“What time are we heading to her loch?”I asked.
“Given the number of tourists who visit the loch daily, we’ll head over early evening after the area closes to the public,” Alistair stated.
“Not ‘til tomorrow night?That’s so far away,” I lamented.
“Not really, because you’ll likely be sleeping for most of the wait,” Alistair stated, just as a gigantic yawn had my jaw unhinging.
“I am a little tired.”But whether or not I’d be able to rest given my simmering excitement remained to be seen.
“Do you need me to guide you to the guest suite?”Oliver offered.
I shook my head.“I remember where it is.It’s the door beside the painting of the loch at sunset.”
“Correct.Goodnight, Davina.”
“Night, Ollie.Night, Alistair.”
I headed to the bedroom with its king-sized bed, plush sheets and pillows.All of them stiff and new.Oliver must not entertain often.
With everything that happened that day, and all I learned, I expected to find it difficult to sleep.However, I dropped off into a dream where I flew, not gripped in a claw but with my legs astride, holding on to a bridle as Alistair flapped his wings in a clear blue sky.The wind brushed past my face, warm and moist.
Hunh.
The dream evaporated as I woke, but rather than open my eyes, I lay still.As a huff of hot air brushed the skin of my face, I tried to not stiffen, jerk, or scream.Something was in the room with me, but not a Red Cap, as I didn’t smell anything putrid.Actually, the scent I inhaled through my nose reminded me of a dog.
Oliver didn’t have a dog, though.
But he was a werewolf.
Just as I had the thought, I opened my eyes to see glowing yellow eyes, but even more scary than that?The jaw that opened wide, showing off big and pointed teeth.
I did what any self-respecting person would when confronted by a wulver in the bedroom.
I screamed!
ChapterTwelve
An hour earlier…
I ended up keeping Oliver company after Davina left, the glass of scotch he offered just the thing to relax.
We started out sitting in companionable silence, but after a few sips, Oliver murmured, “Is it wise to bring Davina to see Nessie?”
“Probably not.However, better we go together than she hares off there on her own.”
Oliver grimaced.“Davina does seem like the type to ignore common sense when her curiosity is aroused.”
“And she’s not daunted by threats.”
“She says you keep claiming you’ll eat her.”Oliver chuckled.
“I should, it would be quicker than what Nessie might have planned.”Although, once again, the flesh I imagined eating wasn’t crunched between my teeth but pink and honey against my tongue.
Bad dragon!
“I wonder what Nessie’s foreseeing selkie told her that has her so determined to meet with the professor,” Oliver mused aloud, swirling the booze in his glass.
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it.Nessie’s interest in humans these past few years hasn’t been kind.”
