I tapped into my center and gauged what I was feeling. “No.”
“If it happens again, call us,” Tanya said.
I thanked her and took a sip of my wine.
Maybe I was projecting my unease. After all, it had started around the time I started to wonder if Marius might still be alive. It would make sense that I’d start to feel an increased wariness.
After a couple of hours, the witches left. I glanced out to the backyard. There was nothing back here; they’d confirmed it. Would that mean I could finally shake off that unnerving sensation of being spied on?
AUSTIN
A few days later, I met up with Lucas and we walked through town. We spent some time meandering along the waterfront and through the downtown district. Then we wound down side streets to reach a collectibles shop where he browsed through record bins. He was outgoing and pointed out some of his other top picks, such as places to eat and where to shop.
When we passed a pub with black brick and red lettering, Lucas stopped. “This place has cold beer and good music. Want to grab a drink?”
“Sounds good.”
The Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues” played as we walked inside. Lucas swayed his body along to the music while pretending to steer an imaginary steering wheel. “Hey, Marion,” he greeted a gray-haired server.
“Hi Lucas. Sit wherever you like.” She motioned toward the empty tables.
We sat at a high-rise table with black tabletop that seated two.
Lucas picked up the drink specials propped in between the salt and pepper stand. “Let’s see what’s on tap.” Seconds later, he rubbed his hands together and grinned. “It’s shandy season. They make them really good here.”
He looked so excited by the prospect, I laughed. “I don’t want to have FOMO when I see you drinking that.” Without even glancing at the drink menu, I said, “I’ll get one.”
When Marion came by to take our orders, Lucas introduced me as a friend who’s new in town. Marion welcomed me and said to come by any time. They were both so friendly, I settled in more at ease.
Lucas turned to me. “This place has amazing pretzel bites with the best mustard. Want to get some?”
“Sure.”
Lucas placed an order, then he said, “Make it two.” Once Marion left, he covered his belly and then gestured with palm up. “Shifter appetite.”
“I can relate.” Since he shared it, I figured it was okay to ask, “So you’re a shifter?” It was still strange to be among those who talked openly about the supernatural and their supernatural blood.
“Half. My father’s a dragon shifter, and my mother’s human.”
“Me too!” I exclaimed at a higher pitch than I’d intended. “I mean, not a dragon. My father was a bear shifter. Wait—dragon?Dragon?” I repeated. Why was I babbling?
Lucas cocked his head. “Let me guess, you didn’t know dragon shifters exist?”
I exhaled with a doubtful huff. “Nope. Truthfully, I know little about the supernatural world. I lived a short while with my father’s family to try to learn more about my shifter side, but I didn’t even know I had one until I was an adult—or that it was even possible.”
“Living with shifter blood among humans and not knowing it? That must have been rough, man.”
Marion brought our beers, and he grinned at her. “Thanks for the extra lemon.”
“I know how you like it, Lucas.”
After she left, he turned to me. “The staff are great.” When Led Zeppelin’s “The Ocean” started to play, he said, “I love this album.”
One thing I’d learned about Lucas earlier was his love of rock music and collecting record albums. Although I suspected he might be supernatural by his scent, I never would have guesseddragon. He was right, I didn’t know dragon shifters existed, let alone that I’d been walking around with one and now we were chatting over a beer. My brain grappled with it. Wouldn’t a dragon be somewhat cantankerous with a fiery-blooded personality? Lucas was far from that with his smiley expression and outgoing personality.
He raised his glass. “Welcome to Salem, Austin.”
I lifted the cold glass in my hand and clinked it against Lucas’s. “Thanks for showing me around. I’m a total newbie.”
