Page 17 of Newly Undead in Dark River

Cresta had dyed my hair an ombre red, starting out cherry red and then gradually darkening to a deep blood red. The cherry red of my hair was mirrored in my lipstick, and she'd given me dark smokey eyes that made the blue of my irises turn almost icy. My makeup had contoured my face, highlighting my cheekbones like never before. I looked svelte and pouty, sexy in a way that wasn't overdone. I looked exactly how I'd always dreamed I could, but never been game enough to try.

“It's...wow!”

Cresta squealed and clapped her hands together with delight. She grabbed my jacket and put it on.

“I'm closing the salon early. I want to be there when Angeline sees you. I'm texting Ella to meet us at the Immortal Cupcake. They are just going to die when they see you!” She rushed out the back, texting furiously, and returned with her own jacket.

I felt like I'd fallen down a rabbit hole and ended up with three fairy godmothers. Eat your heart out, Cinderella.

The short trip across the square was a surreal experience. People stopped and complimented me on how beautiful I was. I'd been called cute, pretty and other variations of lukewarm compliments that you give people who were not unattractive but not stunning. No one had ever used the word beautiful though. My cheeks flushed red, but deep down, I was sucking up the praise like a neglected puppy.

The Immortal Cupcake was having its lunch rush, and when I walked in, everyone stopped silent, and I was suddenly the center of attention. I kind of wanted to hide behind Cresta until everyone returned to what they were doing.

Angeline was grinning from ear to ear. “You look so amazing! Do you like it?”

“I love it.”

I blushed from head to toe when I noticed Walker off to the side, staring with his eyebrows raised and his mouth slightly agape. Next to him was another extremely attractive stranger who was staring at me with overt appreciation. I stared back. He had long black hair, black almond-shaped eyes, and deep olive skin. His strong, straight nose and high cheekbones marked him as a native American. Or Aboriginal Canadian? Adjusting to the fact that I was now Canadian was more difficult than adjusting to being a vampire. Whatever he was, he was fine, with a capital F.

What was it about this town? Did they only let in the good looking ones? I thought about Bert at the diner. Maybe not. Fortunately, everyone was talking again, thank God.

I cocked my head to the side. In the hubbub of the cafe, something seemed different. It took me a while to work it out. Amongst all the slow thumps of the vampires' pulses was a faster beating heart. It was beating overtime, even too fast for a human. My eyes shot to the stranger, and my fangs extended.

The stranger curled his upper lip. “Don't look at me like I'm a hamburger, Deathdealer. You're hot, but I'm not looking to be anyone’s dinner.”

I whacked a hand over my mouth. Walker punched the stranger's arm.

“Don't talk to her like that, Brody. She's new. Not even a week old.”

The stranger, Brody, shrugged and grinned. Not quite an apology, but not his earlier snarl either. Walker just shook his head.

“Raine, meet Brody. The best tracker in this part of Canada.”

“In any part of Canada,” Brody corrected, a smug grin lighting up his face.

Walker rolled his eyes. “He's also a shapeshifter, which is cheating, in my opinion.”

“You're just put out because I tracked down that mountain lion last year before you. You've got skills, Sheriff, but no one can out-hunt a shifter.” He elbowed Walker good-naturedly, and I could sense the friendship between the two.

I stuck out my hand. “It's a pleasure to meet you.”

Brody shook it, and I pulled away with a gasp. His skin was so hot, it was like he was running a fever. I looked at him with wide eyes.

“First time touching something that's alive since your turning?”

I nodded. I was still alive, wasn't I? I had a heartbeat, so that made me alive, despite what Brody was insinuating.

Walker filled in the gaps, just like he always did. “Because our hearts beat slower, our core temperature is lower, so our skin is cooler. You haven't noticed yet because everyone here has the same body temperature as you. Brody also runs a little hotter than the normal human as well, which is why he seems especially hot.”

“That's what the ladies tell me.” Brody winked.

Walker shook his head. “Brody is here to see if he can't track down your pack or anything that belonged to you. Maybe he can get a scent of it where I failed.”

It looked like it physically hurt for him to say that in front of his friend, and judging by the shit-eating grin on Brody’s face, it was going to be an admission that he wouldn't soon forget.

Brody stepped forward. “May I?” His face was all business now. I nodded, although I had no idea what he was asking permission to do.

He leaned forward and stuck his face where my neck touched my shoulder and breathed in deeply. The touch of his skin almost burned, and my blood stirred at his proximity. I held myself tightly in check, even though every instinct I had wanted to throw him on a table and taste him. He pulled back and sneezed.

---