Page 23 of Only Human in Strangeville

“Katsuro, we need to protect her,” Davin growled, his arm still tight around me.

“Yes, Davin. I agree. If she’s going to be leaving Beechworth and going to Mayday Hills on a regular basis, we must claim her so she is safe.”

“This, uh, claiming, what does that…entail?” I cleared my throat again.

Katsuro smiled, and it was impossible to miss the predatory glint in his eyes this time.

“One or more of us needs to put our mark upon you, to declare to the supernatural world that you are under our protection. Both Davin and I are powerful enough that our mark alone should keep you safe from anyone in Mayday Hills. This will also help protect Nimbus, though we will need to take additional measures for his safety.”

I blinked, then blinked some more, at a loss for words.

“But, I barely know you,” I finally protested.

Katsuro touched my leg again, gently but with a touch of ownership. “You don’t have to decide right now, Hannah, and we will protect you to the best of our abilities without this step, but you should consider it.”

I bit my lower lip and Katsuro’s gaze fixed there for a moment before he met my stare again.

“While you decide, you must promise you won’t share anything we’ve told you with anyone. Most of the people in town know all of this, but a few don’t. None of them should know of your situation.”

“Don’t want more competition?” My heart was racing again as I was trapped by his intense stare.

Katsuro reached forward, brushing delicate fingers along my cheekbone before tucking some hair behind my ear and lightly running his fingers down my neck. His touch sent jolts of electricity through my nerves, to settle in my core and leave a warm, needy feeling there.

“No.” He smiled and leaned back.

“It’s more than that,” Davin said with a grumble. “Katsuro and his vampires, as well as I and my pack, can protect you.”

“And I have to choose between vampires and werewolves?” My voice squeaked and I didn’t like it.

“No,” Katsuro replied. “You simply have to choose to allow us to protect you to the fullness of our abilities.”

My hands trembled, and Davin cleared his throat. Katsuro finally looked away, a hint of amusement in the faint smile on his lips.

“I think I need a minute.”

“Of course. We’re keeping you from your coffee.” The vampire got up from the coffee table he was sitting on and handed me a drink. “Decaf latte.”

He handed Davin something before he took a drink. Davin took his arm from around me and grabbed a pastry, too. Nimbus got up and hopped onto the coffee table, taking a drink and selecting a treat from his bowl. I didn’t have the energy to tell him to get on the floor, but if he was a supernatural being, should I be making him eat on the floor? I didn’t know.

“Wow, this is… so much.” I gulped a long drink of the latte before leaning back on the couch.

“Why did you come to Beechworth, anyway?” Katsuro asked.

Suddenly, I wanted to tell him absolutely everything. Nimbus grumbled and gave the vampire a dirty look before he hopped back on my lap. The feeling eased slightly, but they had trusted me, and I wanted to trust them. Still, this was my new life and there shouldn’t be any need to bring up the past. The past was dead or behind bars.

“Wait, did you just use some sort of vampire mind power on me?” I glared at Katsuro.

He winked but didn’t answer.

Shaking my head, I took another drink before answering. “Yeah, so, I came here because the rumors about this place caught my interest. I wasn’t sure what I thought I’d find, but this is certainly not it.”

Davin laughed, but whatever he was going to say was interrupted by another sharp knock on the door.

Jaz entered. “You have an urgent visitor, m’lord,” she said stiffly, bowing and stepping aside.

My blood ran cold as I recognized the man I’d almost run into earlier today. His hawk-nosed profile was unmistakable.

Nimbus growled, teeth bared, and his little claws dug into my thighs as if he was getting ready to launch himself at the newcomer.

---