Chapter 16
Jared
Garrett messaged me this morning asking if I’d like to stop by for coffee, which is how I find myself driving out to the other side of town and onto pack land. It’s still part of Crystal Lake, but only pack members and their families live in this area.
It still blows my mind that not only is Garrett a wolf shifter, he’s also a fucking Alpha. He’s changed a lot in the years we’ve been apart, but after hanging out with him and Hux at the bar the other night I can tell he’s still the same old Rett in all the ways that matter.
Double-checking the map on my phone, I let out an impressed whistle when I realise I am in the right place and Garrett’s house is enormous.
Technically, it’s the pack house, so there are rooms for pack meetings and functions, as well as extra bedrooms for shifters new to town to use until they find permanent accommodation. Still. It’s impressive as hell.
The heavy-looking wooden front door swings open to reveal a grinning Garrett as I dash up the front steps of the porch, eager to get out of the icy rain. “You made it. I was worried you wouldn’t find the place.”
I snort. “Hard to miss it.”
His smile turns sheepish. “Yeah, the house is a lot, but it’s been passed down from Alpha to Alpha for generations.
Anyway, get in here and I’ll put the kettle on.
” Typical Rett. The guy’s never been able to relax until he’s sure everyone around him has what they need—it makes him a great host and probably an even better pack leader.
Settled into the oversized brown leather chairs by the living room window, we sip at our coffees while we talk. We stick to light chit-chat, but when Garrett puts his mug on the windowsill and fixes me with a look that pierces right through me, I know my time is up.
“You seem different.”
“So do you,” I reply, admitting nothing.
He dips his head in acknowledgement. “I am. A lot has changed since London.”
“I really am sorry about your dad.”
His smile is tinged with sadness. “Thank you. I miss him, you know? Even years later, there are times I wish I could talk to him, ask for his advice. When I told Dad I wanted to try living among humans to learn more about them, he supported my decision even when other shifters told him it was a ridiculous idea. Even back then, everyone here knew I was a likely candidate to become the next Alpha. They didn’t think it was appropriate for me to spend time with humans, but my dad knew he needed to let me go.
He understood I needed to explore, to figure out who I was away from the pack, and he knew better than anyone there would be no time for that once the responsibility of being Alpha fell to me. ”
“I’d been wondering why you left. Who’d have thought you’d leave Crystal Lake to spend time with humans only to end up with a clueless demon for a best friend.” He huffs a laugh. “It sounds like your dad was a good man.”
“Yeah.” Garrett sobers. “He always did the right thing, leading this pack with honour and kindness. I can only hope to be half the Alpha he was.”
“I’ve not been in town long but, from how everyone talks about you, I’d say you’re more than living up to his legacy.”
“That…” He swallows. “That means a lot.”
We sit in companionable silence. I watch the rain-soaked world go by through the window, but I can feel Rett’s assessing eyes on me. He’s always been good at waiting me out until I’m ready to talk about something. Eventually, I give in.
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“I wouldn’t be a good friend to you if I did.”
Sighing, I follow the path of a raindrop down the windowpane. Seems fitting the weather matches my mood, the skies grey and morose.
“Seven months ago, I was attacked.”
“Who?” At Garrett’s low growl, I muster all the bravery I can to turn away from the crying skies and meet his eyes.
“A serial killer known as The Raven.”
“I’ve heard of him. You’re lucky to have survived.”
“I don’t feel lucky. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I’m still here, but…
everything’s different now. Being afraid all the time is exhausting,” I admit.
“Sometimes… sometimes I feel guilty. Why am I still here when everyone else…” I trail off, staring into my mug.
“I reported on all his other victims. I know what happened to them, what should—could—have happened to me.”
“Survivors guilt.”
“Yeah. What he did…” I wet my lips. “I’ve never been so afraid. I woke up blindfolded on a table. I tried to get up—that’s when I realised there was rope around my wrists and ankles. Then these hands gripped the sides of my head… I never saw his face, but he, he really wanted to see mine.”
“What do you mean?” Rett asks softly.
“When he took my blindfold off there was a mirror right there. It was angled so he could see my face, but I couldn’t see past his chest. He was already standing over me, but that mirror it…
it made sure he could see everything without me ever seeing him.
I don’t know why that mattered if he was going to kill me anyway.
