He’d originally intended to take her straight to her quarters to settle in, and then slowly introduce her to his world. Seeing the wonder in her eyes changed his mind. Why not build on it? This magic, the mystique of stepping into an alien world that was now her own, this is what she needed. Let her first moments be full of pleasure and the rest of her days would be colored by it. Tossing aside his mental itinerary, he took her hand, threw her a grin, and headed for the path that led to the market.The path through the woods wasn’t long. Rain’s eyes lit up when she first caught sight of the colorful tents and booths nestled against the curve of the Citadel’s stonewall, facing the bay. Rows of merchants selling everything from produce and crafts to weapons and livestock greeted shoppers with cheerful invitations to try

Heavy with irony, his tone only made her feel lower. Panic attacks with claws could be deadly enough, but she’d never attacked a friend before. Of course, she’d never had a friend to attack, and even now, she wasn’t sure that Fallon was one. That didn’t stop the sickness tearing up her guts, however.Fallon didn’t need to hear an apology, not with her bowed shoulders and hidden face shouting it out. A surge of pity mixed with lingering irritation. Her half-change was unsettling. Their kind was either-or, not an odd mix of both states, and by the look on her face as she’d changed she had no control over it. Maybe that had contributed to her fright. In human form, Haunt had human senses, except for sharpened hearing. In Haunt form, they had the keen senses of wolves coupled with superior strength, speed and a

“No, I wouldn’t know. When in the last few days that I’ve known you would I have figured that out?”“Ah. You need time, and I’m rushing you.” He didn’t apologize.She breathed deeply for strength. “I’ve got no interest in a relationship with you, however brief. Don’t tell me you’re desperate for female companionship. I’m sure there’s a few women around here you haven’t bedded. Probably a teen or two who came of age while you were away.”“Ouch. I hate to disappoint, but I haven’t been as busy as that. I’ll bet there’s ten women, at least, who I haven’t bedded here.”

She still looked dazed when he brought her to his suite and seated her at the long table. Larger than her own apartments, his was furnished in soft greens, bronze and tan leather. It had three bedrooms, suitable for the family he’d one day have. The houseplants were few, but well cared for thanks to his housekeeper. He looked at Rain, but whatever she thought of the place, she seemed too unsettled to comment.The meal had just been laid out on the table. Content to leave the unfocused expression on her face, he filled her plate and poured her wine before serving himself.She ate, but kept her eyes on her plate. He let her have silence for a little while, then said casually, “I thought we could fish on the bay in the morning. I’ve arranged to borrow a

Anxiety made her restless, and pacing her small room didn’t help. She needed out, so she threw on some jeans, a navy sports bra and a long sleeved, black shirt. Dressed for success, she scaled her garden wall.She wasn’t trying to escape the Dark Lands. It was freezing cold on the other side of the gate, assuming she could even find it. Her sense of direction sucked. Even if she could follow the snow machine tracks back, she’d freeze long before she reached civilization.No, she just needed a break from company, especially Fallon’s. Crossing the grassy spot behind the wall, she took a straight line toward the looming shape of an obstacle course she’d seen in the distance that morning. At the time it had been swarming with Haunt, but now it