Havenfall Harbor: Book One

by Albany Walker

  Evan opens the door and holds it for each of us to file through. I wait until the siblings go and trail behind them. Jacob looks over his shoulder as if to check that we’re still with them.

  A few other students are coming from their rooms, the lure of food is usually a good instigator. We get a couple of looks, even a few whispers, but for the most part the kids seem to ignore us.

  I notice Jon up ahead, coming from a room down the hall. When our eyes meet, he does a double take. “Ms. Shaw?”

  “Hey, Jon, how are you?”

  “Good, good. Something wrong?” He looks past me to Evan, who’s just a little behind me.

  “No, just heading to dinner. How’s your day going?” I stop when I reach his side.

  “Good, great. Yours?” His voice cracks as his eyes dart to Evan every once in a while.

  “I can’t complain,” I answer, even though I totally could. “We’re heading down, see you there?”

  “Yeah, I’m just waiting on a friend.” The door Jon is standing near opens and a pretty girl steps out. Her mouth rounds into an ‘O’ when she sees us. But she doesn’t ask any questions. Not while we’re there anyway. I do see their heads close together after we walk away though. I can’t tell if it’s Evan or me that’s causing the stir.

  Once we reach the main floor, we head to the cafeteria. The noise coming from the open double doors greets us before we can even see them. It sounds like hundreds of voices layered over others, each louder than the next to be heard over the din. Seems like it would be hard on supernatural hearing.

  Entering the doors, I note the size difference of the two cafeterias. This eatery is much larger than the one on the staff side, but set up similarly. There’s a long buffet line and a few freestanding cooler units placed near the east wall. The other side is compiled of tables and chairs, with a soda fountain and condiment station against the opposite wall.

  No one seems to notice as we enter. There are a few other staff members seated around one table in particular, and a few more milling about that seem to be watching the group.

  Kids are smiling, eating, and talking with their tablemates. Jacob is the first to grab a tray, but instead of getting in line, he turns and hands it to me. “Thanks,” I tell him, warmed by the gesture. Evan makes a grunting sound as he reaches for his own tray. “What looks good?” I peer over the variety of selections.

  “Everything!” The boy sighs happily. I can’t fight my smile. I had a few friends in college that could eat like a shifter, but I know their appetite tends to be unrivaled.

  I reach for the tongs and grab a small bit of greens for a salad. When I reach the meat station, I go with thinly sliced beef in a dark gravy and mashed potatoes, followed by some green beans and a roll. Evan is right behind me, and his plate is much fuller than mine, as is Riley’s and Jacob’s. “Where are we sitting?” I look around and don’t immediately see an open table.

  “There.” Evan lifts his tray and motions to the left. I bob my head and discover an empty grouping of chairs, being tall certainly has its advantages.

  Once seated, I find myself looking around a lot more than I do when I’m on the staff side. There’s something easier about knowing most of these kids aren’t paying me a bit of attention. Many of them are too absorbed in their food or friends to worry about anything else.

  The similarities of this lunchroom and my high school cafeteria are there, like the defined lines between a few of the tables. Age seems to play a factor in this, but I’m wondering what else does. Is it popularity, like at home, or does it have more to do with species, or even power levels?

  Dinner goes smoothly, and before long Evan and I are excusing ourselves from the siblings. I contemplate finding Alice, but I know the thing with her and Wes is still new. I don’t want to be a bother and ask her to let me stay at her place, I don’t even know if she would be comfortable with that. Plus, Wes might already be staying over, or her over at his place.

  “So,” Evan starts, as we exit the student wing. I peruse his profile. “Griffin didn’t tell you he was the director?” He twists his lips a bit.

  I sigh and return my gaze forward. “No, he purposefully didn’t tell me, even when I mentioned speaking to the director. I mean, why would he do that?” Our steps are rather slow, maybe it’s because we both just ate, or maybe it’s because I’m stalling and Evan is kind enough to keep pace with me.

  “I can honestly say I don’t think he did it to piss you off.” I chuckle at Evan’s words. He has no idea. I think Griffin likes pissing me off. “You don’t think he did, do you?”

