Chapter Two

It was almost seven by the time Kianso pulled into Nocturne Falls. The sun had set, and the automatic street lighting came on as he progressed. He drove down Main Street, noting the orange-and-purple Halloween motif and the jack-o’-lanterns that graced many of the business doorsteps and windows.

“They are really serious about the town’s themed moneymaker,” he said.

“Hey, Mummy’s Diner is up on the right,” Seth said, ignoring Kianso’s comment. “Pull in there and we’ll grab a bite before we go to the condo. I’ll restock the fridge tomorrow.”

Kianso did as instructed and parked the car. “How often do you come here?” he asked when he joined Seth on the sidewalk. He looked at the archangel, noticing that he didn’t fold in his wings the way he usually did. Instead, he let them drape free in all their glory, the shimmery feathers reflecting the twinkling lights along the sidewalk.

“Mummy’s or Nocturne Falls?” Seth asked.

“The latter.”

“Not often enough. I purchased a condo in the Excelsior right after it was built. Figured it was a good investment and close to Tyler and my duties there. But I’ve only used it a handful of times. Hopefully, I can visit more this year.”

“But the hesitation in your voice says you don’t expect to.”

Seth shrugged his massive shoulders, causing his wings to move with the motion. “There’s a lot of ruthless evil and destruction going on right now. So I won’t hold my breath.”

Kianso wondered if angels actually breathed. He’d never really paid attention.

“Come on,” Seth nudged. “Their Better-Than-Sex Pie is divine.”

“Hmph,” Kianso grunted. “Guess you have privileged info on that. I mean, you hang out in heaven, right? Can pie be better than that?”

“Maybe one day I’ll give you a glimpse.”

“I’m in no hurry.”

Inside, Seth guided them toward the only empty table left in the place. Thankfully, there was enough space to accommodate his wings. A waiter appeared, barely giving them a chance to glance at the menu in his enthusiasm. Kianso wondered if he was new at the job. He and Seth both ordered Zombie burgers…big bad burgers.

Kianso swept his gaze around the room. There seemed to be a balanced mix of supernatural beings and humans. A troll couple was sitting in the corner booth, a foursome of vampires was at another table, a pair of human women were giggling at a nearby table, and then another set of women were at the booth next to Seth and Kianso.

As he watched the two women nearest to them, the one on the far side of the booth peered across the space at him. Her eyes latched on to him and held. In that moment, he couldn’t look away.

Did he know her? A flutter winged through his gut, and as he continued to look at her, her smile grew.

She had intense, deep-blue eyes that didn’t blink or waver. Her white-blond hair barely touched her shoulders. She looked stunning in tan pants and a leopard-print top. Who was she? What sort of creature?

A beautiful one, his mind answered.

She was sitting up straight in her seat, her slender neck and head angled toward him. She wore it swept to the side, so he could see her brow pinch slightly before she glanced down and the curtain of hair fell and hid her face.

Look up, he thought. Look at me.

She did, tucking a lock of her hair behind one ear with her delicate fingers.

The vibe she was emitting reached out and touched him, curled around him. His energy crashed into hers, and they circled in the space between them. Heat swept through him, settling in his groin as she looked at him from beneath long lashes. He had to learn who she was.

Seth turned his head and followed Kianso’s gaze. “She’s striking,” the archangel said.

“Yes. And there’s something going on with her. I can’t quite put my finger on it,” Kianso admitted. “I just…feel her tension.”

At that moment, she glanced at her watch and an anxious expression flitted over her features. She rose quickly, dropped her napkin onto her plate, and dashed past him, practically running out of the diner.

Before Kianso realized what he was doing, he was following her. But when he got to the door and scanned the walk, she wasn’t anywhere in sight. Where did she go?

He blinked and peered left, then right. Strange. The crowd on the street was too light to get lost in. Did she possess magical powers where she could simply disappear?

Frustrated and disappointed, he went back inside Mummy’s, where a woman with a riot of red hair stood beside the table speaking to Seth.

