Page 23 of Origins
But now that I wasn’t panicking, all I could focus on was him. The warm feeling of his arm over my shoulders. The way that he towered over me—making me feel so small. And he radiated a comforting musky scent that seemed to surround me.
He was nicely dressed too. His tweed jacket was tailored to his powerful form. Still, he was scholarly, with his glasses and oxfords. Everything about his appearance seemed too expensive.
I wondered how much money forensic psychology student-teachers made.
I probably looked out of place next to him, even though I wore one of my nicer pleated skirts and sweaters. Somehow I had a feeling that all of these guys—except Titus—had a different budget than that of a regular student/post-graduate.
This could be a problem if I was going to be around them for any length of time. I would need to improvise.
My thoughts slammed to a halt as I came to my senses. I wasn’tgoingto be hanging around them, even if they weren’t going to try to kill me after all. This entire situation was way too awkward. And I hadn’t even accepted their help.
Yet.
Although it was tempting.
But there was one more matter—besides Finn—that had been picking away at my subconsciousness. “Wait.”
Damen paused, glancing down at me.
It was difficult to not be lost in his eyes, but I persevered. “I forgot. You laughed at me. I’m not your science experiment, you know.”
His brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?”
Darn him for looking so befuddled. It was too adorable. “I know all about you being a psychologist,” I said. “I won’t be your new lab rat.”
Damen’s mouth twisted. “Do you always jump to wild conclusions?”
I gasped, offended. “Of course not! Life has proven that these are very logical conclusions.”
“Really?” he frowned—my response seemed to have displeased him even more. “First of all, I’m aforensic psychologist. I work with the police on a specialized task force. I’m not involved in clinical psychology or counseling.”
His gaze was still serious as he watched me, as if he wanted me to truly understand his words. “And secondly,” he continued, “despite what you have been led to believe—you aren’t crazy. We weren’t laughing atyouat all. We were laughing at Finn because he’s an idiot. Maybe one day you’ll learn how much of an idiot he is. But rest assured that there is nothing wrong with you.”
But no one has ever believed me…
“You aren’t the onlyspecialone out there, baby girl.” Damen grabbed my hand and I followed along passively as he continued. “Not by a long shot.”
I found myself back at Damen’s house again, under much different circumstances than the day before. My initial hesitation had diminished and it was easier for me to let my guard down.
So now, there were the myriad of questions ready to spill out from me. Questions such as: ‘Why had Damen meticulously restored the interior of his home— but left the outside of the property and grounds unattended?’. Or: ‘Why was he living in the middle of a creepy forest?’. But it would be rude to ask.
But Ineededto know—otherwise I would have to start drawing my own conclusions.
“Damen?” I glanced around the room, wondering how to word this kindly. “Why does your home have a Transylvanian vibe to it?”
He was sipping tea in a seat across from me, and paused as he shot me a perplexed glance. “What in the world do you mean by that?”
Okay, so maybe this wasn’t weird for him. Perhaps this was hisnormal.
After all, Damen had been the one who told me that Iwasn’t alone. Maybe he was paranormal, and this was how he was accustomed to living. Hidden away in grandiose finery amongst crumbling ruins.
I contemplated for a moment—it was still daylight—was it possible that he was a vamp—
“Stop that right now,” he interrupted my train of thought with a keenly perceptive look. “I’m a regular person —just as much as you are.”
I stared at him in shock. How had he known what I was thinking?
“Your every thought shows on your face.” Damen put his tea cup on the table and leaned in towards me. “Plus, I’m already pretty sure I know the kind of personyouare.”
