Page 16 of Shadows of Nightshade
Why couldn’t they leave me alone?
Meeting with Damen had been the worst decision of my existance. If this continued, I would have no choice but to call Finn and confess my crimes.
But for now, I hid behind the secured front door—terrified for my life. I was caught between being too curious to slip away entirely and too cowardly to make my presence known.
Should I call the police? But what would I say? That two paranormal investigators with questionable intentions hadfollowed me home, and they now stood on my patio with a large bouquet of hyacinths?
No, they’d never believe me, and it didn’t sound threatening when I put it that way.
However, instead of breaking down the door, the two of them stood outside and argued. It was an interesting, loud conversation, and I finally grew brave enough to watch them through the peephole.
I had to gather more information on my adversaries.
“Just go away,” Miles said, punching Titus’s arm. He’d previously tried to convince Titus to return to the car with no success. “She’s not going to answer with you standing here. You’re scaring her.”
“But I’m not trying to scare her,” Titus said, sounding genuinely confused. He glanced down at the purple flowers. “Do you think she likes chocolate?”
Chocolate?
I stood on tiptoe, trying to check if he’d brought any, but there was none that I could see. Although, as much as I loved chocolate, it probably would have been poisoned anyway. I wasn’t that gullible.
“It’s not about that. You didn’t even try to override your instinct!” Miles pulled out his phone and began to type even as he lectured the other man. “You bombarded her when she was alone, then you basically jumped on her when she was already upset. She’d never trust you if you gave her chocolate now.”
“But why?” Titus argued. “I’m just trying to apologize.”
“Figure it out yourself,” Miles replied, distracted. “Damen says that she has nothing listed in the school’s contact information.”
My heart raced. They were looking for my phone number. Not that they’d ever find it—I only had this phone, thanks toFinn. Nothing was in my name, but it was the principle of the matter—stalkers.
Titus still seemed confused. “But I don’t get it. I just interviewed forForbes. They don’t have a problem with me. Why would she?”
This… he really looked upset. What if he was just that clueless and well-intentioned?
As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I slapped my palms to my cheeks and shook my head.
No, I couldn’t fall for it. I had to trust my instincts—they were the only thing I had left.
“Just remember your true nature; if you really want to apologize, you need to curb your impulses.” Miles put his phone into his back pocket and rang the doorbell again. “Let’s just hope she stops hiding and answers the door. But don’t talk. You’ll scare her again, and we need to get her to let her guard down before we can do anything else.”
I narrowed my eyes as adrenaline kept me upright.
I would never answer this door. Ever. I could stay like this forever.
Get my guard down.They’d have to be insane to believe I would open this door to my death.
They continued to bicker before it soon became boring, and I finally snuck away. Despite their dark intentions, they’d clearly never mastered the art of breaking and entering.
I lounged around the living room, reading on my phone, before I eventually wandered back to the entryway. At some point, they had given up and left.
Still, I was wary when I opened the door.
While no one jumped out from the shadows, the trespassers hadn’t left without leaving their mark. In the center of the welcome mat was the bouquet, along with a note.
Sorry that Titus is an idiot. I’m also sorry we hurt your feelings. We know how you feel and should have known better than to laugh. We’ll help you if you let us. Please think it over and let Damen know your answer.
I frowned at it. Why did it almost feel like they were dangling acceptance in front of me as bait? And how could they have known that this was what I’d wanted more than flowers and chocolate? It was the only trap that had the possibility of capturing me.
And when was I supposed to let Damen know anything? I had no intention of ever seeing him again.
