by RK Close
In my little girl dreams that I never outgrew, I thought my knight in shining armor would declare his love for me by saying those very words. But it isn’t the words that hold any real value or power. I love chocolate, but I won’t die for it. Well, maybe without it, but not for it.
When Adam says, he would die for me, I know it’s true. His being immortal only makes it even more precious. But would I die for him? I believe I would. The truth is, I’ve resisted admitting that I’m in love with Adam for a while now. Maybe our relationship doesn’t resemble my parents’, but it feels just as real. And after his declaration, it seems more sure. It’s as though he stood up and said “I love you, Samantha,” only in his own style. I don’t need it said any other way.
This is where my mind is as I drive through town this morning. I should be right on time to meet Russell for breakfast and to retrieve the video surveillance he acquired for me.
IHOP is busy for a Tuesday. Russell’s choice, not mine. It must be senior discount day because I’m by far the only person under sixty-five in the room.
“Hi, I’m meeting someone. His name is Russell. Have you seated him yet?”
“Yes. Just three of you, right?” the hostess asks as she turns to lead the way.
“Maybe you have the wrong guy. There’s only the two of us today.”
She looks back at me surprised and then points to the far corner of the restaurant. “Is that him?”
Following her gaze, I spot Russell sitting with a woman I don’t recognize.
Hmm. Is this why he’s been too busy to call me lately?
“That’s him,” I say, giving her a quick smile before I make my way to the table.
Russell notices me before I reach them and stands up with a big smile on his face. We share a hug before we look down at the woman seated at the table. She offers me a warm smile, and I do the same. Her eyes are wrinkled at the corners and warmth radiates from her face. Her hair is even parts salt and pepper and cut into a shoulder-length bob. I reach my hand out to her.
“Sorry to surprise you, Sam. This is my friend, Agnes. I hope you don’t mind her joining us today,” Russell says, sliding into the booth next to Agnes.
“Of course not. The more, the merrier. Agnes, from records, right?” I ask, taking my seat. Agnes nods and smiles as though she’s pleased that I know who she is.
“I’m so happy to finally meet you, Samantha. I knew your father from the department. He was a good man and well respected. But I’m sure you know that,” she says, with a kind look.
“Thank you, Agnes. I appreciate you telling me that. It means a lot to me,” I say. I have a good feeling about Agnes. I’m glad Russell has someone other than his drinking buddies to spend time with. I want him to be happy.
“I met your mother several times over the years as well. Lovely woman. I see a strong resemblance in you. Your father was always sharing your latest school picture, so I sort of feel like I watched you grow up. It was such a tragedy when they passed.” She breaks eye contact and busies herself by sipping her coffee. People don’t like to mention other people’s tragedies, but they also feel a need to share in your pain. I understand, and I know she means well.
My dad. I cringe at the thought of him walking around the station showing all my awkward school photos to everyone. I can totally see him doing that.
“Oh, before I completely forget, here is that video surveillance you asked for,” Russell says, handing me a small black flash drive. I didn’t even know he knew what these were for. He’s usually very technologically challenged. “I don’t even know what you do with that, but they said there were twenty-four hours of tape on it.”
I can’t help but smile. Russell doesn’t get technology, but he has a lady friend. That makes me happy.
“I know what to do with it. Thank you so much.” I put the flash drive in my bag.
The waitress comes and takes our orders, and there is another moment of awkward silence.
“So, are the two of you dating or what?” I ask.
They share a look with one another then look back to me. Russell coughs and Agnes looks down at her hands.
“Well, yes. Agnes and I are courting.” He looks over at her and smiles. There is a twinkle in his eyes that I’ve not seen before. Now it’s my turn to look away before I become a sappy mess in front of Russell’s new girlfriend. She may be the first girlfriend since his wife passed so long ago. It warms my heart.
“That’s really great. I’m happy for you both. I’d love for you to come over for Christmas day. Will that still work for you, Russell?”
He always comes over on Christmas day. It’s been our tradition since before my parents died.
“I was hoping you would want us both to come. I’ll bring some beer. Let me know what else you need. Will one of those young men be there? Gabe and Adam, was it?” he asks.
I’m surprised he remembers their names, but he did spend a few hours with both on Thanksgiving.
“Well, Gabe is out of town now, but I’m sure Adam will be there. Adam and I are dating. I would have let you know, but I haven’t seen much of you lately.”
“It will be nice to meet your boyfriend. I can bring some Christmas cookies. I bake a lot, every year,” Agnes adds.
“Perfect! I can’t wait,” I say.
Our breakfast arrives, and we pass the time with small talk. When it’s time to part, I give both a warm hug and watch as Russell and Agnus walk off holding hands.
Between Adam’s revelation and Russell’s newfound happiness, I feel light as a feather.
***
I’ve been running errands all over town. It seems that my personal life has been on hold while I worked this case, so now I find myself behind on several mundane tasks that take a lot of time.
The library is my refuge. I manage to blow two whole hours there in search of my next story. After reading multiple covers, I finally decide on When Darkness Falls by Bella Higgin. Funny how my book choices have changed now that I know vampires, werewolves, and fairies exist. Suddenly, I want to read everything in the paranormal genres, wondering all the while if any parts are real or not.
