Page 71 of The Curse of Redwood

“Don’t misunderstand me,” he said, before smiling—if you could call it that. It looked more like a weird grimace. “I’m not interested in you in the way you’re thinking.”

“I thought you said you couldn’t read minds.”

“I never said I couldn’t. Only that it doesn’t work how you implied.”

“So, youcanread minds,” I said, pushing my empty glass away from me. I debated on getting a beer, but I needed to slow down in my drinking, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to drive home later.

“I don’t need to read your mind in order to know your thoughts,” he countered. “It’s written so plainly on your face.”

“Okay. If you’re not wanting to bang me, then why did you accept the invite once you knew I’d be here?”

“I wanted to give you this.” Callum withdrew something from his inner coat pocket—a green crystal on a leather band.

“Um. A necklace? Thanks, but it’s not really my style.”

“It’s a peridot stone,” he said, placing it on my palm. “Wear it around your neck for protection.”

“Protection from what?”

He regarded me with a no-bullshit expression. “I think you know.”

It was in that moment when I first started to believe Callum was the real deal. He didn’t flaunt his supposed gifts, and he didn’t exude arrogance or a sense of entitlement. He seemed genuine.

I clutched the stone in my hand, feeling a strange sort of calm wash over me as I did. “Thank you.”

“The stone will only do so much, I’m afraid,” he said, before standing from the table. “However, you know where to find me if things get too out of control.”

Did he know about me going to Redwood? If so, what else did he know?

“You’re leaving already?” Taylor asked him.

“Yes,” Callum answered, “I appreciate the invite, but I must be going. Early day tomorrow.”

Without another word, he turned and headed for the door, his coat swishing in such a badass manner as he did. Yep. His new nickname would be Van Helsing.

“I think I’m gonna head out too,” I said, standing up. The ache in my temple worsened, and I winced as the people at the table beside ours yelled and laughed. “Too noisy.”

“I’ll walk you to your car,” Taylor said, as he hopped up from the table.

I paid my tab at the bar and went outside. The cool air felt great on my heated skin. The inside of the bar had been stuffy and warm. That late, there weren’t many people out. Main Street looked different at night, less welcoming and more… sinister. Or maybe it was due to my own fears still holding me in their clutches. Every shadow felt like a threat.

“What’s that?” Taylor asked, nodding to my closed fist where I held the stone.

“A necklace.” I held it up by the leather band to show him. “Callum gave it to me for protection. I guess he sensed a darkness around me.”

“Do you believe me now?” Taylor nudged my arm as he walked beside me on the sidewalk. “He really knows what he’s talking about.”

“Question. Are you really into that witchy stuff? Or did you just pretend to be to see him more?”

Taylor laughed and ran a hand through the top of his dark hair, smoothing it down. “I mean. I definitely feel a connection to nature and the belief in some higher power that’s not God, but something different altogether.”

“But?” I pressed.

“But… I might’ve wanted any reason to see him, okay?”

I snorted and unlocked my car. “I’ve done some crazy things in the past for men I crushed on, but I’ve never converted to a new religion for one. That’s new.”

“I’m not converting to anything,” Taylor said, echoing his laugh from earlier. Nerves were woven into it, though. “Callum is… unlike anyone I’ve met before. He excites me.”