Page 97 of Only Human in Strangeville

“Oliver was kind enough to get my rifle,” he said. “It seems he can slip through the shadows with objects though it takes a little longer. I thought about taking out Drake instead of Vito, but I was loaded for vampire, and based on what Oliver had told us, I thought taking Vito out would also incapacitate Drake.”

He was right. The shade lay on the ground moaning softly, not responding when a pair of werewolves went over to drag him over to the rest of the captives.

Nimbus and the new dog trotted into view, looking pleased with themselves, tails wagging.

Katsuro and several of his other vampires gave the brown dog wary looks, but she seemed content to return to my side. Sitting opposite Katsuro, who still held me.

When Nimbus saw the ring of captives, he got a look in his eye I could only describe as mischievous. He rooed, then grumbled happily, before expanding to his giant dog size. He had to be exhausted after everything he’d already done. What could possibly be worth expending more effort?

Wagging his now giant plumed tail that he had tightly curled over his back, he trotted toward the captives, turned sideways to them, and lifted his leg.

I didn’t even try to stop him, though I did wrinkle my nose at the pungent smell of a large quantity of male dog pee.

The cries of dismay from the captives got me laughing.

Bridger chuckled. “He’s got a good point.”

Oliver kneeled and held out his hand to the new dog. “Hannah, where did you find a sun dog? They’re even rarer than cloud dogs.”

She trotted forward and shoved her head under his hand for scratches.

“She’s lovely.” Oliver sounded positively enchanted as the sun dog pressed against his chest with her body. She’d remained reserved, if friendly, with me, but she did seem to like Oliver quite a bit. Ironic, considering he was a creature of shadow.

Katsuro cleared his throat. “Yes, her assistance was key in overthrowing Vito.”

She turned her attention to Katsuro, and he flinched before bowing formally. “My thanks.”

The sun dog huffed and wagged her tail before again burying her face in Oliver’s chest.

“I think she likes him,” Bridger said.

Nimbus, bladder empty, shrank back to his normal size and trotted over to us before laying down at my feet.

I managed to dislodge Katsuro enough to kneel and hug my dog. He’d done so well, and I murmured into his thick mane just how proud I was of him while tears leaked from my eyes.

“I suppose I should be glad he didn’t get huge before he pissed all over my leg,” Davin said coming up to us.

That broke through my tears, and I laughed.

“Hannah, you have done so much this night to save all of us. You, Bridger, Nimbus, and our new friend. We still have a great deal of cleanup to accomplish, but I would rest better knowing you were truly safe. Would you please take Nimbus below and get rest?” Katsuro took my hand and pressed his lips to my knuckles.

“I was going to, when Drake showed up and ruined that plan,” I admitted. “Jaz told me to go below.”

“There is no blame or fault. You did the best you could, and truthfully, none of us would be here if not for you. Go. Rest. Once all these creatures are dealt with, we can go back to more pleasant pursuits.”

I knew what he had in mind, and I grinned, but truthfully, I was completely exhausted and falling into his extremely comfortable bed sounded amazing.

Nimbus rose and went with me when I headed back to the coffee shop. Bridger and Oliver flanked me, and the sun dog stayed right at Oliver’s side.

***

After several days of whirlwind activity, Davin and Katsuro had finally deemed it safe for me to return to my apartment. I was curled up with Nimbus on the balcony overlooking the coffee shop and hoping I’d finally get a chance to relax and settle into my new home. With all the turmoil, I didn’t really feel like I lived in the apartment. Of course, after Katsuro’s super soft sheets and insanely comfortable bed, my sheets felt scratchy, and my bed felt a little uncomfortable. Maybe I would have to upgrade.

I shifted and scratched Nimbus gently behind the ears, and he rested his head on my chest while we lay on a bed of blankets together. Of course, we could have been laying on a bed of rocks and everything would have been just perfect since I had Nimbus with me. The only thing that would make it better is if I had one, or more, of my men with me.

He perked up, glancing at the door moments before I heard a knock.

It wasn’t one of the guys I was bonded to, or I would have felt their presence. Also, I’d told them just to enter unless the door was locked, which, right now, it wasn’t. Especially now that I was bonded to Katsuro, and Oliver was one of my mates, none of the residents would dare mess with my stuff. I could have left a fortune of money out in the hallway and as long as they knew it was mine, it would stay put. Honestly, I probably would have been safe beforehand, too. I still really didn’t know any of the other residents because they all preferred to keep to themselves, but according to Oliver they were decent sorts.

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