Page 75 of The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag

I blinked. ‘Sure. See you tomorrow?’

She grunted as she watched us leave.

Outside, Emma took a long breath of fresh cold air and stared up at the sky. ‘I never thought I’d feel the wind on my face or see the moon or stars again,’ she said softly. ‘Helmud loved the stars.’ She turned to me. ‘Can I see him?’

I turned to Gunnar and raised an eyebrow. He nodded. ‘He’s in the morgue,’ he told her. ‘I’ll take you tomorrow after you’ve had a chance to clean up, eat and sleep.’

‘I … I don’t know anywhere in town.’

‘You can stay with me and my wife Sigrid tonight. She’s a hearth witch – she’ll make sure you’re calm enough to sleep and keep you from nightmares.’

Emma smiled bitterly. ‘I’ll need her help. Thank you. Has Helmud’s dad been notified of his passing?’

Gunnar nodded. ‘I did it myself.’

‘I’d like to speak to him.’

‘I can arrange that too,’ he promised.

She nodded, but I could see the exhaustion in her face. Connor and I helped her into the Nomo SUV. ‘I’ll run back,’ Connor murmured to me. ‘With Emma, the SUV is full so I’ll take a detour to my cabin in the woods.’

I blinked. In all the madness, I’d barely thought about Parker and my monumental screw up. I grimaced. ‘Okay. Ring me when you’re home?’

He nodded, gave me a fast kiss and then a longer one. We both needed it. He turned and was gone. I really needed to up my cardio game because Connor was so much faster than me. Maybe it was an age thing.

Gunnar started the engine. ‘I’ll drop you home first, Bunny, then Thomas and Sidnee. After that we’ll swing by the office and pick up Sigrid.’

‘Have you let her know you’re okay?’ I asked. ‘She’ll be tearing her hair out.’

‘I’ve sent a message to her and the council.’

Sidnee and Thomas were whispering together in the back seat. Sidnee piped up, ‘You can just drop me at Thomas’s, boss.’

Gunnar nodded but he was eyeing Thomas in the rearview mirror; he wasn’t quite in full father-figure intimidation mode but close. ‘You got it.’

He pulled up to my house and I hopped out. ‘I hope you get some rest, Emma. Sigrid’s food is divine.’

Her stomach rumbled audibly. ‘I’m looking forward to it,’ she said with a weak smile.

‘I bet! Take care. I’m sure I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Yeah. Thanks, Bunny – for everything.’

‘You’re welcome.’ As always, Gunnar waited until I’d unlocked my front door and was safely inside before he motored off.

Fluffy slid off the couch and gave a big stretch then hastily came over to nuzzle me and let me know how happy he was that I was back. In contrast, Shadow raced to his empty bowl and yowled so loudly I thought my eardrums would burst.

I wagged my finger at him. ‘You are not starving. It was a long day but I’m still fifteen minutes early for your next meal.’ He rubbed hard against my legs, almost knocking them outfrom under me. I leaned down and scratched behind his ears. ‘You’re a rascal.’

While Fluffy waited patiently for his supper, I hurriedly filled Shadow's dish. The only thing I paused for was to turn on the kettle which, after the day I’d had, was essential.

Once they were fed, I changed their water and made myself a cup of tea. I was also hungry but I needed a pause, time to unwind. My mind kept drifting to poor Emma; to be freed and to lose her fiancé in the same day was enough to break anyone. And I kept thinking about Parker.

I showered to kill some time. Connor had said he’d call me when he was home and, fast as he was, I needed to exercise some patience. If only I could remember how.

Once I’d washed away the shitty day and the dried blood under the pounding hot water, I felt a little happier. I dried my hair and slid into my pyjamas. I honestly tried hard to stay my hand, but suddenly my phone was in it. Deciding it was a sign, I called Connor.

He yawned into the phone as he picked up. ‘Doe, I just got in. I thought you’d already be sawing logs.’

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