  “I’m not sure what to think. But I can tell you a few of our meetings would have gone differently had I known he was my boss,” I tell him truthfully. I mean, I damn near kicked the man out of my office. I suck in a breath at the memory. Then I kind of gave him the business in the gym the day I asked for Evan’s help.

  “Maybe that’s part of the reason, he wanted you to be yourself,” Evan muses.

  “I would have been myself, maybe just a little more professional. If you hadn’t said something, how long would I have gone without knowing?” We reach the entrance to the staff housing.

  Evan uses his keycard to open the door. Letty and the guy who warned me away from Wes—I can’t remember his name, but I know Alice mentioned it—are standing near the exit. Their heads turn to us as we enter. “Great,” I mutter under my breath. It’s clear Evan heard me though, because his gaze is drawn to me before it settles on the two people in front of us.

  If the shit happening in my room didn’t seem so juvenile, Letty would be my number one suspect. I just can’t see her pulling such childish pranks though.

  “Evening,” Evan greets them easily, and saunters over a little closer. Unsure of what to do, I amble behind him so I can tell him thank you and goodnight without just walking away.

  Letty doesn’t look at me, but I know she sees me. My mind pictures her last night in the elevator, and then at Griffin’s door. Her attire is much more professional now, she’s in what I assume is her uniform—black fitted cargo pants, black button up shirt, also fitted, and heavy boots.

  “Evan, we’re just going over the patrols for tonight,” the man informs him.

  “Any issues?” Evan’s stance is relaxed, but I can see the stiffness of his shoulders.

  “Found a couple kids trying to sneak out before dinner, nothing major.” Letty loops her thumbs into her pockets, and it drags the waistband of her pants down a bit.

  “Shifters? Moon is waxing,” Evan replies like it’s nothing new.

  “Most of them, there were a couple of older vamps too.” Letty finally lets her eyes fall on me. Her brows rise in question. It’s clear she’s asking what I’m doing with Evan.

  “Thanks for taking me to see Jacob and Riley. I’ll see you later, Evan. Night.” I nod my head to the others.

  “One second, Quinn, I’ll walk with you.” I hesitate at Evan’s words, a groan almost leaving my lips. Instead, I plaster a smile there. “Rand was having an issue up on the third floor. We might need to have an extra body up there a few times a month.”

  The man crosses his arms over his chest. “Rand’s too concerned with being friendly.”

  Evan shifts his body to face the man, it’s subtle, but I notice the change. “What does that mean, Bill?” Ah-ha, his name is Bill. No wonder I forgot it, he doesn’t look anything like a Bill or William.

  “He’s too damn nice. He’s there to make sure they stay in line, not to have some kumbaya moment with them.” I can hear the disdain in Bill’s voice. Maybe it’s not just me this guy is an asshole to. Seems like he takes issue with everyone. Letty blows out a heavy breath at Bill’s comment.

  “Half these kids don’t even know what genuine kindness from an elder looks like, Bill. Maybe you’re the one who needs some fucking kumbaya.” Evan nearly growls the last part.

  I take a few steps back, feeling like I’m intruding on a conversation not meant for my ears. Letty catches
my movement and her lip curls in a sneer.

  Ignoring her, I focus on Bill. He tilts his head to the side as his eyes lock on Evan. For a moment I’m worried for Evan. Bill isn’t a small man, his shoulders are wide, and his shirt is tight enough around his biceps to look uncomfortable and to show off his bulk. I end up taking a step closer to Evan, not even sure what’s driving me. It’s not like I could do anything to offer him protection, but I do it all the same.

  Bill holds Evan’s stare for a moment until, with a slight snarl, he looks down at the ground. His stance shifts from combative to more submissive. Letty’s watching the entire thing nonplussed, as if it’s an everyday occurrence.

  “There’s a security meeting scheduled tomorrow morning at five thirty. We can discuss our options for the third floor then.” Evan’s voice is clear, strong, but not angry like I would have thought. “Have a good night. I’ll see you both in the morning.” To me, he adds, “Ready?”

