Shadow Watcher (Darkness #6)(8)

His face held in a placid mask of disinterest, Paulie seemed lost in his own fantasyland. His eyes flashed with wild rage that was kept on a tight leash. I had no doubt that if something charged from the trees; Paulie would rush at it with a burst of strength and speed. He looked like he’d seen horrors in his life, and had obviously never turned tail and ran. I hoped this was no different.

“He’s going to fit in just fine,” Charles muttered, his gaze sweeping back to the park. “I hate this type of shit. Just show yourself, bro.” Charles gave a frustrated huff. “Should we just go in and drag whoever it is back out? Two of us against—“

“Three,” Paulie interrupted Charles.

“Two magic workers and one antsy human against a varmint. Let’s just go get him.”

“This guy seems…so controlled,” I said as we neared the edge of the park. Trees pushed almost up to the sidewalk. Shadows of bushes and grasses lay beneath and around them. Branches swept low, disappearing into the darkness. At the tree line stood a fence surrounding someone’s unkempt yard. I stopped at the line, staring into the black.

I felt the prickle between my shoulder blades. It was no more than ten feet away. I should have been able to see whatever it was that my magic had located. I even pointed at it, drawing the attention of the others to a low-lying tree branch. But I couldn’t make out any other shapes.

“Is it invisible?” Charles asked. His knuckles were white on his sword.

“No. He doesn’t have that kind of magic. It’s all shifter magic I sense. He’s in animal form, but…”

“A rat, maybe,” Paulie said in a contemplative tone. “Or a small animal.”

My lips turned down in thought as I gave a slight nod. “Could be, I guess. The smallest animal Tim has is a badger, I think. I know him, though. Jacob and he wouldn’t be hiding.”

“What if it isn’t one of Tim’s?” Charles shifted impatiently. “Look, Sasha, blast that thing out, let me go get it, or let’s move on. Standing here talking about it is embarrassing because you know it can hear us.”

He was right. It was close enough to hear everything we said. We were standing in the glow of a street light with a big moon shining down on us—it could clearly see us and it wasn’t showing itself. So controlled. Stalking us. But why?

My mind flashed back to Cato’s call. Then to Paulie’s sudden appearance and all the humans Birdie was finding. Then this trouble in my hometown. Fate wasn’t done with me yet.

Chapter Three

“C’mon, let’s go,” I said with a calm voice. I didn’t want this person to know my thought process. Or my alarm.

“We’re just going to leave it at that?” Charles asked. “I don’t like people trying to sneak up on me. It’s irritating.”

“Just…c’mon.” I gave him a small zap to get him to move.

The park fell away behind us as we passed the fence and quickened our pace. Our spy started to move, but not toward us.

“It’s headed back the way it came. Maybe it was just checking us out because it heard us…” I noted.

“Still not one of Tim’s, though. Couldn’t be,” Charles said, glancing back. “Couldn’t be. They all know my smell. And everyone—and I mean everyone—knows about you. You’re a pack friend. It couldn’t be one of his.”

“What does that mean?” Paulie asked from behind us.

“It means Tim’s got a visitor in his territory, bro, and he’s going to lose his shit when he finds out.” Charles slapped a bush.

“I doubt Stefan is going to be too thrilled, either.” I bit my lip, thinking about the slow, purposeful movements of the shifter.

“That happen often?” Paulie asked.

“What?” I looked behind me and tried to read his face. He had the same placid expression he’d had all night. The wildness in his eyes had calmed, though. He was back to patient and relaxed.

“Random people threatening you.”

“Usually we get to actually confront it.” Charles kicked another rock. “I don’t like that creeper bullshit. What kind of game do you think that cat was playing?”

“Cat…” I let that word roll around in my mouth. It sounded about right, with the slow stalking and contented waiting. “I bet it was some kind of cat.”

“Mountain lion?” Charles asked with a growl.

“No. I know Ann’s magic. But cat fits. Hmm.”

“So…you guys weren’t kidding about the violence. You carry swords and shit, huh?” Paulie tried again.

“No, I wasn’t kidding. Yes, we carry sharp objects. And yes, danger often turns into a battle. It used to be that walking through town got you a sword fight and a few demons. These days…” I let my voice trail away as we got closer to home. I wanted to run. I wanted to get to the safety of the Mansion and tell Stefan what had happened. I wanted to hear what he said.

I also needed to call Tim. He’d want to know about a stranger immediately.

“These days we’re just waiting for the balloon to pop. The problem now is, we don’t know what surprises will be thrown at us.” I shoved my hands in my pockets. I had a feeling demons would be the least of my problems.