Before he can take a step away from the counter, I dare to ask, “What brings you to Harmony Glen?”
He fixes his glasses, a smile still gracing his lips. “I’m just an artist looking for his muse, and something here called to me.”
Narrowing my eyes, I scan him from head to foot. Covered in paint and plastered with a smile that just won’t leave, what he says sounds believable. But if that’s why he’s here, why can I sense him?
“I’m having an art show in two days in the town center. You should stop by.” Based on his chipper tone, my staring doesn’t seem to bother him.
He pulls a neatly folded flyer out of his back pocket, extending it to me. Grudgingly, I snatch it from his hand, my tail flicking behind me. An art show? Maybe, but only if I can drag Raya there and blame her for our attendance—which truly makes no sense, but he doesn’t know her, so he won’t know any better.
IfI can convince her to leave the house, that is. I may have to settle for Arman, her wish-granting genie boyfriend.She’s my best friend, but of the two of them, he’s much more social. Besides, he’ll probably want to buy something for her.
Keeping my tone flat, I respond, not letting him know I’ve already decided on going. “We’ll see.”
He doesn’t push any further, but gives me a nod as he makes his way to the door. As he opens it to leave, he calls out, “I’m Carson, by the way.”
I don’t give him my name, just a nod of acknowledgement. The door closes as the man, Carson, exits. The air shifts, just as it did when he entered the room. Too many questions continue circling in my mind, all left unanswered.
The draw I feel to him surpasses just that of his damningly attractive exterior. Even as my mind tries to rationalize it, my soul has a different reasoning. Something running deeper than the suspicion. I’m just not quite sure what it is, or why I’m feeling it.
Quickly walking over to the shelf of bracelets, I scan the variety of crystals. All of these new-and-old feelings have been a distraction. I need grounding, among other things.
Picking up a few bracelets, I slide on an amethyst one, along with a few others. Black tourmaline for grounding, and a fluorite one for some focus. Whatever help I can get while I wait for Orian, I’ll take.
My mind can’t stop going over the same questions, the same feelings.Whydo I feel Carson’s presence? It’s unlike any other time I’ve tracked and felt someone’s presence. Those were less constant, less overwhelming.
This goes against my will.
It’s compelled me to make choices I wouldn’t normally.Like,whydid I stalk him through the shadows as he ventured into the conservation area?
I almost got myself caught, too. Clearly, I’m a bit rusty. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if he had spotted me lurking in the shadows.
He would’ve commented if he had seen me, surely. I mean, wouldn’t he press someone he thought was watching him?
I can’t worry about that right now. I have to focus on controlling these feelings…whatever they are. His presence threatens to drive me off the edge.
And it’s fucking irritating.
Chapter Five
MY FIRST MASTERPIECE
CARSON
I’m not positive, but I’m pretty confident I just found the eyes I felt on me in the forest. They just stared back at me, and this time, not hidden away in the shadows.
I’m fairly sure that she was hitting on me as well. Not at first, but then she gave me this bracelet for free—andthenput on an amethyst bracelet herself. That has to mean something, right?
Though I’m not sure if she meant for me to see her put on a matching bracelet. And I guess she did put on a few others with it. Shit, I might be reading into things. I couldn’t help myself, watching her through the window after I walked out of the store.
She’s just so stunning, I can’t get her face out of my mind. And those eyes, thoseeyes. Like pools of midnight sky, flecks of silver stars swimming amongst the deep shades. They are the most gorgeous eyes I’ve ever seen.
My sketch from the forest doesn’t do them any justice,and I know I have to paint them tonight. If she comes to the art show and sees the piece, she might connect the dots that they’rehereyes.
In my heart, I can feel it—she’smy muse. She’s what has drawn me to this wonderful little town. Now I just need to convince her that she’s what I’ve been looking for this entire time.
The way she carried herself, the navy blue of her hair, gray horns poking through, justher—she drew me in. Her skin looked smooth as stone, warm grays that aren’t human. She had horns poking through her shiny locks, and a tail that occasionally whipped behind her.
I’m not sure what she is exactly, but she’s stunning. Her aura is unusual, but not frightening.
