6. Jake
JAKE
Jasmine offered to give me a ride back to the hotel, but I think I would have tried to kiss her goodbye if she did that.
Would it be a bad idea if I asked her to help me in the library tomorrow?
It’s not terribly dangerous, and she could help me.
There could be places I haven’t checked around town, and if I can find a way for her to give me a tour or show me places where a lot of different people hang out, it could be what I need to find a demon or two.
Screw it.
Once I get in the hotel and plop on the bed, I take out my phone and shoot her a text.
Hi, this is Jake.
Jasmine
Who?
If you don’t remember the stranger you invited into your apartment, I must not have left a good impression.
Jasmine
You know, now that you mention it, there was a stranger in my apartment today. Maybe you’re him?
I laugh.
What do you remember about him?
Three dots come on the screen, then disappear a few times, and I wonder if I’m being too flirtatious until she responds.
Jasmine
He had a calm demeanor, which he didn’t realize was exactly what I needed after a long day at work.
He also listened more than he asked questions, which is a green flag for someone you recently met.
Wow, he sounds like a charmer.
Jasmine
He’s a little clumsy, though…
I nearly drop my phone when she sends a wink emoji.
Meet me at the library tomorrow morning? 11?
Jasmine
See you tomorrow, Mr. Fancy Important Investigator.
With a smile on my face, I dial Silas’s number to check in and give an update on how the day went.
“You’re early.”
“What?” The clock on the microwave in my hotel room says it’s 4:58. “Two minutes, Silas.”
“Check-in is at five.”
“What’s up your butt? You called me out of nowhere earlier. Junie mad at you for something?”
He growls, and I chuckle. He may be the alpha, but I’m his best friend, and there aren’t many people who can talk to him like that and get away with it.
“The Council is also checking in with me. Constantly.”
I furrow my brows. “It’s only been a week.”
“I’ve let their calls go to voicemail.” The chair from his office squeaks over the phone. “Anyway, how did the follow-up on the lead go?”
“Not good.” My back slides down the chair as I sink into it, thinking of ways to tell Silas what’s happening without telling him about Jasmine.
I trust him. I don’t trust the Council. They’ve always been closed off from anyone who isn’t important to them, like Silas, and hide information that could be helpful.
If, or when, I join the Council, I’d make it my mission to ensure information isn’t gatekept.
If I told them about the possibility of a mate—another human mate—they could see it as a conflict of interest. They’d find a way to deny Silas’ referral. “I’m spending tomorrow at the library.”
“Ah, good. Hopefully, they have more resources than we do. Fernhollow is one of the few areas in our territory where all species mingle.”
“You’re right about that.” My mind goes to the various families I saw in the coffee shop this morning.
“I’ll expect a call tomorrow at five, no earlier, with an update on the research. I’ll have to give the Council an update before they show up angry at my door for not responding to them.”
“Yeah, I’ll call you. Don’t worry.”
We say bye and end the call, then I’m left to my own devices. I’m too pent-up with the emotions from the day, and I need to eat, so the next best option is to go to the hotel’s restaurant.
When I get downstairs, I realize how bad this idea might have been. Even though it’s the middle of the week, it seems the people of Fernhollow never rest. The restaurant, Fern, is packed with people.
I wait at the hostess stand, trying to find an empty seat.
The walls are lined with food puns and framed photos of what I assume are the mountains of eastern Maine.
Multi-colored string lights hang from the ceiling, various sized fern plants sit on shelves and tables, and indie-folk plays over the speaker.
We, as werewolves, always allow people into our territory, but Fernhollow has always been a hub of sorts.
It’s always been a city where you’ll find more pockets of people from every species hanging out.
There are also a lot of half-breeds in town, and I have to wonder if that’s because they feel more at home when they’re constantly surrounded by others like them.
I’m lost in my thoughts when a teenage boy walks up to the hostess stand. He’s wearing a shirt that reads Let’s have some Fern, and I have to give it to the restaurant for living up to the pun in its name.
“Hello, I’m—” The boy looks at his name tag, shakes his head, and changes the name with a flick of his wrist. “Sorry, we’ve been having a name war all evening. I’m Reese. How many?”
“Just the one.”
He pushes his lips together while he studies the room, then says, “It’ll be an hour for a table. How do you feel about sitting at the bar?”
“Can I eat at the bar?”
“Fern yeah.”
I expect him to laugh at his pun, but instead, he’s silent as he stares at me, waiting for my answer. This place is weird.
“The bar is fine.”
He nods, then turns to point to the bar. “Pick any open seat.”
By any open seat, he means the one open seat toward the end of the bar. When I sit, the bartender hands me a menu, and I take my time figuring out what I want to eat.
“The omelet of the evening is the best.” The man to my left says, before taking a drink of…coffee? “Oh.” The man looks down at his drink, then back at me. “Breakfast for dinner is every Monday.”
“It’s a good thing I like breakfast food, then,” I say. He smells of cardamom and sage, which tells me this man is a witch.
I place my order but opt out of the coffee. I’ve had enough caffeine from Fernhollow Coffee to keep me up late, and I’m sure I’ll be drinking plenty of coffee tomorrow while I’m heads down in research.
“Is it always like this?” I ask the stranger, noting he’s local since he’s wearing a Fernhollow University sweatshirt.
