Page 50 of Starry with a Chance of Nightshade

Stratton

Stratton checkedhis watch as he continued to wait in line for a cup of coffee. Brett Kasper, his boss, was probably headed back to the office by now. They’d both spent the night helping the neighboring town with a murder. It was their third in a week and Donte was right, everything about the deaths said they were supernatural related.

Since humans weren’t to know of the supernatural, and the few who did understood the importance of keeping the knowledge hidden from the general public, Stratton and Brett had been called for assistance.

They were the experts, and the other police department knew as much. Besides, they didn’t want to take on something they didn’t understand fully.

Brett and Stratton weren’t sure what was killing people, but it was getting bold in its chosen dumping grounds. The latest victim had been found in a grocery store parking lot by an employee as they’d arrived to open the store for the day. And much like the burger joint victim thirty-six years ago, this one had been folded like an accordion and jammed into a shopping cart, minus a few limbs.

Stratton didn’t want to believe it could possibly be another case of Henry’s monsters. There hadn’t been any new ones that he’d heard about for the past three years. He’d hoped they were all handled, but a sinking feeling in his gut said otherwise.

He was waiting to hear back from the coroner, but if the reports said they were also missing their brains, he’d get his answer. In the meantime, they had one hell of a mess to clean up and something on the loose killing people.

The man who had discovered the body in the shopping cart had required Stratton’s magik to help calm him, as well as a rather powerful elixir that the local coven had come up with to help aid in the hiding of supernatural activity. It was designed for humans. One swig and the last few hours of their day was something of a blur, with all paranormal activity they’d witnessed forgotten.

Came in handy.

Stratton made a mental note to stop by the coven head’s house later in the day to pick up more. He’d used his last vial on the grocery store employee. Maria tended to keep some on hand just in case it was needed. Lately they’d been flying through it.

Paranormal activity in Grimm Cove and the surrounding areas was at an all-time high. As much as Stratton wanted to say the problems started around the same time Dana and her friends had come to town three months back, that wasn’t true. For months prior to that there had been a surge of supernatural-related incidents. He’d known the area was a hot spot for nonhumans, and all the signs indicated activity would increase. That was worrisome.

“You want to grab Brett a coffee too? Or I can. Up to you. I’d been planning on it since he’s so over tea at the Proctor House and can’t work the coffee press there to save his life, doesn’t matter how many times Poppy shows him,” said Jeffrey, talking about his best friend, who also happened to be the chief of police in Grimm Cove.

“I’m not shocked,” said Stratton. “Brett refuses to let me get a new coffeemaker for the station. He says he knows how to work that one and it’s fine as is. Honestly, it was manufactured over ten years ago and I’m fairly sure has already had several recalls, all of which he’s ignored. Maybe his goal is to burn the station down.”

Jeffrey nodded. “He mentioned to me that you’ve been putting in a lot of personal time. I think he’s worried about burnout.”

“I’ll grab him a coffee. And I’m fine,” said Stratton.

“Because Fae are invincible,” Jeffrey said partially under his breath in a mocking manner. “Mr. Perfect doesn’t needanyrest. He’s got a sexy butt to get him through life.”

“I’ve never been overly fond of shifters,” said Stratton in an equally hushed tone. “You’re not really changing my mind on that stance.”

Jeffrey grinned. “Good. My work here is done. You should pack up and leave town now. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

“Boys,” said Dana with a shake of her head as she eased out of her husband’s hold and moved forward with the line.

“All right, Peggy,” said an older man. “You’ve had your fun. Give me some coffee now.”

“Fine, Shieber, but only because I’m sick of hearing your bellyaching,” said Peggy. “Oh, Star Child is back. You eat all that muffin?”

“Um, yes?”

As the distinctly feminine voice slid through the air, Stratton’s entire body tightened. For a second it felt like someone had taken the world’s longest shepherd’s hook and nabbed him around the waist, yanking him forward. Somehow, he managed to remain in place—but not before the power that lived in him surged up and out.

The lights in the café flickered and the air thickened. Stratton’s body hummed with power. Several of the coffee machines made strange noises and one whistled louder than normal, the sound matching the lights flickering.

The feeling that something was in the café from the Fae realm that didn’t belong in the human one returned, much stronger than before.

A shadow moved in the corner of his vision, and he looked in the area, trying to see what it had been. Whatever was near was Dark Fae in nature because it kept tripping his inner alarms.

For a split second Stratton could have sworn he heard someone, or something, whisper the word “hunter” near his ear. It was something he was called in his heyday before coming to reside in the human realm. Instantly, Stratton’s mind raced with various creatures that could remain unseen to all, including Fae. The list was extensive.

Suddenly someone had their hand on his wrist, breaking the feeling of being yanked forward, as well as his focus on what else might be in the café with them. Everything stopped.

Perplexed, Stratton found Dana there, facing him, worry on her face, her hand on his arm.

“What was that?” she demanded.

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