Page 54 of Death Raiser

“Not what you had in mind?” Kang asked.

“Er…just…unexpected.” Which was kind of a lie because I didn’t know what to expect for a date with grumpy-pants Kang. I’d expected the unexpected and while I wouldn’t have been surprised by whips and chains, a wholesome evening dog walking shocked me.

Not sure if it said more about me or my perception of Kang.

He hesitated. “We can skip this part and go straight to dinner if you prefer?”

The Samoyed looked up at me and panted.

“It’s not that. I just don’t have a good track record with dogs.” Why weren’t they growling at me yet?

“You mentioned not wanting a dog before. More than once, actually.” A smile tugged at his lips. “Didn’t peg you for a cat person.”

“I have Maggie.” Why did I sound so defensive? “And what’s wrong with cat people? They’re awesome.”

“Nothing’s wrong with cat people. I’ve just always pictured you with something more unusual, like a goat with attachment issues or a four-eyed snake named Hector.” Kang said. “And Maggie is different.”

“I love goats.” I ruffled the Samoyed’s head.

“I know.”

I loved Maggie even more. Kang knew my cat’s story—he’d been one of the detectives on the case—Bernie’s case. I’d taken Maggie home after my part in the investigation ended, but I would’ve taken Maggie home if she’d been a turtle with three legs or a parrot with a swearing problem. She just happened to be a cat.

Kang straightened and the pitty whined. The dog butted his block head under Kang’s hand, a silent demand for more attention.

“You love animals, Lark,” Kang said. “What’s the issue with dogs and why have you looked so sad every time you mentioned them in the past?”

“Dogs don't like me, okay?” I said. “I always assumed it had something to do with the death magic.” Even though my death magic seemed to calm all other animals in my proximity.

Looking completely unfazed, Kang nodded at the Samoyed. “Seems like Buddy likes you plenty.”

“These are the first two dogs that haven’t growled at me on sight.” I narrowed my eyes. Normally, dogs appeared ready to rip my head off, but these two looked besotted. “Did you resort to drugging them before I arrived?”

Kang laughed. His smile transformed his face from the detached beauty I always associated with him into something else…something more.

“I didn’t drug them, but I do have a way with dogs.” He paused and glanced down the street. “So I assume based on your history, you haven’t done a lot of dog walking?”

“That’s putting it mildly, but yeah.” And now, with Kang’s presence somehow masking my death energy, I’d have a chance to see what all the fuss was about.

My eyes stung. I thought I’d hidden how much dogs reacting to me so negatively pained me. Yet, Kang had somehow sensed how much I wanted a connection with dogs and made it happen.

Kang.

Don’t you dare cry.

“Shall we?” Kang waved at the sidewalk.

“Yeah.” I sniffed and looked away. Kang might like me, but he might also think twice about dating me if I started crying on our first date because I got to play with dogs for the first time.

“Let’s go along Waterfront Trail,” he said. “Unless there’s somewhere else you’d like to go?”

“No…no, this is great.” I swallowed my emotions and managed to make eye contact with Kang. “Thank you.”

His gaze softened. He hadn’t missed a damn thing. “This way.”

We walked away from the shelter and made our way to Holland Point Park, entering off Dallas Road. The trails lining the rocky beach provided beautiful views of the Salish Sea and the mountain ranges across the channel. Usually, the wind whipped by this southern region of Vancouver Island, leaving everyone cold even on a summer’s day, but today was an exception. The wind had decided to stay calm for my date with Kang.

“Is this what you do in your spare time? The grisly detective secretly has a soft side, but can only express himself through his love for animals?”

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