Enchanting Wilder (6 page)

“…You’ve been drinking an awful lot more lately.”

That’s probably because we’ve been going non-stop since last month and I’m getting burnt out. “Yeah.”

He scoffs. “Yeah. I’m starting to worry about you.”

That’s my job.
“Well, don’t. I’m fine.”

“Fine?” Wood hisses. “You’re pretty far from fine. It’s not just the drinking. It’s the not sleeping and the lack of dreams.”

I set the bottle of beer down in the drink holder and drag my hand down my face. “Look, man, I’m just overly tired—I’m so damn tired.”

Wood sighs, his clutch on the steering wheel turning his knuckles white. “I know. At least we’re going home for a bit.”

“Yeah, but…” I’m cut off by the ringing of my phone. It’s dad. “Hey,” I answer.

“Hey son, I’ve got another case for you.”

I stifle my groan.

Home. I was so close.

I rub my eyes and grit my teeth. “Okay, what is it?”
Gotta be a good little soldier.

“A small town just outside of Salem has had a string of odd deaths. I want you and Sherwood to go check it out and get back to me.”

Blinking, I force myself to wake up. “Can you email me the details?”

Wood looks over at me with an annoyed expression. I know he doesn’t want to say it because he’s constantly trying to make dad happy, but he’s pissed we aren’t getting a little time off. This job has a way of eating at you, and I think he was ready for some down time, too.

“Sending it now. Can you get there by tomorrow night?”

I pull out the map in the glove compartment. “Probably. Should be about an eighteen-hour drive.”

“Good. Call me when you have an update.” And he hangs up.
Well, love you, too, dad.

I push the END button on my phone and shove it into my front pocket. “Christ, I wonder if he talks to mom like that.”

Wood chuckles and then falls silent. “Another case?”

“Yeah. Massachusetts.”

“Dammit, Declan,” he utters, sounding just as tired as I am. “That’ll take us all night.”

“Yeah. Let me drive.”

“No.” He shakes his head. “No. I’ll wake you up in a while.”

I slump in my seat, cross my arms and recline my seat. My knees hit the dash but it doesn’t hurt enough to make me move. “Okay. Thanks.”

“Again?” Wood asks.

I take a deep breath and spit some mouthwash into an empty cup. “Again.”

“Same woman?”

“Yep. Red hair, yellow dress, gold eyes, same scream, same red-eyed demon.”

He pulls off to the side of the road, the morning already in full swing. “Not good.”

I’m starting to think he’s right. “Where are we?”

“Just outside of Cleveland. I’m exhausted, you take over.”

I drive the entire rest of the way, letting Wood sleep until we hit Boston.

When we come upon the little town of Summerson, I stop at a red light and glance around, watching people excitedly walk about the streets. I’ve never seen a town so lively before. Most places are void of any people actually walking around, but here it seems to be something everyone does. Not that I’m complaining, it’s a nice change from the hustle I’m used to.

“It’s like Pleasantville.”

I nod.

“Must be a small town thing.”

“Probably,” I say.

Wood and I aren’t used to a hometown feel. We live just outside Denver, and it’s pretty much devoid of people in general. Living off the beaten track doesn’t seem as homey as it sounds. It’s boring.

The light finally turns green and I make my way into the Main Square. Pulling into a grocery store, I point. “We need food. Check in at the hotel across the street and I’ll meet you there.”

Wood hops out of the car, jogging to the office of the Redmond Inn.

Walking up and down the aisles of food, I mindlessly toss snacks and water into my basket. I give myself a mental slap when I realize grocery stores in Massachusetts don’t sell alcohol.
Who thought that was a good idea?
I should have gone to the convenience store. When I figure I have enough to last us until tomorrow, I walk toward the cash register and load my groceries onto the conveyer belt. The cute cashier blushes and flirts with me as she swipes my items. I give her a wink before I walk out, causing her blush to turn a deep shade of red. Proud of myself, I smile and pull out a bag of chips, popping a few into my mouth. Just as I lower myself into The Sting, I’m halted with the image of the girl from my dreams.

Only, she isn’t in my dream and I’m not asleep.

The beautiful redhead walks gracefully past my car, flashing a smile at the store’s greeter. Before I can comprehend what I’m doing, I’m stumbling out of my car behind her.

It’s her.

Holy shit, it’s her.

“Yes,” I whisper into my phone, suspiciously eyeing my surroundings. His boots stomp loudly behind me but I don’t dare chance a look. “Declan’s here.”

Candy cackles on the other end of the line and I secretly want to freeze her damn bra. “Quit overreacting. He’s probably not following you. He wouldn’t even know who you are. But, you’re definitely not scared. I can feel it. You’re excited.”

