Chapter Two
It was such a beautiful day that I decided to walk into town. It was Saturday so I didn’t need to be at the office, but I relished any excuse to be out of the house and away from my family. I also needed time to process the new addition to my mane. Why did it have to be snakes? Why couldn’t it be extensions that made my hair looked longer and fuller?
I found myself bypassing the road to my office and continuing toward the promenade and its sweeping view of the Chesapeake Bay. Sunlight glittered on the surface of the water, giving it a magical quality. Chipping Cheddar, Maryland was a hidden gem of a town that had been settled by English Puritans with surnames like Tasker, Danforth, and Cawdrey. Although they’d started as dairy farmers, many eventually turned to cheesemaking, and the street names and establishments reflected the town’s unique history.
I was so enthralled by the picturesque view that I failed to notice when a car slowed alongside me.
“Hey, pretty lady.”
I glanced over to see a familiar face hanging out of the window.
“Hey there, gorgeous.” I scratched the pug behind the ear. “And hello to you, too, Chief Fox.”
The chief grinned. “You should probably call me Sawyer now that we’ve exchanged spit.”
“Probably best not to. I might slip.” And if we intended to keep our relationship a secret—which I most certainly did—then Chief Fox he would remain.
“I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind a slip of the tongue right now,” the chief said, grinning.
My legs wobbled in response. It was hard not to hurl myself into the car and have my way with him. Thankfully, there was an innocent dog between us that prevented any impulsive moves. The pug had his own tongue issues. It seemed ten times too big for his small body. He seemed able to lick my hand no matter where I moved it on his head.
“Achilles,” I said, laughing. His tongue tickled.
“Is it wrong that I’m getting jealous?” Chief Fox asked. “Are you busy? Want to go for a coffee?”
“I think I can manage one drink.”
“Only because it’s not a bar,” he teased.
“Now you sound like my dad.” I opened the door and placed Achilles on my lap.
“Okay, now I’m really jealous,” the chief said, eyeing the dog.
“Down, boy,” I said, although I quite enjoyed the reaction. Who wouldn’t? The police chief who could pass for an underwear model was jealous of the dog sitting on my lap. I suddenly felt like the most desirable woman in the world, forgetting all about the snakes and my hideous nature.
“Did you walk from Munster Close?” he asked.
“I was in the mood for exercise,” I said. “I needed to clear my head.” Literally.
“I’ve been feeling that way too,” he said. Chief Fox had recently discovered the existence of the supernatural world thanks to witnessing my death and subsequent resurrection. I’d told him the bare minimum, not wanting to overload him with information that was difficult for a human to process. He knew about the FBM, that I was a fury, and that my mother, Grandma, and Aunt Thora were witches, but I had no intention of ever telling him the nitty gritty. How could I tell the head of law enforcement that members of my evil family routinely broke the law?
“How are you feeling about everything I told you?” I asked.
“Confused about the Twilight Zone stuff, but not about you.” He cast me a sidelong glance. “You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”
“About you? Not at all.”
“Good, I was worried that it was a reaction to being resurrected. Didn’t want you to have regrets.” He reached across the gearshift and curled his fingers around my hand. His skin was warm and comforting.
“How can I have regrets? We haven’t done anything yet,” I said.
“I like the ‘yet’ in that sentence,” he said. “Gives me hope.”
“I do think it’s important that we keep it quiet,” I said.
His lifted an eyebrow. “How quiet?”
I stroked the pug’s back. “Quiet enough that no one knows. I worry about your safety,” I said.
He chuckled. “Have you forgotten that I’m the chief of police?”
“You think that makes a difference? Guns generally don’t work on supernaturals.”
