Less than twenty-four hours in Willow Harbor, and I already regretted coming. The free apartment sounded great, but the reality was anything but. I now had an unwanted roommate and a snooping IT guy. Wonderful. I had hoped to keep the ugly reality of the mess I left in New York secret, but so much for that. I guess nowadays you could never escape.

I was exhausted. I hadn’t slept all that well the night before, and it had been a long day. The sun was already almost gone, and it wasn’t even five o’clock yet. I hated winter.

I had no idea where I was going, but I had to get out of there. The problem was I couldn’t come back anytime soon because of the stupid party. And I was the idiot who didn’t grab my car keys before exiting. Now I was running away from the only people I even knew in town with absolutely nowhere to go. And that was only my short-term problem. Beyond tonight, I had two choices. Stay, suck it up, and hope to get a reference, or move home to my parents’ house and find a new career. Neither sounded great, but the former was the best of the two.

In addition to forgetting my keys, I had also forgotten to grab a warm coat. So much for South Carolina being warm. Sure it wasn’t freezing, but there was nothing spring-like about the wind blowing all around me.

My feet ached as they hit the pavement. My black pumps looked cute, but they weren’t the best choice for wandering around an unfamiliar town.

Most of the shop windows were still lit, but the street lights hadn’t turned on yet. There were some other people out, but I knew I’d have to head back to the library sooner than later.

Still, I kept walking, and before I realized it I’d reached a small foot-bridge in front of the giant willow tree I’d seen from my apartment window. It looked even bigger standing next to it than it did from a distance, and it looked really old. At the base of the tree, the roots were in some sort of marshy channel. I followed the water as far as I could with my eyes, and it looked like it may have flowed from the ocean. If it weren’t so cold out I would have followed it all the way back to the beach. For one reason or another I needed to know for sure where it led.

“Hey. I’m sorry about that.” A voice called from behind me. I’d been so intent on the tree I hadn’t heard him approach.

I turned to face Pierce. “You followed me?”

“I’m not a stalker, I promise. I needed to apologize.”

“Next time I’ll hide my computer better.” Although who would have thought I would have needed to in my own apartment.

“I’m sorry about Delpha too.”

“What part of Delpha?” I wrapped my arms around myself tighter, once again wishing I was wearing something heavier than a dress.

He smiled. “Everything, but right now I am referring to her questions. That was rude and uncalled for.”

“I guess it’s good to get that out and over with. I know it seems strange that I took this job.”

“Not strange.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“Oh yeah? You get many New Yorkers in this town?”

He gazed up at the huge willow tree. “Not many.”

“Exactly.” I followed his gaze and took in the tall tree. “I’m guessing this tree has always been here?”

“Yeah, it’s hundreds of years old now, and it’s pretty much the heart of the town.”

“It’s beautiful.” It was. I’d never noticed trees much, but the sheer size and the beauty that existed in the willow tree’s long branches even in winter made it impossible to miss.

“Beautiful and strong.” He turned to me as he spoke. I waited for him to continue, but instead he changed the subject. “That must have sucked.”

“What part?” I flinched at the sudden subject change.

“Having a boss proposition you and then treat you that way.”

“It did. Which is why I need to do well at this job.” I started walking again. The tree was beautiful, but it wasn’t doing anything to help the cold.

“So my mom will be a good reference when you leave?”

“Yup.”

“Already thinking about leaving?” He walked beside me.

“I can’t yet, obviously.”

“Obviously.” His face turned serious. “Are you cold?”

“No. I’m fine. You are the one wearing only a t-shirt.”

“I don’t get cold.”

“Oh yeah?” Everyone got cold.

“Yeah… I like the cold.”

“You should move up north.” No matter how much I could complain about the chilly night, it was far warmer than the weather I’d left behind.

“I’ve thought about it.” He put his hands in his pockets.

“I can’t believe I ran out of my own apartment.” I willed myself to warm up. Not surprisingly it didn’t work.

“I can. That was pretty rough. I’m sure you’ve already realized Delpha lives by her own rules no matter what everyone else wants.”

“What’s with her and Cad? I don’t get it.”

“Wondering how long she will be in your hair?” He cracked a smile.

“No…”

“I get it. I wouldn’t want someone pushing into my place either. And I don’t really know how to describe their situation. It’s complicated.”

“She told me I wouldn’t understand, but that she’d explain later.”

“And she will. I’m sure.” He seemed to actually believe what he was saying.

“So you won’t?” I crossed my arms.

“It’s hers to explain.” He shifted his weight from foot to foot.

“Then what about you? You know my embarrassing past. Give me something.”

