“He’s not home, so it’s okay. Take care, Rowan.”
She said goodbye, and Rowan glanced around outside the car before he looked up the number for Protective Solutions. He called, and the receptionist said she was putting him through to someone named Xavier.
Afraid to stay in one spot, he put the phone on speaker and started driving toward Canon Beach. The voice that came over the line was smooth and very deep.
“Rowan Forrest?”
“Yeah, you know who I am?”
“I do. I have two employees tearing apart the towns in your area looking for you. You’re in a lot of danger and would be much safer with them. Where are you?”
“Driving back home. I’ve been moving around but that thing keeps finding me. What is it?”
“It’s a draugr, a creature that was spelled to protect a treasure, and you have a part of that treasure. It will be relentless, will never stop coming after you, and Rowan, it will kill you. It has no other directive.”
“My mother told me it’s after the arm ring. What if I just leave it on the side of the road or something?”
“That could work, but it could still come after you. It would be better if you find my men and bring the ring here to Seattle. We have magical wards around the office, so the draugr can’t reach you here.”
“Okay. I’m willing to try anything at this point. I’m exhausted, and it just keeps coming.”
“As I said, it’s relentless. My men are currently back in Canon Beach, staying at the Holiday Inn—do you know where that is?”
“Yes. I’ll head there now.”
“Do not stop on the way. I’ll let them know you’re coming, and they’ll meet you in the parking lot.”
After he got off the phone, Rowan scrambled out of his coat, sweater, and shirt and ripped off the arm ring to drop it onto the passenger seat. He was never putting that thing on again. He shrugged back into his clothes, realizing he actually felt a little bit of relief. He was so tired, he could barely see. It took everything he had to focus as he headed home.
The whole time, he held onto the hope that maybe these bodyguards could help him.
Chapter Seven
Ivor
The relief Ivor felt when Rowan Forrest drove into the hotel’s parking lot threatened to overwhelm him. He couldn’t believe this human had managed to get away from the draugr, especially more than once as Xavier had told them. When he got out of the car and walked toward Ivor, where he stood outside next to Emory and Lake, all Ivor could do was run his gaze over every inch of the tall, slim man, looking for anyplace he might be hurt.
But he looked fine despite being pale outside of his cheeks. Dark circles rested under eyes that looked shocky. The cold winter wind blew his dark red hair off his forehead, and he had his hands burrowed in the pockets of his coat.
He stopped in front of them, his pretty mouth quirking in a rueful smile. “Seems I need your help,” he said.
Ivor’s relief was still so intense, he couldn’t speak.
Luckily, Emory had no such difficulty. “I’m so glad you finally called the office. We’ve been looking for you everywhere. I’m Emory, and this is Ivor and Lake, who will warp us back to the offices in Seattle where you’ll be truly safe.”
“My name’s Rowan. I called your office and spoke to someone named Xavier, but you probably know that.” He briefly shut his eyes and shivered. “Sorry, I’m really tired. It just keeps finding me. I had no idea it was because of a piece of jewelry I wear.”
Ivor finally found his voice. “Are you wearing it now?”
Rowan shook his head, cheeks ruddy with cold. “No, it’s in the car.”
“We’ll need you to bring it with you,” Emory said. “Apparently, there’s more to the story than just a draugr after a treasure, but I’ll let Xavier fill you in when we get there.” Emory turned and lifted a brow at Ivor before he jogged to Rowan’s car to get the arm ring.
Ivor cleared his throat and held out his hand. “Ivor Bellerose. Like Emory, I’m so glad you finally called. I—we—were scared when we couldn’t find you.”
Rowan pulled his hand out of his pocket to shake Ivor’s, and Ivor had trouble letting go. As it was, he held on a bit longer than was polite. Rowan’s skin just felt too good against his own.
“It’s nice to meet you. Thank you so much for being there when it first came after me. I don’t think I would have known to run if you hadn’t told me to. I was just too shocked. I didn’t even know what it was until your boss told me. I thought it was a zombie.”
