I pulled into the parking lot of Whisper Falls Inn and shut off the engine. I was exhausted. I’d driven it straight through, with only minimal stops, in fear that Brandt would follow me. I’d longed to stop at hotels for a few nights and see all the corny sights along the way. Who knew when I’d be able to leave Havenwood Falls again? After my experience in Atlanta, maybe never. I’d realized just how risky it could be for a supernatural being living outside the magic bubble of our town. Havenwood Falls was founded specifically to keep various non-human species safe. We did have human residents. Most of them had no idea that they lived among a variety of creatures they would normally consider monsters, but that was by design as well. My hometown was never dull.

The downside was that there were memory wards in place. Wards I had to convince a witch friend of mine to help me bypass, so I could come back home, should I wish to. I also asked her to concoct a spell that made my moves untraceable. I didn’t want to be tracked, should I have decided the relocation would be permanent. Without the powerful ring given to me by my magically talented friend Ani Rukska, I would have succumbed to the amnesia spell that protected Havenwood Falls. It’s kind of genius actually. Visitors who leave our little town forgot all about us once they passed twenty-five miles outside of the city limits. Their time here became more like a vague recollection or dream to them. For residents, the situation was a bit different. We couldn’t be gone for more than a moon cycle. We only had twenty-eight days, or we lost all memories of home.

I left to break away from the constricting influence of my father. And I wanted to try something on my own. To take a huge leap and see where I landed. Sadly, I landed in the office of Brandt Sawyer. A step I sorely regretted. I hated coming back home with my tail tucked between my legs, but I knew I had made the right move. I was safe here. Brandt couldn’t find me or Havenwood Falls. I could finally relax.

I glanced over at the metal lockbox sitting on the passenger floorboard. The contents of that box had to be well hidden. No one could ever find what I had pilfered from Brandt’s safe. I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the steering wheel.

A familiar voice sounded next to me with “Long day?” and caused me to jump, a yelp escaping my lips as I turned to see Madame Luiza Petran sitting in the passenger seat.

“Damn it, Madame Luiza, you scared the hell out of me,” I chastised.

“Good afternoon, dear. It’s nice to see you, too.” Her eyes twinkled as she spoke. “Are you gonna sit out here in the cold all day? We have some fresh coffee in the lobby, if you’d care for a cup.”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you.”

She smiled and then disappeared.

“Fuckin’ ghosts,” I muttered. Madame Luiza was a vampire who had run the large three-story Victorian manor for a while after her brother- and sister-in-law died. She’d passed away, too, and her ghost now haunted the place. I’d always liked her, but sometimes I thought she enjoyed surprising people a little too much. She was damn good at it.

I draped a blanket over the lockbox and slid out of my Jeep.

Once I reached the entrance, I steeled myself for the many questions I expected would be hurled at me, and then walked inside. I was welcomed by the familiar sight of polished oak flooring, beautiful stained-glass windows, and intricately designed rugs. The large manor had a comforting mix of Victorian era design and modern conveniences. Electric fixtures were now hanging in areas where old wall sconces had once existed. The heavy wood doors to the dining area hung from shiny new hinges, yet somehow still managed to creak as they moved, giving the house an ambiance that was often prevalent in older homes. Unexpected emotions rose from my chest and caught in my throat. I never would have believed I could miss Havenwood Falls so much. And this lovely inn was merely a small part of the town I called home. If only my father were a different man, I might have been perfectly content in this canyon.

“Jetta!”

I looked up to see Sindi Scott smirking at me.

“Where’d you take off to? Everyone’s been looking for you.” She raised one perfectly sculpted eyebrow. I hated how perfect her eyebrows were. My eyebrows looked like drug-crazed caterpillars compared to hers.

I shrugged. “I needed a vacation.”

Sindi crossed her arms. “Liar.”

I bit back a smile. Sindi was one of my favorite people since she’d moved to Havenwood Falls the year before. She was a sultry, redheaded goth vampire. She didn’t bullshit, and I loved that about her.

“I checked out your old stomping grounds. Atlanta’s a crazy place. But you’re free to believe whatever you want. It won’t change my answer to anyone who asks.” I held up my credit card. “Do you have any rooms available?”

“We do. But why aren’t you staying at home? Your father would be happy to see you.” She took my card and began the registration process.

“My father is never happy to see me. Besides, I’d prefer not to see him just yet.” My words were tight, and I hoped my tone didn’t seem snippy. The mention of my father always made me pissy.

She shook her head. “You are so predictable, Mills.”

I shrugged. “It’s not a secret that Dad and I don’t get along.”

She handed me the room key and my credit card. “Let us know if you need anything.”

I nodded and swiftly went back out to grab my things before anyone else had a chance to corner me.

* * *

I took a long, luxurious nap. By this point, I had no doubt that several people had spotted my Jeep and word had spread. Jetta Mills was back in town. The way I’d left, I’m sure there were those who expected to never see me again. Hell, I didn’t know what I’d do once I passed the city limits. I just knew I had to leave. I was tired of fighting with my father over . . . well, everything. He hated my style, my attitude, my language, my music. Anything uniquely a part of me, he disliked with an intensity I could only describe as utter disgust. Of course, knowing this, I did all I could to exaggerate those characteristics. I’d acquired more tattoos, more piercings, and acted out more than ever. We engaged in a constant battle of wills, that old man and I. I was determined to win.