” There’s so much about that night I don’t think I’ll ever understand. Why he took me. Why he let me live.
“He made me see things. It was like he ripped my worst nightmares right out of my head, then trapped me inside them. They didn’t find any drugs when they tested me at the hospital…
after. Before I knew about all this, I assumed that was because whatever he gave me to make me hallucinate had already left my system, but…
” No, I can’t say it. I shake my head at myself.
Garrett will think I’m being ridiculous.
But what if I’m not? If I don’t ask, I’ll always wonder.
“What if The Raven is a supernatural? Is that even possible? Are there supes who could do something like this?”
“Jared, I thought you knew.” Garrett’s green eyes are full of compassion. I hate how much I need that right now.
“What do you mean?”
“The Raven is a fear demon.” My stomach drops through the floor. “He’s the SIB’s most wanted. What he’s doing isn’t only despicable, but targeting humans and using his powers to kill them puts the entire supernatural community at risk.”
My chest feels tight. Is it hot? I feel hot.
I roll up the sleeves of my dark-brown henley with shaky hands.
Sensing I need time to process, Garrett doesn’t say anything else.
This changes everything. It also means The Raven could come to Crystal Lake.
Wait, no. No, the wards stop anyone with bad intentions from getting into town.
I’m still safe here. He can’t reach me here.
Once my breathing returns to normal, I lift my gaze to meet Garrett’s. “He’s really a demon?”
“Yes.” Rett nods solemnly. “The white hair and frozen scream of the victims are all signs of a fear demon. He quite literally scared them to death.”
“Oh.” My hand drifts up to my hair. “He was even closer to killing me than I realised.” At Garrett’s questioning look I explain, “There was a streak of white in my hair when they found me. It’s grown out now.”
His low, rumbling growl fills the room. It should be scary, but knowing someone so intimidating is on my side actually makes me feel better. Even if The Raven does come for me, I won’t be alone this time.
Rett hands me another steaming cup of coffee, and I accept it gratefully, letting the ceramic warm my hands. The house isn’t chilly, but talking about what happened to me has left me feeling cold, shaky, and exhausted.
My friend settles back onto the chair opposite mine. His mouth opens. Closes. He shifts uncomfortably.
“Good God, man, spit it out. Watching you dither is worse than anything you can ask me.”
“Have you considered talking to someone?”
Anything except that. “I’m fine.”
“That’s not what I asked,” he replies patiently, his voice low and steady.
Once again he waits me out. “I did. Right after… right after it happened.”
“And?”
“And nothing, man,” I reply, angry he’s pushing this.
“It didn’t help, so I stopped going. He’s taken enough from me.
I already have nightmares. I won’t let him win by reliving it all in the daylight too.
” Never mind that I’ve already considered going back to therapy, I’m not ready to talk about this with Garrett yet, especially not right after reliving the worst night of my life.
“It isn’t about him winning. It’s about you losing out on getting your life back because you can’t process what happened to you.”
“You try fucking processing it! I thought I was going to die, Rett, how am I supposed to just get over that?”
“I don’t know. But I know you start by asking for help.”
Too tired to hold on to my anger, I let it drain out of me. “I wouldn’t know where to start.”
“I know someone—a vampire. His name’s Mohinder, and he’s a therapist who specialises in working with supes who’ve been through traumatic experiences. Between everything that happened to you at the hands of The Raven, then suddenly finding out you’re a demon, I’d say you’ve got trauma to spare.”
An almost-laugh escapes me, surprising us both. “No kidding.” I sigh. “Where’s this guy based? I don’t think I’ll feel comfortable leaving town until I’ve got a better grip on my powers.”
“He’s here in Crystal Lake. Most sanctuary towns have at least a couple of therapists.” Huh. I suppose that makes sense given that a lot of the supes moving here have been or are still in danger.
“Why him and not someone else?” If there’s more than one therapist in town, surely it would make sense to see who’s the best fit for me. Shit, I can’t believe after one conversation Garrett’s already got me seriously considering going back.
“Because he uses a vampire ability called compulsion on his patients to help them talk about and work through traumatic experiences without the same emotional toll.” Interesting. Sounds kind of like the supernatural community’s version of EMDR.
Garrett looks at me hopefully. For someone who’s supposed to be a tough Alpha shifter, he sure is good at giving puppy eyes.