Chapter 7
Chapter
Seven
Rhaz found himself hiding behind the same tree as before.
There was no sign of the dark-haired beauty he’d watched washing the truck with the men. In fact, there was no sign of the men either.
Where had they all gone? Were they inside the building?
He leaned against the tree and folded his arms. This was ridiculous. He should be continuing his search for Basil, but he couldn’t help himself. He didn’t even remember walking back here.
What was it about that woman that drew him?
His stomach growled. Rhaz was hungry and would have to do something about it soon, but he could go a few more days without food if he had to. Hopefully, by then he’d find Basil and they’d be heading home. The problem was there was still no sign of the door.
Perhaps he should return to where it had appeared and see if it came back. But how would he know? Other than scenting it in the air or sensing the residue of its magic.
Rhaz was about to leave when he spotted what he knew was called a truck approaching. An older man and woman sat inside. The vehicle slowed as it neared him, and the woman peered out the window.
Rhaz took a step back. He was still wary of the wheeled conveyances. Some moved at alarming speeds, and he had no desire to be struck by one.
“Hello there,” the woman called cheerfully. She smiled and held up a small paper bag. “I’m Louise Tattleson, and this here is my friend Sam Darnell. We’re doing random acts of kindness today and giving away free baked goods from Sweet Haven Bakery. Would you like a bag?”
Rhaz’s eyes locked on the bag. He took a step forward before catching himself. “I am fine.” He lowered his head and tugged his hat farther over his face.
“Nonsense. You look hungry, dearie.” She extended the bag toward him. “Here, take it. It’s two chocolate donuts.”
He had no idea what a donut was. Before he could stop himself, he reached for the bag. Opening it, he peeked inside.
A sweet aroma drifted upward, and his stomach growled even louder. He looked at the woman and gave her a curt nod. “Thank you.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the man holding a device to his ear and speaking into it quietly.
“So, are you a tourist?” Louise asked.
Rhaz shrugged, uncertain what to say. Then he remembered his conversation with the woman from the bakery. “Just passing through.”
“Well, you should spend some time here in Moon Creek Falls. It’s a lovely town. Lots of shops and restaurants, and of course the beach. Everybody comes for that. Camping too.”
She looked him up and down. “Have you been camping?”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “Yes, you could say that.”
“It’s a lovely place for it.” She smiled. “I hope you enjoy the donuts.”
Rhaz lifted the bag. He was about to reply when a man suddenly appeared no more than ten feet away. He was tall, though not as tall as Rhaz, with dark hair and brown eyes. And… definitely not human.
Rhaz’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. He wasn’t a shifter, he could tell by his scent. Nor was he Fae.
The stranger approached with an easy smile and nodded to Louise with obvious familiarity. “Louise,” he said pleasantly. “Whatever are you doing here?” His gaze settled on the bag in Rhaz’s hand. “Random acts of kindness, is it?”
The man turned to Rhaz. “She’s always doing things like this, aren’t you, Louise, darling?” He glanced at Louise, then back at Rhaz. “Dear me, I’m afraid we’ve not been formally introduced. I’m Dr. Blackstone, the town dentist. And you are?”
Rhaz said nothing. His gaze darted between the older couple and the newcomer.
Then recognition struck. He knew that scent. Before he could answer, another man approached. This one wore a hat much like Rhaz’s, and clothes that resembled some sort of uniform. He also a large blue sack of some sort with a wide strap slung over one shoulder.
“Ah, Jackson,” Dr. Blackstone said. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“Howdy, Jackson!” Sam called.
Louise waved enthusiastically.
Rhaz studied the newcomer. Brown hair. Brown eyes. Broader than the well-dressed man. And a… he took an indiscreet sniff. Shifter. Rhaz took an involuntary step backward.
Dr. Blackstone smiled pleasantly. “So, are you passing through, Mr...?” His eyebrows rose expectantly.
There seemed little point in lying. “Stormfyr.”
The newcomer in blue studied him. “Mr. Stormfyr, I believe we have a mutual friend by the name of Basil.”
Rhaz’s jaw went slack. “You have Basil? What have you done to him?” He fought the urge to grab the man by the throat and tear it out.
“Do calm yourself,” Dr. Blackstone cooed. “Basil is safe, and he sent us to find you. And here you are.” He turned toward the couple in the truck. “Thank you ever so much for showing him kindness.”
“Any time. It’s what we do,” Louise said happily. She pointed a finger at the one called Blackstone. “I want an interview tonight.”
After that, the truck rolled away.
Rhaz turned back to the two men. One was a shifter. The other, if he judged correctly, was a vampire.
He stared them down. “What do you want? Where is Basil? Are you holding him prisoner?”
