by Eve Langlais
Forget.
Blink.
She looked at the phone in her hand. Who was she talking to? The card clutched in her hand gave her a clue. “I should go. I need to get ready for work.”
“I’ll talk to you again in a few days, then, Adara. Unless you have something else you’d like to tell me?”
“No, nothing. Bye,” she mumbled and hung up. She wondered what would happen if she didn’t call. Would he care enough to come down and see if she was all right? Or would he forget her just like everyone else in the city seemed to have done after the incident, the attack that’d put her in the hospital with no memories—and injuries that had healed, leaving only mental scars behind.
Not one single person had stepped forward to claim that they knew her. It was like Adara had appeared out of nowhere. No name, no identity, no past.
The staff at the hospital had chosen Adara instead of the classic Jane for her name. Apparently, it meant beauty in Greek.
Adara sighed. She’d have given up beauty in a moment if it meant regaining her identity. She still found herself startled when she saw her reflection in a mirror. The only thing she recognized was her eyes—a strange violet color. Of the rest of her, nothing seemed right. Not even her face.
Already dreading the evening, she trudged with heavy feet to work. The prickling sensation that screamed someone followed bothered her again, but not enough for her to turn around and look. Daylight still reigned, for a few hours more at least, and people crowded the sidewalks. There’d be time enough to worry later.
Maybe the wolf will return and escort me home. Her encounter with the beast the previous night held a dreamlike quality to it. Probably because it wasn’t real.
But what if it were? Even now, knowing how scared she should be, she instead found herself eager to see the wolf again. Because, if he came back, it would mean she wasn’t entirely crazy.
A little crazy, though? Absolutely, because only that would explain the fact that she saw something with fluttery wings dipping overhead, sparkles falling and catching the sunlight. She stared too long, and the creature caught her staring, mouth rounded in surprise.
The tiny fairy squeaked something and flitted off. No one else noticed it. Another hallucination. More and more each day.
I need professional help.
There was no one she could turn to, though. She was alone.
Forsaken.
Chapter Nine
This is pathetic.
No, seriously, it was. Logan couldn’t help hating himself even as he followed several paces behind the woman on the sidewalk. He didn’t like following because it meant biting down the anger—and ignoring the rumble of his beast—every time someone jostled her.
It happened all too often. She held herself tightly, arms tucked in, head down. A victim waiting to happen. One he wanted to save. It didn’t matter how many times he reminded himself that he wasn’t here to protect her. He still wanted to grab and shake everyone who touched her.
Kill them, snarled his beast.
How about cooling it there, Cujo. He didn’t need to start something that would draw attention, especially not when he couldn’t explain why he trailed her.
He’d told himself all during breakfast that he would go into work and then check her out after his day was done. Instead, he found himself on the phone claiming to his crew—an inner circle of boys from his pack—that something had come up, all so he could play stalker. Something he now kicked himself for doing because what he’d seen so far had pissed him off.
In the light of day, her building looked even more appalling. How anyone could live there baffled him. He understood poverty, but there were much cleaner buildings she could rent for the same pittance. The building she chose was a place of last resort, somewhere you went when no one else would have you.
It made no sense. Discreet questions yielded no information. As suspected, his mystery lady was newly arrived. So, Logan had settled down to watch and wait.
When she’d emerged from the rank pit she called home, he’d followed her. He’d ground his teeth as she counted out her money, carefully paying for a meager amount of groceries that looked barely enough to feed her for a day, but which he knew would probably have to last longer. He’d cursed under his breath as she washed a pathetic amount of clothes, nothing even close to a full load, which told him she had nothing more.
And then the phone call. With his hearing, he’d easily heard both sides of the conversation, one that deepened the mystery. From the sound of it, she’s had some kind of accident. But why would her doctor of all people set her up to live in the worst slum available? And, even more puzzling, find her a stupidly dangerous job?
Logan knew part of the equation was still missing. Things didn’t add up, and now it went further than the fact that Adara—the pretty name he’d overheard when she spoke on the phone—was more than human, a fact noticed by someone else.
While Logan shadowed her movements, so did Stefan, that bloodsucker, Titus’s, servant. Logan and Stefan had run into each other a few times in the past, amicably mostly, but something about the vamp’s employee made Logan’s beast growl.
There’s something not quite right about the man. And it was more than just Stefan’s choice in employers.
Despite knowing Titus would find out, Logan found it impossible to hide his interest in Adara. Stefan, who also shadowed her steps, had grinned knowingly at Logan.
When she’d entered the laundromat, he’d cornered Stefan for a moment. “Why are you following her?”
“Why do you think, dog breath? The master asked.”
“Why?”
“No idea.” Stefan shrugged. “But if I had to wager a guess? She’s pretty.”
“She’s off-limits.” A statement practically growled.
“Do you lay claim to her?” Stefan asked with his benign brown eyes staring.
“No.” The spoken word, yet inside, his wolf snarled a yes.
“Then you can’t make any demands. The pack does not get to tell the Cabal what to do.”
