Page 4 of Falling for Famine
The stranger’s face was quickly hidden under a black hood and I checked around me for signs of a break in, but it was quiet.Whoever this was, they’d taken to standing alone and looking incredibly suspicious while they did.
Like a goof with a terrible stranger danger meter, I continued to stare until his eyes rose to meet mine. My mouth dropped open at the sight of them. His irises were bright red and his hair was as white as I’d first thought. But holy was this dude gorgeous.
It took a lot to take my breath away, but his face was absolutely arresting. Perfect in ways that didn’t feel human. His pale skin also didn’t give the impression of life, it was so white.
A very pretty ghost.
I blinked. He blinked. This went on for several minutes before the ghost stood taller and my neck had to crane back a little to take him in.
I wasn’t short. I was five-ten and towered over most women, so cranking my neck to meet someone’s gaze wasn’t necessarily a problem I faced often. But this one was tall—and very, very pretty. Like, otherworldly pretty. I was at serious risk of drooling if I stared too long.
His eyes tracked my movement when I failed to inconspicuously take a step back. The impression I got from him was he didn’t know what to make of me either.
“Hi,” I said in a much softer voice than usual. I was bubbly by nature, but the look and feel of this guy put me slightly off balance.
The stranger’s eyes widened just a touch. Enough to insinuate shock, but he didn’t say anything, just tilted his head and let his gaze rake down my body as if he’d figure me out after a very close inspection. It made me want to cover myself.
Growing up with an abusive father had made me incredibly good at reading people. It was a skill I’d needed to survive the day-to-day abuse. I’d pick out my father’s moods to avoid a beating, or at least soften the one I knew was coming, so partof me was already picking out the confusion and wonder in his mannerisms.
I’d caught him off guard for some reason.
I leaned in, summoning my usual bubbly demeanor. It helped with breaking the ice, and something told me this one needed it. “Wow, those contacts are super detailed. Epic, my dude. How did you get them to glow? Also, I’ve never seen hair that white on anyone, not even grumpy old Felix.”
Nothing on his face gave away his emotions. It was a cold slate of stoicism. But I picked out his continued surprise somehow without anything showing on his face or in his body.
“You can see me.” It wasn’t a question but a statement, and it made absolutely no sense.
I grinned to myself. “Well, I know you’re wearing all that black and skulking between buildings like a criminal, but it’s not like you’ve blended in with the scenery.”
His mouth twitched before he leaned against the brick again, this time on his shoulder instead of his back. He returned to his silent assessment, and I decided as hot as he was, it was time to move along.
It didn’t appear he was up to no good, and it wasn’t like I’d be able to take on a huge strange man if he was committing a crime anyway. Best I could do was call the police and use my well-honed escape run to get the hell out of dodge.
So, I took another step back and waved a goodbye. “Have a great day!”
I nearly cringed at my customer service voice as I strolled away, still a block away from my place. I’d never seen anyone like him in our city, so he must’ve been visiting. It wasn’t likely I’d see him again. And even if I did, it didn’t appear he was eager to chat.
I didn’t have a history of hot strangers falling for me. Most of the guys I’d dated were ones I’d met in school or at Dolci Caldi,and the two girls I dated were friends who became more. Not exactly fan fiction worthy stories in my past relationships.
Oh, right! Saucy Castiel.
Who needed romance in real life when it was always better on the page? I had a chapter waiting for me, so I was going to go home, eat my lasagna, annoy my cat, and figure out what shenanigans I could get up to during my day off.
Chapter Three
Nomi
Istartled awake, laid out over my couch and drooling on my hand. Castiel had, in fact, spanked Dean and I’d been a happycamper after a full belly of lasagna when I read it on my couch. Guess I’d fallen asleep here instead of my bed.
Turning on my phone, I groaned and realized it was still the middle of the night. I padded over to the bathroom and nearly died when Ferguson jetted out in front of me. My arms went out to brace on the wall and save me from a face-plant.
“Fergy! Can you not see some of us are walking here?” I growled at the menace, but he wasn’t listening. His copper eyes were tracking something on the ceiling. I stared up and sucked in a surprised breath.
A red ball of light danced and skated from one end of the ceiling to the other, chasing a blue one that left a trail of something shiny behind it.
A drop of water hit my face as I watched the dazzling display. Then both bounced and danced in front of my eyes. They weren’t lights. They were…wispy? Tendrils of color that smoked but still somehow kept their shape?
I opened my mouth in awe, sure I was dreaming. They swirled around me, and the blue one touched my face. It was cold. I lifted my hand to it, but the little red one was there, brushing and stroking across my cheek, instantly warming the area and leaving moisture in its place.
