He glanced out the back window of the SUV as the driver made the turn onto the narrow street and pulled up next to where Youssef was standing in the shadows of a building. His thoughts were churning with all the information he had learned about the small town of Magic, New Mexico.
Hell, everything about the town screamed tourist trap. The odd names of the businesses there were enough to attract anyone with a love of fantasy. There were a dozen restaurants with names like The Witches Brew, The Krazy Kettles, The Giant’s Beanstalk, and more.
If that wasn’t enough, even the two grocery store advertisements were a marketer’s delight. He had never seen ads for Blisterwart cream, fresh made Blood Pudding made with different blood types, Fresh Saltwater Eel, delightfully seasoned for sure to meet any Griffin’s delight. There was even a Dwarf Construction Company, guaranteeing all construction projects for the first five hundred years.
Information on the town stated there was a population of a little over two thousand full time residents. It was founded in the late seventeen hundreds before the actual acquisition of the New Mexico territory. What was very strange was the fact the founding family still resided in Magic. The address led him to the local cemetery.
He opened the door to the Black SUV as it came to a complete stop across the street from the apartment. Stepping out into the waning light of the early evening, he glanced up at the dark third floor window of Carson’s temporary residence. His mouth tightened as the beast inside him reacted to being so close to Tory.
“She is still there?” Simon asked Youssef.
“As far as I can tell,” Youssef replied, leaning against the side of the building. “I saw her sitting at the table five minutes ago. Do you wish for a security detail to remain?”
“Yes,” Simon replied in a distracted voice as he stared up at the third floor window. “I will return with her shortly.”
“Be careful, my friend,” Youssef replied. “You don’t have much time before the moon rises. You know once the full moon is upon you, the beast will take control.”
“Do you think I’m not aware of that,” Simon snapped impatiently. “The beast inside me wants to mate with her as it is. Once the moon rises, I won’t be able to stop it from doing so. She will be mine… forever, Youssef.”
Youssef’s swiftly inhaled breath told Simon that had not been the response his friend was expecting. Hell, from the way the beast was acting, he would have thought the full moon was already here.
His eyes rose to the third window again when a light came on. It was time to show Tory what happened when she upset her alpha. His lips tightened in determination.
Upset, hell, he thought as he crossed the street. I’ll chain her ass up if she ever tries to run from me again.
*.*.*
Tory picked at the rare steak on her plate before she finally just picked the whole thing up and dumped it in the trash can in the kitchen. She washed her hands before walking back into the living room. Bending, she turned on the lamp next to the sofa before she twisted and fell onto it and leaned her head back.
Tears of frustration filled her eyes as she thought of Simon Drayton. How did things get out of hand so quickly? She brushed an impatient hand over her cheek.
“I should have known better than to get close to a Werewolf. If I had stuck with a nice, ordinary human this wouldn’t be such a disaster. But Werewolves…” Tory blew out a deep breath.
Werewolves could get very possessive. That was one reason she had always made sure that she and Maverick remained friends. They were very loyal to their friends, but if they thought there was anything else it could turn nasty. She had seen what happened when one of Maverick’s older brothers fell for a human girl while at college a couple years ago. He had gone nuts for a little while.
“What am I going to do?” She whispered out loud.
A loud knock on the door startled her. She knew immediately who it was… Simon. She had hoped he would take the hint that she needed distance, space to think, when she left before he woke this morning.
She jumped when the knock sounded again followed by a deep voice demanding she open the door. Tory rose off the couch. A wry smile curved her lips as she smoothed her trembling palms down her thighs. It was a good thing she was a Vampire or she would have been scared stupid by the threat in his demand.
Taking a deep breath, she remembered what Fortune told her about not allowing him to run over her. No way that was going to happen. She had been lucky last night, especially when she thought of how many times they had made love.
She was not about to let that happen again. She wasn’t about to tempt the Fates. They loved a challenge and they always won! She had learned that the hard way growing up. Never challenge a Fate to Truth or Dare!