Page 47 of Only Human in Strangeville

“Indeed.”

“Well, obviously, I’m attracted to Oliver.” No use in pretending I hadn’t practically had sex with the shade already. “And yes, there’s something that catches my interest about all four of you. I just don’t know what to do about it, and I haven’t really had time to settle in.”

He squeezed my hand again. “Hopefully we can conclude this unfortunate business quickly and then you can take more time to get to know us.”

“Are you all serious that you’d share me?”

“All of our fates are intertwined,” he said. “It would be unwise to ask you to single one of us out.”

“Did Clare tell you that?”

“Yes, but on reflection, it is also obvious. At least to me.”

As we walked farther down, my knees starting to ache at the descent, the darkness lightened and gradually, I could see again.

By the time we reached the bottom, I realized that my ability to see wasn’t because there was a light source.

“Katsuro, I can see.”

“Good. Perhaps your powers are awakening already.”

A thrill of terror chilled me, followed almost immediately by exhilaration. I’d accessed my new abilities and used them to help myself in a dangerous situation. And by helping myself, I made myself less dependent on Katsuro in case something happened, and he needed to act.

Nimbus bumped me with his nose, and I scratched his head.

The ATV waited as promised, provisioned with supplies for an extended camping trip in case I needed food. Katsuro’s only real concern was shelter from the sun. He’d told me it wouldn’t kill him instantly, but it certainly wouldn’t do him any favors.

“Do you know how to drive one of these?” I asked the vampire.

“Yes. Do you?”

I nodded.

“As you can see, perhaps you should drive. Your nimbus can lead the way. That will leave me free to watch for trouble and react if necessary.”

“Okay.” I glanced at Nimbus, and he trotted out in front of the ATV as if agreeing.

I got on and Katsuro climbed on behind me. He put one arm lightly around my waist, though there were handholds in the back, and his thighs pressed against mine as he slid into a comfortable spot behind me.

“This okay?”

“Yep.” My voice squeaked, and not in fear. Warmth flushed through me at his proximity.

“Hannah.” His breath tickled my ear.

“Yeah?”

“Perhaps you should turn the vehicle on.”

I shook my head and jerked my attention away from the vampire’s closeness and the heat flooding through me. “Right. Sorry.”

He laughed, a low sound that completely scattered my brain again. “I’m certainly not offended, nor am I unaffected by your presence, but we do want to get out of here. That is the priority, unfortunately.”

That he was having similar reactions made me feel marginally better. I turned the key and got the ATV going.

I kept the headlights off since I could see reasonably well, and Nimbus didn’t seem to have any issues in the dark either. The sound of the engine echoed in the close confines of the tunnel, and I found myself wishing the engine was quieter.

“That power of yours is useful,” Katsuro said.

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