“Are you suggesting I’ll become a target if our relationship becomes public knowledge?” He snagged a spot on the street right outside the coffee shop. I was relieved that he’d chosen The Daily Grind over Magic Beans. As wonderful as the coffee was at the newer shop, it was owned by Corinne LeRoux, who’d recently dated the chief but bowed out gracefully when she realized he had feelings for me. Growing up, she and I had maintained a safe distance from each other thanks to the rivalry between our families, although it seemed that we were slowly building a bridge of our own. I was determined to split my precious caffeinated time between Magic Beans and The Daily Grind to show my support, but not yet. Corinne was too observant and she already knew the chief was interested in me.
“It’s possible,” I said. Although the statement was truthful, it wasn’t the main reason.
He plucked Achilles from my lap and leashed him before getting out of the car. “So you want to date in secret?”
“I think it’s the only option.” I left the car and joined him at the door. “I told you before that dating you would violate FBI rules, but it’s really the FBM’s policy because of the whole supers mixing with humans thing. I don’t want to risk my job by flaunting it.”
The Daily Grind was packed, so we changed topics while we waited in line and ordered. We had to hover with our cups and hope that someone vacated a table. It seemed that every person that passed us couldn’t resist stopping to pet Achilles, not that I blamed them. The adorable pug deserved every second of his local fame.
“Excuse me, Chief Fox. When will you be patrolling with dogs in need of adoption again?” a woman asked.
“Deputy Guthrie has been handling that recently,” the chief said. “As soon as Achilles is through his chewing stage, I’ll leave him home sometimes so I can show off more dogs from the shelter.”
“You’re an angel,” she said, and pinched his cheek.
“Not really, but thanks,” he said. Once she was out of earshot, he whispered in my ear, “Wait, do those exist?”
“I have an angel-human hybrid in my family,” I said. Tomas, Uncle Moyer’s husband. Tomas was forever leaving a trail of his existence for humans to find, not because he was mischievous but because he was messy and absent-minded.
“Why don’t we go to my office with our coffee?” Chief Fox suggested. “We can walk from here and we’ll have more privacy.”
My brow lifted. “Privacy for what?”
He grinned. “To talk, of course. I’m not planning to make you regret anything so soon.”
Together we strolled down the sidewalk to the police station, chatting as though we’d known each other forever. One of the qualities I really liked about the chief was how at ease I felt in his presence. We could talk about the weather, traffic, or even the price of gas, and I would still find that conversation with him enjoyable.
Achilles seemed to stop every ten feet to mark his territory. The little pug seemed to have big ideas about his turf.
We breezed by the reception desk and headed for the solitude of his office. He wasted no time closing the door, setting down his cup, and snaking a hand around my waist.
“I want to get to know you, Eden Fury,” he said. “Tell me everything.”
“That’s a tall order,” I replied. “Why don’t we narrow it down? Favorite color is blue. Favorite book is…” My mind went blank with his lips hovering tantalizingly close to mine.
“Tell me more about the supernatural world,” he said. “You’re a…”
“Fury.”
“Is that why you’re so angry all the time?” he asked.
I recoiled. “I’m not angry all the time.”
“You can be very…
commanding.”
“That’s not angry. That’s just being forthright.”
He chuckled. “That’s not how we roll in the Midwest. I’m only familiar with passive aggressive behavior.”
“I don’t speak passive aggressive,” I said. “I’m from the Mid-Atlantic. We only speak aggressive.”
“I know,” he said smoothly. “And I think I like it.” He kissed me, hesitantly at first but then with more confidence. Heat burned through my body. I was fairly certain my toes actually curled.
Achilles barked and he broke off the kiss. “He wants a treat.” The chief reached into his drawer and produced a morsel. Achilles sat dutifully and was rewarded. Once the treat was gone, the pug trotted over to the dog bed in the corner and curled into a ball.
I perched on the edge of the desk and the chief came to stand in front of me.
“If you’re a fury, does that mean there are creatures like vampires and werewolves?” he asked.
“Yes on both counts.”
His brow lifted. “Wow. Here in Chipping Cheddar?”
“Everywhere, but more here than many places because of the location.”
