Chapter 17
Probable Claws
June
The next morning, I stop at Merry’s Diner for the usual: coffee and town gossip. The bell jingles as I push through the door, and the familiar scent of bacon and maple syrup wraps around me like a warm hug.
“Morning, June!” Merry calls from behind the counter, already pouring my usual into a to-go cup. “Running early today?”
I slide onto a stool. “Actually, I’m in a bit of a rush. Big delivery day.”
“Say no more,” she says, pushing the coffee toward me. “Want some blueberry muffins for the road? Just made ‘em fresh.”
“That would be perfect, thanks.” I fish out my wallet. “Better make it two. Might be a long one.” Merry’s quick to hook me up, and I’m nearly on my way out when I hear a throat clear behind me.
“June Hartwell. Just the woman I wanted to see.”
Deputy Dale Brennan waves me over to his booth with an urgency that makes my stomach drop to my knees. He looks like he hasn’t slept in days. His uniform is rumpled, and there are dark circles under his eyes that suggest he’s been mainlining caffeine.
I reluctantly slide into the seat across from him, setting my coffee and muffins down. “Morning, Deputy. You look terrible.”
“Been working the mudslide case,” he says, lowering his voice and leaning forward. “We’ve had a break.”
The way he says it—like he’s auditioning for a crime procedural—would be funny if my heart wasn’t suddenly doing its best impression of a jackhammer.
“Oh?” I sip my coffee, aiming for casual interest while my brain screams DANGER! DANGER!
“We identified a suspect with the size and strength to cause that kind of damage. Pulled some permit records for that area of the mountain.”
I take another sip of coffee to hide whatever my face is doing.
“Not long after the Great Unveiling, someone built a custom home up there.” Dale taps the table for emphasis. “Custom-built for a Vyder.”
I nearly choke. “A what now?”
“Vyder. Spider-people.” Dale makes a wiggling motion with his fingers that I assume is supposed to represent eight legs. “Reclusive species. Very dangerous.”
“Interesting,” I manage, though my mouth has gone desert-dry. “And what makes you think this guy caused the mudslide?”
Dale leans in closer, dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “The claw marks, June. Perfect match for Vyder limbs. And they’re extremely territorial. Known to attack anything they perceive as a threat.”
My mind races. “But why would one target me?”
“That’s what we’re going to find out.” Dale sits back. “Working on getting a warrant to investigate the property and question the resident. The process takes time. Probably a few days.”
A few days.
Not much time to figure out who’s actually behind this.
“What do you know about Vyders?” I ask, trying to sound merely curious rather than desperately fishing for information about how much danger Riven might be in.
Dale shrugs. “Not much is documented since they’re so reclusive. But the few cases we have suggest they’re incredibly dangerous when provoked. Venomous, strong enough to kill a bear. And they build these elaborate web systems to monitor their territory.”
I nod, doing my best to act like I didn’t already know all of that. “Well, thanks for the heads-up,” I say, standing. “I should get going. Got deliveries to make.”
Dale’s hand shoots out to grab my wrist. “June, stay away from that area of the mountain until this is resolved. For your own safety.”
I pull my arm away. “I appreciate your concern, Deputy. But I know that mountain better than anyone.”
“Just be careful,” he calls out as I rush out the door and speed-walk to my truck, my heart pounding so hard I can feel it in my fingertips.
The moment I’m inside, I drop my forehead against the steering wheel and let out a string of curses that would make a sailor blush.
I need to warn Riven. I can already imagine how he’ll react to officers showing up on his land—his territorial instincts will go haywire, and his history of human rejection will make him assume the worst.
This could end very, very badly.
I start the engine and pull out of the parking lot, heading straight for Riven’s place. My mind is racing faster than my truck as I navigate the familiar winding roads up the mountain.
The problem is, I know in my gut that Riven isn’t behind this. Everything I’ve learned points to him being a protector, not a destroyer. But if he’s not responsible, then who is? And how do I prove it before Dale comes knocking?
As I drive, I mentally review what Gus told me: Something ancient was disturbed. The logging operation from ten years ago had upset something that lived in that section of forest. Something older than Riven or Gus.
