Page 7 of Devil’s Snare

“Wh-what?”

Was she that dazed by my hands and mouth on her body?

“You need to leave. It’s almost the witching hour. Not a safe place for little deer to play.”

Only devils, demons, and ghosts walked among the graves at this hour. And those tasked with protecting these hallowed grounds.

Gwen pushed away from the gate. Her chin lifted in defiance.

I hid my smile and opened the exit for her.

Gwen stepped through and rushed toward her vehicle. She paused when she reached for the driver’s side door, looking back at the closed gate, but I had already stepped into the shadows. Hidden from her view, I scanned her license plate number and the make and model of her truck. She’d be easy to find.

With a frown and a brief look of possible disappointment, she slid behind the wheel. In less than a minute, her taillights were fading into the darkness. Only then did I turn around, heading back up the hill to find out which grave had caused Gwen such heart-wrenching grief. I had to know what sorrow brought her to me this night and called the monster within.

Because he was now snared.

Chapter 3 Gwen

My phone began ringing as soon as I left the cemetery. I tapped the speaker button since my truck didn’t have a hands-free option. But I did have a phone mount on the dashboard, which meant I didn’t have to hold it while talking and could keep both hands on the wheel.

“Hey.”

There was only one person who would call me in the middle of the night. The same person who knew that I drove here at midnight to visit Becka’s grave. My brother.

“Jesus, G., where the fuck have you been? I’ve been calling you for over an hour.”

He sounded pissed, but worried too. A lot more worried than angry.

“Sorry. I lost track of time.”

“Well, look at your damn phone once in a while. For fuck’s sake, I drove to your apartment to look for you. I almost called the police to file a missing person report.”

“I’m touched. Truly.”

“You almost ended up on AMBER Alert,” he huffed.

“Ethan,” I laughed. “That’s only for kids.”

“Well,” he sputtered. “I would have tried.”

I believed him. “I’m so lucky to have you.”

“It’s not funny, G. Not after, well. . . everything.”

Guilt swept through me. I’d been more focused on a certain stranger and his smoldering eyes along with his invisible pet than checking my phone. I should have been more responsible since I knew Ethan would worry.

“I’m sorry. You’re right.”

He sighed. “Coffee?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll meet you at the diner.” It didn’t matter whether I came alone or Becka was visiting; Ethan always arrived first and saved us a seat.

Now it was just a table for two.

“See you in fifteen minutes.”