Page 4 of Saving Dakota

"Thanks, Lawson. I think Raul and I will take it from here. We'll keep you informed." He had no intention of keeping Lawson in the loop, but it was the easiest way to get him to let go of the case.

Eli went with Deputy Lawson back to the police station to report to Sheriff Keller while Terrance and Raul headed to thelibrary. Terrance had a lot on his mind, and he wanted privacy to discuss it with Raul. Dakota Winters was his beloved and he was eager to meet the guy.

Lawson inferred that he looked very native, but that didn't tell him much. He was aching to call up a photo on his phone but resisted as he wanted to see his beloved for the first time in the flesh and not in a picture.

"Okay, what is it that's weighing so heavily on your mind?" Raul asked as they drove together to the library on Union Street. Raul was behind the wheel and kept glancing speculatively over at Terrance. “You’ve been distracted ever since you entered that guy’s motel room.”

“He’s my beloved.” He blurted and Raul looked at him and then back at the road and then back at him and then back at the road.

“Really?”

“Yeah, really.” Terrance shifted his gaze to look out the side window as he remembered the feeling of that amazing aroma as it enveloped him. “Sweetgrass and honey it was intoxicating.”

“So that’s why you were able to open the door.” Raul nodded to himself. “His voodoo doesn’t work on you.”

“I’d like to keep the connection between us quiet until I figure out what we’re dealing with.” He asked and Raul agreed.

“Do you think he will know?”

"He recognized Lawson and Keller and went to the only part of town that is predominantly human. I believe he knows a lot more than we think."

"Lawson said he got the impression the guy knew what he was, and then he went by his expression to assume he recognizedKeller." Raul pointed out. Terrance rolled his eyes and looked over at Raul.

“What do you think?” His sarcasm was barely noticeable.

"Yeah, you're right. Lawson is pent-up about this guy, but he's also a good deputy with good instincts. The guy might not know exactly what he's dealing with, but I'm sure he has a good idea." Raul relented, and Terrance concurred.

They pulled into the library lot and parked by the building and then just sat there for a few minutes. Raul turned and looked at him with a half grin on his face. “So, are you ready to go inside and get a look at your beloved?”

“My heart is beating out of my chest I’m anxious but also a little scared.” He admitted. “He clearly held no love for the wolf shifter, or the hellhound so how will he feel about the vampire.”

“You’re his beloved so whatever his issues they will work themselves out.” Raul patted him on the shoulder. “Come on let’s go meet your forever after.” He teased and they both exited the vehicle.

“Dakota Winters.” He said the name under his breath and sensed the importance wash over him. The minute they stepped through the doors he felt his presence and he breathed in the heavy scent of sweetgrass and honey. Dakota Winters was still in the building.

They stepped up to the desk and looked around. Terrance could feel his vibrations tingling along the surface of his flesh. He knew the man was nearby and then he saw him. He was standing at the end of the long desk speaking with a man and showing him a picture. As if on que, Dakota turned, and their eyes locked for only a few seconds but it was monumental. His dark eyes flashed with awareness.

He appeared surprised, not in a startled way but rather in a thoroughly shocked fashion. He obviously recognized them as supernaturals, but the look he gave them was more than that. Terrance was certain that Dakota knew there was more there he must have felt some of what bombarded Terrance at that brief encounter.

His heart was pounding wildly in his chest while his breathing was reduced to short, shallow pants. Dakota was stunningly beautiful beyond anything he could have imagined. His Native American background was obvious in the dark hair that hung straight and glossy to the center of his back. His eyes were dark brown and looked at him with curiosity and with an intensity that shook. His skin was tan and his bone structure solid and angular. Handsome did not go far enough in describing his incredible looks.

He appeared to be about five foot ten or maybe six feet, it was hard to tell at this distance but either way he was not short or diminutive in any way. He was a strong and solidly handsome man and Terrance ached to know him. They headed in his direction, but Dakota quickly ducked down an aisle clearly attempting to avoid them. He and Raul split up and tried to trap him, but he was out the back door before they could complete the maneuver.

"He really doesn't want to talk with us." Raul drawled, and Terrance nodded his head as he considered their next move. "He's going to keep running for whatever reason, he doesn't trust anyone he perceives as not human."

Terrance went back to the librarian with whom Dakota had been speaking. He used a glamour to get the guy talking because he did not have the patience to play games. “He was asking about a young Indian boy who disappeared. He showedme his picture, but I hadn't seen him, and I didn't recognize the name."

“What is the boy’s name?” Terrance prompted.

"Eric Blackbird. He was last seen in Traverse City with a young girl of the same age named Ivy Lee. There was evidence apparently that they'd headed in this direction."

“Did this man identify himself and explain why he was looking for the boy?” Terrance had his name but was hoping the man may have shared more with the librarian.

"He said he was Detective Lieutenant Dakota Winters from the Lac Vieux Desert Reservation in Watersmeet up north. He was sent to find the boy." Terrance thanked him, and he and Raul headed back to their car.

"That cleared up a lot, but it's still unsettling that he seems to be able to recognize us. How is that possible?" Raul threw out the idle question.

"He's a member of the Lake Superior Chippewas, which are known to possess spiritual and mystical abilities and insights. Based on what I saw in his motel room, he knew exactly what he was going to be dealing with here and prepared himself accordingly." Terrance stated, a bit disheartening. "By the shocked look on his face, I don't think he was prepared to meet his beloved." He threw out as he dropped into the passenger seat of the car.

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