A hysterical laughter bubbled past my lips.
Oh my gosh, it was like my mind had already accepted it all. I was thinking about sirens and hunters and nagas and supernaturals as if they were normal. As if I had known about them all my life.
This was crazy.
Appetite lost, I got dressed in jeans, a thick sweater, and boots. I grabbed my leather jacket and went downstairs.
Mrs. Finnygood stopped writing in her thick leather book and looked up at me from behind the desk. “There you are, child. Did you enjoy your breakfast? Of course you did. Now, what do you want to do? I could bring out some of the board games, like I said, and—”
“No, it’s okay,” I interrupted her. She tilted her head at me. I gestured toward the sitting room. “I’m just gonna sit here and read.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Read? I don’t see any books in your hands.”
I raised my arm and showed her my phone. “I read here.”
Mrs. Finnygood humphed. “This generation, I’m gonna tell you. Destroying the world with all the technology.” She mumbled some more under her breath, and I smiled, unsure if it was cute or alarming.
I took a seat beside the raging fireplace, enjoying the warmth coming from it, and started fussing with my phone. Mrs. Finnygood would kill me next time she saw me, but I planned on slipping out as soon as she was distracted. My best bet was when she went to the back and wasn’t watching the front door. She was bound to leave the foyer at some point this morning.
Just then, the door blew open and Nathan ran inside.
“Young man!” Mrs. Finnygood barked. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“No time to explain, Mrs. Finnygood. I need Brooke right now.”
Brows turned down, I stood. “I’m here.”
Nathan pivoted and faced me. There was panic stamped into his dark eyes. “Brooke.” He took three long steps and halted right in front of me. He took my hand in his. “We have to leave. Right now.” He tugged me to follow him.
“Wait, what?”
“Mrs. Finnygood, we’ll use the back door.”
She just stared at him, outrage exploding from her features.
“Wait, Nathan,” I called, but he didn’t stop.
The door flew open again and a man in a polished police uniform walked in. His narrowed eyes landed on me and he pressed his lips tight.
Nathan froze and his hand tightened around me.
“Officer Morris,” Mrs. Finnygood said. “What brings you here?”
“Mornin’ Mrs. Finnygood,” he said, his southern accent thick. “I’m here to talk to your guest.” He turned his warm, brown eyes to me. “Are you Brooke Ellis?”
My heart raced. “Y-yes.”
“I need you to come with me, darlin’.”
I took a step back, halfway behind Nathan. “Excuse me?”
“I’m Officer Morris, and I need you to come with me to the police station. The chief has some questions for you.”
“She didn’t do it,” Nathan said.
“I appreciate your input, Mr. Knight, but this isn’t your concern.” His tone became hard. “Please, stay out of it.”
“Wait. What’s going on?” I asked. “Why do I need to go to the police station?”
The man hooked his thumbs through two belt loops and raised his chin at me. His voice softened again as he said, “We have reasons to believe you’re involved in a case. And I gotta say, darlin’, it isn’t looking good for you.”
My stomach spun. “What case?”
“The murder of Robbie Doyle.”
Twelve
Nathan
The look of panic in Brooke’s green eyes when Officer Morris escorted her out of the inn ripped into my soul. There was nothing I could do, not right now, and he didn’t even let me accompany her.
But that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to show up at the station and do something about it.
I parked my car outside the station. I had barely stepped out of the car when Cole came out through the front door and met me halfway.
“Man, I wish they had told me sooner,” he said, his tone apologetic. “If I had known five minutes earlier.”
I shook my head. “What is done is done, man. At least you called me as soon as you knew.”
“But not soon enough.”
The turmoil in my chest confused me. I was pissed off at the officer who had dragged Brooke to the police station, and I was pissed off she was probably alone in a room with the chief right now being interrogated. And I was even more pissed off because she was probably scared and confused.
“It’s okay,” I said, trying to be confident. “We’ll figure this out. Just … just tell me what you know.”
He sighed. “Robbie Doyle was found with a stab wound to his chest in a narrow alley three blocks from here.”
“Wait. A knife wound? To the chest, not the heart? But he was a werewolf.”
“It was laced with wolfsbane.”
“Shit.” I had never doubted Brooke, but whoever killed Robbie knew what he was and how to kill him. “There is our proof.”
“Yeah, but the chief is human. I can’t tell him about werewolves and wolfsbane.”
“I know, I know.” I ran a hand through my hair. “So, what? Brooke was the last one seen talking with Robbie last night? Who are the witnesses?”
“Marla and Angela,” he said. “They saw when Brooke left the diner and ran into Robbie. They said he seemed happy to see her. When she walked away, he went after her.”
“He was under her spell then.”
“I figured. And, from his age, we can guess he was looking for a mate.” As a werewolf, Robbie was meant to find his mate eventually. “That might have made him more open to her spell. But what happened after that? Do you know?”
“She mentioned running off.” I frowned. “She went to the Sandes’ house and ended up enchanting Mr. Sande and Jackson.”
Cole tapped away at his phone. “I’ll call them and see if they are all right.”
“Let me know what you find out.”
