“Not at all,” Daisy says. “You didn’t think he was hot? I like a little mystery, and he looks like he’s got some stories to tell.”
“Like where he hides the bodies,” I mutter.
“Oh, come on. Not everyone is a serial killer, Ansley. Besides, you’re the one fawning over an axe murderer,” she teases.
“We sure know how to pick ‘em,” I chuckle, sipping my water. “I hate to leave you here alone, but I’m tired, and I still need to do some stuff around my apartment.”
“You ever going to invite me over?” she asks, walking around the counter.
“Soon, I promise. I don’t want you tripping over boxes,” I say. “Maybe this weekend?”
“Sunday? I’m working Friday and Saturday night,” she offers.
“Sure…” I grin and mimic the man’s voice.“Then it’s a date. I’ll come back for you.”
“Stop it,” she laughs, slapping my arm. “I’ll walk you out.”
As soon as I step outside, the strange sensation returns. Every shadow seems to move in my peripheral vision. I pull my phone out of my purse and order an Uber. Even if I haven’t been drinking, I’m definitely not walking home when I can’t shake this weird feeling. Daisy waits with me until my Uber pulls up to the curb.
“Text me after you get back home from your date,” I say, giving her a quick hug.
“You’ll be sleeping,” she replies.
“That’s fine. At least I’ll know you’re okay when I wake up,” I say.
I get into the Uber. He already knows my destination, so he pulls away from the curb while I’m putting my seatbelt on. I look back and watch to make sure Daisy makes it back inside before watching the city lights turn into a blur.
The strange sensation lingers, even after I get home. I shake it off. It’s not the same as what I felt when the pale-skinned manwalked into the bar. It’s different, but it still makes me feel uneasy, no matter how many times I try to dismiss it.
Why am I so sensitive lately?
The stress mustreallybe getting to me.
CHAPTER 6
Hayden
Her name is Ansley Ellery.
She grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, raised by her grandparents after her mother passed away. Her father’s name isn’t on the birth certificate.
I was hoping to learn more. Something that would explain why I feel so drawn to her. Why she makes my instincts burn like fire. All I have are more questions.
She’s a Scion. I’m sure of that. It didn’t come from her mother’s bloodline. Without knowing who her father is, the trail ends there. The information narrows it down some. It has to be a Scion who can breed with a human. Shifters can’t. Vampires can’t breed at all. That means Fae blood. Witch blood. Those are the most common Scions still alive because they blend in with humans so easily.
Possibly Siren blood, although I’m pretty certain they have been extinct longer than she’s been alive.
Except none of that makes sense. The Fae Courts ruled the deep forest when I was a pup. I’ve been around enough Fae to know their scent and it’s not subtle. It’s strong, it lingers, and they’re easy to track. Witches don’t have a strong scent, but their magic does. If there was some sort of spell involved, I would have noticed that.
But even if she is Fae or witch, it doesn’t explain why she triggered my instincts. We can’t breed with either of them. A Fae or witch would be a better bedmate than a human, but there’s no urge. No need. Nothing that would make the beast inside me want to roar.
“Another night at the bar. Now she’s home,” I feel my voice rumble in my throat as I speak out loud to myself while watching her move around her apartment.
I found out where she works. Followed her there this morning. Followed her back to the bar after work. I was tempted to go inside, but I got a call from Remy that pulled me away. I barely got back before she left.
Luckily, when I’m traveling across rooftops on four paws, I’m faster than the Chicago traffic. I was waiting right here when she got home.
I can’t keep watching her forever. There are more important things on my plate with a vampire brood in Chicago. I just can’t help myself. Every time I leave, something pulls me back. I didn’t even realize I was following her to work this morning until she was halfway there. My instincts just took over, even in broad daylight, when they should stay hidden.