I showered and put on a fresh change of clothes before I looked myself over in the mirror. My black jeans were skin tight and ripped in several places. The gray shirt I wore had a wide neck and hung loose enough to expose all of my collar bone and part of my shoulders. My black boots shone, with the silver buckles on the sides catching the light when I moved. I loved those boots. The four-inch spiked heels alone could be considered deadly weapons.

I put my favorite silver hoop earrings in and smiled. Since removing the extensions and washing out the temporary dark color, I now had my natural silver hair back—an unusual color I’d had since I was a teen. I felt like myself again. The extensions were a fun experiment, but I missed my pixie cut, and the time had come for another trim. I was also happy to no longer need makeup to cover the tattoo on my neck. I’d worn long sleeves everywhere while in Atlanta, so my partial tattoo sleeves were hidden, but the dragon on my neck was unique, and I hadn’t been comfortable letting anyone outside of Havenwood Falls see it. I wasn’t sure why. Maybe some sort of instinctual protective mechanism took over—I didn’t know, other than my gut told me to hide it, so I did. Frankie was the only person who had seen the beast that hugged my neck.

If I was being honest, I think a part of me knew that leaving home was risky enough that I should take some precautions. I’d almost changed my name as well, but decided that was taking it too far, considering our little box canyon was all but impossible to find if you weren’t drawn to it by the town’s magic.

I placed my usual rings on my fingers, except for the one Ani had given me. I no longer needed the protections it granted. I had to destroy the abomination before anyone learned of its existence and we both got into trouble. For the time being, the lockbox would keep my secrets.

I grabbed the box from the nightstand and sat it in my lap before I punched in the four-digit code I’d stolen from Brandt’s desk. The soft click of the lock indicated the door was open. I raised the lid and froze. I allowed myself a moment to push down the bile that rose in my throat, then I tossed the ring inside and slammed the lid shut.

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door, and I pushed the box under the bed with haste. I moved to the door and unlocked the bolt, then opened it. My father stood on the other side, his tall, bony frame and piercing green eyes filling my vision. I looked at his bushy white hair and matching eyebrows and silently wondered if it’d take a hedge trimmer to get those suckers under control. His appearance was frailer than I’d ever seen him.

“Oh, it’s you,” I said.

“Yes, it’s me.” He pushed past me without invitation. I watched as his shrewd and critical gaze roamed the small room. His sour face made it obvious he didn’t approve of the lodgings I’d chosen, even though the décor was beautifully done. Dark wood trim and floors mixed with lovely antique furniture and eggshell colored paint, and pastel lampshades, drapes, and linens accented the room, lightening up the heavy feel created from the darker furnishings. If my father hated this, he’d have died on the spot over my apartment in Atlanta. But his disgust was no surprise. He was a snob of the highest caliber. Nothing was ever good enough for Lawrence Mills.

I shut the door and leaned against it. I knew what was coming, and I braced myself.

“Where have you been, young lady?” His voice was stern, barely restrained anger at the surface.

“Not here,” I replied as I crossed my arms.

“Don’t be an idiot. If you’d been here, I wouldn’t be asking the question.”

I raised my eyebrows at him. “I think the idiot is the one asking the stupid question.”

He growled, and the low rumble was a warning sign that he was about to lose his temper. While I’d love to see the always composed and proper Lawrence Mills shift due to anger, it wasn’t fair to the other guests or the employees at the inn. Dad could make a mess when his temper flared.

“Chill, before you hurt yourself. I’ll tell you.” I motioned to the bed. “Have a seat.”

He continued to frown, but he did as I directed.

“I took a road trip. I needed a change of scenery. I landed in Atlanta and got a job for a bit, then decided I was done with the big city life, and I came home. The end.” I put my thumbs in the pockets of my jeans and rocked on my heels. “So, now that we’re caught up, you can leave, and I can continue with my plans for the evening.”

“Did you ever stop to think I might have been worried, Jetta?” His voice was low, but still held that hard edge I’d become accustomed to when he spoke to or about me.

“Not really. You have plenty here to keep you occupied. Especially now that Tristan and his family are back.” I shifted my stance, eager to get out of the room.

“It’s nice to have your brother back, although things with him certainly haven’t gone as planned.” He looked at me with those eyes that once held all the love in the world for his little princess. That love had been gone a long time.

“Well . . .” I drawled. “Maybe if you stopped trying to run everyone’s life, you’d be less disappointed when they didn’t march to your drum.” I smiled sweetly, knowing my words and expression would irritate the hell out of him.

“Bah.” He scowled and stood, relying on his cane more than usual. “I can’t talk to you when you’re like this.” He hobbled toward the door, and I stepped out of his way.

“I’m always like this.” I opened the door for him.

His hard gaze met mine. “I know.” Then he walked out without a single glance back.

Well, that went well.

I grabbed my keys and locked up my room. My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I needed to eat. While I was out and about, I had a bartender to see.