My hope rises like a tide. Maybe there's something useful here.
He watches me for a moment, then speaks, slower now, more gently. "I won't press you. I can see you're running from something, and it ain't my business unless you make it so. I can leave you to it if you want. But if you let me in, I might be able to help."
I pause to consider. He's a coyote shifter, probably my blood doesn't affect him the same way it does vampires. Nothing about him feels predatory.
Besides, the vampire brothers already know the truth.
"I'm a nymph," I say finally, letting the words settle between us. "And I'm looking for something that might shield me from the influence of a satyr."
His eyebrows rise, eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well now," he says with a low whistle. "Didn't expectthat. But… this town's been full of surprises ever since our Colonel planted roots here."
He walks toward one of the far shelves, muttering to himself. "Greek mythology… fae bloodlines… woodland compulsion…"
I take the opportunity to pry a little. "How long has Asher been living here?"
"Eight years," Winston replies without missing a beat, eyes scanning spines, fingers brushing familiar bindings like old friends. "Came through town looking for a quiet place. Turns out folks like him don't stay quiet for long."
"And this… sanctuary for supernaturals? It's the real deal?"
"As real as it gets." He pulls a worn leather tome off the shelf, checks the inside cover, and tucks it under one arm. "He's helped plenty—runaways, outcasts, the wounded. Some pass through. Some stay. I reckon more'll come. He's good people, Asher. One of the rare ones you can trust without looking over your shoulder every five seconds."
I smile faintly because that's exactly the impression I had of him from the start, but I never let myself trust it.
Trust is dangerous. Comfort more so.
"How about his brother?" I ask, before I can stop myself.
Winston lets out a sound somewhere between a grunt and a chuckle. "That boy's straight trouble. Blew in a few months back like a hurricane and hasn't slowed since. Stirred up everything from gossip to brawls. Asher's patient, but he'll only put up with so much. Brother or not, he's not gonna let one wildfire undo what took years to build."
"You don't seem too fond of him."
Winston glances at me, a slow, curious smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I've seen men like Kayden before. Pretty on the outside, reckless underneath. They don't change unless they got a reason to. Something—orsomeone—worth changing for."
I shift on my feet, suddenly self-conscious. "I'm… I'm not that someone."
He raises a brow, that smile deepening. "Didn't look that way from where I was standing." His tone stays easy, but the words land heavy. "The way they both stood between you and Jace? That's not just protection. That's instinct."
Both. He said both.
I press my lips together and choose not to reply. It's too complicated.
Instead, I pivot. "It's funny, you talk about Kayden needing to grow up like he's a teenager, but the guy's a few centuries old."
Winston chuckles, rich and warm. "Some folks don't grow up at a thousand. Especially men. Don't let the age fool you—it's never about time. It's about will."
I laugh under my breath. "I guess immortality doesn't guarantee wisdom."
"Hell no." He pulls two thick volumes from the bottom shelf and hands them over. "I don't usually let these outta my sight, but…"
"I'll be careful," I promise, gripping them close. "And I'll bring them back."
He nods once. "Good. You check those. I'll dig through the rest. Some obscure corners might hold more than they let on."
Before I can thank him again, he lifts a hand. "And don't worry, I won't tell anyone what you are. Town's full of creatures, but no one'd believe I met a real-life nymph anyway. They'd just say old man Cole's finally lost his marbles."
I smile, something warm and honest blooming in my chest. "I appreciate that. More than I can say."
Winston locks the back room carefully before we step out. The bar's a little busier now, soft conversation humming through the air. Asher and Kayden are exactly where we left them, each nursing a mug. When their gazes lift to meet mine, I feel a strange weight settle in my chest.