He tousles his salt and peppered dark-blond hair and nods. “Pretty much. Is this your first time in Fernhollow?”
The bartender places water in front of me, and I take a drink. “Yeah.”
“Work trip?”
I nod. “Unfortunately, yeah, but it’s been nice. I’ve been out hiking a lot.” I leave out how this trip is a big dead end so far.
“Oh?” The witch cuts his omelet in half, then brings a chunk to his mouth. “The western forest trails?”
“And the east.”
His eyes widen. “Why? There’s not much over there.”
I shrug. There are certain elements of this trip I need to keep to myself, but I’m allowed to be vague about why I’m here. “It’s my job to investigate the area.”
“Well, at least the ocean is that way. The trails aren’t bad. Though I have to admit, I haven’t been over there in a while.”
“Yeah, it’s nice over there. A bit treacherous, though.” I laugh, remembering my meeting with Jasmine as my food arrives. This also reminds me this man is still a stranger. “I’m Jake, by the way.”
“Hunter. I own the spell shop in town with my wife, Rebecca. Though, if you ask her, she’d tell you she’s the boss and she would be correct.”
I chuckle. “Is the shop busy like Fern?”
“We have our slow periods, like any small business. But yeah, we’re lucky to have tourists and locals alike come see us.”
“What kinds of things do you sell?” I ask, taking a bite of my extremely cheesy omelet.
“So many things I lose track.” Hunter takes a sip of coffee.
“I’m more of the finance guy. Rebecca does all the spells and potions, while also sourcing gems, candles, jewelry...
things like that. Most humans come in and buy random goodies, whereas the locals know Rebecca can perform spells for them. ”
“We don’t have a witch back at our camp in Starview, but I’ve seen how powerful they can be. I’m sure she stays busy.”
Hunter dips his head. “She does, but she loves it. The Council often asks her for help because she’s so well connected to the community.”
“Ah,” I muse. “I’ll have to come by sometime, then.”
“You’re here on Council business? I know the Alpha lives in Starview.”
“Maybe.”
Hunter nods, then taps his forehead in acknowledgement. “Your secret is safe with me.”
When I glance around Fern, it seems most have gone home for the evening.
Hunter could be a good ally to have here in town.
As of now, I don’t have anyone in my corner.
There are other wolves nearby, and I could ask for their help, but I have a feeling no one is connected to Fernhollow like Hunter and his wife are.
“It’s not a secret, but I don’t go around telling people that,” I say.
“Well, if we can help in any way, let us know.” Hunter smiles, and I know I made a good choice by trusting him.
“Thanks. Do you know anyone that sits on the Council?”
Hunter laughs. “Oh, yeah, Logan is my uncle. He doesn’t live here, but we see him from time to time when he stops in town. He let me know to be careful about the…” He takes stock of those around us, then leans in closer to whisper, “Demon problem.”
This is a conversation I’d much rather be having in the privacy of my hotel room, but I lift my water to my lips and nod before taking a drink.
“Have you seen any doors while hiking?”
“Doors?”
Hunter gives me a duh look.
“Like building doors?” I ask a different question, but Hunter only looks more disappointed.
“Demon doors. No? Oh, okay, so you don’t know how demons travel? That’s why you can’t find them.” Hunter fills me in.
“I…Okay, that makes sense. They aren’t allowed in our territory, and it’s been a long time since we’ve had more than a few to deal with. At the time, that wasn’t my role, and there hasn’t been an uptick since I took over.”
“Well, you need to learn more about demons.”
“Clearly.” We both laugh. “I’m going to the library tomorrow for research.”
“Eh, that will only be somewhat helpful. You won’t find books on doors, as the portals are a detail few know about, but you’ll find a few books on species history and such.”
“Okay, well, tell me about these doors,” I say.
“Demons use portals to travel from their realm to ours, and vice versa.”
“Okay? So, I need to find these doors to find them?” The waiter asks if we’re done with our food, and we both nod, sliding our plates to them.
“I mean, yeah. That’d be too easy, though.” Hunter shifts in his seat and rests his forearm on the bar top. “The doors don’t stay in one place. They’re constantly shifting from one area to another. And when using them, you don’t know where you’ll end up.”
“Wait, what? Does the Council know about these portals?” My jaw drops and I don’t bother covering it up.
Hunter nods slowly. “I would assume they do, considering they have a team constantly surveying the area. I assumed that’s what you meant by investigating.”
I shake my head. “I’m investigating, but not with that information.”
“Well, be on the lookout the next time you’re out. And if you have more questions, you can find Rebecca and me at her shop down the road. I have to get out of here before she calls me and asks where I am.”
“Okay.” I laugh. “I’ll see you later.”
Hunter gives me his number just in case before he leaves, while also offering to give me a tour of the small town while I’m here.
Back home, I don’t have many friends outside my daily work schedule.
If I stayed here, Hunter and I could be friends.
You know when you meet someone and your vibes match right away?
That’s how this is, and I’m grateful to have a distraction.
Jasmine is still at the forefront of my mind, and the problem with the demons, too, but at least I have a lead.
Tomorrow at the library, I’ll read whatever books they have on demons and hope they mention something about the portals.
If not, I’ll have to find a way to learn where one might be.
If I can find one, or the location of one that recently appeared, I might find a demon to question.
I’m still not sure if this will be a dead end, but at least I have a plan. That’s something.