“Fucking idiot.” I know that voice. Gunnar? No, it couldn’t be him, he sounds completely different. “She probably just went for a walk. Get back to the truck and get the fuck out of here before she comes back,” he orders, stomping away from the man still crumpled on the ground. When he turns, the moonlight shines on his face, and I see it is, in fact, Gunnar.
“What the hell are you doing here, and why do you have someone watching me?” I mutter under my breath. Damn, I do talk to myself way too much.
His head snaps in my direction and I slip farther behind the tree. I want to know what he’s up to before I decide what to do about it. Too bad, I actually kind of liked him.
I close my eyes and control my breathing. I can’t do much about how fast my heart is beating other than force myself to stay calm. After several long moments without hearing a sound, I peer out from behind the oak to find the clearing empty, with no evidence that Gunnar or his little minion were ever here.
I give it several more minutes before coming out from the tree line, making sure he’s not lying in wait for me. I skirt the house, moving around the back of the property, and when my back door is in sight, I dash from the cover of the trees and run up the stairs. The door opens freely—I hardly ever lock them, but it might be time to start now.
The house feels empty when I enter. I send out my senses to every corner just in case, but no one has been in the house. I think I’ll be making a trip back to Rumors tomorrow—twice in one week, a new record for me.
“Yeah, nothing necessarily weird going on,” I mock Grim, and kick off my boots, sending them sailing into the backyard. “You should really stop talking to yourself. Someone is going to think you’re crazy.” I slam the door hard and flip the lock for good measure.
I make my way through the house and yank my curtains closed as I do. How many times has that guy, or someone like him, been peeking in my windows without my knowledge? I’ve become too complacent. He should have never even gotten that close to me without alerting me.
Over the years, I’ve learned to dull my senses and only use them when I need to feed, but I think it’s time I hone those impressions I get and figure out exactly what I’m capable of.
* * *
“Where are you going?”Aeson chirps from my vanity. I glance over my shoulder.
“Where have you been?” I turn to fully face her.
“Whoa, va-va-va-voom!” The tiny dark slashes over her equally dark eyes wiggle in my direction. “Hot date? Is it the bleeder?”
I run my palms over my short, bodycon dress. “You like?” I ask, spinning to give her the full effect.
“I do. If you could spare a few inches of fabric, I could make one for myself.” She angles her head from left to right. “But it doesn’t look like you can. The bleeder is one lucky SOB.”
“It’s not for the bleeder—not the way you’re thinking, anyway. And his name is Gunnar,” I confess, and drop onto the edge of my bed. “I think he has someone watching me.”
“Kinky. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.” Aeson shrugs.
I roll my eyes. “I have tried it, and—again—not what I meant. He was here last night with a human.” I pause. “He had the human watching the house. I caught him when I came out of the woods.” I haven’t had anyone to talk to about this. I barely slept all day thinking about what I was going to do tonight.
“Intriguing.” Aeson rubs her tiny palms together. “Are you going to eat his face off?”
“No.” I grab a pillow from the head of the bed and place it over my lap. “That’s just an Aeson thing. Most people don’t eat off other people’s faces.”
She waves her hand at me like I’m the one being ridiculous. “It’s a problem solver,” she argues. “What’s the plan then?”
“I haven’t decided yet.” I pull at the fabric of the pillow. “I want to know why he was here, and why he had someone watching me.”
“Well, I only see two options.” Aeson kicks up her little legs, showing off her spiky heels. “You could eat his face off, since everyone talks when you’re munching on their eyelids.” She peers at me like she’s just offered the best possible advice.
She rolls her eyes when I don’t immediately jump at the suggestion. “Or…you could play dumb, get close to him, seduce him, and find out what you want to know.” She pauses for a brief second. “Then you can eat his face, or I’ll do it for you.”
“Taking one for the team, huh?” I toss the pillow off to the side of the bed. I kind of like the idea of not letting him know I knew he was here last night.
“You know me—I’m a giver.” Aeson wiggles her shoulders in a shimmy.
I giggle despite the darkness of the conversation. I know for a fact Aeson hasn’t chewed on anyone who didn’t deserve it.
“Well, I’m going back to the club. Wish me luck.” I smooth my hands down my dress again before heading to the closet for a pair of shoes.
“In that getup, you won’t need luck: just a stiff breeze and you’ll have everyone’s attention.” My fierce little friend winks at me as I head out the door. I poke my head back in just as Aeson moves to stand.
“Sorry I’m bailing on you again tonight.” I can feel the frown on my face. I’ve been hoping for company the last few days, and now here she is, and I’m leaving.
