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I follow him through the forest, only because I don’t know the way out myself.
My fingers toy anxiously with the hem of my light blue camisole as we break through the tree line and enter into a place I’ve never seen. Houses with no lights on. Establishments closed for the late hour. It is a town, but not my own.
Flickering streetlamps line the path I’m led down. Our steps echo against the cobblestone streets, the sound swallowed by the dense fog which clings to the ground at our feet. Shadows stretch and twist around us, nearly alive as they dance at the edge of the soft luminescence.
I fight back a shiver, reaching to grab the small pendant of my necklace as I quicken my pace. It’s my anchor of comfort. My safety.
There’s a group of people gathered up ahead. I bite the inside of my cheek, quickly growing more uncomfortable. Crowds make my stomach hurt. I’d rather face the unfamiliar darkness alone than enter a roomful of people.
“Wait here,” I’m told as the man turns to face me. “I’ll be right back.”
His words bring a fraction of ease to the panic knotting inside my chest. Alone is better. Alone is safe.
I peek around the corner, watching the direction he’s headed, and read the name overtop of the busy doorway. Raven’s Tavern.
He’s going to a bar?
My gaze finds him again, even though it’s busy. He stands out from the others. Not in the sense of appearance, though, it’s hard not to notice his tall stature and strong arms. It’s more in the forbidding presence surrounding him that catches my focus. I’ve seen troubled, grew up with it my whole life. His is different—hidden neatly behind the alluring smile he displays for the crowd as he makes his way toward them.
“You lost?” The question comes from behind me. I jump to the side, startled by the closeness of the man who spoke to me. He’s thin. Unnaturally so, with long, slicked back hair and all white clothing.
I swallow but don’t answer. My back is stiff, pressed against a brick wall. Unlike with the other guy, my stranger danger bell is ringing. I know I shouldn’t engage him. The smart thing would be to walk away. But I am lost. And for all I know, the man might not even come back. Not that I necessarily trust him either. He got me out of the woods. That’s all I needed.
“I’ve just never seen you around before.” His tongue runs over his lips, reaching out as though to taste the air. It’s quick, but I could almost swear there was a split in it. Forked down the center like a snake’s.
My eyes double in size, and I turn to leave, walking quickly down the darkened street.
Where the hell am I?
CHAPTER TWO
RHENN
Ahuman? A fucking human? What was the Growler thinking? There’s no way this is the right girl. But those eyes, I’d recognize them anywhere. An aquarium of color, one deepest blue, the other like cinnamon. Two vastly different shades contrasting vividly against her creamy skin. They’re what gives her away.
Finding her in the forest was not something I had expected today. She’s lucky I didn’t accidentally kill her, getting in the way of my hunt like she did. The Growler must have known that’s where I’d be. Tracking deer only to end up with a pretty little stray instead.
“Sure you can’t stay?” Ashen, my best friend, asks. “I mean, you just got here.”
I swipe the back of my hand over my mouth, wiping off any excess blood. Rai, our other friend, and the only witch in our group, does the same to her neck.
“Busy,” I answer, already making my way outside the bar.
It’s true. I just had to make a quick pitstop to fill up before spending any more time with the human. This is new territory, and I didn’t want to risk the chance of losing control and draining her entirely, no matter how enticing it sounds. If I’m full, the chances of that decrease immensely. There’s a time for her fall, but it isn’t now.
No. I want to play with her first.
When I get to the place where I told her to wait, though, she’s already gone.
Two fucking minutes. That’s how long I was away. It would seem she’s not very good at listening. Not smart on her end. Do I care for the human’s wellbeing? Absolutely not. I, however, am her only chance of survival. The world of Aldure can be quite dangerous, especially for someone like her. This town, Fall Haven, may be small, but the monsters need to eat.
Lucky for her, or perhaps not so lucky, hunting is one of my favorite pastimes. And she’s left her scent everywhere. I follow it down the street, focusing only on catching the stray—Sumner. My life’s purpose for the last fifteen years. The girl I’ve been searching for since I was eight.
And what do you know, there she is. Huddled up and on her own. Not even trying to be hidden.
So, a human. Not what I had expected. She doesn’t look any different from us. If you saw her walking down the street, you wouldn’t give her a second glance. Until you smelled her, that is.
I’ve tasted the blood of every creature in Aldure. Memorized the heady scent of each beast’s flesh. It wasn’t until running into her—Sumner—in the forest that I’ve ever inhaled anything so sweet. She is her own personal flavor, crafted solely for me.
