Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

BLAZE

I shouldn't be here.

It's been six months since I set foot in Heart's Hollow. This town has always been considered my home, but it didn't feel like it anymore. After my escape, I returned to the Sinclair Estate only to find my family smiling and happy as they planned to throw a party in Autumn's honor. The idea of facing them after being tortured for a year was too much. I wanted to see their faces, but I couldn't force myself to walk through the front door.

Instead, I was a cold-hearted bastard peeking through the window as if I were Scrooge personified, spying on my loved ones. It was bullshit. They were grinning and fussing over Autumn and his outfit; meanwhile I had barely made it out alive. That was the moment my eyes focused on my reflection in the glass rather than what my family was doing in front of me. I was broken, bruised, and a shell of myself. A thick beard covered my hollow face, my eyes were wide and a little wild, and my hair an oily mess on top of my head. I couldn't let my family see me like this.

Now that my mental state and body have healed, I'm a little more prepared. Unfortunately, I've come home with my tail tucked between my legs. Surviving in the human world is harder than I could have imagined, especially without the proper paperwork.

I'm a Sinclair, for fuck's sake. I have some of the most powerful magic pulsing through my blood. Meanwhile, most humans don't know about the paranormal, and I'm useless without my magic. Here, on the other hand—in a sanctuary town like Heart's Hollow—my name and magic can take me far.

I take a deep breath and glance around, fighting the little voice in my head that's trying to tell me I shouldn't be here.

Walking along the winding cobblestone sidewalk, I relax when I notice only a few cars are parked on the street. This is nothing like the busy city I tried to survive in. If I brought a non-magical human here, I'm pretty sure they would describe my town as something from a fairytale.

Colorful shops and eateries are scattered on each side of the street. A handful of iron tables and chairs decorate the sidewalks, inviting people to chat or enjoy their food while staying in town. My eyes pause on the lanterns and the small smile that touches my lips is surprising. Gods, I've even missed the beautiful witch lights that glow in front of each shop.

Since it's lunchtime, I avoid the crowd by turning down the cobblestone path that leads to the park. Paranormal creatures, witches, and humans walk around openly. It doesn't matter if the dragons and vampires are sworn enemies, or if the fae are known tricksters. In a sanctuary town, everyone lives in peace.

I never thought about it until now, but as I eye the human who walks next to me, I wonder why the town's magic invited these particular humans to live among the paranormal. Each sanctuary town has similar wards, but Heart's Hollow is known to be one of the safest towns in the world. Anyone with bad intentions couldn't get past the magic to enter the town. It's why Orson had to take me to his estate outside of the city's limits.

Before my thoughts can take me down a dark path, I notice my favorite gazebo in the center of the park is empty, tempting me to take a seat. It's currently decorated with beautiful twining green vines that climb up the sides of the white wood.

Purple wisteria covers the roof and dangles over it's edges. There's something about the flowers that call to me. That give me hope.

I take a seat and close my eyes, just breathing in the ocean breeze and the sweet scent of magic.

A musical, masculine voice causes me to shudder. "It's beautiful here, isn't it?"

Someone steps into the gazebo, shoes clicking against the wood. Should I open my eyes to see whose voice has my body reacting in such a way? Images of my demon with the golden eyes barrel into my mind. My demon leaning over me. How my cock stiffened, and I shivered with lust for the first time in a year.

Conjuring up an image of my demon, I decide to bask in this fantasy for a little longer. I don't bother opening my eyes. Instead, I picture swirling black shadows as I talk to the stranger next to me.

"It is. Beautiful, that is. Heart's Hollow used to be my home." Damn, I've missed it here.

"Have you been gone long?"

"Half a year. I can't seem to stay away."

"What brought you back?"

"Family. Security." The hope of finding my demon. Assuming they're allowed to step past the protection wards; a sanctuary town is one of the few places a demon like him can walk around openly while in his true form. Why can't I stop thinking about them? "A new job I'm really excited about."

"All wonderful reasons to return," the stranger replies in a cheerful tone. "And have you seen your family yet?"

I squirm uncomfortably, my forehead scrunching as I squeeze my eyes even tighter. I'm so torn. Six months ago, I couldn't face them. I was ashamed of my appearance, ashamed of being held against my will, and ashamed of being too weak to escape. I was even more embarrassed that Orson had played me so well.

We were betrothed, and I thought I could trust him. I never told anyone about my desire to be submissive in the bedroom. Until him. Orson took advantage of my confession. It was mortifying. One moment I was willingly bound to his bed, the next I was in a cell with magical symbols draining my magic.

Can I tell my family the truth? Can I see them after all this time? I want to, but I'm scared. A part of me knows that my family will blame themselves, especially my mom. And what about Autumn? What would he think about the truth? Orson mentioned growing close with my brother right before he died. Is my brother grieving?

I let out a deep sigh. "No. I haven't. Maybe soon."

The waves crash in the distance, and a light breeze caresses my cheek. I lean into it, pretending it's the shadows from my dreams.

"You'll see them soon. Until then," the stranger replies with a chuckle. "I look forward to getting to know you. We're going to be coworkers, after all."

I chuckle and open my eyes, my heart filled with humor and hope. "Ah, I was wondering why—" my words trail off as I take in the spot next to me.

It's empty.

What the hell? Disappointment fills me. I don't know what I expected. Maybe for the very demon who's been occupying almost all my thoughts since leaving town to be sitting next to me?

The stranger is gone. The seat right next to me is vacant, almost as if I've been alone this whole time. Instead, in the stranger's place is a beautiful white flower with red- and pink-tipped petals. A ranunculus. One I picked earlier for Rook's shop. I peer around, looking for the stranger who gifted me the beautiful flower. It caught my attention earlier, and out of all the things I gathered, I was almost sad to give it up.

How did they know?

I pick up the flower and gasp. The magic radiating through it is even more powerful than it was an hour ago. It's a tradition in the witch community to gift each other magical flowers when courting someone. So then, why did the stranger give me this particular flower?

My lips tilt up into a shy smile. A ranunculus is usually given to someone you find attractive or harbor a crush on. But a multicolor version of this flower with this specific design symbolizes new beginnings, passion, and true love. This flower is known for being delicate and elegant. Is this how the stranger sees me? Do they know the meaning of this flower?

They have to; the magic thrumming from the flower is unlike anything I've ever felt before. That has to mean something, right?

Ignoring the weird sensation that my stranger is still watching me, I peer around again, smiling. No one is in sight, but I can't shake the feeling that they are still here. The breeze caresses my cheek again, causing my imagination to go wild. Gods, it feels so good to smile.

Looks like I have something else to look forward to tomorrow. It appears my new coworker might be a secret admirer.

How intriguing.