Page 26 of Only Human in Strangeville

That comforting thought followed me through the vestibule where our mail was and into the keypad-protected main entrance. I would check my mail in the morning. Right now, I just wanted inside.

Where I nearly ran into Oliver.

A soft roo of greeting was all that saved me from plowing into him.

“Fuck.” I jumped back, almost smacking into the doors.

Oliver grabbed my arm before I could hurt myself.

“Hannah, are you all right?”

His smell of cinnamon wafted over me, reminding me of the pastry I had sadly left behind in the coffee shop.

His light blue-gray eyes were narrowed in concern.

I tried to say yes, that I was fine, but I couldn’t force the words past my lips.

The attack earlier and the confrontation with Drake caught up to me, and I started to shake.

“What did they do to you?” Oliver frowned, his normally mild and friendly expression darkening.

“Other than tell me the truth?” I hugged myself, grateful that Nimbus was pressed up against my calf.

“I see,” he replied hesitantly.

“Oh, uh, sorry.” I shook myself and tried to stop my reaction. “I’m not especially freaked out about the whole vampire—werewolf thing, though I probably should be. When I was out with Davin we were attacked, and then Drake paid us a visit while I was at the coffee shop, trying to get Nimbus.” Talking about it helped some, though my hands still shook. I shoved them in my pockets to see if that would help.

“Can I make you some tea? Perhaps you want to talk about it somewhere other than the hallway?”

“Oliver, that would be great. Thank you.” I’d thought I wanted to be alone, but his offer felt like exactly what I needed.

He held out his hand. After a moment’s hesitation, I took my hand from my pocket and placed it in his. His hand was warm with light callouses, and his grip was firm, comforting.

Oliver led me to one of the lounges that I knew existed but had yet to visit. It was just down the hallway from the entryway.

“Please wait just a moment. I must get more acceptable tea.” He led me to a padded chair by the counter.

“I’ll be right here.”

That made Oliver smile. He turned and hurried out of the room, and I took a moment to look around. The lounge had a couch, a love seat, a long table lined with chairs, and several bookshelves overflowing with books. The furniture was all well used, but not shabby, giving the place a homey feel. The counter was the boundary between the kitchen and the rest of the room. Even the kitchen had decent appliances, though everything was generic, no actual personalization to the equipment. I also spied an electric teakettle. I removed Nimbus’ leash, and he trotted off to explore the room while I grabbed the kettle and filled it with water. At this point I didn’t even care if the tea Oliver brought back was caffeinated. I wasn’t entirely sure I’d sleep tonight, anyway.

Oliver returned just as I was adjusting the settings on the kettle.

“So, Katsuro and Davin filled you in on the town’s secrets?” He came over, placing a couple of containers next to me, two tea balls, and two large mugs.

Nimbus trotted over and rooed enthusiastically. Oliver gracefully kneeled and pet the little guy.

“Yeah. With everyone apparently after Nimbus, he felt I needed to know.”

“And you are not bothered?”

I took a deep breath, leaning both hands on the counter and staring at the ground. “I’ve seen evil, Oliver. Davin and Katsuro are not evil. Drake, yes. I promise I never expected anything like this, but hell, I wanted something different. I got it.”

Oliver chuckled.

“Oh, Jaz told me to ask you what you are. I hope that’s not rude.”

“It could be rude under different circumstances, but I am not offended. Especially as you were told to ask by the right hand of one of the two unofficial leaders of our town.”

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