Page 33 of Zombies, Satyrs and Vampires, Oh My!

He nods and a grumbled “thanks,” comes out.

I slowly move further into the building, walking closer to the piano. He’s watching me, a scowl weighing down his brow.

“I think we met, sorta, once before,” I say. Then I wince. “Well, not really met, but I think I saw you when I first drove into town. Do you remember me?” I point at my wilting ponytail. “Blond with the pink streaks?”

“Don’t come any closer,” he growls.

I stop moving and stare into his face. There’s nothing about him that’s frightening. Quite the contrary, he’s beautiful. His long, light brown hair hangs past his shoulders. Bare shoulders that are like round mountains atop a masterpiece of a chest. I can’t see anything past his pecs.

The small horns that curve away from his head are short and goat-like. The dark slashes of his eyebrows off-set his eyes. Eyes unlike any I’ve ever seen. They’re yellow. A golden topaz that follow my every breath.

“You're a faun, right? Like Mr. Tumnus?”

His lip curls in a snarl. “I’m not a fucking faun. I’m a satyr.”

I know the word immediately and I recall reading about them once or twice, but I don’t remember. Then something registers. “Oh, right. Like Pan? Except you play piano and not a flute?” I ask.

I swear a smile tugs at his lips. “You’re more or less correct.”

“Do you play the flute?” I ask.

He snarls again. “Not if I can help it.”

I take a careful step towards him. “I’m Harriet, but my friends call me Harry,” I say.

“Will you tell me your name?”

He just stares at me. “Are you the one who has been asking about me around town?”

So there is a gossip train in this town. I chuckle. “Guilty.” Then I realize what he’s said. The only one I’ve asked about is my professor. “Wait. Professor Jace?”

“What do you want?”

I swallow. “I just wanted to meet you.”