2. Zero

Chapter two

Zero

T he doorbell rings. “I got it!” I call out into the house before jogging to the front door and swinging it open.

My best friend, Rook, stands in the doorway with a large bottle of expensive whiskey in his clawed hands. His wide and tall wolf body—well, partial-werewolf body—fills the doorway completely.

A giggle sounds from somewhere behind Rook, before his mate, Autumn, rushes forward and wraps me up in a brief hug.

“What are you two doing here?” I ask with a grin.

“It's not every day the world’s most famous rogue vampire hunter retires and moves to our small town,” Autumn says, causing me to laugh.

I wave them through the doorway. “Well, get the hell in here. Let me show you two around.”

Rook whistles low, taking in the place with fresh eyes. “I never took you as the type to own a mansion. Maybe a swanky bachelor pad, but this? This is grand, even for you.”

Autumn’s green eyes sparkle as he winks and brushes past Rook. Since the witch is a direct descendant of Heart’s Hollow’s founding covens, he knows the exact length of time it took me to complete the construction of this house. And in this specific area, no less.

“Wow. This place really is huge,” Autumn says as he glances around at the extravagant foyer. “I've seen it from the outside, but never realized just how spacious it is.”

I nod. “Twelve bedrooms. I wanted a place big enough for my team to call home in between missions.” It might seem frivolous, or too big for a single amethyst dragon, like myself. But I wanted a huge place in a safe haven town that would be here for my entire team. This might be my home, but its doors are wide open to those who have had my back for years.

Killing vampires has consumed my thoughts for about fifteen years now. Ever since my best friend and I witnessed his entire family being slaughtered in front of us. That day will forever be etched into my memory; the rogue vampire was deranged and cruel, taking joy in the killing, before kidnapping Calix. I was only seventeen, and Calix was fifteen. As soon as I became an adult and my dragon appearance surfaced, I joined the Elite Guard, eager to find the bastard who took my best friend.

After ten years of searching and killing any rogue vampires I could get my claws on, I had to come to terms with the likelihood that Calix was no longer alive. I saw the horrible things they did to human pets. They treated them like walking blood bags. The chances of my best friend surviving the night he was taken were very unlikely.

It was my team—my chosen family—who pulled me out of that dark place of anger and revenge. As if sensing my dark thoughts, Gideon emerges from the kitchen, a huge deli sandwich in hand. “Hey, Bossman. Who was at the door? Oh, hi—” he trails off when he spots the partially shifted wolf and powerful witch standing there.

“Gideon, this is one of my best friends, Rook. We grew up in the same paranormal town before I joined the guard. This stunning witch is Autumn, Rook’s mate.”

Gideon’s face splits into a wide smile. “Autumn and I already met; he was the Sinclair Witch who approved of my residency before I was able to move here.” Certain safe haven towns take extra pride in the safety of their residents and enforce an interview process for new residents.

Even though all safe havens have magical wards that literally push dangerous people out of town and protect the residence from people who have evil intentions, it’s hard for the magic to gauge whether someone was here for shady reasons.

Case in point: last month, I had the pleasure of arresting a deceitful witch by the name of Meyer Cunningham. The witch was peddling questionable potions and had morals that were even more suspect. Not only was he shady, but some of the potions he had on hand were dangerous.

Rook sniffs the air, trying to decipher what type of paranormal creature Gideon is. My lips twitch. One of Gideon’s abilities is to change his scent, making him one of the best trackers in the Elite Guard; always able to hunt down his prey without leaving a trace.

Rook holds a hand out to Gideon and my dragon warms in my chest, happy that two of my closest friends are finally meeting. Since losing Calix at such a young age, my dragon could feel my anguish when he surfaced. While some dragons might hoard treasures, jewels, or collectables, I hoard those I care about. Whether it’s by actually accepting them into my chosen family, or something as simple as using my photography skills to photograph a special moment between us, I pride myself in making special connections with others.

Over the next thirty minutes or so, I take Rook and Autumn through my house, showing them each room, from all the bedrooms, to the kitchen, the dining room, the game room, theater and even the ballroom. All the while, Gideon trails behind us munching on his food, and making silly comments that make us all smile.

Rook laughs as he takes in the marble floors and chandeliers. “What on earth are you going to do with a ballroom?”

I shoot him a playful grin. “Your mate’s family has no issues throwing grand balls and dances. Who knows, maybe I’ll throw a few parties or maybe even a masquerade.”

