“I can’t fly.” A tear escapes, and I dash it away. “I’m grounded and have to drink blood to survive. I’m a monstrous abomination.”
The air between us is heavy as if charged with emotion. Part of me wants to run, but I stand my ground and stare into those captivating eyes.
Before I know what’s happening, he wraps me in his strong arms and pulls me against his chest. The scent of oak and fresh grass fills me with comfort as he rubs his hand up and down my back. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I’m a monster. Heck, half the town are creatures of one kind or another, but just because you’re not exactly what you were born to be doesn’t make you wrong. I was born to hide among thetall trees in Washington state, yet I’m here.” He rests his hand lightly above the swell of my ass. His fingers comb through my hair.
“You don’t understand.” My voice is muffled, but I don’t want this hug to end.
“Explain it to me.” He releases me and places one finger under my chin so I’ll look at him. “I want to help.”
“I wish you could.” I really do. Turning, I head toward the house my sister gave me to live in.
She’s moved in with her giant, Sam, a few blocks away, since his home was built for his size, and he barely fits into her house. It’s comfortable, and Mari comes every day to teach piano and singing lessons to the locals. If only I were as relaxed in my own skin, maybe I could be happy.
“Tell me how you became a swan.” Max’s demand is soft yet commanding.
“On my eighteenth birthday, my aunt gave me a coat made of soft, pure, white feathers.” I close my eyes and remember the way they tickled my skin and how it felt when I put it on that night. With my eyes closed, I stumble.
Max takes my elbow and steadies me. Without a word about me walking with my eyes closed, his lips twitch, and he releases me.
“She told me that when the moon rose, I should open my bedroom window and put on the coat. When I did, I transformed into a swan. Though not without my knowledge of my human form. My aunt was waiting for me in the pond near our home. She was a beautiful swan and flew with me that night. She made sure I knew when it was time to return to my human form. Every night we swam and flew, and it was pure joy.”
His chest lifts as he draws a deep breath. “Is the swan shifter a family tradition?”
I nod. “One female in each generation becomes the swan. The eldest female.” I dash away a tear. “Perhaps my biological sister could become the swan if I make her a coat of feathers. I haven’t seen any of my birth family since before I was changed into a vampire, but maybe there’s a way for swan maidens to continue to exist.”
“Don’t give up, Tilda. You will fly again.” He takes my hand, threading his fingers through mine.
His skin is warm and callused and his fingers three times bigger than mine. Yet it feels right to have this connection with him. “How can you sound so certain?”
At my front door, he turns toward me. “My kind is in tune with nature. We know the land, the trees, and everything that grows and flows, rivers, lakes, and streams are cued into our blood. When I look at you, I see the graceful bird, the woman, and the vampire. I don’t think one is meant to suppress the others.”
“The vampire demands a foul price.” My gut tightens.
“Everything must eat. Why are you so against the vampire? You have accepted Mari as your sister. She is a vampire.” His voice is soft, and his question honest.
“Mari is the first person who has ever wanted to help me. She risked falling into Pierre’s clutches again to save me. I can never repay such a debt.” I know it doesn’t answer his question, but I don’t know the right thing to say.
Cocking his head, his long hair shifts, making me long to know if it’s as soft as it looks. “Then not all vampires are evil? Mr. Radu is your grandsire. He has accepted you as family as well.”
“He is far away.” And for as long as Pierre is with him, I hope he remains far away. A chill runs up my spine at the thought that Pierre might be loose in the world. He could have harmed Ionand we wouldn’t know he was near until it was too late. I search the darkness for danger, but find nothing stirring.
As if reading my thoughts, Max says, “I do not believe that Brochet could overwhelm Ion Radu. Radu is legendary and…” He shifts uncomfortably.
“And?” I prompt.
“It is hard to put into words. As one of the original creatures, Mr. Radu is part of all things. He would sense anything Brochet could conjure before implementation. I have no doubt that should by some strange turn of events, an escape happened, we would be well informed.” His throat is covered in the same dark-brown hair that I believe covers much of his body, and it bobs as he swallows. “I will never let any harm come to you.”
My heart doesn’t beat very often, but it pounds twice at his declaration and closeness. “Thank you, Max.”
Passion lights behind his eyes, or maybe that’s just wishful thinking on my part. He steps back. “You should go inside and lock up.”
Of course he’s right. If I stay in his company too much longer, I might do something I’ll regret and certainly he would. With a brisk nod, I open my front door and step inside. “Good night.”
Once I’ve closed the door, I lean my back against it and breathe in the scent of oak and grass that lingers even after my vampire senses hear him walk away. It’s ridiculous, but I long to run my body along his fur and feel every inch of the Sasquatch police officer until I make him purr.
Chapter Two
MAX