“How is your past embarrassing?” He stopped walking. “You said no to a jerk. That just shows you’re strong.”

I stopped with him, wanting to get something from him, anything so I wouldn’t feel like the only one exposed. “It’s embarrassing.”

“It shouldn’t be, but it is personal. So you want to know something personal about me?”

“Sure.”

“My mother says I have to find my soul mate.” He crossed his arms.

“Your soul mate?” That was a new one.

“Yup.”

“And what do you think?” That was the interesting question.

“I think it’s not going to happen.”

“You don’t believe there’s someone out there like that?”

“Oh, I believe there is, but I don’t believe I’ll find her in time.” There was some sadness in his voice.

“What do you mean in time? You’re still pretty young.”

“Yeah…” He trailed off. “Ok. Enough of that.”

“Why are you changing the subject?”

“Because I want to.” He put his hands back in his pockets.

“Oh, very sensible reason.”

“Do you want to do something?”

“Do something?” I was getting annoyed, and that combined with the cold wasn’t a good thing.

He laughed. “Ok, that sounded lame. I mean get coffee or something? Take a walk?”

“I was already walking.”

“True. Want to see one of my favorite places?”

“Depends,” I answered carefully.

“Depends on what?”

“Is it safe?” I wasn’t in the mood for an adventure. I was far too cold and tired for that.

“Is the place safe, or am I safe?”

“Wow.” I was taken aback. “Do you want me to be scared of you?”

“It’s a fair question.”

“Both. Are both safe?” The night was quiet, almost too quiet.

“The place is safe, and I’m safe for you.”

“For me? But not safe for others?”

“Yes.” He smiled.

“You’re weird. Do you know that?” I should have been afraid, but I wasn’t.

“Yes.”

“You admitted that easily.”

He shrugged. “I tend to accept reality easily.”

“Can’t say I do the same.”

He laughed. “No?”

“No. I’d live in a fantasy world if I could.”

“You kind of are.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“So where is this place you wanted to show me?” I started walking in the direction I was already heading in.

“You’re okay with my safe answer?”

“Delpha knows you followed me, doesn’t she?”

“Yes.”

“Then if I show up dead someone will know it was you.”

“You willing to bank your survival on that?”

“You’re morbid.” In any other circumstance I would have cut my losses and gone home, but I wasn’t ready to head back to the apartment yet. There wasn’t anything for me there.

“I’m morbid?” He put a hand to his chest. “You’re the one who talked about you showing up dead. Although that’s a funny way to put it. Showing up dead.”

I smiled. “Well, technically I could if I were a zombie.”

“You’re not a zombie.” He grimaced.

“Nope. Not yet.”

“You’ll never be a zombie.”

“You sound very sure of that.”

“I am sure. I know about this kind of stuff.” He ran a hand through his dark hair. Part of me wanted to do the same thing.

“What about vampires, know about them too?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“And werewolves too?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Unfortunately? Not a fan of the hairy fellows?”

He grinned, his entire face lighting up. “I like you even more now.”

Was he implying he had liked me before?

“Ready to go?”

“Now that I know you’re an expert on all things supernatural, sure why not?”

We’d only made it a few feet when Pierce groaned.

“Hey, Pierce.” A towering, massive guy strolled over. Like Pierce, he was inappropriately dressed for the cold.

What was with these guys and wearing t-shirts in the middle of winter?

“Hello, Ty.” Pierce nodded tersely.

“Who’s your new friend?” Ty pointed to me.

“My friend.”

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Ty grinned at me in a way that showed off all of his teeth.

“No need.”

What? I was so surprised by Pierce’s words that I couldn’t respond.

“Then I guess I’m going to have to introduce myself.” He held out his hand. “Ty. And you are?”

“Don’t answer him.” Pierce scowled at Ty. “You don’t have to.”

Great. I had somehow wound up in the middle of a pissing contest.

“Don’t mind him, he’s always a jerk.” Ty smiled at me.

“I’m Mattie.” I didn’t see why I couldn’t tell the guy my name.

“Mattie, it’s nice to meet you. I was heading over to the bar for a drink, want to join me?”

“No, she wouldn’t. We have plans.” Pierce put a hand on my lower back.

What the hell was going on?

“I’ll explain later,” he said in barely a whisper.

“Let her make up her own mind. Not everyone wants to waste their time with the likes of you.”

“Thanks for the offer, but Pierce and I already have plans. It was nice to meet you though.” I would play along for now, but after Pierce was going to have to answer a whole lot more questions.

“Suit yourself. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

“It is a small town.”

“You don’t know the half of it.” He nodded at me before walking away.

Pierce hurried forward, pulling me with him.

