Page 7

For the first time since he’d grabbed me, the man loosened his hold. “Fuck, is that you, vamp trash?” He glanced around anxiously. “Figures you’d be near. Show yourself,” he commanded. “Fuck, not worth it.”

And then, without another word, he released me and tore away. Seconds later he was gone, vanished. I glanced up at the raven. “Extra sunflowers for you.” My voice was shaky and weak. I braced myself against a tree trunk and took deep swallows of air. The scent of strawberries overtook the earthy scent my attacker left behind. I could see the red squished fruit bleeding through the bag.

The raven made a gurgling sound as if telling me to get home. I grabbed the damaged grocery bag and took off at a run. I glanced back once. The trip was only a few blocks, but it felt like I was in a bad dream where I was running but my goal kept getting farther away. A sob of relief burst from my lips as my house came into view. I hurried up the steps and took another look back toward the road. I was alone. Had it been a glitch? How did he disappear? More importantly, how did he know Mom?

I got inside and slammed the door so hard, it made the front window rattle. I locked it, dropped my groceries on the kitchen table and pulled out my phone. I dialed Paxton. He answered on one ring. “Rafi?”

“Paxton.” I broke into sobs. The shock of it had finally disintegrated into full hysteria. I paced the short hallway.

“Oh my god, what is it, Rafi? Are you all right?”

I sniffled hard hoping to staunch the flow of tears. “I’m not. I was attacked. There was this man—he had a long braid, black with silver strands. I have no idea why that detail sticks out to me, considering I was in an utter state of terror.” I sniffled again, and the words rolled out faster. “He grabbed me. And he had these sharp teeth like a wolf. And amber eyes, too. And this is the really scary part. He asked if I was Sassa Willow’s offspring. I’ve never seen him before. He didn’t even look—shit, he didn’t look as if he belonged here—in this world.” My hand flew to my mouth to stifle another sob. “Holy shit, Pax, I’ve finally gone over the edge. I’m completely nuts. Maybe I imagined the whole thing. This big raven came out of nowhere, and he looked at the man as if he knew him and then, poof, he was gone. My attacker, not the raven. In fact, I think the bird followed me until I got home. I’m nuts, right? I’m crazy. This was the final test to see if I’m normal, and I failed.” I sobbed and finally shut my mouth.

I could hear Paxton breathing through the phone. Music and voices thrummed in the background.

“Oh, no, you’re on a date. I’m sorry. I’ll just drink some tea, and this whole thing will vanish, just like the guy with the fangs.”

“Sweetie, I’m on my way. I’ll be there in ten. I’ll text you when I’m on the porch. Do not open the door until you see my text.”

I sniffled again. “Thanks, Pax.”

Exactly nine minutes and thirty-two seconds later, Paxton’s text came through. I lunged for the door and yanked it open. He wasn’t more than three steps inside when I threw myself into his arms.

“Oh Pax, do you think they’ll let me wear my favorite flannel pajamas at the funny farm, or will I spend the rest of my life in one of those embarrassing open in the back shifts they give you at the hospital?”

Paxton patted my back. “I think ugly flannels are inappropriate in any circumstance, sweetie, and I’m not sure ‘funny farm’ is politically correct.”

I leaned back and looked up at him. “Okay, I’ll stick with ‘insane asylum.’”

Paxton scrunched up his nose. “Uh, let’s go back to ‘funny farm.’ A touch less medieval.” He took my hand and walked me to the couch. “Now, what about calling the police?”

We sat down, and he continued to hold my hand. He smelled extra good. I wiggled my nose. “New cologne?”

“You bet. It’s called ‘Captain.’ Isn’t it great?”

I sighed. “I ruined your date with the PT.”

“It’s all right. I explained my best friend needed me, and he thought that was sweet, so we’re meeting again tomorrow night.” Paxton’s brown eyes were filled with concern. “Should we call the police?”

I shook my head. “Other than scaring the shit out of me, he really didn’t hurt me. I mean his grip was pretty tight.” I lifted my hands to show a slight red mark on my right wrist.

“You said he asked if Sassa was your mom?”

“Yes, that’s the part that really freaked me out.” I touched my chin in thought. “Scratch that. It was the fangs. Definitely the flesh-ripping fangs. No, the amber eyes. Actually, the whole thing freaked me out. Why was he asking about my mom? And then he just vanished.”

Before I could say it, he supplied my very technical term. “Poof, right, you said.” His mouth rolled in, which signaled there was something he wanted to say, but he wasn’t entirely sure he should.

“C’mon, out with it. You think I’m nuts too, right? Well, you’re right. I am. I better buy some new underwear because those open in the back gowns always flutter wide when you’re shuffling down the hallway talking to yourself.”

Paxton tilted his head in annoyance. “Would you stop? You’re not going to end up in a home. But, Rafi, maybe it was just a glitch. You mentioned that sometimes they feel so real you’re sure you can still smell and hear the noises even after it’s gone.”

“Oh, trust me, I considered that. No, Pax, this was real. I’ve got the red mark on my wrist to prove it. He was real. The sides of his head were shaved and he had this long, thick braid that started here.” I pointed at the top of my head. “It hung down long, and it was black with silver streaks.”

Paxton stared at me, and his chin moved side to side in thought.

“Pax? Does he sound familiar? Someone you’ve seen before?”

“Oh, god no, I was just thinking he sounds kind of hot.”