“Well, well,” the vampire said. “First, yes and no. We have him safe, unharmed, and sequestered in a guest room in my home for his own good. He is rather... what’s the word?”
“Spectacularly belligerent.” The words came out before Rhaz could stop them.
He was honestly surprised he’d managed them.
His grasp of the language was improving, but this dialect remained challenging.
But, he was confident the more he spoke it, the easier it would be.
He’d mastered much more difficult languages.
“We’re here to take you to him,” Jackson said. “We can keep you safe.”
“Safe from what?” Rhaz glanced toward the fire station. Still no sign of the woman. His heart sank a little.
“From the humans,” Dr. Blackstone said quietly. “They outnumber us and can be dangerous when confronted with something they don’t understand.” He gestured toward the three of them. “Which, unfortunately, is all of us.”
Rhaz studied both men. He was stronger than either one. Much stronger.
But there were two of them. And he hadn’t eaten in days. That reminder prompted him to pull a donut from the bag. He took a generous bite, never taking his eyes off them.
His eyebrows rose. Well. That was unexpectedly delicious. He chewed thoughtfully while studying Jackson. “You are a wolf.”
“I am,” Jackson said. “And we came here much the same way you did. As did the others.”
Rhaz cocked an eyebrow. “Others?”
“Yes. You’ll meet them later. But first we need to get you someplace safe.” Jackson glanced toward the building behind them. “What are you doing here anyway?”
Before Rhaz could answer, a door opened, and he found himself turning.
The petite dark-haired woman emerged from the building. She walked straight toward the sidewalk and headed in their direction. She couldn’t see him standing behind the tree. Not yet. But she would certainly see?—
“Dr. Blackstone,” she called. “Hello! I’ve been meaning to make an appointment.”
“It’s perfectly all right, my dear,” Anon said. “Just call Angie and she’ll get you all set up.”
The woman reached them. She spotted Jackson and smiled. “Hi, Jackson.”
“Hello, Miss Ironwood.”
“Just Phin, thanks.” She turned, and her gaze landed on Rhaz. Her jaw dropped. She stared at him, eyes widening. Then a brilliant smile spread across her face. “It’s you!”
Phin couldn’t believe it. Dr. Blackstone and Jackson Hunter were speaking with the mysterious man who’d rescued Lily and Wilbur. She noted the donut in his hand and almost laughed.
“I’ve been wanting to thank you,” she said. “On behalf of the Moon Creek Falls Fire Department and myself, of course. What you did was very brave.” She frowned. “And also very reckless, especially if you’re a civilian. I mean, not trained.”
The man glanced at Dr. Blackstone and back. “Trained?”
“Yes, in firefighting, of course.” She pressed her lips together a moment, unsure of what to say.
Here she had the man the chief wanted standing in front of the fire station, no less, and she was tongue-tied?
Okay, so he was drop-dead gorgeous, and wow, look at all those muscles! Still, she had to do her duty.
“You wouldn’t mind stepping into the station, would you? Chief Morrison would love to thank you as well.”
“Oh, I’m afraid he can’t, my dear,” Dr. Blackstone said. “We were just taking him to see a friend. Small world, you know. We have a mutual acquaintance.”
“But it wouldn’t take a minute.” She jabbed one thumb over her shoulder toward the firehouse. “Chief Morrison and I were just talking about...” She looked at the man. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name. I’m Phin Ironwood.” She gave him a bright smile.
He stared at her, wide-eyed.
Good grief, she didn’t have strawberry jam on her face, did she? Even if she did, why would he be looking at her like that?
She quickly wiped at her left cheek. She’d been eating a biscuit with jam earlier. Trevor brought them in. He was quite the cook.
The man swallowed hard, and her eyes fixated on his Adam’s apple as it bobbed up and down.
His skin was tanned, his eyes a gorgeous chocolate brown with amber flecks in them, and his hair was the most beautiful shade of dark red she had ever seen.
Oddly enough, the stubble on his jaw wasn’t red.
It was dark. He was also incredibly tall.
Taller than Dr. Blackstone and even a hair taller than Jackson.
“Phin,” Dr. Blackstone said. “May I introduce you to Rhaziel Stormfyr. That’s S-T-O-R-M-F-Y-R, in case you were wondering. He’s visiting from abroad.”
Phin noticed the way Jackson eyed Dr. Blackstone. Had he said something he shouldn’t? All he’d done was introduce the man.
“Stormfyr,” she repeated. What an unusual name. She smiled at Mr. Stormfyr. “Where are you from?” she asked, curious. Chief Morrison was going to be mighty disappointed if the man didn’t live here.