“Ok, what was that?” I may not have liked the huge guy, but that didn’t mean Pierce needed to get all alpha male on me.

“He’s a jerk. You’ll thank me later.”

“A jerk in what way?” I wasn’t going to take any more half-answers.

“A jerk in all ways. Now that he knows your name he’s never going to leave you alone.”

“Why does my name matter?” I probably sounded as exasperated as I felt.

“It doesn’t… but since you gave it to him he’s going to think he has a shot with you.”

“Telling a guy your name equals having interest in them? This town is weird.”

“Yes it is.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, as long as it’s not about Ty. I don’t want to talk about him.”

“Why is one of the card catalog drawers locked?”

“Locked?” He seemed to consider what I’d said.

“Yes.”

“Oh, I know which one you mean.”

“Is there more than one locked one?”

“It’s not really locked.”

“It can’t be opened. It’s locked.” I put a hand on my hip. “And no implying I’m weak. I’m not that weak.”

“It can’t be opened by you.”

“But I’m a librarian… I’m supposed to have access.”

“Yes, but not to those records. At least not yet.”

“What kind of books are you hiding in this library?” This place was starting to feel weirder and weirder.

“More than you think.”

“So you admit there are books being hidden?” I took a seat on a bench. I wasn’t going anywhere with Pierce until he explained himself more.

“Hidden from you, yes.” He sat down on the opposite side of the bench as if purposely putting lots of space between us.

“Only me? Like I have to pass a rite before I can see them?”

“Kind of.”

“You’re kidding, right? You’re just good at telling jokes with a straight face.”

“Believe what you want.” He dug the toe of his black boot in the dirt.

“I don’t get you at all.”

“What don’t you get?”

“You.” I pointed to him and moved my hand up and down.

“That’s kind of a broad statement.”

“First, you act like a jerk, then you find out I’m working for your mom so you act nice, then you snoop through my stuff—”

“Nope. Stop there. I did not snoop through your stuff. It was an accident.”

“An accident that happened because you were willing to snoop through another person’s stuff?” I wasn’t letting him off the hook that easily.

“Not true. I was testing the new set-up, but that’s beside the point. Go on and continue. I can’t wait to hear what else I’ve done that you don’t get.”

“Ok. Lots more.”

“Let’s hear it.” He crossed one leg over the other.

“Then you follow me, even though it was obvious I wanted to be alone.”

“Was it obvious?” He leaned over. “I mean you seemed perfectly fine when I caught up with you.”

Because I had been. The guy should of creeped me out, but instead I enjoyed his company. It was the grey eyes. I was going to keep blaming it on them. “And then you acted all weird with your friend.”

“Ty is not my friend.” There was no hint of a joke left on his face.

“Sorry, my mistake. Your acquaintance. You told me telling him my name was dangerous. And now you are showing me a place that’s cool. Ok, got that. And then on top of that you’re being all secretive about a card catalog. Really? Of all things to hide.”

“Who said I was hiding anything?” He leaned back against the bench.

I leaned back as well. The wood was hard, but I was too tired to care. “You did. You said there were books being kept from me.”

“There are. That doesn’t mean I’m hiding something.”

“Oh, but your mother is.”

“My mother is the library director. That doesn’t mean she has say over everything in the library.”

“Then who does?” Was there a boss over Vicky I didn’t know about?

“That’s an interesting question, isn’t it?” He stood up.

“Really?” I stood up too, not willing to be left behind or shut out of finally getting answers. “That’s how you are going to play this? Avoid answering yet another question?”

“Listen.” He stepped toward me until we were mere inches apart. “I can’t answer all your questions because it’s not my place to answer them.”

“How could it not be your place?” I didn’t hide my exasperation.

“You don’t know much about Willow Harbor.”

“How could I? There is no information available! You guys don’t even have a Wikipedia page. What town doesn’t have a Wikipedia page? And the not being found as a location on GPS thing. Clearly you are all trying to stay off the grid, so then what was the point of hiring me?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “No one but my mom knows that.”

“Ok. Forget wherever we were going. I’m going back to my apartment.” I turned and started back in the direction I’d come.

“It’s faster to loop back another way.”

“I’ll do it my way.” Mostly because I refused to admit he was right.

The cold didn’t bother me as much on the way back. The one positive side effect of anger is that it makes me hot. But the walk did seem to go on for awhile. I didn’t check to see if he was following me. I assumed he wasn’t. No matter how weird this town was, I was sure Pierce had something better to do.

It was only when I was just about back to the library that I realized my mistake. I noticed the cars parked all over, and I heard the loud music. I was about to walk straight into a party.