In other words, keep his wolf out of it. Except Logan couldn’t, not this time.
What does the vampire want with her? Probably not anything too bad. Logan could grudgingly admit that Titus actually seemed a decent sort for his kind. And by kind, he meant blood-sucking vampire.
At least Titus didn’t attack and kill indiscriminately. He seemed to follow a certain protocol with his feeding that didn’t involve using the unwilling. So why his interest in Adara? She’s not his usual type, thought Logan.
Don’t touch. His beast just rumbled—Mine! And Logan almost echoed it.
He took note of when Stefan left him alone to watch the laundromat. He didn’t see the man again until Adara made her way to work, never knowing two men shadowed her.
Only when she disappeared inside the store did Logan corner Stefan for a second time. “I want to know what Titus intends to do with the girl.”
“Whatever he damned well likes.”
The flippant reply saw Logan grabbing Stefan and slamming him against a wall. People on the sidewalk stepped around them. None dared to interfere.
“How long has Titus known about her?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Stefan said with a shrug. “But if I had to wager, I’d say he discovered her last night. When I arrived for work this morning, I found my instructions.”
“What instructions?”
“The basics. Who is she? Where did she come from?”
“And what did you discover?”
At the question, Stefan’s face twisted. “Not fucking much. She’s like a ghost. There, yet unseen. About the only thing of importance that I discovered was her name. Adara.”
“And?”
“And that’s it. No last name. No previously known address. Not even a date of birth. The only thing I can say for sure is, judging by her scent, she’s not human.”
Which only served to confirm Logan’s theory. “Do you know what sh
e is?” Logan asked, pumping Stefan for info.
“Not a clue, and given that Titus is intrigued, it means he has no idea either.” Stefan frowned over his shoulder in the direction of the store. Logan set him down and turned to look, as well. They could see nothing from their spot.
“I don’t get the impression that she’s been here long.” He would have noticed.
“I didn’t get that either from scouting her place. She has very little to her name and appears to be living alone.”
“You broke into her apartment?” Logan faked his shock. He’d thought of doing the same thing.
Stefan rolled his eyes. “Of course, I did. While she was doing her laundry. I was looking for answers.”
“And?”
“And I already told you. Nada. There was nothing to find. No pictures, no mail, no clothing, hardly any furniture. It’s as if she just arrived with the clothes on her back.”
Arrived from where? Given her call to the doctor, he wondered if she’d spent time in a hospital. He almost asked Stefan until he realized the other man might not have been privy to her call. For a moment, Logan debated sharing, but then thought screw it and kept that info for himself. This doctor could have the clues needed to unlock some of her mystery.
A mystery he didn’t want to share.
No share. His wolf agreed. Except his wolf meant Adara.
“Since we’re on the topic of the girl, I should probably mention I’ve also got orders to do something about her current residence,” said Stefan.
That startled him. “Like what?” asked Logan, who couldn’t disagree that she needed to move.
“After having seen it, I have to say that a nuke would probably be the only thing that cleans that hole.”
Logan chuckled. “I agree with you there. How the health unit hasn’t shut that place down is beyond me. I’m going to try and befriend her today. See if I can let slip that I know of a place opening up in her price range.”
“Titus has already stated he’ll subsidize the rent to ensure she gets a nicer place.”
Logan didn’t like the amount of interest Titus was showing. Curiosity was one thing, but his inner beast paced restlessly. “Listen, I’m not about to have her move somewhere so she ends up an easy snack for your master.”
“Don’t be insulting,” Stefan said, quite affronted. “As if Titus would stoop to those methods. He’s intrigued, not hungry. He’s a master vampire, don’t forget, not a fledgling still under the curse of the bloodlust. He can control himself better than you can, wolf.”
“I can control myself just fine.”
Stefan looked at him appraisingly. “You can, perhaps, but I wouldn’t say that of all your pack. And you have to admit, she smells tasty.”
That she did; however, the fact that Stefan had noticed it agitated Logan’s beast. Kill him now before he touches.
Logan must have done something to show his disquiet because Stefan chuckled. “Down, boy. I was just making a point, not a play for the woman. Speaking of whom, I must bid you adieu. My master will waken soon and want a report. Just so you know, I will have to inform him of your interest in her.”
“Go right ahead.” Logan grinned wolfishly. A little healthy competition was always welcome. Besides, I already know she likes my wolf. I doubt Titus, one of the undead, will be able to compete. Soft fur versus cold flesh… If all else failed, he could resort to puppy eyes.
With a wave, Stefan wandered off. Logan took up a position at a fast food place, sitting at the chipped counter in their window, nursing a cola while downing enough hamburgers and fries to feed a family. It kept the staff from bugging him because he wouldn’t budge.
He stared at the store. Go over there and talk to her.
What would he say?
“Hi, I saved you from a zombie last night. Want to go to dinner and tell me who the fuck you are?”
Or he could try being flirty and suave. If he knew how. As pack alpha, Logan didn’t usually have to work too hard to get women to notice him.
But I don’t want her to notice me. I just want answers.
He ordered another burger, munching on the food to quell his pacing wolf.