  I swallow. “Yeah.” As we walk away, I struggle to come up with something to say. Should I apologize for being there? Should I just act as if nothing happened? That’s what Evan seems to be doing.

  I end up doing the latter. But I find myself searching for anything to say just to break the awkward tension I feel. “Five thirty, huh? That’s early. Do you guys always have your meetings at the crack of dawn?” I close my eyes briefly, wishing I would have just kept my mouth shut.

  “It’s shift change. Easiest time to do it, almost everyone will be awake,” Evan explains, not seeming bothered at all.

  When we reach the third-floor landing, Evan stops and places his hand on my inner elbow, stopping me as well. “You mentioned Letty.” His eyes search mine.

  “I did?” I draw a complete blank. I don’t remember saying anything about her.

  “The day in the gym, you said, ‘You and Letty don’t trust me,’ meaning Griffin and Letty. What did you mean by that?”

  A flush works its way up my neck at the reminder of the gym incident. “I said that?” I glance away from Evan.

  “Yeah.” Evan releases his hold on my arm and waits patiently.

  “Sometimes my mouth works faster than my brain,” I admit sheepishly. Evan waits me out, not saying anything else. “It’s not a big deal, I’m probably making something out of nothing.” That’s what I tell him, but it’s not really true. I’m just embarrassed to admit I’ve noticed her cattiness. Hell, I even watched her go to Griffin’s room. Evan and Griffin seem like good friends, and I don’t want to make matters worse by adding to the drama.

  But maybe he could help me understand her better. I just watched him and Bill have a little dominance showdown. Maybe I’m doing something that’s unknowingly challenging Letty. I tuck my hair back and lick my lower lip. “I feel so ridiculous even saying this.” I huff.

  “Just tell me,” Evan cajoles.

  “She doesn’t like me. I could tell from that first day when you gave me a ride up to the manor.” I give him a slight shrug because it’s true. I did know from that first day.

  “How could you tell?” Evan leans his hand against the stair railing, a slight smile curling his lips.

  “It’s a woman thing.”

  Evan bursts out laughing at my statement. “So only women get this sixth sense? Does it work on everyone, or only other women?”

  I reach over and swat his arm with the back of my hand. “Shut up, you’re making it sound like I think I have some sort of psychic abilities. That’s not what I meant. And to answer your question, it works best with other women, but I can usually tell if a man doesn’t like me either. I’m just saying, Letty isn’t subtle. The looks, the little comments. It’s not anything I can’t deal with. I was probably just aggravated that day in the gym and her name popped out when I was talking.” Thinking back, I believe that was the same day she caught me leaving the lunchroom.

  Evan smooths out his grin. “I’m just messing with you, Quinn. I get what you mean.” We resume walking to the last flight of stairs. “Just so we’re clear, though, she hasn’t done anything more than looks and snide comments?”

  “Nah, I kind of respect that she let me know she doesn’t like me. I just don’t know what I did to piss her off. I did see her with Griffin last night, she might not like me because he doesn’t really like me.” Another shrug. Maybe she went over that night I kneed him in the balls, and he told her what happened. I almost smile at the thought, but I don’t.

  Evan pauses again. I stop a step above him, and it makes us closer to eye level. “Wait, you think Griff doesn’t like you? Now I am second guessing your womanly sixth sense.” Evan chuckles.

  “Well, can you blame me? Griffin Stone is about as mercurial as a Michigan spring. I honestly don’t know if he hates that he does like me, or he just doesn’t like me,” I say, exasperated.

  “Now that is an accurate assessment.” Evan nods his head. “Griff doesn’t trust easily, he also has an unfailing sense of responsibility. He makes it hard on himself and others to get close to him.”

  “Or figure out which way is up,” I mutter under my breath.

  Evan lets out another small chuckle. “Take it from someone who’s known him longer than I care to mention. Griff likes you. Which he hates. He would have already felt responsible for you because you’re here.” Evan lifts his hands a little, indicating Havenfall. “But because he does like you, it makes it even harder on him.”

