Chapter 5: Curiosities

Garin felt a tangible shock as she walked into the bar. He had been keeping his distance from the café all day, hoping to avoid running into her. She looked incredible. He had only ever seen her once, the day before but he hadn’t paid that much attention to what she was wearing.

He didn’t realize how long her hair was. It had been pulled back into a tight braid the first time he had seen her. Now her hair tumbled free over her shoulders, a cascade of rubies in the candlelight. She was dressed in a skin-tight green dress that illuminated her every curve. He noticed a hand around her waist, and it was only then, he saw that she had an escort.

This other man irritated him for some reason. He was probably also a shifter, although from what he read, the males weren’t nearly as powerful as the women. Their abilities were more sporadic, dependent upon the moon phases as opposed to just ability.

Her eyes flashed to his and she looked just as affected as he was. She held his gaze for a moment before holding her head up higher and following her companion to their table. The host sat them across the bar, into a cozy corner. She switched places with her friend, choosing to place her back to him.

He glowered into his dark beer. His sister arched a finely waxed eyebrow at him.

“What’s wrong with you?” she asked, sipping delicately on her white wine.

“Nothing,” he grumbled and took a long draught.

“Hmm,” she replied, analyzing him.

“Some shifters just came in,” he said after a moment, hoping to avert her attention. She merely shrugged.

“They don’t bother you?” he asked.

“Why would they? They have done nothing to annoy me. Plus, her coffee is rather good.” She replied with a simple shrug.

“But they are shifters.” He hissed under his breath.

“I. Don’t. Care. Seriously, that hunter business is so fifty years ago. Why are you letting it get to you? You got out before we moved to this godforsaken town.” He was amazed by his sister’s candor. She really didn’t buy into their “legacy” that was forced down their throats at every turn.

“Stop reading the books that dad gave you. They are garbage. Plus, you’re only here for a few weeks and then back to school. Just enjoy the quiet away from the city.”

“I can’t when they are in my face,” she followed his gaze to Willow’s table.

“I don’t think the fact she is a shifter is bothering you. I think it’s her,” his face colored.

“Shut up, Audrey,” he took another long gulp, emptying his glass. She snickered and motioned for the waiter to bring them another round.

“Relax, dear brother. Have another drink and we will head home. Just avoid her café and you should be good. Unless you don’t want to?” her eyebrow quirked again.

He rolled his eyes at her and glanced back to their table. She had moved her curtain of red hair over one shoulder, her delicate white neck glowed in the soft light of the candle. He could see her pulse throbbing gently. Her yellow eyes glanced over towards him and she immediately flushed before turning around toward the man with her.

Garin sized up the man with her. He didn’t appear to be a date, really. Willow was leaning away from him. He was relatively handsome, in a hipster sort of way. His hair was long, nearly as long as hers. A thick black beard grew from his sharp jaw.

From here, Garin couldn’t see what color his eyes were. Maybe he wasn’t a shifter. Maybe he was just some guy. That thought relaxed him a bit. The guy’s eyes drifted towards him. He held Garin’s gaze for a moment before looking back at Willow, a slight smirk on his lips.

“Ready to go?” he asked his sister, tossing his lager back. She sighed at him and continued to sip slowly.

“No, I am not as a matter of fact. You promised me a nice night out since I haven’t seen you in ages.” She crossed her arms stubbornly and glared at him. He relented, hands up.

“You’re right. I’m being an idiot. Dad has just been cramming this history down my throat since I’ve been home. It’s putting me on edge.”

“Try living with him! After the first few years, I told mother if he didn’t stop, I was moving to Paris. Which I should have done but you know how she is, weeping and wailing until I told her I would stay. Thankfully, he has finally let it go. Plus, he has already twisted Silas and Miles into his little narrative. Did you know that he has Miles out patrolling the neighborhood every night? It’s embarrassing!” A blush made her fair skin rosy.

Garin laughed.

“I thought I saw someone prowling around out there last night. Maybe we can convince dad to sell and move back to the city. This obsession can’t be healthy,” he offered.

Her laughter trilled.

“As if. Dad has sunk so much money into this place he won’t be leaving any time soon. I’m leaving as soon as I find an eligible wife to whisk me away,”

“Oh? Thinking about marriage, are we?” he teased. His sister’s blue eyes flashed towards him.

“Maybe. Really it is the only way I can escape this hell without mother clutching my skirts as I try to leave,”

“Is there a lucky girl in the picture?” he asked, wondering how his sister had been able to keep a relationship of this magnitude hidden.

“Perhaps,” is all she proffered. He smiled. His sister was the second eldest and had sacrificed the most to stay with their parents. She deserved to be happy. He told her so.

“Well, thank you. It means a lot. You deserve to be happy too you know,”

“I am happy. Well not necessarily right now but when I’m at school, it’s not so bad.” She narrowed her eyes at him, the disbelief evident.

“You could be happier.” She replied after a minute of scrutinizing him. His eyes shot back to the red curls, wondering why this stranger, this enemy, had so piqued his curiosity. Why did happiness just so happen to look like two golden eyes and a mass of red curls?