Page 19 of His Human Believer

After spending last night on that stake out with him and getting to know Vidar better, I’m even entertaining crazy thoughts such as…would this Hyrrokin be a good father? Apparently, I’m starting to consider him for more than an affair while on Tarvos, but as someone I’d consider marrying?

Wow. That was quick. This nice weather is really doing something to my head. One interesting stake out and I’m acting like he’s my new fiancé. Well, I was always known as someone who loved a good stake out…

But all of this is moot considering Vidar Coalstone has taken a freaking vow of celibacy. The guy can’t even masturbate in the privacy of his own room. And he’s doing this so he can finally retire a legend he feels is dangerous to other beings. I love learning about this side of him, that he’s a being who feels protective of others, so of course I’m going to help him keep this vow.

Even though he’s admitted to me that he finds me as attractive as I find him. And last night, I could literally see the tent of his erection in his pants. He was staring at my ass like it was his job.

And I wanted to scoot close and kiss those sexy lips.

That’s what makes this so difficult. I need to pretend that neither of us feel this off-the-hook sexual attraction for each other. He needs to keep up the pretense that he isn’t attracted to me so that no one can think he ever broke his vow. And also, he needs to be seen as doing this investigation alone, so the research isn’t tainted by my civilian presence.

But we want each other.

I glance over at his ass. I’m willing to wait this out until he’s done with his vow. Although ten more months of this denial sounds like the worst form of torture.

Maybe I’ll luck out and he can get out of it early?

My brow furrows. Wait, am I thinking I need to move to Tarvos? How is that possible?

And then I look over and notice that Hogen Emberstone is watching me. He’s a nice guy so I smile in return. His features brighten. He looks like he’s about to walk over to speak with me.

“Aunt Margaret?”

I blink.

Dagr has appeared beside me, out of nowhere. “Can we talk, alone?” he questions.

“Sure.” I’m already moving. “Lead the way.”

Dagr Hellstone walks me past the pallets and all the way to the far end of the yard, where there’s nothing but a fence and a strip of shade. This is an entirely private location.

Skylo comes along with us.

Dagr sits down on a crate. I sit down on the one across from him. And then he doesn’t say anything at first, just stares at his hands. So I don’t say anything either, just waiting for him to start.

Behind me, Skylo turns around and sits down facing the yard, with his back to both of us. All three heads up, watching the pallets.

“I saw it too,” Dagr finally offers.

“Saw what?”

“I saw that creature the little kids around here are talking about. I just haven’t told anyone yet what happened, but I want to tell you, Aunt Margaret. You’ll listen and take me seriously.”

“Aaah. That makes sense, because I will listen.” I beam at him and cross my legs. “So, you saw this creature too. When did this sighting happen?”

“Three weeks ago.”

“Do you know the exact date?”

“The fourteenth.” He says it immediately, without hesitation. “It was the same day Mitry broke the dispenser trying to make her own traq, so I know.”

That’s good. Beings who make things up are vague about dates, but beings who saw something tie it to whatever else happened that day. “Where were you when this sighting happened?”

“Well, I was outside of the wall, after dark. By myself on the preserve side, in the trees.”

My eyes widen. Even I know this type of behavior is strictly off limits. “Alone? You were out there without Skylo, or your parents or any other adult?”

He lifts his chin. “I snuck out at night because I wanted to see if I could find this creature myself. And I did.”