First, I need to warn Riven about Dale’s suspicions. Second, we need to figure out what’s actually causing the disturbances. Third, we have to somehow prove Riven’s innocence before anyone comes knocking at his door.
No pressure.
I take a curve too fast and my truck fishtails slightly before I regain control. The coffee in my cup holder sloshes dangerously close to the rim. Slowing down marginally, I remind myself that getting into an accident won’t help anyone.
My phone buzzes with a text, and I glance at it when I reach a straight stretch of road.
Dad: You forgot your lunch bag. Everything ok?
I smile despite everything.
Me: All good. Just running late. Love you.
The road steepens as I climb higher up the mountain. The morning sun filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the windshield. It’s a beautiful day, which seems almost offensive given the circumstances.
I round the final bend and Riven’s property comes into view.
The sleek modern cabin nestled against the cliff face looks so normal from the outside.
No one would guess that it connects to an elaborate cave system, or that its owner is a twelve-foot-tall arachnid with a penchant for bondage and reality TV.
I park, grab Riven’s latest online shopping impulse purchase, and approach the front porch.
I raise my hand to knock, but the door swings open before my knuckles make contact.
Riven fills the doorway, his massive frame blocking out the light.
His eyes immediately focus on me with an intensity that still makes my breath catch.
“You’re upset,” he says. Not a question. “Your heartbeat is elevated, and you’re producing stress pheromones.”
I step past him into the house. “Yeah, so about that. We have a problem. A Deputy Dale Brennan-shaped problem.”
Riven closes the door and follows me into the living room, his many legs making soft clicking sounds against the hardwood floor.
“A human law enforcement officer,” he surmises. “What has he done?”
I set his package on the counter and turn to face him. “He thinks you caused the mudslide. He found claw marks above the slide area that he says match Vyder limbs, and he’s getting a warrant to investigate your property.”
Riven goes very still. It’s the kind of stillness that reminds me he’s a predator, capable of remaining motionless for hours while waiting for prey to cross his path.
“I see,” he finally says, his voice unnervingly calm. “And do you believe I caused this mudslide, June?”
The question stings. “Of course not. I’ve been gathering information, and you’re the last person anyone should suspect.
Ethel told me about how you saved her in a blizzard years ago.
Veronica mentioned how you helped with her gem collection.
Gus said you’re the reason he felt safe enough to settle here, because you’re the mountain’s protector. ”
Something in Riven’s posture softens almost imperceptibly. “You’ve been investigating me.”
“Not you specifically,” I clarify. “The mountain. Gus mentioned something about the logging operation ten years ago—said it disturbed something ancient that’s been lashing out ever since.”
Riven moves to the window, looking out at the forest. “Gus is more perceptive than I gave him credit for.”
“So you know what it is?” I move to stand beside him. “What’s causing the disturbances?”
He turns those multiple yellow eyes to me. “I have suspicions. But confirming them will be dangerous.”
“More dangerous than you being arrested for sabotage?” I counter.
A sound escapes him, something between a sigh and a chittering noise. “Fair point.”
“Riven.” I reach out and place my hand on one of his arms. The exoskeleton is smooth beneath my fingers. “We have maybe three days before Dale shows up with a warrant. I need to know what we’re dealing with.”
He’s quiet for a long moment, his eyes studying me with a deep intensity.
“Very well,” he finally says. “But you will follow my instructions exactly. No improvising. No heroics.” He leans down until his face is level with mine, mandibles flexing slightly. “This isn’t a delivery route you can optimize, June. This is survival.”
I swallow hard but meet his gaze steadily. “Understood. So what’s the plan?”
“First,” Riven says, straightening to his full height, “I need to show you something in my workshop. Then we prepare.”
As I follow him through the house, I can’t help but think that three days isn’t much time to solve a decade-old mystery and clear the name of a creature most humans would run screaming from. But then again, I’ve never been one to back down from a logistical challenge.
I just hope Riven has a very, very good plan.
Because for once in my life, I’m drawing a blank.