Page 46 of Unforeseen Mate

Hayden took her hand, leading her past Deke, and headed down the stairs. Once in the foyer, Fallon noticed the furnishings and attention to detail.

“This place is gorgeous.”

“We can make upgrades to our place in the Hollow and look for something nicer wherever we decide to live.”

Fallon grabbed the front of his shirt. “I like our place in the Hollow.”

“I like that you called it ours.”

Standing on her tiptoes she brushed her lips against his. “I like that you like it and that you notice things like that.”

“My father once told me that with women it’s the small things that count.”

“Your father was a wise man.”

They dropped their spare clothing in the his and hers changing rooms and headed outside, drawing a small group of onlookers.

“I need you to focus on me. If they’re going to distract you, this isn’t going to work.”

“If they’re all shifters,” she said, “why are they curious?”

“Because we aren’t technically shifters. When they shift, there is generally a swirling mist with lightning, thunder, and all kinds of colors. We hellhounds just sort of blink. It is literally too fast for the eye to follow. Now, once you get used to it, you can shimmer into your hellhound beast or head into the Underworld. But all they will see is us becoming invisible. At first, it happens all at once, but as you learn to finesse it you can do all kinds of fun things.” Hayden chuckled. “My favorite is to start at the bottom and disappear, gradually leaving your eyes and then a grin to disappear last.”

Fallon laughed. Hayden made it sound fun but kept impressing upon her that it was a skill she needed to learn.

“Kind of like the Cheshire Cat in the stories and movies?”

“Exactly.”

“If you’re in a dangerous situation, wouldn’t whoever is trying to get you be able to tell where you are by what’s left to see? And to that end, if we’re invisible, can we still be shot?”

“Good questions. If you’re visible you can be wounded or killed. Once you’ve shimmered and you’re in the In-Between, weapons from either side are not effective.”

“So, is it a good idea to move from where you were as soon as you’re invisible?”

“You catch on quick,” said Hayden with a nod. As your beast, you can be wounded and killed as well, but our DNA allows us very rapid healing, which is why I turned you. The healer didn’t think you’d survive. If you had remained human, you would be dead.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she said. “That’s your excuse for wanting to bite me.”

Hayden laughed. “You figured me out.”

“I got news for you; you’re not all that complicated. You are also too honorable to do something like that. The details are still kind of hazy, but I do remember you ensuring I knew what my choices were and the ramifications of each. So, what do I do?”

“I want you to turn and face me. Try and block out the people that are watching.” She did so. “Good. Now close your eyes and find a quiet space inside your mind. Some place you feel peaceful and safe.”

Fallon closed her eyes and shook herself, trying to let go of anything but the sound of Hayden’s voice. Her eyes snapped open. “Wait, will it hurt? I can handle it if it does, but I just need to know.”

“No, it won’t hurt at all. It’s a good question. I want you to ask as many questions as you need to. If I need you to just do what I say because of the situation we’re in, that’s what I expect you to do. But otherwise, I want you to feel free to ask me anything. You’ll feel a kind of tingling, as if your body was experiencing a mild electrical current running through it. I don’t really notice it. But some people say it kind of tickles.”

“Okay, tickles are fine; will I look silly if I giggle?”

He grinned at her. “Not at all. Ready?”

She nodded, closed her eyes again, and realized she didn’t have a safe ‘place’… but then, she remembered the place she’d already learned was safe—Hayden. “Got it.”

“I just want you to envision a gentle wave of the most refreshing water spilling over you. In your mind’s eye, you should be able to see your hellhound in the corner of your mind. Can you see her?”

Fallon searched and at first saw nothing, but then Hayden’s home in the Hollow started to take shape and she could see asomewhat smaller version of Hayden’s hellhound lying in front of the fire—her tail thumping slowly on the polished stone floor before she got to her feet.

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