Page 73 of The Devil's Waltz

I lose track of time wandering the paths and eventually take a break when the late morning sun streams through the trees, leaving the back of my neck damp with sweat. I grab a bottle of water from a vendor and find a bench in the shade, listening to the sound of birds chirping. Closing my eyes, I try to center myself. I inhale slowly for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds. It takes repeating the action twice more before I finally reach a semblance of feeling relaxed. It’s something my nerves aren’t familiar with these days.

After taking a long drink of water, I screw the cap back on as my phone vibrates in my jacket pocket. I lean back and pull it out, frowning. It’s a message from an unknown message.

You look like you belong here.

I freeze, my pulse kicking up as my throat goes dry.

Someone is watching me.

My brain immediately goes to Xander, but he wouldn’t bother texting me from an unknown number. I have half a mind to consider Blake, though he doesn’t seem like the type to send a cryptic message instead of just popping out of the trees to say hi in person.

I chew my thumbnail for a few seconds, reading over the message again, and then type out a response.

Who is this?

I glance around the park but don’t see anyone I recognize or anyone on their phone. I consider getting up and going to Brody, but before I can move, another message comes through.

Now you look freaked. Shit, I didn’t mean to scare you.

My head whips up and my gaze immediately meets Noah’s. I scowl, trying to calm my racing heart. “What the fuck, Daniels?” I grumble. “Are you stalking me now? And what’s with the creepy texts? How’d you even get my number?”

He chuckles softly and sits beside me without an invitation.

Despite my annoyance, I can’t help but notice how good Noah looks out of hunter attire. The casual dark jeans and gray long sleeve definitely suit him.

“I thought it’d be funny,” he says. “Your dad told me Brody was keeping an eye on you today, so I hit him up to see where you guys were. Scott gave me your number.” He adds in a wry tone, “In hindsight, my message probably wasn’t the best entrance.”

I shoot him a dry look. “You think? What do you want, Noah?”

“What are you up to?” he asks instead of answering my question.

“Oh, you know,” I say breezily, “questioning the last several weeks of my life while trying to erase the image of my friends dying in front of me. Normal stuff.”

The smile curling his lips fades. “I’m sorry about what happened.”

I sigh, crossing my arms as I lean against the back of the bench. “Look, can we not do this?”

Noah cocks his head to the side. “What should we do instead?”

I nearly choke on a humorless laugh. “Nothing. We aren’t doing anything. I know my dad is worried about me, but I don’t need a babysitter.”

“Maybe I do,” he offers.

“I don’t doubt that, but it’s not going to be me. Take Brody.”

His lips twitch. “When was the last time you were here? In NYC?” he asks.

I think about it for a minute before shrugging. “I don’t know. It’s been a while.”

“Why don’t we do a little sightseeing? Grab some lunch and—”

“You don’t want to spend the day with me.”

“I don’t?” he asks, frowning faintly.

I shake my head. “I’m not in the mood to socialize.” And I’mreallynot in the mood to keep up the ruse of strength, which I’ve always felt the need to do around him. To impress him or something, I don’t know. It’s ridiculous, and I hate how he makes me feel like I’m sixteen years old again. Noah is the type of childhood crush who turned into the most annoying, arrogant—

He drops his hand to my knee, and my thoughts scatter.

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