Page 21 of Bewitched By the Werewolf
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I give him a cheshire grin and add a wink as the cherry on top. I think I rather like arguing with Ryder, it’s fun. I don’t have to hold back my sarcastic snark and act all innocent and naïve like I usually do. Not to mention he’s not half bad to look at. No one in town is, but Ryder has a certain appeal and a scent that makes me salivate a little.
I give him a deliberate once over, checking him out without hesitation or shame. I want him to know what I’m doing and that I can give as good as I get. For a small town sheriff he’s dressed well, minimally and casually, but well. Tailored dark jeans hug thick strong thighs, his black crew neck t-shirt is tucked into his waistband beneath the utility belt he’s wearing. Part of the reason I bumped into him. He carries the typical police tools, gun, cuffs, badge. Then there’s the small leather pouch that is out of place. It’s too small for a taser or pepper spray, and his cell phone is obvious in his back pocket. Which is why I couldn’t help myself. I had to know what was inside it. Now that thing rests waiting in my jacket pocket. I may have put my pick pocketing skills to use when I “accidentally” bumped into him. It’s a small fabric pouch that feels like it’s filled with sand. Strange item for a cop to carry.
“What I would like to know, is why you’re in town,” Ryder says, drawing my attention away from checking out his physique.
“I told you I—”
“Am here for the eclipse. I don’t believe you.”
Of course he doesn’t, he’s apparently the only observant small-town sheriff in the US. Because he couldn’t just be the indifferent lazy kind like the rest of them and make my life easier. No, he has to be the vigorous and handsome kind that pays close attention to everything and everyone.
I tip my head and straighten my spine, which has the added effect of pushing my boobs out. They have the desired effect and Ryder’s eyes drop instinctually before lifting back up.
“And what exactly do you think I’m doing here then? Is there a hidden amusement park I missed on my way in? Please point it out to me. I’m a fan of the tilt-a-whirl.”
The slight amusement that’s been present throughout our banter in Ryders face fades away and stern law man takes its place. Shame, I was having such fun with him.
“No amusement park. But there’s something you’re not telling me. I can be patient, for a while. One way or another I’ll find out the truth.”
“Whatever you say Ryder. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have more of your wonderful town to explore.”
Making a U-turn I stride toward the bookstore just behind me and reach for the door handle, looking back over at Ryder before entering.
“I’ll be seeing you around,Red.” He emphasizes the nickname knowing it’s now going to irk me.
“Until next time,Officer.”
He strides past me, and I pretend to enter the bookstore but step back around into the alley to inspect my new acquisition. I pull out the little cloth satchel from my pocket and inspect it. It’s about the size of my palm and it does feel like sand when I shift it around in my hand. Why does a cop need a bag of sand? Is it some organic form of pepper spray? Just toss a handful of sand in someone’s eyes to blind them? Weird, but to each their own.
The bag is black and soft and tied with a drawstring at the top. I loosen the knot and pull open the bag peeking inside. It is freaking sand. Glittery white sand that sparkles in the sunlight, but stillsand. I pinch a little and let the fine grains run through my fingers, then I sniff my fingers thinking maybe it’s a spiceof some kind. It doesn’t smell but does leave behind a slight shimmer on my fingertips.
This town is just getting weirder and weirder.
I tie the little bag shut and shove it into my interior pocket, so I won’t lose it. I’ll have to do some research to see if anyone knows what the substance might be. Hopefully it’s not something kinky like stripper glitter or something. That would be awkward.
Before stepping back out onto the sidewalk I check that Ryder is gone. I don’t spot him on the street anywhere, so he either left and went back to doing his job or went inside one of the stores. Either way, the coast is clear enough for me to head back to my tailer.
Chapter 12: Tess
It took me a few days but I’m finally making my way to the only bar in townBlue Moon. Just one more uncanny name for an establishment in Snowberry, not to mention very werewolfy. I’m surprised the town is named Snowberry and not Wolfsbane or some such nonsense. Although according to my research werewolves don’t like wolfsbane so I guess they wouldn’t name it that. Maybe something else like Moon Haven or something, that would be more appropriate. Just not as incognito, then again no one’s ever heard of Snowberry either. So, I guess it wouldn’t matter what they named the town, no one would ever know it.
It’s barely past six when I enterBlue Moon, that doesn’t seem to deter the local crowd though. There’s plenty of people playing billiards and darts, some sitting at the bar and booths. There’s a small stage area in the corner with a microphone perched at its center that is currently empty. Must be where the karaoke I read about happens. When the town is as small as a city block parking lot there’s not much to write about in the local newspaper. Karaoke night was the headliner on yesterday’s edition. They don’t print on weekends, so the Friday edition was a big one. All five pages, of single fold paper.
Larken wasn’t wrong, a girl can get pretty bored in a town like Snowberry. Thankfully I have something to keep meoccupied, watching the cameras I mounted in the woods. So far, I haven’t caught anything but some deer and squirrels. But I still have more than a week until the eclipse, plenty of time to catch something.
I make my way into the windowless bar and head straight for the polished bar top. The floor lacks the standard stickiness local watering holes like this usually possess. It also doesn’t smell like B.O. and the patrons don’t look like drunk bikers so, win-win.
Perching on a non-ripped cushioned bar stool I swivel to face the bartender, a pretty petite woman with mocha skin and bright cobalt blue hair that falls in ringlets around her face like a halo. Her eyes are a striking frost blue that I think is natural. Her frame may be petite, but she looks strong with curves that could kill a man.
“Hi there, what can I get ya?” she asks, tucking a small towel in her waistband and casually leaning on the bar.
I lean on my elbows and inspect the bottles lined up on the back of the bar. The shelves are glass and glow with a soft blue back light. They have everything typical of any bar.
“You got any specials here?”
“Of course, there’s our signature Blue Moon a sweet and sour mix of my own creation. Then we have the Blood Moon a specialty for the lunar eclipse coming up next week. It’s a bit spicier with splashes of Fireball. Finally, there’s Fairy Lights made with pink prosecco, it’s on the lighter bubblier side.”
I’m pretty sure my face is making ayou gotta be kidding meexpression, because the blue haired bartender cocks her head at me and her smile begins to drop.