The archangel made introductions. “Kianso, this is Pandora Williams, the top real estate agent in Nocturne Falls. She gave me the heads-up when the Excelsior condos were being built.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Kianso said, offering his hand.

Her green eyes flashed with enthusiasm. “Likewise. Welcome to Nocturne Falls. What do you think of our little town so far?”

“It’s very unusual,” he said. “I’ve only just arrived, so I’m looking forward to the tour tomorrow.”

She paused, seeming to assess him with those shrewd emerald eyes. “I’m sure Seth knows all the best places to show you.” She looked at Seth. “Don’t you, darling?”

Seth grinned. “Absolutely. And they have some of the best food anywhere.”

Kianso chuckled softly. “Leave it to him to know where the finest crepe, sushi, or steak is being served.” Then he let his gaze slide past Pandora to the table where his mystery woman had been sitting. Her dining companion was still there.

“Pandora, who is that woman?” he asked. Since she seemed to have a finger on the pulse of the town, he figured Pandora may know her.

Pandora twisted around to eye the woman. “Oh. That’s Caroline Linzer. She owns Creepy Critter Pets.”

His heart began to race. If Pandora knew Caroline, maybe she also knew his mystery woman. “Did you happen to see the blond woman who was with her?” he asked. “She just left.”

She frowned. “No, I’m afraid not. Why?”

“Just wondering. She, um, looked familiar,” he said, which was true. He simply couldn’t recall where he’d seen her before.

Pandora stepped backward, giving him the once-over, then leaned in closer. “You’re not a normie, are you?” she whispered. “You’re a supernatural.”

“Not really,” he answered. “Back home in Hawaii, I was a shamanic warrior. But that was a lifetime ago. I’ve given that up.”

“Have you now?” She raised an eyebrow. “Once a witch doctor, always a witch doctor, I always say.”

Seth hooted. “You tell him, Pandy.”

Kianso straightened and cleared his throat. “Shamans are not witch doctors.”

Pandora moved in the direction of the door. As she traveled by him, she patted his shoulder. “If you say so.” She glanced at Seth and gave a wave. “See you boys around.”

Kianso watched her exit and then slid into his chair. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Caroline Linzer scurrying after Pandora and catching the witch’s attention on the sidewalk outside.

The waiter delivered their food, and Kianso murmured his thanks. When he glanced out the front window again, the women were gone.

Seth smacked his lips. “I’m starving.”

“You’re always starving.”

“Food is one of the simplest pleasures life has to offer.” He lifted the thick, good old-fashioned hamburger from his plate and sunk his teeth into it with a throaty moan.

Kianso paused, admiring the work of art, the plump, pub-style burger with lettuce and tomato and red onions. He took a bite and then dabbed the napkin at his chin as the juices of the burger ran over his stubble. As he ate, he had to admit that the food at Mummy’s Diner really was terrific.

“If you like Italian we can eat at Guillermo’s tomorrow,” Seth said.

“Sounds good to me. Mmm, this is delicious.” He ate another bite. “Although, I’m happy to eat Italian food seven days a week, too.”

“An Italian-lovin’ Hawaiian. Learn something new every day.” Seth lifted a shoulder—and wing with it—and then let it fall back into place.

The waitress slid two slices of Better-Than-Sex pie onto the table. Seth raised his fork and waggled his brows in an exaggerated show of anticipation. A forkful of the creamy-chocolaty dessert disappeared into his friend’s mouth and he closed his eyes as a satisfied expression washed over his face. He pointed his fork a Kianso. “Try it.”

He did. The pie tasted delicious. Even so, his gaze drifted to the next table. There was just something about her he couldn’t ignore.

The next thing Kianso knew, his fork was scraping an empty plate. And while the first bites had been fabulous, he couldn’t say he’d noticed the rest. He was too fixated on his thoughts of the girl with the white-blond hair. Which seemed odd since one, he didn’t usually go for blondes, and two, he wasn’t looking for a woman to complete him…and all that romantic gibberish.