Page 2 of Demon (Mystic Guardians #3)

Chapter Two

L onnie

Lonnie Russell eyed the note pinned under the windshield wiper of his car, his skin pricking with dread. He’d convinced himself these notes were nothing more than a student prank, but the last couple had grown increasingly more menacing. Glad he was wearing gloves, he pulled out the piece of paper and unfolded it.

Today I followed you between classes, and again you didn’t see me. You’d better see me.

He spun around, gaze darting all around the college parking lot as his breath fogged the air. Light snow flurries obscured his vision slightly, but outside of cars, there were only a few teachers and students around. None seemed to be watching him. Still, he felt eyes on him. The hair on the back of his neck was standing on end. Still searching the lot, he slowly climbed into his car and locked the door. He started the engine and turned the heat all the way up, shivering at the frigid air coming from the vents.

He was not a winter person.

Lonnie kept his eyes peeled for anyone watching him as he slowly drove through the parking lot toward the street. He loved his creative writing teaching position at Seattle University, and he was pissed off that this…person was making him dread his days at the school.

He’d saved all the notes and thought maybe it was time to go to the police, but he was still reluctant because none of the statements had been outright threatening. You’d better see me only implied that something bad would happen if he didn’t. Still, it unnerved him to know someone was this focused on him. He couldn’t imagine why he’d attract anyone’s attention.

Maybe his sister would have some ideas what he should do. Gabby didn’t have a problem with sharing her opinions. Ever.

He parked in the lot of the Yemeni cafe they loved, spotting his sister through the window. She saw him, too, waving. He and Gabby looked alike, sharing their mother’s mixed brown hair. Gabby had always been thankful for it since she didn’t have to get artificial highlights. And they shared the same unfortunate build as well.

He hurried inside and took the chair across from Gabby. It was a pleasant cafe that only served drinks and sweets, the walls adorned with scenic, peaceful images. The air was thick with the scents of coffee and spices.

Gabby grinned at him. “I already ordered you the house coffee and got some pastries for us to share. Hope that’s okay.”

“It’s great. Thanks.” He set his briefcase on the seat beside him, tucking the note underneath it. He’d find a way to work it into their conversation. But Gabby’s sharp eyes ruined his plans. She reached across the table and snatched up the note, too fast for him to stop her.

“What’s this?” she asked as she unfolded the paper. Her face went pale as her gaze shot to his. “What the hell, Lonnie?”

He sighed and removed his gloves to set them on the table. “If there were fingerprints on that, you just screwed them up.”

“Fingerprints? Lonnie, where did you find this?”

“This one was on my car under the windshield wiper.”

“This one?” She leaned over the table and lowered her voice. “Are you telling me you’ve gotten more than one letter like this?”

He shrugged. “Yeah. This is the fifth one. The first two were on my desk, one was through the mail, the last two, including this one, on my car.” He smiled up at the server as she set down his mug of coffee, returning his smile. He quickly took a sip, sighing over the blend of cardamom, cinnamon and ginger. “Oh, that’s good as always.” The server set down their pastries, including his favorite cream cheese-filled sweet bread with honey. He loved the way the pastry was shaped like honeycomb.

“Have you called the police?” Gabby asked as their server left to go back to the counter. She was still keeping her voice down, which he was thankful for since the cafe was busy as usual. Every single table held people, and most were working quietly on laptops, so it would be easy to hear their conversation.

“No.” He hitched his voice low. “I’m not sure it would help. But with this one, I was considering it.”

“If you’re not going to report this, then you need to do something else.”

“Like what?”

“Protection.”

He blinked at her. “You mean, like a bodyguard?”

She nodded. “I know just the company to call, too. My friend told me about it after she hired their services. Said they’re affordable.”

“Affordable is still probably not cheap enough for me, and you know that.”

“Then I’ll hire them.” She sat back and crossed her arms, a familiar sign that she had already made up her mind.

He glared at her. “With your husband’s money? No, thanks.”

She smirked. “I don’t need his money—though he’d never miss it. Did I mention that romantasy is huge right now? My latest hit three different bestseller lists, and I’ve got some nice royalties coming.”

Lonnie groaned. “Again? And I haven’t even managed…” He trailed off, not wanting to spoil her good news. He really was proud of her. Just… It was hard.

She touched his hand. “Still not done?”

“I’ve been working on my book, but teaching takes up so much of my time, I’m just too busy.” He snorted. “Ironic, isn’t it? I’m the one who teaches writing, and you’re the one who’s actually doing it.”

She patted him. “Well, maybe you could focus better if you weren’t dealing with a creepy stalker. So let me?—”

He held up his hand. “No, I don’t want you to pay for a bodyguard. I’ll figure this out. Probably go ahead and report this to the cops, at least. But let’s not overreact. It’s probably just a student of mine. I’ll pay more attention to see who’s acting differently in class.”

“Look around when you’re walking, too.” She waved the letter in the air. “This is scary, Lonnie. I don’t like it.”

“I’m not much of a fan myself.”

“What did the other ones say?”

He’d put each one in a baggie and kept them in his briefcase, so he pulled them out for her. She laid them out on the table and read each one, growing even paler.

He knew them by heart.

Why don’t you pay attention to me? Don’t you know you’re mine?

I like the sweater you wore today. Was near while you were in line at a coffee cart and loved the way the sunlight brushed your hair with color.

Today, you talked about stating the theme in the opening, and I wanted to share mine. You, Lonnie. You are my theme.

Then the one that had filled him with real fear, instead of just annoyance.

You went on a date. I followed you, and you never saw me. You paid attention only to that man. You shouldn’t have done that.

“Lonnie, these are more than scary. Do you think it’s Richard?”

“My ex?” He shook his head before taking another sip of coffee. The mug clattered against the saucer when he set it down—his hand was shaking, he realized. This was bothering him more than he’d wanted to admit. “Nah, Richard wants nothing to do with me. Walking in on him with someone else ended something that should have ended ages ago. You should have seen the guy he was with—no soft middle on that one.”

“Don’t put yourself down. You’re perfect the way you are, just as I am. I worked my ass off trying to make my belly flat and finally accepted it’s never going to happen.”

“Oh, Richard was always pointing out ways for me to get abs. I tried, too.” And he had. Sweated his ass off without ever seeing any results. Now, he’d just accepted this was his body. Mostly.

“You need to find someone like I did. Someone who loves you just the way you are.” She picked up today’s letter and waved it again. “But this is what I want to discuss. If it’s not Richard, is there anyone else who’s been around more lately?”

He shook his head. “No. And I’ve been paying attention. The theme one tells me it’s got to be one of my students.”

“Or someone who sneaked into the class. Did you notice anyone different?”

“Yes, but the particular day I got that note, I had extras in the class. A lot because a local high school came on a field trip. So there were extra students, parents, and teachers.” His shoulders slumped. “Hell, someone could have filmed and posted the video on TikTok or something.”

“That’s it, I’m getting you a bodyguard.” She glared when he opened his mouth to protest. “No arguments. I don’t think the cops can really do anything with this. I still think you should at least report that it’s going on, but having someone watching out for you while it’s happening makes the most sense. I won’t be able to function if I’m worrying your stalker will hurt you.”

Stalker.

She was right. That’s exactly what he had. So he didn’t argue as she called her friend and got the name of the company. He just sipped his coffee and tried not to think about the fact someone was watching his every move.