Already the sun had slid down the azure heavens, and shadows crawled across the mountains.

“Can’t see the demonic girl anywhere and we’ve been at it for hours.” Ryder still drove my Jeep.

Fine by me. Who didn’t want a personal chauffeur? But as we cruised down the hill deciding to head home, I eyed the dirt road that lead to the ruins where Dana had died. “Turn left just ahead, please.”

Ryder didn’t question me and before long, we glided between oak trees crowding the edges of the road, their branches sprawling overhead like tangled cobwebs.

I squirmed in my seat at returning to the ruins, chewing on my cheek, unable to get enough air into my lungs. It had been weeks since I’d come up here. When Dana had first passed, I’d made the trek daily, but I got busy, trying to find new clients, and deal with grief. Now guilt sawed through my chest for not visiting more often.

The moment we emerged from the woodland and into a clearing, my caught breath in my lungs. In the distance stood a mount, and on top, stone pillars jutted out of the ground. Most had long ago broken and over time morphed into stubs. Only three stood tall and proud.

“Is there where…?” Ryder’s words faded, and I nodded.

“Want me to join you?” he offered.

“Thanks, but I want to pay my respects alone. They say when a person passes under tragic circumstances, part of them remains at the spot they died.” I clung on to that theory, whether it was real or not, because it gave me a place to visit Dana. I guessed that was one of the reasons graveyards existed. For the living more than for the dead. But many magic folk insisted the cemeteries were gateways to the afterworld.

I climbed out into the warm afternoon air. Trees spread on either side of me, and the air wafted with their scent. With my hands deep in the pockets of my shorts, I marched up the hill. Birds squawked in the trees while a hawk flew overhead.

Ahead, the broken ruins had once been used for incantations and sacrifices at a time in history when mysterious happenings were explained by magic. Like sacrificing a virgin once a month to the gods ensured the sun rose each morning. But now, the location resembled a gaping mouth with chipped and crushed teeth. Old, decrepit, and painful.

I stepped over a destroyed stone and moved into the center of the circle that had to be close to fifty feet wide. Tiny vibrational energy shook beneath my skin as it did every time I visited. The years of blood magic spilled in this area still hummed, and yet it was the one place where I felt most at peace. My head always grew sharp and clear here.

I sat with my back to a stone tablet and crossed my legs. A light breeze swished past, lifting the hair from my nape. Refreshing.

Farther below was my Jeep and something about Ryder inside the car, watching over me brought me comfort.

“So, Dana,” I started, my throat constricting, “I haven’t found your killer yet, but you know me. I’m tenacious to a fault.” My attempt at laughing came across strained, and a tear bubbled at the corner of my eye. “I’m sorry this happened to you, babe.”

I fisted the overgrown grass near my thighs and ripped it in handfuls. “We were supposed to travel the world, and I was chatting with Raven about taking a trip to all the places you wanted to visit. We’ll have a drink at each location for you.”

Lounging back, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and scrolled through my playlist until I hit upon Africa by Toto. “God knows why you love this song, but I guess it’s growing on me.” I clicked play and basked in the tune, except each time I listened to the damn song, waterworks unleashed. I sat there and let my mind empty of everything from the day.

“Never took you for a Toto fan,” said a male voice.

I snapped open my eyes to find Dean. He entered the circle directly across from me. His long, blond hair had flyaway strands, as if he’d been riding in a car with the windows down. I grumbled under my breath and wiped my eyes at his presence.

“Didn’t hear you approach.” I hit stop on my phone and tucked it into my pocket as I stood. “Anyway, are you here to accuse me of being involved in Dana’s murder again?” Yep, sarcasm came naturally.

He sighed, and his posture stooped forward ever-so-slightly. “I never accused you, Sephy. I had to question you since you were first one on the scene.”

I raised a brow. “Some call it ‘questioning.’ Others might say ‘bullying.’ And what’s with the constant requests to head down to the station so different people can ask me the same questions? You guys should get your act together down there and focus on catching the real killer.”

With a long huff, he stood his ground. “I was just doing my job. And I’m not here for you. Just passing through on a walk.”

I eyed him, noting his bandaged forearm and the sleeves of his blue work shirt rolled to his elbows. He wore his thick belt lined with his gun, taser and other items over tailored pants.

“You often roam in the forest in your work clothes and with a gun?”

The corner of his mouth lifted, and it brightened his expression, chasing away the shadows beneath his cerulean eyes. “I had the strangest desire to search the woods near the ruins. Figured since the Missing Persons Unit was tracking for the girl near Leafside settlement, I’d start here.”

“So you drove? Didn’t see your car.”

“It’s parked a couple of miles away.”

“Why would you walk that far?”

“It’s not that far.” He laughed, the sound powerful and confident. It belonged to a man who knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to take it. Maybe it was the exhaustion, but something about him had me smiling.

