5. Jasmine
JASMINE
“I’m in Fernhollow for the…uh…hiking?” Jake tests my reaction as he moves the half-frozen bag of ice around his ankle.
“No. I don’t believe you.”
“You don’t believe me? A stranger you—”
“Not a stranger.” I rush to interrupt him, and he snaps his mouth shut.
“If we aren’t strangers, what are we?” His mouth twitches.
“We are…” I shut my mouth this time as we have a small stare-off.
It’s already getting difficult to pretend to be less than fated, but at the same time, we’ve only just met.
Letting him into my apartment might have been a terrible decision, but knowing he feels the bond, I couldn’t send him away. “Temporary friends?”
Jake shakes his head. “No.”
“No?”
His eyes snap to mine. “No temporary bullshit. Sorry. You’re stuck with me.”
There are no words for the rush of happiness skirting through my entire body.
It’s like all he has to do is smile my way, say some pretty words, and I melt into a puddle.
Or, since I’m from Hell, maybe he lights me on fire?
Either way, I’m stunned into silence, and I do my best to stifle a grin wanting to force itself onto my face.
Jake knows about the bond, the same way all paranormals do.
It’s like waking up in the morning and knowing you’re going to have a good day or seeing the sky turn dark and reaching for your umbrella, knowing rain is headed your way.
You don’t have to think about it or ask questions.
Not everyone finds their fated mate, but for those lucky enough, the universe will guide you without you realizing.
And like today, you’ll look into someone’s eyes and know they’re yours.
It’s not fair of me to hide my knowledge of the bond, but without knowing if I can trust Jake, I have to keep my secrets close. Inviting him into my space might be a mistake, but I knew I’d regret the opportunity to get close to him, for curiosity’s sake.
“Back to your question, though: I’m here for work.”
“That’s not fun.”
Jake shrugs. “Eh, I like it.”
“Why?”
“Well, I…” He pauses and leans forward to set the bag of ice on the coffee table.
“No one’s ever asked me that before, but I suppose one reason is I like to help others.
The other is to protect those I love.” Jake leans back on the couch and gives me what I’m calling his signature smirk.
Then he continues, “I’m an investigator of sorts. That’s why I’m here.”
“For what? Fernhollow’s pretty harmless.”
Jake laughs. “I’ve only been here for a week and can agree, but I have some research I need to do before I’m able to be, um, done here.”
“Like the paranormal kind of research?” I ask, pushing him. “I’ve overheard people at work talk about an increase in Council presence.”
“Yeah, like the paranormal kind. It’s classified.” He puts his pointer finger and thumb together, then pretends to zip his mouth shut.
“Ah, you’re a fancy, important investigator,” I say.
“Not very fancy, I’m afraid.” Jake chuckles.
My fingers itch to touch his, to scoot across the cushion between us and make contact.
The bond isn’t fully solidified, but it’s still there, kind of like a phantom limb.
I know my priority is to find ways to complete my bargain with Marisole.
However, now that our connection is tethered, it’ll be hard to keep Jake from my mind.
Danger aside, I need to keep him close, while somehow figuring out what to do with this unspoken bond between us.
Jake clears his throat, then asks, “So, Jasmine, you’ve been here for ten years, and you live above the vet. Do you work there?”
I nod. “Started off washing the animals, went to a local college, then became a vet tech. I’ve been in that role for the past three years, and I love it.”
“What’s your favorite animal?”
“Hedgehogs.”
“Hedgehogs?” He twists his body, and I can’t help but notice how dangerously close his knee is to me. It’s half a cushion away, but still, he could shift one more time, and we’d be touching.
“Yeah. We don’t see them often, but they’re adorable.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in person.”
“They aren’t for everyone.” I chew on the inside of my cheek.
“Is that why you like them?
“I like that the owner has to choose them, knowing what they need,” I say, shifting in my seat.
His ice pack is nearly melted. I reach to grab it, then stand and move to the kitchen.
With the ice pack in the sink, I turn and lean on the counter, adding, “They require specific diets and a specialized veterinarian. I, um, have it on my list to get certified as an exotic companion mammal specialist.”
“What’s stopping you from doing that now?”
“Well, I’m not a vet. And I, uh, have some life things to figure out first.”
“You can do it.” He doesn’t know me, and yet for some reason, I believe him.
Jake’s grin is deliciously dangerous, and I have to bite the inside of my cheeks to stop myself from smiling back.
He’s my mate, but he’s still a stranger.
And a werewolf. I can’t forget he’s as much my enemy as other demons are at this moment.
If it’s true and he is here with the Council, I need to keep tabs on him.
“So, what else do you have planned for today? See enough of the forest?” I ask, rounding the counter to lean my back against it.
“Mm, great question.” Jake stands and comes to stand next to me.
He effortlessly leans on the counter, both hands rooted in his pockets.
Why is that so hot? What’s not hot is him catching me checking him out this time.
He doesn’t say anything, thankfully. “I’d like to come back to this side of town, but I need to get back to my hotel. ”
Okay, this is my chance to shoot my shot.
“I can help you with your research, if you’d like.” Jake raises his brows, but doesn’t tell me no outright, so I decide to keep pushing. “I’ve lived here for long enough that I can help with things.”
“Things?” he asks, his mouth twitching with a laugh.
“Yes, things.” I try my best to glare but quickly void my face of any emotion. I can’t let my guard down because we’re bonded—especially when he has no idea I know the bond between us exists.
“While you helping with things sounds great, Jasmine, I’m not sure it’s safe for you.”
“Safe for me?” I ask.
“Oh, research is a dangerous job. Paper cuts, long nights, forgetting to eat every meal, or not having access to food because you’re hours into a hike and didn’t realize you left your lunch in the car.”
“Sounds like you’re talking from experience.”
Jake huffs a laugh. “Truthfully, I work best…alone, I suppose.” He shrugs, and I’m not sure whether that was the information he meant to admit or if it’s even the truth.
We stand in silence for a moment. I’m not sure what to say back to him.
How do I convince him to let me help without exposing myself?
The bond wants me to be near him, but I’m also curious what he’ll find when he goes digging for information about demons.
I was hoping he’d want me by his side, due to some existing possessiveness from his wolf, but maybe that’s what’s causing his hesitation.
“But,” Jake adds, and I glance to meet his gaze. “You can give me your number, and I’ll let you know if that changes.”
“Yeah, I can do that.”
I add my number to Jake’s phone, and I try to stay in the moment until he leaves a few minutes later, but it’s hard when I’m willingly putting myself at risk.
Jake could find out who I am. He could be the reason my father, the God of the Underworld, can find me.
After avoiding any additional complications for the past ten years, I don’t see an easy way out of this.