He seemed slightly taken aback, as though he expected me to laugh and deny it. “Do I know any?”
“You know many.” I wasn’t comfortable outing anyone specifically, even to Chief Fox.
“And you hunt demons?”
“I don’t care for the term hunting. I prefer tracking. I never aim to kill if I can help it. Only to return them to Otherworld where they belong.”
“Like me. I only want to capture, not kill.”
“You’re from Iowa,” I said. “You’d probably offer a demon a glass of pop before you tried to pop a cap in his butt.”
“I’m not that nice,” he said.
Oh, but he was. Deliciously nice. And it was my Kryptonite.
“So the FBI story is a ruse.”
“Not completely. I did work for them. In fact, that was my dream job,” I said. “I had no desire to work for the FBM.”
He wrapped his arms around my waist. “Why not? Seems like you’re tailor-made for it.”
I couldn’t explain without revealing too much about my family. I opted for vague. “I wanted to establish my independence. My family can be somewhat overbearing. I find it hard to be my authentic self around them.”
“I understand.” His hands warmed my waist. “So why did you leave the FBI then?”
I drew a deep breath. “I accidentally became a vampire and bit my partner.”
He balked. “You what now?”
“I have something called siphoning powers where I can absorb another supernatural’s power. Fergus and I were chasing a suspect. I didn’t realize he was a vampire until it was too late.”
“Fergus?”
“No, the suspect. I got to him first because I’m…well, I’m super-fast. Touching him triggered my siphoning ability and I went full vamp on poor Fergus when he caught up to me. He’s fine, though,” I added quickly. “Made a full recovery.”
“But you didn’t.”
“No. I got shipped off here. Once the FBI knew the truth about me, they had no choice but to transfer me to the magical division. I’m too dangerous for the human side.”
He shook his head. “I can’t believe the FBI knows about this sort of thing and manages to keep it under wraps.”
“I don’t think everyone in the FBI knows,” I said. “My partner didn’t. Still doesn’t.”
“Ah, they have ways of making people forget? Like Men in Black?”
“Ours is magic rather than technology, but yes.”
A loud voice burst through our conversation. “There’s a situation on Stilton Street. People are complaining. I think it’s a code pink elephant.”
“Pink elephant?” I queried. “Is that a potential crime or a Heffalump sighting?”
Chief Fox released me. “Sounds like a drunk and disorderly type deal. I’ll check it out.”
“Send Sean,” I said. “Payback for his disorderly high school years.”
“One of these days you’ll have to tell me why the two of you hate each other so much,” Chief Fox said.
“There’s no story,” I said. “He’s a soulless ginger with garlic breath that curdles milk.”
The chief hesitated. “Is he a…vampire?”
I laughed. “He’s pale enough, but no. Just your average, annoying redhead.” I jumped to my feet. “How about I come with you?”
He brightened. “I wouldn’t mind the attractive company.”
“What about Achilles?” I asked.
“I’ll leave him at the office, just in case things get out of hand.” He whistled and the pug trailed after us. He stopped beside the reception desk like he knew the drill.
The chief and I continued back to The Daily Grind for his car and his hand accidentally brushed against mine as he held open the door for me. I was pretty sure there were actual sparks.
“It’s not going to stay a secret for long if we keep hanging out in public together,” he remarked.
“Everyone knows I’m a federal agent,” I said. “They’ll assume it’s for professional reasons.”
“But the supernaturals in town know you’re with the FBM?” he asked.
“They do. When I show my badge, humans see FBI and supers see FBM, except humans with the Sight. They can see the supernatural world without being one.”
The chief shook his head and whistled. “That’s got to be a tough line to walk.”
“You’ll have to ask Clara about it. She’s one of them.” Clara Riley was my best friend and an empath, which meant she had the Sight.
