Shadow Watcher (Darkness #6)(9)

As we turned onto our home block a half hour later, my feet protesting loudly, I stopped dead. My car sat right out in front of the Mansion. A white piece of paper waved at me in the breeze from beneath my windshield wiper. The windows were all up and in place, no new dents or scratches marred the sides as far as I could see. When we drew closer I saw that nothing was out of place inside.

Maybe Jonas had played a prank. Maybe Charles’ humor was rubbing off…

I curled my fingers under the cold metal of the door handle and tugged. Locked. I glanced up as Charles tried the other side. Also locked.

“Someone stole my car, brought it home for me, and then locked up?” I asked, snatching the note off the windshield.

“Someone’s messing with you,” Paulie observed from the grass, taking turns in staring at the car and then the huge Mansion. “I’ve lived in this town most my life. Ain’t never seen nothing like this. Looks like it’s from the turn of the century. And here it is, squatting here. Been here this whole time, I got no doubt. I’m losing my mind.”

Ignoring Paulie, I opened the letter and read the contents.

Hope you don’t mind. Just checking you out.

A shiver raced up my back. There was no signature.

I gestured Charles over as I unlocked and opened the car door. “Stick your nose in there. What do you smell?”

“What the f*ck took you so long, human?” Jonas’ voice called across the expanse of grass in front of the Mansion.

“Super. He’s in a colorful mood.” I got out of the way of Charles, not bothering to look over at Jonas until I heard, “What the f*ck are you staring at?”

I spun and threw up a barrier between Jonas and Paulie while Charles stuck his face into my car. He slid inside and looked all around, sniffing the air.

Jonas stood at the barrier, eyes on fire, staring directly at Paulie. Paulie stood as calm as could be, but that wildness burned in his gaze as he stared right back at Jonas. The man had no fear. Equally as clear, Jonas wanted to fix that.

“Jonas, we’ve had a really long night. Can you just give him a break for a moment? He doesn’t know your customs.” I squeezed the bridge of my nose. It never helped, but it gave me something to do.

“Why the hell is he eye-ballin’ me?” Jonas growled.

I sighed and leaned against the car as Charles got out. He shut the door and glanced between Jonas and Paulie with unfocused eyes. He turned to me with a rumpled brow. “Shifter. Definitely. But I’ve never smelled that odor before, so either he isn’t one of Tim’s, or I’ve never met him. It’s a pretty strong magical smell.” Charles shifted, his eyes utterly serious. “Tim strong. Like…alpha strong.”

Jonas’ head turned our way.

“So what does that mean?” I asked quietly.

“You saw how the Boss behaved with Dominicous in his space. Alphas do not like other alphas in their space unless the hierarchy is clearly defined and accepted. The Boss and Dominicous—that was defined, but not really accepted by the Boss. So…fireworks. This guy…he’s probably a stranger. And he’s got some powerful magic. Tim’s going to lose his shit.” Charles mimed an explosion.

“You going to fill me in?” Jonas finally asked. Paulie went back to staring at the Mansion. I let the magic drift away back into the world.

“Why is he sizing me up, though?” I asked with a shaky voice. “What do I have to do with anything?”

“He’s learnin’ how this town works,” Paulie said. “That’s what we did when I ran in that street gang. You don’t just go into a new territory and take what you want. That’d get you dead. Naw, man, you go in, figure out who’s in charge, figure out if you can dominate, and then take over. If you can’t dominate right off, you got to figure out if it’s worth taking them out and claiming the spot. If you got someone more organized than you, with more fire power—well, you back the hell out, you know? You don’t play that game. Someone weak? Or someone you can work with? Cool. Got yourself a wider area.”

“Human, what is going on,” Jonas barked.

If Paulie decided to hang around, Jonas would have to learn our names or it would get pretty confusing.

“Charles, fill him in. I’m going to go call Tim and see Stefan. Paulie, come with me. I want to know your heritage, and you need a blood test for that.” I started toward the Mansion, promising safety and comfort. And Stefan, my love. As I walked I could feel him, tugging at my middle, beckoning me closer.

“I ain’t giving no blood sample,” Paulie said as he started forward with me. “I’ll check out this scene, like I said, but there ain’t no way I’m lettin’ some doctor at my vein.”

“It won’t be a doctor,” I said. “And trust me, you won’t be complaining. What’s your type? Slim and willowy or strong and well built? Or both—you can have more than one.”

I stepped up onto the porch so my eye level would be even with Paulie and turned around abruptly. He stopped and looked at me in mild surprise. I pinned him with a serious gaze. “Do not stare at anyone in here, okay? You are a human. Those inside might see an alpha in you, but you are still human—they’ll challenge for the sake of their pride. You won’t get three feet without a fight. Win that one, and you won’t get three more without another one. I’m content to let you fight your way through here any other time, because you seem smart enough not to get yourself killed, but tonight I’ve got shit to do, okay? So as a favor to me, just keep your eyes down. If you don’t plan on doing me any favors, I will wrap your ass up in magic and drag you down the hall. Got me?”