“Turn around.”
“Excuse me?”
He looked at her with an eyebrow raised. “Turn around unless you want a show.”
“Oh!”
She turned her back so he could get out of bed and slip into some clothes. Given how much time he spent in a state of partial undress, it hadn’t occurred to her that he might actually have a shred of modesty. But at least he’d warned her before just standing up in the buff.
He rustled around behind her, but she knew better than to turn before being told to. The last thing she wanted was for things between them to become even more awkward, if that was possible. Nathan sidled up beside her, holding a small, coffin-shaped box in his hands. Something in his energy was different than she had ever felt—almost...vulnerable.
“This is Reavis.” He opened the box, and inside lay a small, withered bat. “He died last week and, um…” There was the tiniest catch in his voice. Aurora was dumbfounded. “He was my favorite.”
“Are you asking me to bring him back?” She looked into his face, and he nodded lightly. “You know it’s only temporary. Right? It won’t last.”
“I know. But I never got to tell him what he meant to me. Get a proper goodbye. You know?”
This wasn’t some uber-cool vampire tossing out quips. This was the real Nathan. It was the most affection she’d ever seen him show, and Aurora knew the trust it took for him to let down his guard.
“May I?”
She reached into the tiny coffin and scooped the fallen bat into her palms. It weighed almost nothing, and she cradled it with the utmost care. Closing her eyes, she conjured that ball of white light in the very center of her being. Focusing, she let it grow brighter and warmer, coaxing the life force to full power. Then, when it reached its peak, she let it flow up to her shoulders and down along her arms. Pooling in her hands, it suffused through her skin and into the little body. She felt a slight jerk, and then the bat in her hands unfurled.
Shaking its head from side to side, it rolled onto its stomach and stretched its wings, blinking up at Nathan. He let out a small laugh and peered at his friend.
“Hey, buddy.”
With a sudden snap of his wings, the revivified Reavis lifted off, circling the chuckling Nathan in wide arcs. The vampire’s face glowed with a kind of joy she never could have imagined him capable of. He held out a finger, and after another celebratory circle, Reavis fluttered back to settle on the perch.
Taking her cue, Aurora stepped out of Nathan’s room to let them have privacy. However long the little fella was going to stick around, she figured they should have the time to themselves. Crossing the dim of the basement, she had just reached the bottom step when a tingle froze her in place.
It was the same prickle she had felt the night before during the party. Like a teeny, silvery call inside her, telling her the stranger was close by again. The pull of it drew her to a window high on the far wall.
Dragging a box to stand on, she peered at the glass. It was covered with black paint. Of course, a vampire like Nathan couldn’t have the sunlight streaming in all day. The dark of the basement was his best refuge. Unhooking the latch, Aurora opened the window just enough to peer into the open.
Just a few yards away, a gorgeous gray wolf circled the lawn, sniffing everything within reach. Searching the grass, it made its way along the edge of the house and then lifted its nose to scent the air. Everything about it was majestic, and Aurora was captivated by its every move.
It was the hot guy from the party.
She had no idea how she knew it, but the fact was as certain in her heart as her own name. The night before, he had been the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on, and now he was a large, sinewy wolf prowling around her yard. Her skin went hot all over just watching him.
“Can I fucking help you?”
Aurora started at the sound of Ronun’s voice. He was in full gargoyle mode and came flapping down from above. The wolf was caught out but didn’t run. It turned in place and lowered its head, assuming a defensive posture. Its hackles rose, and Ronun landed to square off against the stranger.
“I’m not looking for trouble, but I’ve never said no if it came looking for me. I’d think twice, if I were you, wolf.”
The deep growl coming from the wolf relented, and he shifted into his human form. The sheer perfection of his naked body almost made Aurora cry out loud. She had to clamp a hand over her mouth to stifle a gasp. At the same time, she was cursing the corner of shrubbery that prohibited her from seeing all this man had to offer.
But she was right. Even only being able to see his profile, she knew it was the man from the party. Everything about him sang inside her, igniting a level of desire she didn’t know she was capable of.
“Sorry,” the werewolf said. “I didn’t mean to growl. It’s just that you startled me.”
“Yeah, well,” Ronun stayed in his gargoyle form and held his ground. “What’s with sniffing around our house? And who are you, exactly?”
“Dane Hensley. National Ruling Circle Enforcer. I was at your engagement party last night. I’m stepping into Neil Bedlow’s post while he’s away.”
Dane Hensley. Aurora repeated the name over and over again, tasting it in her mouth. It seemed the perfect fit for this intoxicating creature. Ronun looked less impressed. However, he shifted into his human form, so at least they were on a level field. Now she was grateful for the shrub blocking her view, because as secure as Kelly was in her relationship, she probably wouldn’t want anyone else peeking at Ronun’s goods.
“Yeah, I remember seeing you at the party. But it still doesn’t explain why you’re snooping around my lawn.”
“A woman was at your engagement party. I’ve been trying to find her.”
“What does she look like?”
“I don’t know actually.” Dane ran a hand across the back of his neck, abashed. The gesture drew Aurora’s eyes on his muscular shoulders. “I didn’t actually see her. But her scent got right to me. She smelled like decaying stargazer lilies, mixed with a hint of Chanel No. 5. It was…” He shook his head, clearly overwhelmed by the smell.
“Don’t think I can help you, man.” Ronun still had his guard up. “A hundred people had to have passed through this house last night. I didn’t exactly smell every one of them, so I don’t know what to tell you.”
“I understand. Sorry to bother you.” Dane shifted back into his wolf form, his head hung low.
“Good luck, dude. Wish I could help.”
As the wolf slunk away, Aurora’s heart ached. She longed to call out to him, but stopped herself. A tiny war broke out inside her chest, and a moment later, a cry from Nathan’s room startled her.
Running back to look through the doorway, she saw Nathan hunkered on his bed, shielding his head from the dive-bombing Reavis. All the elation at their reunion was gone, and the little bastard dove at Nathan over and over again. Just as it was coming in for another swoop, Aurora called back the life she had given. Curling up midair, the little bat thumped down to the mattress, dead as stone.
“What the hell was that?” Nathan let his hands drop, and it looked for all the world like he might have been laughing.
“I don’t know. I’m so sorry.”