  “I’m not even going to pretend to understand that, but I’ll try to take your word for it.”

  “He’s worth it, Quinn. In all my years, I’ve never had a better friend.” Evan turns and starts walking again. I’m a little slow to catch up, his words and the true sentiment behind them giving me pause.

  When I reach him, I study Evan’s profile and tease, “So you’re really old, huh?” to lighten the subject.

  Evan chuffs out a laugh. “Thanks for the reminder.”

  The corridor is empty when we reach the end near Griffin’s and my rooms. I shuffle my feet, unsure what to do. Is he still in there? Does Evan have a key if he isn’t?

  Evan solves the problem for me by rapping his knuckles against the door a few times and turning the knob. It opens freely.

  “He doesn’t lock the door?” I find myself asking. How will his room be any safer?

  Evan picks up on my thoughts. “It’s open because he’s here, he would know if anyone was close.”

  I nod, I keep forgetting about supernatural senses.

  Chapter 17

  Quinn

  Griffin is lounging in the living room area. It’s the first time I allow myself to really look around. Other than the gorgeous vampire sprawled across a plush sofa in a deep burgundy color, my eyes are drawn to a fireplace large enough to spit-roast a hog in. There’s a small fire burning, mostly embers and ash, but I appreciate the warmth.

  “How’s the pup?” Griffin questions in a lazy drawl.

  My eyes bounce over him to the table at his side, then further to the hastily stacked shelves of books behind him. Most are leather bound, but not all. I’m too far away to see the titles, but I have a yearning to do so. What would a man like Griffin read? And it’s obvious he does, there are several books lying around, some open while others are layered in stacks.

  “Good, settling in.” Evan moves around the space effortlessly. It’s easy to see his familiarity with the room. Idly, I wonder how often he’s here. He all but admitted he and Griffin are best friends.

  I turn so they don’t see the blush that might work its way up my face. I’ve been harboring a little crush on Evan ever since the plane ride home when he was so sweet to me. I’m not even sure how to put a name to what I’m feeling about Griffin, but there’s no hiding his appeal, be it sexual or otherwise. Leave it to me to start pining after two best friends, two best friends who seem, at least on the surface, as if they couldn’t be more different.

  “I put your things in the room,” Griffin informs me. Not his room, just the room. I wonder if he’s saying that fo
r me. This is the side of him that confuses me, and after Evan’s little proclamation about Griffin liking me, I’m even more perplexed.

  “Thanks,” I mutter, feeling guilty that I was so aggravated with him after he volunteered to do this for me. I mean, he’s giving up his home for me, even if it’s only for a day or two. I turn to look over at Griffin. Evan has joined him in the living room. He’s sitting in an oversized chair, his arms draped over the sides in a relaxed manner. “Thank you, Griffin, for letting me stay here. Sorry about all this.”

  Griffin

  “Don’t be sorry. It’s not your fault.” That’s what I say, but what I’m thinking is more along the lines of the spider calling the fly closer. I didn’t create the issue that brought her to my bed, but I can’t even pretend I’m not happy that’s exactly where she’ll be.

  Quinn walks through the living room, headed back to my room, but not before I notice the way her eyes linger on each detail of my home. Her face is expressive, she likes the fireplace, but loves the books.

  “I know it’s been a long time for you, but I don’t believe making her think you hate her is the right play.” Evan stretches his arms over the back of his head and groans.

  “Keep your voice down. What the hell are you talking about?” I hiss.

  “She’s human, Griff, and I can tell by the dissipation of her scent she’s in the bathroom, behind a closed door.” His brows lift as if to say, can’t you? “You’re confusing her.” I rub my palm over my face, knowing he’s right. “Be nice to her. It’s simple.”

  I narrow my eyes on him. “I thought you were interested.” I keep my voice low, even though I know she can’t hear us, wondering why he would offer me advice, even unsolicited.

  “I am, but I don’t need help courting a female.” Another brow raise.

  “Neither do I,” I grate through my teeth. But I do. I peer down the hall and lean forward so I can be more quiet. “Is this a ‘may the better man win’ thing for you?”