I roll my eyes and toss a bag of popcorn in my cart. “This Sephra Link can suck it.”

She laughs again, but she’s right. I’m totally confused as to why Declan is here, but I can’t deny seeing him in person sets my skin on fire. When Sally assigned him to me, I had no idea I’d have this sort of connection with him. The moment I saw him in his dream, I knew he was special. Not to mention, drop dead I-want-to-bathe-in-his-sweat gorgeous. The man has smoldering light emerald eyes, almost a mint color, and dark caramel hair I can envision myself tugging and pulling while doing insanely inappropriate things.

I can tell—in his eyes—he’s got something beautiful in him. He’s rugged and manly, maybe even a little broken, but he’s got something buried deep within him. He’s breathtaking. Even though we aren’t allowed to interact with our Granders, I had—still have—this overwhelming urge to go to him, to embrace him and steal his worry away.

I’ve gone to him twice now—the most I’ve ever been in a dream with anyone. It’s totally against protocol, but I couldn’t stop myself. In all my years, I’ve never seen a red-eyed demon. I almost feel like I’m not doing enough. I mean—I
know
I’m not doing enough. Hell, I don’t even know what the point of his dream was. Usually there’s a clear set script I’m to follow. Show the Grander two options and hope they pick the right one. But in Declan’s dream, I was simply thrown in as a spectator. Was I supposed to show him that his path lead to this red-eyed demon? Was I supposed to save him from the demon? Was my presence in the dream needed at all? All of these thoughts swirled in my head and I have no answers.

But, now he’s here—possibly following me—and something tells me there’s a reason. Probably one I’m not going to like.

He couldn’t have seen me as
me
in his dream. I disguised myself as a bird, like I always do, so why is he following me like he recognizes me?

Ugh. Sweet merciful God, he’s gorgeous. Why does he have to be so handsome? Why couldn’t I have gone into some ugly, greasy man’s dream? I don’t normally get attached, but with this guy, he makes me curious. I shake my head.
Stop it with the nonsense, McKenna. He’s your Grander. Nothing more.

“Hello?” Candy says, shaking my over-exaggerated thoughts. I completely forgot I was still on the phone with her.

My cart catches a corner, hitting a soda stand and I stumble. “Dammit. Crap.” The phone drops into the front of the cart and the echo of the clank against the metal in the almost empty store pangs loudly in my ears. “Sorry, Candy.” I pick up the phone. “Still there?”

She giggles. “Good God, get it together, woman.”

I sneak a peek behind me and Declan isn’t there anymore, so I take a deep breath, letting Candy’s feelings wash over me. I pull from her serenity and let it work its way into my bones and down into my soul. Once my body is covered in the warmth of her emotion, I sigh. “He’s not here anymore. I’m going to let you go. I have to finish shopping and run to the post office. Talk to you later?”

“Sure. Call me if you need me.”

I hang up the phone and shove it into my purse. Taking a few more cautious glances around the store, I only notice the young cashier up front. I sprint to her and quickly unload my groceries, and then practically fly through the sliding glass doors leading outside after I pay.

The unseasonably cold October breeze smacks my face, blowing my hair in a flurry of tendrils. Shoving my cart in with the others, I load my arms with my bags and head to the car. I hurriedly walk down the alley between the grocery store and the bank next to it, dodging potholes in the aged ground. I don’t know why I thought it was a good idea to park in the back of the store, but the farther I walk, the more intense my uneasiness become. My eyes narrow when my little white car comes into view. Before I can breathe a sigh of relief, I’m knocked back against the wall by an unseen force. The bags in my arms fall to the ground and I feel the trickle of milk on my feet from the broken glass container. My head subtly lands against the brick, and, when I’m not met with the debilitating pain I was expecting, my eyes fly open to find Declan staring at me with fury. I’m taken aback by his annoyance but his minty breath washes over my face and I tilt my head to study him. He’s much more handsome than I remember.

His forearm gently pushes the top of my chest against my neck, just enough to let me know he isn’t going to hurt me—but he could if he wanted to. His eyes widen when he finally looks into mine. He gasps. His hold on me loosens a little and I squirm, hoping to wiggle away.

What in the hell are we doing?

“Who are you?” he scorns in a harsh tone, his words scraping against my body. They almost wound me.

My eyebrows furrow.

“Tell me. What are you?” he urges. His arm becomes rigid once more and I strain to breathe.

“What am I?” I shake my head and he grits his teeth.

“Yes. Now answer me.”

I shove against him with all my might. I know he can fight me off, he’s got a good fifty pounds on me, but he lets me free and steps back, wiping the sweat forming on his upper lip. His hands fall to his sides and he fists his fingers, his knuckles turning white.