draithmere wasn't a prison. It was a haven for supernaturals. And Einar wasn't a jailer. He was more of a…hero.

"I also came from Europe," Leander said. "I can't control my fire, so traditional employment options are out of the question. My kind are always trying to land jobs with wizards or philosophers. But I've always liked doing hair. I have a salon here in the maze."

Adina sat back in her chair. "I'm here because it's the only way I can stay out of prison."

Leander reached over and patted her hand. "The coven was jealous of your skills, Adina love." He looked at me. "Bog witches are the best potion masters in the world. Their products are highly sought after. But like any business, they're protective when it comes to their brand."

"They lack imagination," Adina said, her tone sour. "I've always liked experimenting. Corporate started sending threatening letters when I was in my teens. They didn't want me trying out new ingredients. But how are we supposed to stay competitive if we never branch out?"

"Are there other types of witches?" I asked. "Rivals who make potions?"

"Oh, yes." She counted off on her fingers. "Night crones, garden hags, the Baba Yagas. For a while, the harridans were really giving us a run for our money. Not that the general public can really tell the difference. Our products are basically the same."

"Like Coke and Pepsi," Leander told me.

"But the bog witches have had an edge for centuries," Adina said. "However, that doesn't mean you stop innovating."

I rested the end of my pen on my notebook. "So, you were innovating? And management didn't like it?"

"Exactly. I mean, there were a few mishaps in Florida, but?—"

"What kind of mishaps?"

Adina waved a hand. "Just some potion work gone a little haywire. It's not like those men were trapped in manatee form forever."

Leander nodded as he looked at her. "That's right. And no one can blame you for the forest fire. It could have just as easily been that gender reveal party." He turned to me. "She was framed."

"It was corporate greed," Adina corrected. "Headquarters got nervous about me drawing too much attention to their stagnant operations. So they brought me up on charges and tried to throw me in prison. I came to Draithmere, where Prince Einar offered me a place to stay."

"And we're all glad he did," Leander said.

"Hear, hear," Keir chimed in, lifting his tumbler. I joined the others in raising my teacup to Adina, who blushed and waved off the toast. When we lowered our cups, Leander gave me an inquisitive look.

"What about you, Harper? Why did you come to Draithmere?"

"Oh." I fiddled with one of the cakes on my plate. "Well." My face heated. Something told me they wouldn't look kindly on my father threatening to expose Einar and, by extension, the entire supernatural world. Would they hate me if I told the truth?

"You don't have to tell us," Goliath said.

"No, it's okay," I said, racking my brain for the simplest explanation. "My father and Einar had a disagreement. Einar is holding me at Draithmere until my father does what Einar wants."

Keir frowned. "That's not very chivalrous of Prince Einar."

"Lycans are an arrogant breed," Leander said, sighing. "But I trust that His Highness will do the right thing."

Rolfe jerked, rattling the cups on the table. He released a snort that echoed around the clearing, then lifted his head and blinked big, brown eyes. "What did I miss?"

For a moment, everyone stared. Then laughter broke out. Adina pushed a plate of cakes toward Rolfe.

"Eat," she said. "We'll fill you in."

The party continued, conversation and tea flowing. Keir stood and begin playing a slow, sweet melody on his fiddle. Leander pulled Adina to her feet and swept her into a waltz. The sky slid from purple to midnight blue, the stars winking like diamonds. More fireflies dipped and fluttered among the trees. A few times, a pair of glowing eyes gleamed from between the pines.

"Just curious passersby," Goliath assured me. "A lot of folks in the maze are shy. Like Myrna."

"What's her story? Will she ever return to the maze?"

"Oh, yes, don't worry about that." Goliath lowered his voice. "Her situation is a lot like Leander's in that she can't control her power. So she ends up terrifying innocent people on accident. It's all very embarrassing for her, which is why she flies off to the mountains when it happens. But she always returns. Well, either that or Prince Einar coaxes her back."

It was hard to imagine Einar having the patience for such a thing. I gazed around the clearing. "Why did Einar build this place? What does he get out of it?"

Goliath frowned. An aura of discomfort surrounded him. "I don't think he was looking to get anything out of it."