It seems the dry cleaner misplaced several of my clothing items, and it took almost an hour to sort that mess out. Thankfully, the woman figured out the mistake and my favorite blouse and jacket were not lost.
Registering my car at the MVD took another couple of hours. There is just no good time to go to that place. I felt like we were a bunch of cattle waiting for our numbers to be called.
Finally, I stop by and pick up a few groceries that I couldn’t live without. The cat food supply has become dangerously low, and I am completely out of bacon and eggs.
While at the grocery, I have that strange feeling of being watched but never discover the source. I shake it off and make my way home as quickly as possible so that I can squeeze in a run.
There is a false sense of normalcy to my day, but I know better. There is no normal. I’m in love with a vampire, my best friend is dating one, I’m working for a werewolf, and my favorite bartender can also grow fur and fangs at will. Oh, yeah, and I might have a little fairy in my blood.
Normal left town a few trains ago.
***
Once home, I quickly put the groceries away and feed Wilbur. For once he doesn’t seem to mind that I don’t have time to love on him. I throw on some sweat pants, strap on my dagger again and tuck the pendant under my shirt. Finally, I pull my hair into a high ponytail, and lace up my running shoes. The clock on my phone tells me there is little daylight left, so I grab a small flashlight and shove it, and my phone, into the pocket of my jacket.
I’ll need to hurry because it’s not safe to run after dark. My clothes are not reflective so they can’t be seen by cars, and there’s always a higher chance of falling at night.
***
My earphones blast my favorite playlist for working out. Music helps me forget the pain. I’m lost in the lyrics of “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons when
I finally must use the flashlight to see where I’m running. A headlamp would be more useful. It’s a pain in the ass to run while holding a light. The bouncing shadows make me feel dizzy. Running and dizzy are a bad combination.
Once I’ve burned enough calories, I take a shortcut through the parking garage that’s next to my building. There is just enough fluorescent light that I can stash the flashlight. A noise draws my attention, so I stop walking and pull the headphones from my ears to listen. At first it sounds like the rumble of an engine but I quickly recognize the growl of an animal.
My body freezes at the exact moment I spot two glowing, golden eyes emerging from the shadows between two cars. Growling and snarling, the wolf from my nightmare stalks toward me from the far end of the garage. It’s coming for me—just like in my dream.
Swallowing the lump of fear stuck in my throat, I turn to run as if my life depends on it.
And it does.
26
Once Bitten, Twice Shy
This is the golden wolf from my dreams—the one who hunts me. As large as a small pony, it couldn’t pass for an ordinary animal. There’s knowledge in the glowing amber eyes. Its paws are so large that a playful slap might kill me instantly.
As if its very presence causes electrical disturbances, lights flicker on and off near the wolf as it moves toward me.
Adam. Can he feel my panic? Does he know that I need help?
I can’t wait around for someone to save me. As far as I am aware, I’m on my own.
A ferocious growl bounces off the concrete walls and radiates through my core. I’m moving on pure adrenaline since my muscles and lungs were already spent on the six-mile run I just finished.
Taking a sharp turn to head up the ramp to the next level, I almost lose my footing. A quick look over my shoulder lets me know that the wolf is gaining on me. Thankful for small favors, I notice the creature is having difficulty gaining purchase on the slick pavement.
I spot a small break in the wall between levels and cut a hard right between two cars to get there. From the noise behind me, my attacker wasn’t expecting that move. Claws scrape and slide like nails on a chalkboard as it tries to gain traction.
Hitting the wall at a fast speed, I throw myself up to the ledge and shimmy my body between the cables and concrete separating the two levels. Before I’m all the way through, a sharp pain sears my ankle as claws gash my skin before I can scramble away from the opening. Crab-crawling backward as quickly as I can to avoid another strike.
The werewolf can’t fit through the opening. Blood runs down my ankle and soaks my shoe and sock. Golden eyes glare at me through the opening, and we share a moment of unspoken intent. My death is reflected at me in those preternatural eyes—eyes that possess far more intelligence than an ordinary animal would have.
Scrambling up from the floor between two cars, I start to limp-run up the ramp. My pace is considerably slower. Any chance of outrunning the creature has just evaporated. I manage to get to the elevator just as the werewolf rounds the corner at the bottom of the ramp. It spots me, and I start pushing buttons like a woman possessed.
At breakneck speed, the wolf is closing the gap, and the doors haven’t even begun to close. In my panic, I hit the “OPEN” button. I focus on pushing the “G” button only.
This is it! I’m going to die in this elevator.
Something clicks inside my panic-stricken brain just moments before the doors start to close, and just as my dreams showed, the werewolf lunges at me. My body propels itself to the back of the elevator, and instinctively my hand grabs the dagger from under my jacket. I slash down at the creature’s claw as it reaches for me through the six-inch gap in the elevator doors.
Just as the doors bounce off the wolf’s body, I slice down, catching its leg and causing the wolf to recoil violently with a yelp that sounds anything but ferocious. The cry holds so much pain that my gut tightens in sympathy.
