“You don’t believe.” It wasn’t a question. “But you should, girl. Your father did, as does the beast outside.”
Beast.
“That’s—”
“The bag you hold isn’t one that harms. It’s one that binds. Beware the faceless man who haunts the night, the man who is not a man at all. The binding is meant for him.”
“So you admit that these bags belong to you,” I said.
“You’re missing the point, still.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Take what I have told, be vigilant, and keep your eyes open.”
“Yeah, okay,” I said, and turned to go. She wasn’t going to help. This whole thing was a waste of time. Lincoln was no beast. There was no such thing as faceless monsters.
I told myself these things, but I couldn’t shake the feeling in my gut. The one that I’d had since I’d made the connection from the bags to the sign. The one that said there was some truth in fear.
As the door swung shut behind me, I heard Madam Mephini’s last words to me, and they couldn’t have been clearer.
“You’ll find your father again.”
Chapter Eleven
Lincoln
Elbow resting on the open window sill, I watched from the passenger seat of Juliana’s car. Darkness consumed the last bits of light, but I could see just as well as I had before. Tiger eyes were made for the night. The door to the trailer hadn’t budged an inch, and I could hear the sound of muffled voices inside. They were calm, female voices. Juliana was fine.
With a deep inhale, I told myself again. Juliana was fine.
I knew better than to mess with witches. And as witches went, this one seemed to like wards.
My guess—no supes could walk through those doors. I knew for a fact that no full-blooded shifters could, or at least no tigers. But my money was on all non-humans.
I told myself again, it was just like the hospital, only reversed. She’d waited outside, and now it was my turn. It was the beauty of our partnership, or at least one of the perks. More than anything else she offered, the best perk was being near her.
Juliana was fine.
I’d felt no ill-intention from the witch. She had no reason to harm Juliana. I knew it was ridiculous to worry, but knowing didn’t stop my leg from bouncing or my thoughts from racing.
The door opened and Juliana walked out. Her face was pale. She turned back and stared a moment at the door after it closed, before returning to the car.
She climbed in and started driving without saying a word.
The headlights lit the dirt road ahead, but not much else in the dark night.
I wasn’t looking out the window, anyway. My attention was entirely focused on Juliana.
Her shoulders were stiff, her face hard. On the wheel, her fingers squeezed until her knuckles went white.
She didn’t say anything, so finally it was me who had to break the silence.
“Do you think it was her?” I asked.
“What?” Juliana’s attention remained on the road ahead, her arms stiff as she clutched the wheel.
“The hex bags,” I said. “Do you think it was some sort of sleeping beauty-style curse?”
“Curse?” Juliana frowned. “How about drugged? Madam Melphini didn’t admit to placing the bags. But it was her. And I don’t think she was trying to hurt anyone.”
“So why put them to sleep?” I asked.
“I don’t know for sure that she did that, either.”
“What did she say?”
“She said the bags were for binding a faceless man.” Juliana said.
A faceless man. What kind of monster was that supposed to be?
“Does that mean anything to you?”
“No, I wish it did.”
Juliana was quiet. She sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her fists squeezed and twisted the wheel. I wished I had something more to offer.
It could have just been frustration that our only lead had fizzled, but it seemed like more. Before we’d gone on this little adventure we hadn’t found anything promising either. Something new was bothering her, and I wished she’d tell me what it was so I could help.
“She’s probably just crazy, right? I mean, the woman’s pretending to be blind and has baby pigs in jars perched on a floating shelf.” The waver in Juliana’s voice suggested she wasn’t so sure. Smart woman. It was another reason why we made such a great team. She was the brains and I was the brawn, and the swagger. She was beauty to my polished, but still completely badass, beast.
“Maybe,” I said.
“You don’t think so.”
I wasn’t sure what to say.
“She told me I’d find my dad.”
“That’s not so crazy, is it?” I asked.
“He’s been gone for eight years,” she said, meeting my eyes. “Why wouldn’t he have come back by now if he was alive?”
Her eyes were wide as she implored me, a glassy, beautiful blue. I wished I had an answer that would make her feel better.
There were many reasons people left their families, and I wouldn’t dare suggest any of them. It wouldn’t help. Leaving was often a choice, but sometimes it wasn’t.
“Maybe it’s beyond his control,” I said.
“I don’t know,” she said. “He wasn’t the kind of father most people have, but he loved us. He was there for us, even with his monster obsession. I just don’t believe he would choose not to come home, and I can’t imagine a scenario where he is still out there somewhere.”
More than anything, I wished I had answers. But I had nothing. Give me something to punch, something to blow up, I was the right man. Inspiring, consoling answers were not my specialty. I offered Juliana what I could, which was my support.
I put my hand on hers. She squeezed my fingers, and set our hands on the seat by her side.
“She said something else, too.” Juliana’s voice was soft. And I could feel her discomfort, the racing of her pulse, the hesitation in her tone.
That made me nervous.