“No kidding.” The chief turned on his lights and parked behind what appeared to be a party bus. It was taking up part of the lane and heads were poked out of every open window. As we got closer, I realized that this was less of a bachelor party and more of a wake. Everybody on the bus looked at least seventy years old.
Chief Fox and I exchanged glances. “This is not what I was expecting,” he said.
“Hey, Chief!” An elderly man hung out of the bus wearing a helmet on his head that held two cans of beer.
Chief Fox swaggered up to the front of the bus and knocked on the door. The driver opened it with a sheepish smile.
“Welcome aboard,” he said. “I’m Chip.”
“What’s the occasion, gentlemen?” The chief stepped onto the bus and I followed, remaining on the bottom step. I could see plenty from this vantage point.
“Hank is getting remarried,” someone shouted. They all cheered and drank whatever was in their cups.
“This is a bachelor party bus?” I asked.
“We figured why the hell not?” Chip said. “We deserve to have as much fun as guys in their youth. I rented the bus and Aaron organized the beer. I’m not drinking, of course. Someone has to be the DD.”
Aaron toasted us with a plastic cup and sloshed beer over the rim. “Hank deserves a party.”
Everyone cheered again.
“Why are you parked in the middle of the road?” the chief asked.
“Bathroom break,” Chip said. “One of the pitfalls of taking guys our age out to drink. Frequent stops.”
“Not me,” another man yelled. “I’m wearing a diaper!”
Chip laughed. “You always come prepared, Scott!”
“You’re going to need to tone down the party,” Chief Fox advised. “There’ve been complaints. How long do you intend to drive around?”
“We’re stopping at a new bar every two hours or so,” Chip said. “We’ve got plenty of life left in us yet.”
A snore erupted from somewhere on the bus, indicating that at least one reveler had already had enough.
“Hank’s first wife passed away two years ago,” Chip said, lowering his voice. “Ovarian cancer. He never thought he’d fall in love at his age. He was so depressed, but Jana changed everything. We’re just all really happy that he decided to get married again.”
“And Jan
a doesn’t mind this day of debauchery?” I asked.
“She said you only live once. She’s very hip.” He paused for a beat. “And she still has both of her original ones. Hips, I mean. Get it?” He laughed at his own joke and then sighed when neither of us reacted. “Geriatric humor is wasted on the young.”
“I’m going to need you to calm things down a bit,” the chief warned. “Not hanging out the windows. No parking in the road. You know, follow the rules of civilized society.”
“Aye, aye, Captain Fox.” Chip saluted him.
“Why don’t you join us?” Aaron called. “You can be our good-looking wingman. We can’t all be as lucky as Hank. Some of us are still searching for Ms. Right, the sequel.”
“We have IV fluids at my house,” Scott said. “Nobody will get dehydrated on my watch.” He belched loudly.
“I’m on duty, but thanks,” the chief said.
“We’ll be ending the night at The Cheese Wheel later,” Aaron said. “If you’re off duty then, come see how many of us are left standing.”
“I’ll keep it in mind,” the chief said. He turned and I left the bus to give him space to exit.
“Have fun storming the bars,” I said.
An elderly man approached the bus, zipping up his pants. “It always takes longer than I think it will these days.”
Chief Fox clapped him on the shoulder. “Drink plenty of water.”
“Water is for chumps,” the old man said, and boarded the bus.
Chapter Three
“I can’t believe the chief knows,” Clara said. We sat in a booth at Gouda Nuff, waiting for Sassy. She seemed perpetually late.
“It was kind of hard to avoid,” I said. “He saw me die and then he saw me walking around a donut shop.” I popped a French fry into my mouth.
“I mean, it must be a relief, right?” Clara asked. “No more secrets?”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I said. “I’ve asked him to keep our dating a secret. I can’t tell my family about us and I can’t tell him about my family. That’s a bridge too far.”
Clara mulled it over. “Did you tell him about me?”
“I told him that you have the Sight, but that’s it. I’m trying to avoid specifics because it’s a slippery slope.”
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