Autumn’s eyes twinkle. “I love masquerades. If you’re serious, let me know, I can help. Maybe throwing you a huge party will make things easier with welcoming you to town.”

Gideon nudges me. “Who knows, maybe you’ll meet someone special.”

My dragon swishes his tail at that. Hush, you. Finding a mate is one of the main reasons we wanted to retire, remember? He huffs in reply.

We make our way outside and toward the gardens. As Gideon and Rook walk ahead of us, Autumn lingers closer to me. I get the feeling that he and Rook planned this. I smirk at my new witch friend.

“How are you doing?” Autumn asks.

I want to arch a brow and continue smirking, but by the sound of Autumn’s tone, I can tell he wants a serious answer. I’m not just looking at my friend, I’m being questioned by a Sinclair Coven member who is concerned for a fellow resident.

“I’m doing okay. I feel a little lost, if I’m being honest.”

Autumn nods encouragingly.

“I’ve been so excited to build my forever home here in Heart’s Hollow, but now that it’s done and I’m retired, I don’t know what to do with myself.”

“Well, what kind of hobbies do you have? Or what’s something you would have done before you were in the Elite Guard?”

“Taking photos,” I say without thought. The idea of me pulling out my professional camera springs to mind. I love photography, but there’s something soothing about viewing the world through a lens and hearing the click of the shutter. It’s something I used to do with Calix, and it’s something I do when trying to destress between missions. A sudden need to explore the town and take photos overcomes me. “Thanks, little witch.”

I purse my lips, still feeling troubled.

“What else are you thinking about?”

Glancing over at Autumn, I see the concern in his eyes. Looks like I'm not hiding anything today.

“For approximately fifteen years, my thoughts have been consumed by the idea of eliminating as many evil vampires as I can find. As one of the busiest Elite members, I strive on schedules, and plans. I’m always on the go. My life was fast and exhilarating. But I know, deep down I’m bone tired. I want to find someone to fall in love with. I want what you and Rook have, but am I really ready to give it up, just like that? For someone who might not even exist?”

I blow out a deep sigh, ruffling the hair that fell across my forehead. I didn’t mean to confess all that.

“Can I be honest with you?” Autumn pauses, facing me.

“Please. I can use all the help and advice possible.”

“I think you’re ready. You’re just scared.”

I bark out a laugh. “I can’t remember the last time I was scared.” That’s a lie. I’ll never forget the fear that pulsed through my veins when that vamp took Calix from my grasp. Calix’s beautiful wide blue eyes had begged for me to help him, but the compulsion the rogue had over me kept me in place, frozen in place; unable to help the person who meant the most to me.

Guilt eats away at me till this day.

Autumn shakes his head. “I’m not talking about that adrenaline pumping fear, I’m talking about those nerves that cause you to question things. That little niggling fear that makes you want to cling to what you know best, so you won’t have to face the future. It’s that fear of failing.”

I scoff. “Why would I be afraid of failure? Do you know how many missions I’ve failed since joining the Elite Guard? Zero. It’s why it’s my chosen dragon name. I never had any intentions of failing a single mission.”

My dragon sits up straighter in my chest and we both puff with pride as I flex my amethyst wings. “My dragon and I have faced many evils and saved so many people.”

Autumn and I resume walking. “Cocky as ever, I see.” He chuckles.

“Hey, it’s confidence,” I wink.

Autumn tugs me to one of the viewing benches in the middle of the rose garden. “Zero, I know you’re brave. And you’ve done so much good for both humans and paranormals alike. But what I’m talking about is the fear of searching for someone you want to spend the rest of your life with. That fear of putting yourself out there and finding someone who will accept all of you. You once told me that your dragon’s biggest dream is finding your mate. But what happens if you move here only to discover you can’t find anyone willing to accept your dragon, or the fact that you are a vampire hunter?”

The air whooshes from my lungs and my heart pounds. My lips fall open with shock. It’s as if Autumn has seen right through my soul and plucked a fear I haven’t been able to fully voice. My amethyst wings tuck around me protectively. “What does that say about me? That ‘Zero, the Elite Guard’s infamous vampire hunter’ not only wants to find love, but is afraid no one will love him? That no one will love me—”

Autumn squeezes my hand and smiles. “I think it means you’re a dragon worth loving.”

***

The next day, Autumn’s words replay through my mind as I make my way down the cobblestone sidewalks of Heart’s Hollow. A chill in the air marks the beginning of the shift from fall to winter. And yet, the sun remains high in the sky, giving me the perfect amount of light for my impromptu photography session.