“She said you’re more than you seem.” Juliana sighed. “She called you a beast.”
Beast. I’d been called worse.
Juliana waited, and I had to say something.
“What if I am?” I asked.
I expected another question. I expected her to ask what that was supposed to mean. It would be up to me, the tipping point of whether to tell her everything or to hold back my true nature. I was a shifter, and I wanted to tell her. I wanted her to accept me as I was, and as her mate.
“You know, this whole situation has been exhausting. I don’t know what I thought you’d say, and I don’t know why I even told you,” she said. “Sorry.”
I was a little disappointed to be let off the hook so easily. What if I was ready to tell her?
“Don’t be sorry,” I said.
She didn’t let go of my hand, and I was grateful. But this felt like my chance to tell her everything, to tell her exactly what I was, who I was. She gave me the opening, but I was afraid to admit the truth. I was afraid she’d let go. I was afraid she’d shut me out. It wasn’t the carefree action hero choice. But the fear that made me a coward showed me just how much Juliana meant to me. It was a revelation—I cared more about what she thought of me than I ever had cared about anyone’s opinion. She was changing me. I was falling hard for her, and when she knew the truth, she’d never want to see me again.
She resented her father’s search for the supernatural, and really, my job was the same as his.
“I don’t think you’re a monster,” she said.
“Thank you.”
The car pulled into the lot in front of the motel, and Juliana threw it into park.
She turned toward me, her blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight.
Her cheeks were pink, her hair loose like a halo of dark curls around her face. Parted ever so slightly, her lips begged to be kissed. After everything, she was still effortlessly stunning in he
r t-shirt and shorts. As perfect as the outer package was, Juliana’s beauty shone just as brightly from within.
Sweet grape and warm vanilla filled my lungs.
I wanted to hold her, to kiss her, to keep her. To beg her to come upstairs and spend the night with me. There was a charge, like the car had grown ten degrees hotter in a matter of seconds, and that magnet that drew me to her? It was flipped on.
She grabbed my jacket and pulled me in. Her lips were hot and sweet, her kiss both tender and desperate. Lost in the moment, lost in Juliana, I kissed her back with everything that I was.
She smiled against my lips and leaned her forehead against mine. “That was…”
“Yeah.” My head was spinning. I wanted to throw her over my shoulder and carry her to my bed. I needed to put my mark on her neck and claim her as my mate. And I knew it wasn’t fair to her.
“Do you want to...” she started, staring up at me through thick black lashes.
Yes. Hell yes. With every fiber of my being.
But she didn’t know what she was asking, what all she was in for if she accepted me. And I didn’t know if I could spend a night with her without leaving my mark on her neck.
“I should go,” I said. “It’s late.”
I expected to see disappointment on her face. I expected to see exactly what I felt, but she didn’t show anything but contentment.
“See you in the morning.”
The summer heat felt cold as I stepped out of the car. Cold and sobering.
I had no idea what the next day would bring, but that alone was both exhilarating and terrifying.
Chapter Twelve
Juliana
That kiss. Holy fuckballs, that kiss. I went to bed with the feel of Lincoln’s lips still lingering on mine, and with butterflies in my stomach. I’d never felt like this, not as a teenager, not ever. So after I woke, and visitation hours started at the hospital, I was there to share with my sister.
“This thing with Lincoln, I might have actually found something special.” I squeezed Emily’s hand. “I know it’s hard to believe, but I really like him.”
Saying it out loud made it feel more real. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d told my sister about a guy. No, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d excitedly told her anything about a guy. But Lincoln was different from anyone I’d dated in the past, and not just because he looked like he was from Hollywood instead of from the swamp behind the diner.
I felt a little guilty for enjoying life while my sister was stuck in her hospital bed, but wallowing wouldn’t help her. Working with Lincoln would, I was sure of it. We would find the truth, and Emily would wake up.
A metal bang echoed down the hall, like something heavy had crashed against the tile floor.
I rose from my seat and peered out the door.
There was a metal cart flipped over in the middle of the hall. Pills and papers were scattered everywhere.
A short, balding man stood above the overturned cart, with a black bag in his hand. His shoulders were thick, as was his belly. Even with his back turned, and without his uniform, I could easily identify the fiery ball of anger as the sheriff.
A nurse ran out of a patient’s room, and her eyes went wide. She kneeled down and scrambled to clean up the mess. Like it was with everyone in Barbetta, we knew each other, at least somewhat. Her name was Shelby.
“Tell me, what’s in this,” the sheriff yelled at Shelby.
“What?” she asked, without looking up.
She needed help, and Sheriff Nielson wasn’t about to provide it. I would.
I went down the hall and scooped up the pills I found on the way.
“My boy’s been poisoned by that witch. You need to figure out what it is and give him the cure.” The sheriff’s loud voice echoed down the otherwise silent hall.
“I don’t--” Shelby said.
“Just take it.” Sheriff Nielson threw a black bag down to the floor in front of the nurse. It was the same velvet bag we’d found at every scene.