Twilight approached, and Logan knew he only had a little time before the vamp showed up. Once she met Titus, that charming blond bastard, what chance did Logan have?
Perhaps she wouldn’t like a slick gent in a suit with obvious money.
Snort.
Yeah, because a woman would choose a scruffy-faced guy in worn jeans and a faded T-shirt instead.
Only one way to find out. Logan exited the restaurant and crossed the street, ready to meet her in person.
I wonder if she’ll pet the man like she stroked the wolf.
Chapter Ten
Adara noticed him the moment he walked into the store. Her one and only customer was kind of impossible to miss. Add a few more inches, and he would have to stoop to get through the door.
For all his size, he was a fit man. Snug jeans molded to corded thighs, and his broad shoulders stretched the fabric of his T-shirt. Aviator glasses hid his eyes, but she could still see his face. Like the rest of him, it exuded power and ruggedness with a square, bristled jaw—the kind that hadn’t seen a razor in at least a few days—and a strong nose.
Utterly masculine. Larger than life. He scared the heck out of her.
Why? He’s just a customer.
The reminder didn’t stop the quaver in her hands. She tried to busy herself so as not to pay attention, yet she couldn’t help but sneak peeks.
He caught her, his head swiveling in her direction, surely staring at her behind those mirrored lenses.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. Adara ducked her head and could have cursed as her clumsy fingers tried to stack the business cards in the holder. Instead, they spilled onto the counter.
Even without looking, she could sense him, an almost palpable presence that, to her tummy-churning trepidation, came nearer. A shadow fell over her, and she barely restrained an urge to scream.
Calm down, she told herself. He’s just a customer like any other. Said probably many a person before getting killed—or worse—for the contents of their register.
“Excuse me.” The stranger possessed a voice smoother and more pleasing than she would have attributed to a man his size. Her tummy fluttered as if thousands of butterflies had taken up residence. Her odd bodily reaction to him heightened her fear because she didn’t understand it. Didn’t want it.
“Can I help you?” she asked, not glancing up, too afraid to meet his gaze. She hid her shaking hands behind the counter.
“As a matter of fact, you can. Who are you?”
The direct question startled Adara enough that she peered up. She forgot his query as she stared with fascination at the stranger’s face—most especially his eyes. He had removed his sunglasses, and from under dark brows, he gazed at her with green eyes that seemed eerily familiar. In her mind, an image flashed of a wolf. A wolf she’d met? Her mind shied away from the very idea. She’d never met a wolf, especially not in the city…because that was impossible.
He continued to stare at her intently, and she realized he waited for an answer. “I’m Adara. Can I help you find something?”
“I’m looking for answers.”
Okay, not exactly the kind of conversation she normally had with comic book junkies. Then again, he didn’t look like the usual customer, either. “Which comic book line are you talking about?”
“This isn’t about the comics. I’m talking about you. Who are you?”
“I am freaked out. As in, I think you should leave.” She was quite proud of the fact that her voice didn’t quaver.
He frowned at her, and on a man his size, the expression proved intimidating.
When Adara took a step back, his scowl deepened. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’m just looking for answers. Why are you here?” he asked, changing his question.
Adara didn’t have a chance to answer—or call the cops—because
at that moment, the door to the store opened and a shiver ran through her as a newcomer swept in. The skin on her arms pimpled as if brushed by a cold wind, yet the air hung perfectly still. At the same time, it had an almost electric charge to it that tingled along her nerves.
Hallucinating again, because a normal person wouldn’t feel these things just from someone walking in. She craned around the big guy to see who’d entered. Hopefully, not an accomplice.
Once again, Adara found herself staring. The new customer, while not as tall as Mr. Green Eyes, had a strong presence about him. A riveting aura. Adara couldn’t take her eyes off the newcomer and, unlike the big guy in front of her, he didn’t scare her as much. His hair, a gold woven with lighter strands, brushed his wide shoulders. The eyes that smiled in greeting were a clear blue, and his skin was so pale as to almost seem translucent. On some men, it might have seemed effeminate, but on him, it enhanced his masculinity. When he gave her a radiant smile, Adara found herself shyly smiling back.
“Titus, what a surprise,” said the green-eyed one, not sounding too pleased as the elegant newcomer approached.
“Greetings, Logan,” Titus said, tilting his head in acknowledgement. “Stefan warned me I might run into you.”
“I’m surprised to see you out and about so early.”
“The benefits of age.”
Adara sensed an undercurrent as the two men faced off. It was obvious they knew each other, but what she couldn’t figure out—and what truly niggled at her—was what they were doing in the store? Neither looked the type to buy comic books. Not to mention the gent in the silky looking black trench coat—Titus—didn’t look like he should be frequenting this part of town at all.
“What do you want with her, Titus?”
“The same thing I imagine you do. To find out who and what she is.”
Adara frowned. I think they’re talking about me.
A belief reinforced when they both turned to look at her. Adara took a step back, only to bump into the wall. Something of her anxiety must have shown in her eyes because Titus sighed.