Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Nolan tossed his head back and laughed so hard he nearly fell over into a tree. “Oh, hell no! I love tonight. I love our first date, but I couldn’t do this every time we go out. For the second date, I am totally down for ordering dinner in and watching a movie.”
Sky hummed. “True. There’s a lot to be said for T-shirts and pajama pants while eating Chinese takeout and watching TV.”
“Stretchy, elastic waistbands for starters. No zippers or buttons. I approve.”
“Wow, you say the sexiest things.”
“You have no idea,” Nolan purred, which did dangerous things to Sky’s sanity.
As they reached the edge of the woods and stepped onto thick green grass, they found Red standing not too far away, Damon still clutched tightly in his arms. He figured Red would be closer to the house by now.
Then he caught sight of him.
A strange man was striding across the yard toward them. His dark hair was wild about his head and he looked as if he was wearing a suit with a bow tie. And there was a giant black crow resting on his shoulder.
Because yeah, this night had to get weirder.
Chapter 6
Nolan Banks
That person was not human.
Nolan was willing to put money on it.
But he was making that assumption mostly on the basis of the fact the man was talking to the bird on his shoulder as he approached.
“Yes, I know it’s not a real pig. But we must be polite and inquire who these strangers are and why they have a not-pig with them,” the man argued in a low voice.
The raven cawed several times at his companion and irritably lifted its wings in the same manner that a human would wave his hands in the air.
They had just reached Red’s side when Damon grunted several times, turning in Red’s arms so that he could face the man and his bird.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Your name is Damon Artemis. It’s a pleasure to meet you, and I’m sure the wolves wouldn’t have eaten you,” the man replied to the pig.
Talking to animals. Gotta be a witch.
The man turned his gaze to him and Sky and gasped. “Nolan! Sky! How wonderful to see you again! This is a surprise.”
“Beltran Varik,” Sky greeted with a little bow of his head. “I definitely wasn’t expecting to see you tonight.
Nolan narrowed his eyes. He did look familiar, but if he was from the Varik manor, then that night was just a fucking blur. “Not a witch, then?”
Bel huffed a laugh and shook his head. Even the bird seemed to snicker.
Sky smiled up at him. “No, Bel is a vampire and one of the Varik brothers. He’s also the mate of the two shifters we met at the Varik manor.”
Nolan winced. “I’m sorry. You looked familiar—”
Bel was already waving off his apology. “Oh no! Don’t worry about it. That was a very stressful night for you. I’m sure your brain was already overloaded and doesn’t need to be taxed with trying to remember a bunch of strangers. It’s good that we could meet again under more agreeable circumstances.”
The bird on Bel’s shoulder cawed and even bumped his head against Bel’s cheek. “All right! I’m sorry,” he grumbled to the bird. “Forgive me. This is my friend, Ozzie the raven.”
Nolan squinted at the inky black bird that was nearly big enough to pass for a chicken. “Like…a real raven?”
Bel nodded. “Yes. We’ve been together for several years now. He likes to tag along and watch the shifters hunt. It also doesn’t hurt that the pack often leaves him some choice bits of meat from their kill.”
“And you can understand him?”
“It’s my gift. Each vampire has one. I can understand animals.” He paused and waved one hand in Damon’s direction. “Like I can understand that your pig isn’t really a pig and would very much like to be human again.”
“My bad. Bel, this is my friend, Redstone Mosely, and that’s his friend, Damon. There was a bit of a situation this evening, and well, we came to our other friend Moon’s house to sort things out.” Sky motioned to the lit farmhouse behind Bel.
Bel chuckled softly. “I’m guessing Moon didn’t inform you that his land would be hosting an entire pack of shifters. That must have been a surprise.” His smile softened toward Red. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Mosely. I’m sorry if I frightened you. You were a stranger, and I tend to be a bit protective of my mates.”
“N-no,” Red stammered. He shook his head once as if to clear away his shock and pushed on. “I definitely wasn’t expecting to run into a Varik tonight, let alone three. Sorry I surprised you.”
“We spoke with Wyatt and River already,” Sky chimed in.
Red shifted Damon’s weight in his arms as he glanced over at Sky. “I should get Damon changed back.”