I nudge him hard in the side, clearing my throat. “Working at the morgue must feel like such a drag for time to move so slow like that. I have days that feel like years too.” I hope he understands what I’m trying to do.
No one else in the car knows about the paranormal, and if Lorcan doesn’t shut his big mouth, this night is about to take a turn for the worst.
“Oops,” he mutters. “Just kidding! You ever had a job that just drags?” He groans with theatrics, meeting Ruka’s gaze in the mirror. Lorcan spins around and holds out his hand. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Lorcan. Oklahoma’s bestie.”
“You are not my bestie…whatever that means.”
Millie and Jess giggle, both of their faces turning red from Lorcan’s bad boy looks.
“I’m Jess. This is my wife, Millie.”
Lorcan kisses each of their hands. “Such lovely creatures.”
“You’re kind of weird, aren’t you?” Ruka tilts his head, analyzing the Void.
Nariko’s brother is smart. I wouldn’t put it past him if he knew Lorcan was otherworldly. If he figures Lorcan out, he’ll figure me out, and then he will know about Westin and Jazz too.
“I am a little weird. Guil-ty,” Lorcan singsongs. “I’m Lorcan.”
“Ruka. Nariko’s brother.”
The moment they meet hands, Lorcan yanks his arm away. The Void peers up at me; his usual bonfire eyes have shifted to the empty abyss they usually are when he is in his other form.
“What just happened?” I ask, every word sharp and concise.
Lorcan whispers in my ear, cupping his hand around his mouth so no one can see what he is saying. “Do not let him leave your sight. He isn’t meant to die tonight, but if he chases, hewon’t see morning. I need to go have a talk with Death to see if I can’t try to change the course of Ruka’s life.”
My palms sweat from his words. Nothing can happen to Ruka.
“You’d do that? On your night off?”
He doesn’t answer me. His eyes return to normal, bright flames dancing in the irises again. Plastering a smile on his face, he waves at the backseat. “Tootles, everyone. I have to go. It was lovely meeting you all. Such interesting creatures, truly. Do The Dust Bunnies allow ride-alongs? If so, can I come? You know what? Let’s talk about that later. My boss.” He gags. “Am I right?”
They will forget I was here; he inserts his words into my mind.
And then he’s gone, leaving me confused, worried, and scared. Ruka and I might not see eye to eye, but I don’t want him to die. Nariko would never forgive herself for not protecting him. His death might kill her, and it’s my job to make sure that doesn’t happen—that it can’teverhappen.
Fuck.
I’m going to have to change him into a vampire one day. I know it.
“How much longer to the bar?” Nariko asks, a howl ripping through the air.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I hear it. It isn’t like a wolf shifter’s or werewolf’s call.
I keep Lorcan’s secret to myself. The last thing I want is to cause panic.
The mood shifts in the truck. Everyone is peeking out the windows, holding their breaths, a crackling amount of curiosity seeping into my chest.
“What. Was. That?” Nariko presses her face against the glass, the hot air puffing from her mouth, fogging the window.
Another howl surrounds the truck. It’s closer. I wouldn’t be shocked if it was hiding just beyond the tree line, staying hidden within the darkness and safety of the woods.
“That was a wolf.” Ruka seems unimpressed. “Or a coyote.”
I shake my head, keeping one hand on the wheel to hold on to Nariko’s with the other. “Wrong. You guys haven’t heard of the lore about The Oklahoma Dogman?”
“Oakley,” Nariko deadpans. “Be serious.”