I rounded the cart, kneeled beside Shelby, and offered her what I hoped was a reassuring smile.
“Oh great, it’s Hammond to the rescue,” he barked.
“Where’d you get this?” I asked the sheriff.
“It’s none of your fucking business.” He turned and stomped away, then lifted his radio from his belt. He pushed the button and spoke into the speaker. “You’re in charge, Deputy Dumbshit.”
“Why’s that?” The deputy’s reply was calm.
“I have something personal to deal with,” the sheriff said into the walkie.
He threw open the door to the stairs and then he was gone.
“Thanks.” Shelby gave me a sad smile as she picked up the last of the meds and rose to her feet. “He’s been a mess since Brian’s been in here.”
I stood, too. “That’s no excuse.”
“Tragedy can bring out the best in people and the worst—more often the worst.”
“Isn’t that the truth.” Tragedy was what had driven my father to start his whole monster-hunting obsession. It’s what made him leave my sister and me.
But tragedy was also what brought Lincoln to Barbetta.
“I don’t know why he’s set on calling these tragedies poisoning,” Shelby said.
I looked down at the black bag Shelby had set on the cart. The sheriff was convinced the herbs were poison. It wasn’t too far from what I had thought just one day before. But the sheriff wasn’t likely to listen to reason. This was going to get dangerous.
“I’ve got to go,” I said.
“Okay. Thanks for the help.”
“Oh, one last thing,” I said. “Can you please call the deputy for me, let him know that the sheriff’s headed to the fortune teller’s house. And it’s an emergency.”
“Sure,” she said.
With measured steps, I walked calmly down the hall. When I reached the stairs, I ran, taking two at a time.
Too bad I didn’t have Lincoln’s phone number. It would have helped to be able to call ahead, but showing up was going to have to do.
When I got to the motel, I found him standing in the parking lot by his pink minivan.
His face lit up when he saw me, with a smile that made my insides knot in the best way.
“Well hello, gorgeous.” Lincoln strolled over to my car and leaned into the open passenger side window. “Where are we off to this morning?”
There was the perfect amount of stubble on his jaw, just enough to give him a dangerous air. His dark hair was reminiscent of the fifties style puffed up in the front. And his eyes promised all kinds of terrible, wonderful things.
His suit was charcoal gray, and just as well-fitting as all the others. There was just something about a man in a really nice, really well-tailored suit. No, there was something about this man wearing a suit that made me giddy.
The look matched perfectly with his personality—confident, suave, sexy.
Hot damn, he was sexy.
“Get in and I’ll tell you all about it on the way,” I said.
I couldn’t wait to spend more time with him, another ride in the car, another day chasing leads.
Together.
“I love a woman who can take charge.” He winked at me, then slid on his sunglasses and climbed in the car.
I shook my head at the ridiculousness, loving every minute of it, and climbed in, too.
With a quick turnaround, we were on our way to the same place we’d been only a day before—Madam Melphini’s. I tried not to think about her words, but now that we were on the way it was hard not to.
You’ll find your father again.
Beast.
There was no reason to take any stock in anything that woman had said. Lincoln was awesome. And my father was dead.
“So are you going to tell me where you’re taking me?” Lincoln asked.
“We’re going to run repeat on yesterday,” I said.
“You mean the kiss?” His eyebrows bounce
d above the tops of his tall sunglasses.
I didn’t even try to hold back my smile.
“I was at the hospital—” I said.
“How’s your sister?” His playful tone was gone, replaced by genuine concern.
“She’s the same, thanks,” I said. “But while I was there, I ran into the sheriff.”
“Oh what fun.” Sarcasm dripped from every word, which I appreciated, because it’s exactly how I felt.
“He was in a worse mood than usual,” I said. “And convinced that Madam Melphini had poisoned his son.”
“Poisoned?”
“That’s what he said. He’s got a head start, but I’m hoping we can stop him from doing anything stupid.”
“You think he’d hurt her?” Lincoln asked.
“If he’s convinced that she did this to Brian, then without a doubt.”
Lincoln nodded. “I don’t think she did it.”
“She didn’t,” I agreed. “Hopefully you’ll be able to talk the sheriff out of doing something stupid.”
“Maybe.”
“It has to be you,” I said. “He’s not going to listen to anything I have to say.”
“What is his problem with you?”
“He blamed my father for my mother’s death, and somehow that attitude carried over from my father to me.”
“You’re not your father,” Lincoln said.
“No, I’m not,” I agreed. “But when I was a kid I wanted to be. And even after I grew up, part of me always wanted him to have been right. For paranormal creatures to be out there, for magic to really exist. I wanted the world to be bigger than everyone thought it was, for there to be more.”
“And if there is?” I asked.
“I think there’s magic in all things, even if it’s not the kind I hoped there was. There are new sights to see, a whole world to discover. Out there, away from this place.”
“You like to travel?” he asked.
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