The strap of my DSLR camera rests on my neck, providing comfort to my already frayed emotions. As I turn the corner, the colorful shops of downtown come into view. From this angle, I can capture the perfect photo to showcase just how charming this town really is.

Click. Click. Click. Click.

I continue snapping photos of anything and everything that catches my fancy, when a strange tug directs me into a certain direction. The pull feels almost magical, but not quite. Maybe more intuition, or as if my dragon is guiding me down a certain path? Only, my dragon is silent inside of me, ears perked up and just as curious as me.

Passing by Rook’s Apothecary, past the bakery and the cute little cafe that serves my favorite pastries, I let the feeling guide me until I’m standing in front of another shop. My blood runs cold. Witchful Thinking. This is the very shop that housed all the illegal potions and dangerous charms. The same shop I had to shut down when that jerk, Meyer Cunningham showed his true colors.

My heart pounds when the tug to go inside becomes stronger, making my first initial thought wrong. This is definitely magic. What the fuck? Did the Elite Guard miss something? I’m used to following my intuition when on a mission. An open sign catches my eye. I take a few steps back and glance up at the building’s storefront. Instead of the gaudy bubble gum pink that once said ‘Witchful Thinking,’ there’s a beautiful sign with red script that now says ‘The Magic Shop.’

I scoff. “A little on the nose, if you ask me,” I mumble to myself. Despite the name being obvious, it doesn’t come across as a mockery of magic, like Meyer’s shop did. And since arresting Meyer, Autumn and his coven have placed even more wards as precautions around the town. So, I don’t think I’m sensing any danger. Not to mention, the coven’s interviewing process is more extensive. And if that’s the case, what is this magical pull telling me to go inside the shop and look for answers?

Upon entering, a pleasant scent of incense and books immediately surrounds me. Usually, my dragon senses are sensitive to different smells, but something about this scent is comforting, reminding me of home. I peer around, shocked at how different The Magic Shop is compared to the store it was just weeks ago. Somehow, the place looks even larger than it once was, with ceilings that look impossibly taller than before. Books are arranged along the walls and leaning against the shelves are several rolling ladders.

“Why hello, young dragon. Welcome to The Magic Shop,” someone calls out from behind a checkout counter.

Dressed in mostly black is a mysterious looking man in a top hat. His eyes are black. Almost too black, indicating he might not be human. He’s clean shaven with a medium skin tone. I can’t quite tell what nationality or species he is, but my inner dragon immediately settles, sure that this man isn’t a threat to us.

Something about him looks familiar, but I can’t quite place where I’ve seen him before. Or maybe he just has one of those familiar faces? “Have we met?” I ask.

The man gives me a knowing smile, and his inky eyes almost seem to sparkle in the dim lighting. “I don’t think we have crossed paths before, in this life or any other. It seems as if we are meeting for the first time.”

My lips twitch, and he gives me a friendly smile.

“My name is Zero.” I hold my hand out to him.

He peers at it for a moment, almost as if trying to read a hidden meaning in my gesture before he shakes it. “Please, call me The Owner.”

Recognition dawns and my wings relax on my back. There are files and files of The Owner in the Elite Guard’s archives. Reports of The Magic Shop appearing out of nowhere and hundreds of articles on how The Owner always seems to help those he encounters. There are also numerous drawings of the mysterious man since no one has been able to photograph him.

My fingers twitch, itching to reach for my camera and take a photo.

“How may I help you?”

Glancing around at the shop I feel that magical tug again. “You know what? I’m not entirely sure. Mind if I take a peek around?”

He waves his hand at me and encourages me forward. I nod my thanks and begin to make my way through the narrow aisles, making sure to have my dragon wings tucked in close to my body so I don’t knock anything over. I walk through the mythology section and pass the crystals, until I’m in the middle of the tarot and divination section.

The enchanting pull now serves as a beacon in the night, pointing me towards something in the middle of the floor like a blinking light. I can’t tell what it is from here, maybe a loose page from a book, or a postcard? Either way, I can tell that the paper in the middle of the shop is what’s calling to me as if my life depends on it.

As I walk forward, I lean down to grab it while slim, graceful fingers also reach for it simultaneously. I chuckle as the stranger and I pick up the card at the same time before we straighten to our full heights.

All the air rushes out of my lungs, and my lips part as I gaze into the most beautiful pair of ocean blue eyes I’ve ever encountered.

Inside my chest, my dragon roars one word that reverberates and echoes in my head. No, it isn’t possible. I take a step back in shock, only to have my dragon roar again.

Mate.