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“What? Never.”
“If it weren’t for your grandmother’s fucked-up prophecy, you’d have gotten married a decade ago, maybe longer. I can picture you curled up with someone in the evenings, reading, going for walks, holding hands, you know. You’ve always been introverted, but you’re a settled relationship kind of guy.”
“Doesn’t matter. That’s not in the cards.”
“I know. I’m so sorry.”
Silence hummed between them.
“What is your gut telling you? About these wyverns. About your neighbors.”
“Not sure yet.” He bit his tongue, but sighed and let it out. Never could keep anything from Quinn. “That Eryn is different—lust, yeah, but, honestly, I’m not sure. I’m either too fucking horny to think straight, or she’s involved in all this.”
“Trust your instincts. About the wyverns, about Eryn and the coroner sister.”
“Yeah. I’ll try. See you soon.”
While he waited, he checked his emails. The interior decorator was happy to help, and offered to come by tomorrow. Perfect.
He leaned back and closed his eyes.
Sleep hit him hard. Dreams of wyverns, banshees, death, and more death.
He jolted up at the sharp melody ringing out from his pocket. He shook off the fatigue and answered the phone. “Hey, Eryn.”
“Hi. I’m done. I’ll head to the locker room to get changed, maybe grab a shower first though. It’s been a night.”
“I’m here. Took a nap in the parking lot. I brought you a change of clothes.”
“You did?”
“I, uh, hope that’s okay. Probably illegal, actually, your landlord using his key to get into your apartment without your permission. I figured you’d want something comfortable after a tough night. Which, by the way, if I didn’t say it before, maybe I should have, maybe not, but, um, you looked really pretty today.”
“Aw, thanks.” The voices behind her quieted, and her breath quickened as she seemed to be walking.
He hopped out and talked as he walked. “I’ll meet you at the side door I dropped you off at, with the bag of your stuff so you can grab that shower, if you want.”
They clicked off, and she reached the door moments later. In generic, baggy blue scrubs, shoes that were easily cleaned, and her hair now tied back in an efficient bun, smudged makeup. She looked ready to crash.
“You are a lifesaver,” she said as she took the bag.
“I believe that’s your job.”
“Sometimes yes, sometimes no. A few surprised me and pulled through.” She backed up a step and nodded behind her. “I’ll be out in five.”
“Take as long as you need.”
“Thank you. Again.”
He waited by the door. A few people came and went, but they all seemed as weary as Eryn. Cozy and sleepy when she finally came out, she wore the sweatpants, t-shirt, and sneakers he’d brought from her apartment.
She leaned into him as they walked toward the car. “Just so you know, you can break into my apartment to get me sweatpants anytime.”
He grinned and wrapped his arm around her waist, leaning in and pressing a kiss on her wet hair. “I need to upgrade your security system. Anyone could break in anytime they wanted. I had no idea all you had was a rusty deadbolt.”
“Ugh. I don’t want to worry about that. Not right now.” She cleared her throat. “But I guess that’s a good idea. With all the violent crimes in the area.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