I sauntered closer, hands by my side. Curiosity slithered through me because this man was a stranger. And I still recalled the way he had spoken to me when he’d first arrived on the scene of Dana’s murder. Derogative and accusatory. Yet that morning, he seemed caring and he wasn’t snapping at everyone. “Do you often have such instincts to go into the forest? Or is an Aussie thing, walking for long stretches?”

“Never.” He smirked. “I figured the intuition must have kicked in for a reason.”

“What do you think brought you to the ruins?” I pushed aside loose strands of hair fluttering over my face. Did the man have some kind of intimation ability? Wasn’t unheard of.

He half-grinned. “Are you grilling me?”

I shrugged. “If I were, then I’d handcuff you, shove you about, and lock you in an interview room with no water or the chance to pee for hours. It’s how you play, right?” I smiled.

He studied me, cocking an eyebrow, not shy of dropping his attention across my T-shirt, over my shorts and down my legs.

Confident men were my weakness, even more so if they took control. Ryder was that and more, but Dean was different. Darker, while Ryder was the playful kind. Maybe Dean’s bedroom mirrored a sex chamber, and damn, just having that thought left me burning up. I changed topics.

“You didn’t seem to freak out this morning,” I said. “You often attend possessions?”

I dawdled past him to see if Ryder still waited and hadn’t ditched me because I wouldn’t be surprised if he had.

Dean’s gaze followed me. It was predatory, and fuck if that didn’t tickle my libido. This wasn’t the man I’d encountered before. It was someone who showed interest in me, who was flirting with me.

“This is my second possession since I’d transferred,” Dean explained. “Both times, Knox helped me out. He’s a champion. But I’ll give him this—he’s not afraid of much. Few things get me jumpy, but fuck, possessions do it every time.”

I kicked a tuft of grass at my feet. “They suck balls, and unfortunately I’ve seen too many in my line of work.”

“What do you actually do for a job?” His voice dipped with that inquisitive tone he reserved for the interrogation room. Been there, done that. And while my thoughts drifted to scenarios involving handcuffs, his commanding voice, and me, I shoved the fantasies away.

“Freelance work. Osteomancy, cleansing homes, eradicating spirits. Simple stuff that cops don’t want to get their hands dirty with.”

He nodded. “Not sure I’d call dealing with the supernatural simple, but we’re understaffed and can’t keep up with crimes, let alone possessions. Maybe one day you’ll tell me how you got into this line of work, and how your hands light up into flames.” His tone as he said the last few words grew serious.

Of course he’d remember that part, but it wasn’t illegal to perform magic in Evangel. Not yet, anyway, but there had been rumors of legislation being passed to place sorcerers and witches into the same basket as shifters. Basically as outcasts. Since I made a living informing people of my ability to read their future and vanquish demons, I’d be royally screwed.

“Perhaps.” I used my sultry voice, and he rewarded me with a grin. “But it’s a miserable, boring tale. I’d rather find out why you moved from Australia to Evangel city.”

“That’s an easy one.” He sat on a broken stone that resembled a loveseat. “My sister relocated here with her husband and two kids. I have no family back home and I’m super close with my sister. I didn’t want to miss out on seeing my nieces grow up. The Evangel precinct put out a call for overseas transfers, so I applied.”

“What about friends?” I took a seat next to him, well aware I was making zero attempts at being subtle.

He twisted toward me, his leg bent between us. “What I miss most are the beaches and surfing.”

“There’s some spots near the coast. Only about a three-hour drive. I’ve been to a great beach there where nudists and great surfers go.”

His eyes lit up. “I’m super keen now, but I didn’t take you for a beach girl.”

“Never said I sunbaked or splashed about with the seaweed and fishes in my birthday suit, but if I go that far south, I’ll enjoy the occasional stroll in the late evening along the shore. A girl’s gotta keep her pale complexion.” I cringed at how cliché I sounded. Damn, woman, rein it in.

“You have a beautiful glow to your skin.” He stared at my neck, his attention gliding down my chest and my arms. I tucked them against my sides out of reflex because everyone always asked, “What happened?” and “Who burned you? Poor thing!” I hated it. Loathed the pity.

But Dean reached, and for a split-second I pictured him kissing me. Fire swarmed my face, but instead, he grabbed me by the forearms. Band-Aids dotted my skin, along with round burn marks.

“Don’t hide your scars. They’re gorgeous.”

My breath caught in my chest, and I lost any response because he didn’t stare at me with judgment, but lust. He unbuttoned his shirt halfway down to his tight board stomach and drew aside the fabric across his chest.

I bit down on my lower lip, convinced I’d melt in a heartbeat if he was stripping. I gawked at his muscles and strong pecs. No hair, either—perfect for caressing.

My hands tingled with the urge to touch him. But my attention settled on a jagged injury crossing his left breast, the flesh healed but pebbly.

