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I take a deep breath, nodding at Daisy as I part the vines and step through. Misty follows closely and we slip into the shaded woods that flank the driveway.

Outside, the sun is at its morning peak, giving the dreary estate a liveliness it’s likely never experienced. Although there isn’t much lighting, the rays burn away at my skin, making me tug the hood of my coat tightly around my face. The feeling of being watched nips at my ankles, but I do not turn around.

My stomach somersaults as my eyes trace the furthest point of the estate—the winding drive that leads away to unkempt brushwood hugging the salt rotted iron fence. Straightening my shoulders, I am prepared to meet the man I’d seen waiting and watching me for many nights. As I crest the small hill, he comes into view, standing beside his vehicle, a cigarette between his lips. His eyes are trained on the surrounding trees, features engrossed in thoughts impertinent to me.

Misty barks. Sheriff Valen straightens and an imperious gaze settles upon our approaching figures.

Drawing near, everything that Sheriff Valen is registers in quick snapshots. He reminds me of those dark depictions of fallen angels—tall, well-built and with facial features that are sharp, abrasively so. The implication of being alone with him sends a sting of awareness along my body.

“You came,” he says, flicking the cigarette to the ground and stomping on it.

“You were lingering on my property,” I reply.

His mouth tilts, barely. “Your property?”

“Well…I live here for now and was wondering why you haven’t given any updates on my case.” I cross my arms against my chest, waiting for him to say something. When he doesn’t, I ask, “Why are you here? Hiding in the trees like a stalker?”

He laughs, baring teeth that resemble those of a vampire. Straight, sharp canines. A small dagger earring hangs from his ear, and several tattoos wound their way around his neck. Digesting his features, I make another note that his are clearer than everyone else’s. This could be a byproduct of the accident? A sight issue that isn’t healing as it should?

“I’m surprised he allowed you to go to the town.” He drums his fingers against his leg. “Thank hell for it. At least I know, you can ride.”

Sheriff Valen then shoves his hands into his pockets and angles his towering frame against a tree. The man from yesterday was much nicer than the one standing before me now.

“What is going on here, Sheriff? And if you haven’t come to arrest me for stealing your motorcycle, what do you need? Because I’m seeing that you have nothing for me.”

The Sheriff stomps on his finished cigarette, then fishes another from his pocket and lights it. “I wanted to meet you again, introduce myself and apologize for yesterday. That was not gentlemanly of me to do that in front of everyone.”

“Go ahead…” I wave his gesture off.

“Go ahead, what? You’re the thief here.” There is a faint twitch at the edge of his mouth.

“Say you’re sorry,” I retort, mockingly. The encounter from yesterday seems suspicious. He was already aware of my circumstances and had followed me for days. What stood in his way of helping me? I’m assuming from his interaction with Kieran that it was one of ego.

Laughing, he steps closer, looming above me and matching Kieran’s brooding stature. His shadow swallows mine.

“You’re brave,” he responds, a glower forming in his eyes.

“Well spit it out, Daisy told me to speak to you.”

He shakes his head, resuming his lean against the tree. “What do you want to know?”

Misty begins to sniff around the trees. “Misty stay close girl.”

“Well, for starters. What was that whole interaction?” I gesture, vaguely toward him.

He takes a drag of smoke, puffing it out before answering. “There was a girl, a long time ago.” He keeps his gaze trained on me. “Someone I used to…be involved with. You look like her, that’s all.”

The sun as quick as it had risen, begins to slough behind storm clouds. An errant ray forms a swath of golden light around the tree Christian stands below.

“A girl?” I ask. Then the manuscript comes to mind. “Her name was Sara, wasn’t it?”

His eyes flare so wide, I swear I can see embers circulating in his irises. “How did you know?”

Being near the Sheriff feels different, there is none of the burning urgency I felt with Kieran. None of the prickles that felt like needles were being jammed into my skin one by one. He’s like bathing in sunlight after a long, dreary winter. Stop. I’m not here to compare degrees of attraction. I’m here for information, and nothing more.

“I found this novel—or maybe a journal? I figured it was written by the Doctor’s wife, Sara. You’re in there. Well at least I think you are.”

He looks up to the sky then speaks. “Do you have this journal with you by chance?”