Could I be any more of a bleeding heart?
Giving me one last look, the creature turns and limps away quickly and quietly. The sound of its padded feet and my heavy breathing are the only things I hear as I slide down the wall of the elevator. Like a bad joke, the doors finally close.
***
Limping my way through the lobby of my building, I tell Harold that I twisted my ankle during my run. He never gets a good look because I’m waving him off as I make my way to the elevator.
“I’ll be fine, Harold. It’s just a scratch and a sprain. See you tomorrow,” I say as the elevator doors close between us. Hot tears begin running down my cheeks. The thought of running into a neighbor before I can make it into my condo makes me sob more. Holding back further tears as my leg throbs, I fumble with my keys and drop them twice before the handle turns.
I’m freezing, now that my body temperature is adjusting and my clothes are soaked with sweat. I can’t stop shaking, or my teeth from chattering. Going into shock while I’m all alone would not be good.
Once inside I lock the door and ignore Wilbur as I make my way to the bathroom to inspect the damage. It’s as though Wilbur senses that something’s wrong, and stands guard in the doorway watching me. Blood soaks my sock and shoe. I remove them as I sit on the bathroom counter. Putting my foot in the sink and cupping fresh water in my hand, I gently pour it over my wound, gasping as fresh pain shoots up my leg while the sink fills with red.
Each time I repeat the process, I get a better look at the wound. It might need some stitches. Just thinking about it makes me dizzy.
After some time, I manage to close the gash with eight butterfly strips and an entire roll of gauze. Even after my efforts, the blood is oozing through the bandage.
There’s still no sign of Adam, which surprises me. My desire to fall into his arms and have him hold me is almost painful.
Finding my cell phone, which I somehow managed to hold onto, I call Adam. Amazing what our minds do to protect silly things it thinks we can’t live without. I’m calmer now and most of the bleeding has stopped. The phone rings for a bit then goes to voice mail, which isn’t even his voice but an electronic message. I don’t bother to leave one. If he’s too busy to answer my call and didn’t come when he felt my fear, he’ll just have to hear it from someone else.
After carefully removing my dirty clothes I slip into a warm bath, careful of my injured ankle which I rest on the rim of the tub, away from the water. I added bubbles in case Adam decided to show up. It would be just like him to arrive while I’m naked in the tub.
Do I sound bitchy or what? That’s not even fair. He’s always tried to be there for me. I think I’m just disappointed he’s not here now. It’s probably for the best that he didn’t witness my emotional melt-down.
The warm soapy water is soothing my anxiety and chasing away the dark thoughts.
What does the attack mean? Could it have been someone in the Luna pack that didn’t agree with Genevieve extending protection to me? Could it have been Colin O’Donnell?
Surely Sean or Cian wouldn’t want to hurt me—or maybe they would, to protect their secrets. I could be giving those brothers too much credit.
There could be a long line of werewolves who might want to silence me for being an outsider with knowledge about what they are.
“Have you spoken to Adam?” a male voice asks.
Holy cow!
I almost jump out of the tub when I hear Jacob’s voice in my bathroom. I do start to sit up before thinking better of it and sinking lower in the tub when I see Jacob standing in the doorway.
“For the love of…Jacob! What the hell are you doing in my bathroom? Could you have called, maybe?” I exclaim.
Quickly, I check that bubbles are covering all the important parts.
Jacob’s fists are clenched at his sides, and his legs are slightly spread as though he’s ready for something violent to happen. And then the seriousness of his voice and the look on his face alerts me that something is wrong.
“What’s wrong, Jacob?” I
ask, fear lacing my voice.
Jacob seems to notice the awkward situation for the first time and turns his back to me as he says, over his shoulder, “I haven’t been able to reach him today. I think Adam is in danger.”
Jacob’s words send a chill through me that the warm water can’t touch.
27
Missing
Jacob leaves me alone, and I get dressed in a rush. When I’m done, I quickly join him in the living room. The look of concern on Jacob’s face has me more frightened than facing the werewolf.
“What do we need to do?” I ask.
Jacob looks at me for a moment then his gaze drops to my bandaged ankle. He looks at me with a question on his face.
“It’s nothing—well, it could be something. I was attacked in the parking garage tonight by a werewolf.” My mind is still on Adam when I look up at Jacob.
His face registers something close to shock. That’s another first.
“How did you survive?” he asks, looking at me skeptically.
“I almost didn’t. I managed to cut it with the dagger, and that was extremely effective. I wasn’t even sure if it would work on a werewolf.”
Jacob is looking at me as though I sprouted two heads. “What?” I ask.
“A human does not survive a werewolf attack, Sam. Nor do they gain the upper hand on a master vampire, for that matter,” he adds, shaking his head. “You are either the luckiest human I’ve ever met, or Adam is correct.”
“Correct about what?”
“His assumption that you are more than ordinary. I believe your hunter suggested you have some fae in you.”
This strikes a chord. Jacob’s words remind me of all the personal crap that I’ve been pushing to the back corners of my mind to deal with more immediate issues. Jacob doesn’t realize this is a sore spot with me, but I frown at him anyway.