Falling for Angels - Hazel Hunter Page 0,14

If he even notices–”

“Don’t go there,” I warned her.

“–you have one.” Deb glared at my chest. “Why am I saving you, anyway?”

I sighed. I didn’t have to wear a bra until college, and then…think Millie Booby Brown turns into Sofia Vergara overnight. Now I make everyone on the squad look flat-chested—even Coco, who is our Sofia Vergara. But my boobs make people think I’m stupid, which I’m not.

“I have this weird feeling about him,” I said. “It’s like he’s hiding something else. Besides the shark teeth, I mean.”

“So, tell K-pop, and stay away from it,” she said.

Deb made me go help unload the orchard carts. The golden-green pears wouldn’t be ripe for another week, but the rosy apples were ready for the cider press.

“Hang with us tonight,” Gayla said as we carried some baskets into the kitchens. “You need to find a boyfriend or girlfriend. Or a threesome. It’s really like a smorgasbord, and you’ve got major melons, girl.”

I scowled. “Leave me alone, will you?”

Up in my room I went to the window, which overlooked the pen with the wild horses. I’d been watching them every night, and the stallion watched me, too. He didn’t change shape or try any magic stuff, but I knew he wanted something. As soon as I glanced down he trotted over to look up.

“It can’t be my boobs,” I muttered. “But if it is, I’m not flashing you.”

The stallion’s front legs bent, and he ducked his head as if he were bowing to me.

I had to find out what that meant, so I slipped out of the castle. The stallion stood waiting for me by the fence, and stepped back as if he expected me to jump in.

Dying didn’t scare me. I was already living on stolen time.

I climbed the fence, and dropped down in front of him. This close I could see his eyes, and when I held out my hand he came to me.

“Hey, Velvet.” I got the name from stroking his neck, which felt like velvet-wrapped concrete. He dropped his head to rest it on my shoulder, his breath hot on my back. I could feel his thoughts flooding into mine, but he had no words, only emotions: Loneliness. Longing.

He couldn’t speak because no one had ever taught him how.

“Lass, let go the beast.” Behind me, the laird’s voice sounded tight. “I’ll lift you out.”

“It’s okay, my lord.” As arms came around me, I glanced back. “He’s not a monster.”

I took off my cloak and draped it around the tall, naked guy who now held me. He had long, shiny black hair, and very fair skin. His eyes were the palest shade of blue, and as soft as velvet. When he snarled at the laird he flashed very white, normal-looking teeth.

“Please don’t,” I said, hoping my tone would calm him. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

He drew back, and then took on a ruddy glow as he shifted into his stallion form.

“Gods blind me,” the McGillean muttered. “He’s no’ half-horse.”

“No.” I watched the shifter gallop away. “He’s half-druid.”

Coach Jennings didn’t want me to go back to the pen, but someone had to teach the halfling how to speak, and he wouldn’t shift for anyone but me.

“We don’t understand what this creature is, or how he came into being,” she told me. “He could attack you at any moment, Lacey. Kendric should handle this.”

Time to be a grown up and tell her.

“A couple months ago I was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” I said. “It had already spread to my liver and lungs. I was going to have chemo and stuff after we got back from Scotland, but the docs weren’t too hopeful. Then time-travel cured me.”

“Honey, I’m so sorry.” The coach rubbed her brow. “That’s not a reason to risk your life.”

“I want to live, and that’s why I came back, Coach, but the halfling…” I grimaced. “He’s part druid, and needs our help. This is how I pay back the sacred grove.”

She sighed. “All right, but I’m going with you so I can see this for myself.”

The halfling came as soon as we entered the pen. Coach Jennings stayed back as I walked up to him, and held out my hands. Just like before he put his big head on my shoulder, and then changed into the druid. This time he pressed his mouth to my temple, and the touch made me shiver.

Could it be love? Time would tell.

“Hey.” I brought his hand to my face. “Lacey. My name