Page 13 of Forensics of a Fable

“I’m not—” She almost confessed she wasn’t alone, that Eamon looked after her, but she didn’t know how to tell her father that the monster who had nearly killed her had taken to protectively stalking her now that he wasn’t cursed. Alcina had been a powerful witch, cursing Eamon in an attempt to bind him to her as her slave. Bel had been the sacrifice needed to complete the ritual, but he had fought against impossible odds to save her. He had resisted the magic, and with Alcina dead, he no longer craved her blood. His guilt spurred him to watch over her, though, and while to most, his unconventional ways were borderline illegal, Bel felt safe knowing a lord of darkness guarded her against the demons.

“I’m fine, Dad,” she said instead.

“Still coming. I’ve already started packing. Can’t go back now,” he retorted.

Bel rolled her eyes as Cerberus returned with the ball. It would be nice to have her father visit, and the dog would love the extra company. She bent to take the toy from him when he jerked to attention before barreling deeper into the woods. Bel stiffened in fear until she saw the muscular stretch of pale skin. A shirtless and sweaty Eamon emerged from the trees, taking the ball from her dog and scratching his head before launching it down the trail. Cerberus took off running, and Eamon strode for her with a smirk that said he’d noticed how her eyes appreciatively traced the lines of his abs. He silently stepped intoher personal space and slipped a hand behind her to rest on the curve of her lower back. He kissed her cheek, pulling her close as he straightened, and Bel had to fight the urge to trail her fingers over his perfectly chiseled chest. She hated how beautiful he was, how fiercely she craved him, even disheveled and sweaty after his run.

“Bel? You there?” her dad asked, and with a bright pink blush, Bel stepped away from Eamon’s intoxicating pull. His hand fell from her back with reluctance, but he remained in her space, crossing his arms over his bare chest in a way that made his biceps and pecks bulge in a borderline illegal manner.

“Sorry, still here. I’m playing with Cerberus,” she half lied, and Eamon smiled, his sharp canines flashing with amusement. Bel rolled her eyes and swatted his forearm as she answered her dad. “A visit sounds great. I miss you. I may be busy, but my house is yours. You know that.”

“I’ll hang out with the dog,” her father said. “See you soon, sweetheart. I love you.”

“Love you too, dad.” Bel hung up and slipped the phone into her pocket, staring up at Eamon’s towering height. “Going for a run?” She teased, knowing full well his exercise was an excuse to check on her.

“You should join me some time,” he said, and she hmphed unattractively at the absurdity of that idea.

“I could never keep up with you.”

“I’d jog slow.” Eamon stepped forward again, and Bel wasn’t sure if he kept invading her personal space on purpose, or if he couldn’t help himself.

“Maybe,” she said as Cerberus finally returned with the ball. “When you left The Espresso Shot, did you see Alana with anyone? A man?”

“No, I don’t think so, but my attention was otherwise occupied. Why?”

“It’s a theory Gold has. I had to tell her the cabin is on your property, and she was quick to assume you had a hand in this.”

“She wouldn’t be the first to assume that,” Eamon said with a pointed look at Bel. “But you know I didn’t do this.”

“I know, I know. It’s just weird. Why the girl flirting with you? Why your land?”

“Not everyone knows those trails are on the Reale Estate. I’m only aware since I studied the property lines after the purchase.”

“That’s true. I had no idea you owned it.”

“So, you think a man may have met her after I left?” Eamon unfolded his arms and slid his hand once again behind her, his broad palm resting comfortably against her lower back, and without thinking, Bel stepped closer, until only a breath of air separated them.

“I can’t talk about the case, but the way she was killed and posed. It seemed caring. The death didn’t appear violent, and we were wondering if perhaps someone saw her with you, became jealous, and murdered her.”

“And then left her in that cabin to find peace? Or to be found by me?”

“Either? Both?” Bel longed to rest her forehead against his chest so badly, her body ached from resisting. She was so tired. She wasn’t ready for another case like this, and Eamon’s towering presence made everything else in her life seem small. “It’s too soon to tell, but did you see anything suspicious that night?”

“Unfortunately, Detective, you were all I saw,” he said gently. “I wish I could help, but I have no answers, and before you ask, the killer cleaned her body. Even outside, I could scent the soap. He left no traces of himself on her.”

“What good are your heightened senses if you can’t help me?” Bel teased, and Eamon watched, mesmerized by her mouth.

“Go home, Detective.” He smirked, jerking his gaze back to her eyes as he released her. Bel instantly missed the warmth of his skin, and she realized with a jolt of surprise she always felt warmth on his flesh. He ran cooler than most people, but he wasn’t cold like she assumed he should be.

“It’s getting dark, and there’s a bear and a killer in these woods,” he continued. “My senses may not be able to find your suspect, but they will keep you safe.”

“Yes, sir,” Bel said with a fake salute, and Eamon smiled at her, the expression too beautiful. “Good night, Eamon.”

“Good night, my Detective.”

Eamon stiffenedthe second Bel locked herself inside her cabin. He often used exercise as an excuse to end up in the trees behind her home. He liked to watch her, to ensure she was still breathing, that he hadn’t killed her, but tonight was different. The wind felt wrong against his skin. He didn’t like how the scent of that foreign predator had suddenly vanished, but he especially didn’t like how that strange scent still lingered around Bel’s cabin. It was fading, whoever it was long gone, but Eamon had never found the stranger. His superior senses should have located him, yet no matter how he searched, he kept arriving back at Bel’s, where the stranger’s threat loomed strongest.

Bel and Oliviastood dressed in protective gear as the medical examiner, Lina Thum, conducted the autopsy. They would collect the evidence from Alana Drie to preserve the chain of custody, but Bel suspected they wouldn’t find anything. And an exhaustive examination proved her right.

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