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Chapter1
EVAN
My workday began with a vampire and a drooling ghoul staring at my ex-girlfriend’s perfect ass. It was a fitting way to end my first month back in Sleepy Briar. I returned here from California to find the typical cold and dark October. At least that I’d been expecting.
I hadn’t planned on my twin brother’s mate being a seriously ill vamp requiring emergency medical treatment in Augustus. On Jax’s way out of town to be with Riyah, I’d been appointed acting sheriff. I had no idea when my brother would be back. And still don’t.
I planned on being in Sleepy Briar for twelve hours—maybe twenty-four, tops. My objective was to end the silent partnership I had formed with my brother to finance the inn we were rebuilding. That plan was shot to hell.
The sheriff gig turned out to be in more than name only when I learned my ex-girlfriend had been one of the latest victims of glamoured wolf traps set by an unidentified assailant. Now I was starting my thirtieth day in Sleepy Briar with these two paranormals lusting after Maddy.
Before I even got to the work site, I’d been counting the hours until I had my “ex with benefits” back in my bed. And this was after a night of enthusiastic sex.
We’d been lovers back in high school, fifteen years ago, but Maddy was impossible to forget. One minute I was sitting next to a slender redhead; the next, an arctic fox considered me through silver eyes. She’d never succeeded in taming her fox spirit enough that she could leave the frozen north even briefly.
Unlike my brother and Maddy, who regularly frolicked around in their shifter forms, I denied my wolf spirit. I had an MBA from Stanford. I wouldn’t allow myself to be chained to Sleepy Briar. This place was at the end of the world.
But back to this vamp ogling Maddy’s delectable ass. First, I’m not a fan of vampires. California is full of them. They’re the used-car salesmen of the supernatural set. Considering what she recently went through with escaping the glamoured wolf trap, and that she still walks with a limp, I didn’t like this vamp near her. I didn’t care for the ghoul’s presence either, but he was manageable.
These paranormals stared while Maddy perched on a ladder, busy with computer wiring. The entire inn would have Wi-Fi thanks to Maddy’s expertise. She was intent on her work in the control box, and the vamp and ghoul ignored my entrance.
I cleared my throat. “Morning.”
Three heads swiveled toward the door. Being paranormals with enhanced senses, we all were aware of one another before we were standing in a room together. How soon to address one another is always a bit touchy. I prefer ignoring everyone as long as I can.
“Hi, Evan.” Maddy called over her shoulder. “Sleep well?” Her head turned back to her work, but she grinned. I could hear it in her voice.
“Not particularly.”
“That’s too bad,” she said cheerfully.
Maddy would be a terrible secret agent. her cheek glow red the second sex enters the conversation and she does this cute thing with her mouth. She twists the right side up like she has a secret to tell.
“I’m Evan Havoc.” I extended my hand first to the vamp and then the ghoul. Paranormals aren’t big on physical contact between species, but I’d be damned if I’d stand here while they ogled her.
The ghoul and I had known each other back in high school. Gabe had been the puny guy with bad skin. His lot in life hadn’t improved. Even compared to other paranormals, ghouls aged slowly. He’d had a crush on Maddy ever since I’d known him. He eyed my outstretched hand but kept his own hands pushed deep in his pockets.
Gabe still smelled rank. That came with being a ghoul and his diet of the dead. He wore cheap aftershave to cover the smell, but that only made it worse.
Ghouls have a slow metabolism, which meant he didn’t eat often. His taxidermy shop was the first stop when someone’s pet went missing. It wasn’t fair when sharp-eyed eagles were the culprits but everyone still suspected him. As a result he whined and thrived on self-pity.
Maddy had a big heart for her small frame. She’d been Gabe’s friend ever since high school. After the shit that went down with the Silver Circle and the witches who lived here destroyed the town, most of Sleepy Briar had left. Gabe remained. To be honest, he was an excellent taxidermist. His smell and remote location weren’t much of an issue. He worked alone, and express shipping facilitated his work.
Gabe shifted his weight. He didn’t think I was good enough for Maddy and he’d made that clear in words a ways back if I had a problem reading his body language.
Bad part was, the ghoul was right. “Do you need anything from your toolbox, Maddy?”
“Hand me the needle-nose pliers, please,” she said.
The vamp bowed his head slightly. “Maximus Sidorov, at your service. Call me Max.” The bow was a bit much for the twenty-first century. Max was a ringer for a Russian prince. Hell, he probably was one back in the day. The Russians were quick to stake first and ask questions later.
The cold pouring off Max had nothing to do with the room’s temperature. Vamps are cold-blooded creatures, so he needed the space heater. Unfortunately, it made the rest of us sweat.
The vamp wasn’t bothered by my outstretched hand. I doubted he would take it, but I was more than a little curious as to his strength. Vamps get stronger as they get older. I bet he wasn’t much more than a hundred years old. Still, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wonder whether I could take him in a fight. My instinct to fight a predator like the vampire was strong. And his interest in Maddy only made that instinct stronger.
“My brother hired Fly By Night Contracting Services based on your excellent record,” I said.
“He was right.”
