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I have always loved the dark of the ht is still and serene, when all that can be seen are the stars

There are those who ter new about the otten and will be here long after we are dead

I spend hts, inside a stone fortress in the wilds of Montana I’ives out lollipops after dispensing vaccines and pills Instead I ain

My degree reads "virologist" In English, that means I have a PhD in the study of viruses Don’t worry, I won’t let the exciteh, if the loneliness doesn’t do it first

Of course, I’uard at the door and reat conversationalists Lately I’ve started to feel watched, which is pretty funny considering I’e of the surveillance cans of dementia; except I don’t feel crazy Does anyone? I’ve coet out o?

Most days I don’t ht inside the safest place in the West The world is pretty scary

Scarier than most people realize

You think the inations or delusional psychosis? You’re wrong

There are things walking the earth worse than anything in Grimm’s Fairy Tales Unsolved Mysteries would have a stroke if they got a look at my X-files But since lycanthropy is a virus, olves area cure

I have a personal interest You see, I’m one of them

The powers that be say a life is fores - decisions made, roads not taken, people we’ve left behind I’ree

On the day le decision, that fork in the road and the one I left behind walked into

I was at ainst concrete o ba-boom He always had

"Nic," I murmured, and in my voice I heardnose, full lips, wide forehead were as I remembered But the lines around his mouth and eyes, the darker shade of his skin, hinted at a life spent exposed to the ele as hi here in first place

He didn’t s I couldn’t blame him I’d professed love, then disappeared I hadn’t spoken to him since

Seven years How had he found me? And why?

Concern replaced curiosity, and uard hadn’t called to clear a visitor, so I should shoot first, ask questions later In my world, an eneh ti people One of the many reasons the boss keptago how to gauge a suit for a shoulder holster Nic had one A disturbing change in a man who’d once been both studious and dreamy, in love with the law and un?

Since he hadn’t drawn his, I drew mine, then pointed the weapon at Nic’s chest Loaded with silver, I was ready for anything Except the punch of his deep blue eyes and the familiar tie that endears I had no right to promise Now the same word, uttered with cool sarcasood However, he didn’t know that

I got to my feet, stepped around the desk, ca here?"

"I didn’t think you’d be thrilled to see me, but this isn’t exactly the welcoun, and I was distracted by the scent of hirabbed the weapon, twisted it away, then tucked ood with firearms Never had been

I choked, and Nic released the stranglehold on h he didn’t release liun aside One less thing to worry about

"What do you want?" I , he nuzzled my hair and his breath brushedNic so close was et And the memories hurt Hell, I still loved him

An uncommon rush of emotion caused my muscles to clench,I prided e: Dr Elise Hanover, ice queen When I let s happened

But no one had ever affected me like Nic No one had ever made me as happy or as sad No one could make me more furious

I slaround doith all ht Nic flinched, and I jabbed ot to pullaround, I watched him slide to the floor, eyes closed

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