“A gift from a serial killer who tried to carve out my heart.” He pulled the fabric down over his shoulder to a zigzag wound. “The time I got tossed out a window by a young man high on a new drug. That one turns people into crazed zombies. These scars are my speed humps in life.”

I smiled because I loved that analogy. “Well, mine must have been some fucking big speed humps if my parents used me as an ashtray.” My words sounded sorrowful in my head, but that wasn’t my intention in the slightest.

But when sorrow flitted across Dean’s face, I stood up, my hands stiff by my side. “I don’t need your pity.”

He took my hand and stared at me while his fingers traced the unevenness of the flesh across my wrist.

“Don’t let your scars define you.”

“Yeah, I know that shit. But I’m not a wounded dog and have risen above the crap from my past.” Yet it still bothered me because my injuries were on display for everyone to judge what they didn’t understand.

“Sometimes, it’s not just you who struggles with your past, but people needing to process what’s been done to you.”

I huffed and lowered my attention to my boots. Made sense, I guessed. I’d never looked at it from that perspective.

Fine, Dean had a kind soul, I’d give him that. He thought things through and wasn’t scared away by tragedy, facing it straight on. No dodging the topic. His straightforwardness was refreshing and reminded me of Knox.

His attention jerked left, toward the bottom of the hill, and I followed his gaze to Ryder strutting in our direction.

I released Dean’s hand, not wanting the critical stare or questions that would follow. Bad enough I didn’t understand why I couldn’t make myself leave Dean’s side.

“I was wondering how long you two planned to chat because I’m starving and if you’re staying here much longer, I’m going to catch my own meal.” Ryder was serious, but Dean cocked a brow.

I nudged Dean in the ribs. “He’s only kidding and knows it’s illegal to hunt in shifter form outside approved jurisdictions.”

Both men exchanged glances and looked my way.

“What?” I gripped my hips.

“You think I’ll arrest him for hunting?” Dean stood, shaking his head, his mouth pulled into a smile. “I don’t agree with the shifter division bullshit, so go for it. Have a ball.”

Ryder closed the distance between us and clapped a hand on his back. “If only we had more cops like you, we’d be on our way to an improved society.”

Both men stood at similar height and width. And for those two seconds, I let myself go there, picturing them both with me. Naked, of course. As one does when in the company of two hot men.

“Sephy, are we going for food?” asked Ryder.

“Um yep. Let’s go before you get all cranky and furry.” I turned to Dean. “Wanna join us?”

“Hell, yeah, he does.” Ryder moved by my side, his arm brushing mine. “I found the best diner where they serve Aussie food. Meat pies, barbecued lamb, something strange that looked like a cigar called a ‘chiko roll,’ and other weird stuff. You guys eat bizarre food down under, just saying.”

Dean chuckled. “Sounds incredible, but I’ll take a raincheck. It’s been a long day, and I have to be in early at work. Oh, and I’ll need your statements in the morning if you can spare an hour down at the station?”

“Of course.” I couldn’t stop staring at Dean, and he kept his eyes locked on me too. “We’ll give you a lift to your car then?”

He lifted his chin and took in a deep inhale, a guttural sound rolling through his chest.

It was strange, and Ryder must have thought so too because he cocked his eyebrow at that.

“Thanks, but I’ll walk. I’m not ready to leave the woods.” Dean stretched his arms in the air and cracked his back.

“You sure?” I wanted to reach out and grab his hand, force him to join us, continue our chat, but Ryder butted in.

“You heard the nice detective. Let’s go.” He grabbed my wrist and pulled me down the hill.

I stumbled after him and called over my shoulder, “See you tomorrow.” Hell, what was wrong with me? One minute I hated the guy and the next I drooled over him. I couldn’t help myself near him. And I wanted more.

Dean stared my way and winked with a suggestive expression, then turned away and stalked toward the forest near the ruins. What was up with him?

By the time we reached the Jeep, I wrenched my arm from Ryder. “Why were you so rude?”

“Get in the car!” His voice hardened, and I shook my head.

“Something’s wrong with him,” Ryder insisted.

I swiveled in my seat. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“The growl. The glint behind his eyes. Him wandering through the woods at night. You want to know who the fuck does that? Shifters.”

I stiffened. I’d never given it a thought that he might be more than human. I had no issues with it, but the authorities sure wouldn’t allow one onto their team. “You think he’s a shifter? Did you smell it on him?”

“Human mixed with something electrical or muddy. Fuck knows! But he isn’t normal. Only smelled it when the wind hit me from his direction. I bet he’s a koala shifter, and he’s dying to hang in a tree and eat leaves.” He smirked, and I whacked him in the arm.

“Stop being an ass. If he were a shifter, he wouldn’t be a detective. They test everyone’s blood before they’re allowed on the police force.”

Ryder switched on the engine and soon we merged onto the freeway in no time. “Well, that detective you were drooling over isn’t what he seems.”