Oh no. I'd offended Goliath. Einar was a kidnapper, but Goliath clearly didn't think of him that way. I wouldn't get any of the answers I was looking for by insulting a man Goliath considered a friend.

"I phrased that poorly," I said. "I guess I just wondered why a lycan prince would go to such great lengths to build a sanctuary for other magical beings."

Goliath's expression grew thoughtful. "In the supernatural world, power is everything. Those of us with flawed magic usually don't live very long. Broken magic is dangerous and volatile. Difficult to control. I can't argue with the reality that it's safer for everyone when broken magic is buried and erased. To do that, however, you have to bury the one who wields it. I suppose Prince Einar thinks that price is simply too high to pay." Goliath turned his gaze to Leander twirling Adina around the perimeter of the clearing. "Or, to put it more simply, he believes we're worth more than our flaws."

I followed his gaze, doubts swirling as I watched Leander and Adina. Was I wrong about Einar? A pair of bright green eyes appeared on the edge of the forest. My heart sped up, and I leaned closer to Goliath. "Is anyone in the maze unfriendly?"

Goliath shook his head. "We're all here because we can't be anywhere else. We live peacefully. Draithmere is the only place where most of us can live at all. Many in the maze are antisocial because they come from traumatic backgrounds." He chuckled as another set of eyes appeared next to the first. "But that doesn't stop them from being nosy."

Adina came by and refilled my tea. A second later, Leander pulled her into another dance. They twirled around the clearing as Rolfe ate the rest of the cakes.

Eventually, I turned to Goliath. "I should probably go back."

He nodded. After a round of hugs and promises to return, I followed Goliath from the clearing and down the forest trail. Hand in hand, we stepped from the maze and onto the lawn. Wintry air seared my lungs. The moon was high in the sky, which was darker and less star-studded than the sky in the maze.

"It's different," Goliath said, clearly deciphering my thoughts. "Faerie is a more vibrant place than the human world. The Fae always make things warmer and brighter." He led me through the house, which was as quiet as we'd left it. When we reached the top of the grand staircase, I gasped.

"I left my jacket in the maze."

Goliath's brows drew together. "I can get it for you."

"No, it's okay." I tucked my notebook under my arm. "It's not a big deal."

Mischief danced in his eyes. "Now you have a reason to come back."

I laughed—and I got the distinct impression he was much younger than he seemed. "I promise I'll visit again. The party was lovely, and so was the company. Thank you for introducing me to your friends."

Goliath's tail appeared around his hip, the fuzzy white tuft like a dab of cotton candy. "The next time you visit, I'll show you the mountains."

"I'd like that."

"Later, Harper." He backed up, waved, then disappeared in a puff of black smoke.

I clutched my chest, my heart pounding. Good grief, what other powers did he possess? Shaking my head, I made my way to my room, memories of the party and the supernaturals I'd met making a smile tug at my lips.

The second I opened my door, my smile fled. Because my bathroom door was wide open, and a shadow splashed against the wall. Just as I gathered breath to scream, Einar burst from the bathroom with my medication in his hand.

My fear vanished. "What are you doing with that?" I stormed forward, swiping for the bottle. As I grabbed at it, my mother's notebook slipped from under my arm. It fell to the floor and flopped open. Lines of my handwriting filled the page.

Einar and I looked at it. Then we looked at each other. We went for the notebook at the same time, but he moved in a blur, snatching it from the floor.

"That's mine!" I cried, flying forward.

He lifted the notebook out of my reach, and he ignored me as I jumped, trying to claw it from his hands.

"My name is in here," he said, angling his body away as he studied the notebook. "Arrogance that sets my teeth on edge," he read. "Silver eyes and broad shoulders."

Oh my fucking god. Anger and worry warred within me. What if he read my notes from the maze? For some reason, it seemed important that he didn't find out I'd met Goliath and the others. "Give it back!" I demanded. "You have no right to look at my things!"

He met my gaze. "I do when you sneak out of your room." He stepped toward me, menace hovering around him. "Where were you just now, Miss Ward? And before you answer, know that my sense of smell is much better than yours. I can smell deceit, so it would be very foolish to lie to me."