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“Thank you; it’s nice to hear people appreciate my efforts,” Marie replied. “Drew said you work at a coffee shop? How do you not throw coffee over some of those rude idiots?”
Shelley laughed and settled in to tell some stories.
Despite Marie being here to warn him, Drew felt himself relax as lunch progressed. Shelley didn’t feel awkward and actually bloomed under Marie’s attention. Charlie exchanged several knowing looks with Marie. Drew ignored them while Shelley was oblivious to them. It was an enjoyable affair all round, Drew thought to himself. He wondered how long Marieplanned to stay, but he’d find out later. For now, he just wanted to watch Shelley and enjoy the company he was surrounded by.
???
It was past midnight, and he knew Charlie and Shelley had retired two hours ago. He’d shifted in his room and slipped out of his window. He was now outside Shelley’s, having covered up his footprints. It was snowing, and that would help hide any tracks he might have missed. He knocked on Shelley’s window and waited. After a few minutes, he tapped again and heard movement inside.
Marie had spoken to Drew privately and informed him exactly what Shelley had been up to. As much as Drew had wanted to claim surprise, he couldn’t. He was already figuring out that Shelley was stubborn as hell and tenacious. Marie had told him to scare Shelley witless, but Drew couldn’t do that to her. She’d suffered enough fear recently.
The curtains moved, and he caught her peeking out. Shelley’s eyes widened, and she pulled them aside and opened the window.
“You’re here. You got my message!” she whispered excitedly.
“I warned you to stop. Why won’t you?” Ghoul hissed.
“Because I’m not afraid of you and I don’t believe the legends around you. I want to know more and be your friend,” Shelley replied.
Be Ghoul’s friend? Ghoul shook his head in disbelief. Was this human for real?
Chapter Nine.
Ghoul/Drew
“What did you just say?” Ghoul asked incredulously.
“We can be friends,” Shelley urged. Ghoul studied her in disbelief.
“I’m a monster,” Ghoul replied.
“I don’t believe that. You showed kindness in saving me. And then you came to warn me. You wouldn’t have done that if you’d been evil,” Shelley argued softly.
“What is the matter with you? Look at me,” Ghoul pushed.
“That’s all surface appearance, but not what matters. It’s what’s inside you that counts,” Shelley retorted.
“Lady, I eat rotten flesh.”
“And? I eat dead animals, although they’re cooked.”
Ghoul gaped at Shelley. She couldn’t be for real. Did Shelly really just compare consuming dead flesh to eating meat? A chuckle escaped before he could stop it; this situation was ridiculous.
Shelley smiled sweetly as Ghoul tried to figure out what to do. Scaring her clearly wasn’t working as she’d rationalised his actions in her mind.
“You’re an idiot,” Ghoul said, and Shelley looked offended.
“Because I refuse to take your word that you’re vile and evil?”
“Yes.”
“Something I learned a long time ago, Mr Ghoul, is that looks mean nothing. They only matter to the vainglorious and the shallow.”
“Mr Ghoul? It’s Ghoul. Listen carefully, Shelley. You’ve stumbled across a situation that will end in your torture and death. I’m not joking. Too many of my brethren have been murdered, and you are drawing attention to yourself. Just because you’re human doesn’t mean you’re safe. Stop researching, calling, and looking for me. I can’t and won’t protect you from Hunters.”
“Why do they want to murder you?”
“Because, despite your opinion, they recognise me for the monster I am.”