“I will.” He looked up at me. “I’m guessing you want to talk to her.”
“You’re guessing right.”
He glanced over his shoulder to the building behind. “You know the chief won’t allow that.”
“I’ll lie and say I’m her lawyer.”
“He thinks we’re all investors, Nathan. He won’t believe you’re suddenly a lawyer too.”
I clenched my fists. “Then give him some distraction to tend to while I sneak in and talk to her.”
He raised his hands. “Hey, man, I’m on your side here. Chill.”
I let out a long breath. “Sorry. It’s just …” I didn’t even know what it was. I just felt so protective of Brooke. Knowing she was there inside, alone, being grilled for something she didn’t do … I couldn’t bear it. “Just help me talk to her.”
He nodded. “Give me a moment. I’ll text you when you can come in.”
I hated waiting, but there was nothing else I could do. I leaned on my car and stared at my phone, willing a text to come in.
Almost thirty minutes later, my phone vibrated.
Cole: Now.
I dashed inside the police station.
Cole met me in the lobby and, pretending we were talking business for the sake of the other officers in the station, he escorted me to the back where the interrogation room was.
He said, “You have ten minutes,” before he opened the door for me.
A pang sliced through my chest when I stepped in and saw Brooke seated on the other side of a simple desk in the middle of the bare room, her eyes huge and her face pale.
“Nathan,” she breathed as if I were her salvation.
Pride and satisfaction filled my chest. I wanted to run to her and embrace her tight, but I was worried that gesture would scare her, so I settled for sitting down on the chair across the table.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
Tears brimmed in her eyes. �
��I was just accused of murder. Do you think I’m okay?” she snapped. A tear rolled down her cheek and she wiped it away. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so rude, but I’m going a little crazy here.”
“I understand.”
“Do you? A week ago, I was a girl intent on finishing college and making a life for herself. Now look at me! I came to a town full of supernaturals to find a man without a name, but ended up learning I’m a goddamn siren whose call spells men and causes their deaths, and now I’m a murderer.”
“You’re not a murderer.” I reached over the table and took her hand in mine. “And I do understand. I’ve been a hunter for a long time. You won’t believe all I went through and all I’ve seen. I might not be in your shoes right now, but I’ve been through hell a few times. I made it through every time, and right now I want you to believe me when I tell you you’re gonna make through this.”
She stared at me for a moment and the pain in her eyes twisted my gut. “The chief said Robbie was found with a knife wound to his chest.” She slapped her mouth with her other hand. “I can’t even imagine that. You don’t believe I killed him, do you?”
“Of course not.” I remembered something. “You went to Jane’s house after. We’ll bring her in and ask her to tell them you were with her.”
“They already talked to her,” she said, the sadness in her hanging like a thick cloud. “Apparently, over an hour passed from the time I was seen leaving the diner to the time I went to Jane’s house. Plenty of time to have killed Robbie, according to the chief.” Her voice broke. “I can’t believe Robbie is gone.”
I squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry.”
She pulled her hand away and hid them both under the table. “It’s okay, I think. I mean, I hadn’t seen him in five years. And even then, he was in danger around me.” A sob died at her lips. “I’m starting to regret coming to Willow Harbor.”
I leaned over the table. “I’ll fix this. Whatever it is. I’ll prove you’re innocent, and I’ll find whoever sent you the letter and why. I promise.”
She locked her beautiful eyes with mine. Now, glistening with the unshed tears, the green of her eyes was clearer, brighter, more stunning. “Why? Why are you helping me?”
The door flew open and Cole poked his head in. “Time’s up.”
Still looking at her, I stood. “Because I can’t resist.”
Then I marched out of the interrogation room.
Thirteen
Brooke
Lucky me, Officer Cole had found a traffic camera that showed as I walked down a street, going toward my old house, far away from where Robbie had been found, not fifteen minutes after I was seen leaving the diner.
The chief didn’t seem too convinced by it, but seeing as they had no real evidence to hold me, I was let go.
But not before hearing a warning from the chief. “I’m keeping an eye on you, young lady.”
What the hell? Why was he so intent on framing me? A young woman incapable of hurting a fly? Just because I was new in town?
“Don’t sweat it,” Officer Cole said, escorting me out of the police station. “For the most part, Willow Harbor is a nice, quiet town. Murders aren’t common here. And since he doesn’t know anything about supernaturals, he has no idea about half of what happens in this town.”
I glanced at him. Was he a supernatural too?
Before I could ask, we walked through the front doors, and my heart lurched as I saw Nathan right there, seated on the hood of his car, waiting for me.
He shot to his feet and walked up to us.
“Thanks, Cole.”
He shrugged. “It’s all good, man.” He glanced at me. “Hope to not see you soon. At least, not in here.”
I gaped at him. Was that supposed to be funny?
After bumping fists with Officer Cole, Nathan put his hand on my back and guided me to his car. He opened the door for me and waited while I slid in. Once I was inside, he closed the door, ran to the other side, and sat behind the wheel.
Instead of starting the car, he turned to me and stared at me with sympathy in his eyes. I hated it. “Are you okay?” he asked.
