Page 17 of Only Human in Strangeville

“Yeah, of course. Despite what Bridger seems to think, vampires aren’t real. Humans are evil enough without having supernatural creatures, too.”

He massaged one of his temples before sighing. “I’m going to let Katsuro handle that one. Okay, well, for now, let’s finish the tour and get some dinner. I’m starving.” He smiled at me.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No, Hannah, not at all.” Davin took my hand and kissed my knuckles.

My pulse sped, and I bit my lower lip, enjoying the attention, but nervous at the same time.

“You are quite intriguing and very charming. I’m still hoping you let me take you out again, but I don’t want to push you and you’ve had a stressful day. Let’s eat. Burgers okay?”

“That sounds amazing.”

Nimbus rooed and wagged his fluffy tail.

“Kibble for you, young man.” I waved my finger at him.

The little guy just grinned at me.

Before Davin could get us moving again, the truck jolted, and I heard a pop and a loud hiss before the truck settled oddly.

“Fuck,” Davin muttered softly.

“What happened?”

“Somehow we lost a tire.” He tilted his head as if listening, or maybe sniffing the air. Nimbus sat up and looked out the window, lips drawn back from his teeth.

“Would you mind staying in the car, Hannah?”

“Sure. You don’t want help?”

“Let me check this out first.”

I was a strong, independent woman, but I knew evil was real and felt safer in the truck cab with Nimbus. At least it wasn’t dark yet.

Davin got out, slammed the door, and walked around the truck, paying more attention to our surroundings than he did to the vehicle itself. He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text before turning to the damage.

Something moved in the shadows. I banged on the window just as Nimbus barked a warning.

Davin spun around, but nothing was there.

I rolled the window down. “I swear I saw something in the shadows.”

“I believe you, Hannah. Help is coming.”

Howls in the distance chilled me. Nimbus added his own arwoo to the calls.

“Wolves?”

“They won’t hurt us,” Davin assured me. “The thing in the shadows, however… Shut the window.”

Before I could get it all the way up, a shadow detached from the trees and crashed into Davin, driving him down and out of view. A very familiar-looking six-legged shadow.

“Davin!” I threw the door open, not sure what I could do, but not willing to hide. I did manage to shut the door on Nimbus so he would be as safe as possible, though he shrieked and pawed at the partially closed window.

I stumbled out of the truck in time to see the creature go flying. Davin staggered to his feet, shirt torn and bloody.

He put himself between me and the creature. It turned, pink tongue flicking out of its black, shadowy mouth, licking gleaming white teeth. It very clearly wanted Davin and me dead.

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