Page 18 of Evidence of a Folktale

“She asked if you knew what I was. Maybe she’s hurt that you didn’t trust her enough to tell her.”

“But that wasn’t my truth to reveal.”

“It wasn’t.” Eamon brushed a hand over her hair. “But she loves you, and you hid a secret that changed everything. Then you almost died. I wouldn’t worry about her.She probablyjustneeds time to process everything.”

“Well, this is cool,”a menacingly deep voice whispered in her ear before massive hands slid around her hips and yanked her against a wall of solid muscle.

“Give out nine parking tickets to belligerent fans and then get back to me if you still think this is cool,” Bel said, tilting her gaze to peek up at Eamon through her eyelashes.

“You’re having a blast.” He kissed her forehead before releasing her waist. “Other than the parking tickets, how’s it been?”

“For starters, Beau Draven is even better looking in person,” she teased, knocking him with her hip.

“Better looking than me?”

“Oh, for sure,” Bel said. “He was also very flirty with me when we were introduced. So I might have to leave you for him.”

“Dang it.” Eamon sighed with the drama of an old Hollywood actor. “Wait…” His voice sobered. “How flirty?”

“Oh my god,” Bel laughed. “Telling you he’s more attractive than you doesn’t faze you, but him flirting does?”

“Because the first isobviouslya lie. Have you seen me?” He gestured to his body with mischief in his death-black eyes, which even clothed looked borderline illegal. “But I don’t want him making you feel uncomfortable. You’ve been through enough.”

“Eamon?” She stared up at him.

“What?”

“I love you.”

He smiled a grin just for her, and suddenly, giving out nine parking tickets didn’t seem so terrible.

“It was harmless,” she continued. “He’s full of himself, but in a charming way. I think Mr. Draven is used to women fawning over him, so when I was professional, he didn’t know how to respond.”

Following Griffin’s announcement, Bajka had surged to life as its residents prepared to host a film crew and hundreds of avid fans. A bitter winter settled over the town as the cast and crew of Aesop’s Files finally arrived. Before the chaos of filming got underway, the actors had conducted a meet-and-greet with the Police Department and her loved ones. Eamon had declined the invitation to attend the signing. Fraternizing with celebrities didn’t aid in his life’s quest to go mostly unnoticed, therefore he’d missed the way the starring actor had flirted with Bel throughout the afternoon.

“Sure, that’s why he was flirting with you.” Eamon kissed her temple, and she elbowed him in the ribs. “So…” He smirked at her response. “What scene are they shooting?”

They were filming outside, and the harsh wind was miserable for everyone involved.After the police meet-and-greet, the cast and crew settled into their lodgings, and within days, Bajka was more film studio than town. The first fan event wasn’t scheduled to start until the weekend, but eager spectators had already started arriving, hencethe need for Belto write nine parking tickets all before lunch.

“That’s Beau Draven.” She pointed to the almost too-manicured man standing in the picturesque main square. The police were present to maintain the perimeter, but at this distance, Bel couldn’t hear the dialogue. Eamon undoubtedly could, but she saw right through his curiosity. He didn’t care about the scene. He missed her.

“His character is the lead detective in Aesop’s Files,” she continued. “And that’s Taron Monroe. She’s the newest detective on the show after she replaced Beau’s first acting partner. She’s the future love interest, and they solve campy paranormal murders, but that’s the extent of my knowledge. I have no idea what they are shooting, but they’re walking down the street holding coffee, so I guess the scene involves them discussing their case with barely veiled attraction coloring their banter.”

“Speaking from experience, I see,” Eamon said.

Bel shrugged as if she didn’t know what he was talking about. “This show is weirdfor mebecause it’s a mockery of my entire life. These detectives and these creatures. They’re silly… they have no idea how dangerous it is to come face to face with evil.”

“Yes, but before films and shows, there were stories shared around the fire. Humans have been weaving tales inspired by people like me since the dawn of time, and while some accounts are too accurate for comfort, most are so far-fetched it’s insulting.”

“I hadn’t thought of that.” Bel twisted so she could shove her freezing hands into Eamon’s protective fist. His skin was cooler to the touch than most human’s, but compared to this blustery wind, he was a furnace. “If this show weirded me out, I can’t imagine how it’s been for you.”

“I’m not that bothered by it, actually,” he said. “The more stories mankind creates, the further from the truth they drift, and the safer my reality becomes. How many times have my reactions to certain situations surprised you?”

“Like you not needing to be invited inside,” she teased. “That would be a nice one, though. Would’ve kept you from breakingand entering.”

“I know your father raised you better than that,” Eamon said. “Stop with all the lying.”

“I have to protest your illegal behavior. What kind of cop would I be if I didn’t?”

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