I leaned on the door, away from him. He didn’t look dazed or in a trance, but I had to ask. “Are you sure you’re not affected by my powers right now?”
“I stopped by Anna’s before coming to the inn and had more of her potion.”
“A potion you’re not sure works.”
“I’m pretty sure it does. Anna hasn’t made a bad potion yet.”
That didn’t make me any less worried about it, but it brought another question to mind. “Why … why wasn’t the sheriff affected by me?”
“I don’t know.” One corner of his lips tugged up. “But I know someone who does.”
* * *
The Dark Horse Diner was full for lunchtime.
Nathan and I stood to the side, waiting for his to-go order. I squirmed every few seconds, thinking all eyes were on me. Maybe they were … because I was the new girl in town, or because they knew I had just been at the police station, accused of murdering one of their own.
Openly staring at Nathan, Angela brought the big paper bag out.
“Here you go,” she said, her voice gaining a sugary tone I hadn’t heard last evening.
“Put it on the manor’s tab, please.”
She smiled at him. “Sure.”
I almost rolled my eyes.
Back in his car, Nathan drove along Ocean Drive to the end of the street. From there, we walked along the boardwalk, past the docks, onto the patch of grass running along the beach.
“You’re taking me to the lighthouse? In this cold?”
He offered me a smile and my heart squeezed. Holy crap, he was even more striking when smiling. “I didn’t think you would want to stay at the diner for lunch or be out in public a lot, so I thought the lighthouse would be a good place. Besides, we can sit inside and hide from the cold.”
“I bet it’s cold inside too.”
“That’s why I’m bringing these.” He grabbed two thick blankets from the backseat of his car.
I frowned at him. “Your car looks like Hermione’s bag. You can find anything in it.”
He let out a soft chuckle. “Well, I’m a hunter. I have to be prepared for anything.” He beckoned to the path ahead. “Come on.”
After a few feet, I said, “I’ve never been to the lighthouse before.”
He glanced at me. “You haven’t?”
I shook my head. “No. Everyone said it was haunted.” I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at him with wide eyes. “Oh crap. Don’t tell me ghosts are real and the lighthouse is haunted?” He pressed his lips tight, not saying anything. “Oh crap.” I pivoted on my heels and started back to the car.
Another chuckle came from Nathan. He caught my wrist and pulled me back to the path. “You did ask me not to tell you.”
I went with him. “Because I thought it wasn’t true.”
“Don’t worry.” He let go of my arm. “Though it’s haunted, nobody has ever seen the ghost. He just likes to play with the light.”
“If nobody has ever seen him, how do you know it’s a him and not a her?”
He offered me an amused grin. “Full of sassy questions, aren’t we?”
“Sorry. There’s too much on my mind, and I become a little snappy when I feel this lost.”
He leaned into me and bumped his shoulder into mine. “I’m here and I’ll find you.”
My heart lurched at his sweet words. Here he was, doing it again. Didn’t he notice it? Was it my powers? It was the only explanation.
I stopped walking again. “I’m not sure you’re safe with me.”
He turned and looked at me. “What do you mean?”
“You already seem affected by my powers. What if I can’t control it? What if I end up harming you? Oh gosh, we’re close to the ocean. What if you jump in and drown? And—”
Nathan dropped the bag and the blankets he was carrying and cupped
my face. His hands were surprisingly warm for someone who had been walking in the cold for the last five minutes. “Brooke, look at me.” I did and found his depthless dark eyes locked on mine. “Whatever you’re seeing, it’s not the effect of your magic. I can assure you that.”
Then what was it? Because, really, he couldn’t feel for me the same way I felt for him, right? I was a girl. Girls fell easily for hot, handsome men like him. Men were more precise and cold and calculating. They didn’t fall easily.
What was I saying? This was just attraction. What girl wouldn’t feel attracted to the brooding hero who came to her rescue? I hated being the damsel in distress, but right now, that was exactly how I felt.
He grabbed the bag and blanket from the ground, and laid a heavy arm over my shoulders. “Come on,” he said, walking down the path and taking me along with him.
It was hard not to think about his appeal when he was so close, when his spicy and woody scent flooded my senses and his body was warm and strong beside mine.
The lighthouse came into view, a tall tower of gray stone with a tiny balcony on top.
I hesitated, but Nathan charged inside, not one bit scared of the ghost who resided in here.
We went up the spiral stairs, and while Nathan spread one of the blankets on the rough landing floor, I opened the balcony door.
Chilly wind blew in, making me shiver, and I almost gave up my idea. But then one peek at the infinite ocean extending over the horizon and I was a goner. I stepped onto the balcony, hating the way the cold wind blasted at me, but loving the view. I opened my arms wide, lifted my chin, and inhaled deeply, enjoying the salty and fresh air rushing into my lungs.
The ocean was so beautiful, so peaceful.
If it wasn’t so cold, I would have jumped in it myself. I glanced down. But with the rocks surrounding the lighthouse, it wouldn’t be from here. Still, I wanted to.
“You feel attracted to it,” Nathan said from behind me.
I glanced at him. “It?”
Siren’s Song Page 8
