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When there’s a lull, I bring some dirty plates around and set them in a tub. “Is there a bus to Fairbanks by any chance?” I ask Marthe. “My cab driver drove me out here by mistake, and I need to get to my hotel.”

“Gary?” She shakes her head. “No bus on Sundays, I’m afraid.”

“A cab, a rideshare? A steamboat, perhaps?” There’s a creek after all.

She laughs, a proper one. “Ravenslight Creek is a lovely town.” She hands me another cup of coffee. “You’re already here. That’s the hard part done.”

“I’m sure it is but I’ve spent most of my funds on a hotel already.” Besides, I didn’t see any accommodation here other than the creepy hunting lodge, and I’d rather walk back to Fairbanks than spend a night there. “And I need to find a job soon. So I have to get back there by any means necessary.”

“Well, you’re in luck.” She sets the coffee pot down with a clunk. “I have a job that needs filling and an apartment for rent upstairs. Fifty dollars a week.” She points to the ceiling.

“Fifty dollars a week.” Did I hear her right? “For an apartment? That’s not rent. That’s charity.”

For the second time today, my mouth gets ahead of my manners. The version with my filter in place would say thank you and spend the next six months making up for it. I’ve lived that version. Maybe here I can try on a different one? I like the way it sounded.

“If I take the room, I pay what it’s worth. And I earn the job.”

Marthe wipes her hands on her apron, taking her time about it. She nods once.

“Fair’s fair,” she says. “Lord knows, we need the help.”

I’d planned on Fairbanks, as far as plans went, and there’s a pull to do what I set out to do. Because I always follow through. It’s the one thing I’m reliably good at. But this, setting my own terms, paying my way, feels a lot more like a plan than a few days at a hotel I can’t afford.

I could give it a week, see what it’s like and have some extra money to go back to Fairbanks with if it doesn’t work out. Really, all it costs me is the three nights I’ve already paid for at Haven’s Rest, one of which I’m going to lose if I can’t get a ride out of here today.

Marthe disappears out the back and returns with a cooler as the bell over the door dings. “Hey, Pete, thanks for swinging by Carter’s place.” She hands the package to the man who walked in, along with a takeout cup of coffee.

“It’s no trouble. Already heading out that way.” He takes both and leaves.

“So, what’s the verdict?”

“What’s the job involve? I’m sure there’s more to it than refilling coffee.”

“You’d be working for my son’s tour company. Late nights but good tips, and a few shifts here at the cafe during the dinner rush.”

A young couple pushes through the door, letting in an icy blast.

“The apartment’s been vacant for a while and costing me money, so you’d be doing me a favor.” She stacks dirty plates into a tub. “How does that sound?”

“Great.” It’s out before I’ve done any of the math.

That’s it. That’s the whole negotiation. An hour ago, I was sitting in a gutter.

Marthe rounds the counter to take the couple’s order. “Nick will pick you up tonight. He’ll be thrilled.”

Chapter 6

Nick

Halfway back to the clearing, I’m still thinking about the girl in the green coat. I came out of my meeting with Constantin Renard, furious that he wouldn’t hear me out, and found her standing in the driveway.

The way she spoke to me, the way she smelled, and the fact that I breathed in on purpose to find out. Sweet and warm, and something under it I don’t have a name for.

That’s what kept me trailing after her.

I’m sure she was human. A shifter or a witch or a vampire, I would’ve known.

I stood there in the rain and watched her refuse to cry. Watched her put herself back together alone and haul that ruined suitcase down the street. I watched, and did nothing.