in the area? I mean what are the chances? Or am I crazy?” Vaughn inquires.
“Are we really playing twenty questions again? Never mind, don’t answer that. It will probably only inspire twenty more questions. No, and yes.” Vaughn gives me a befuddled look so I continue, “He was headed somewhere near the office following up on a lead. But I don’t doubt for a second that he conveniently took that particular route. Who knows, maybe he sensed his mate was in trouble?” I half-ass tease, winking at her. Crossing her arms over her chest she sneers at me before I once again turn away from her and continue toward my bedroom.
Four
Trigger
As I lie in my bed contemplating the day I just survived and all of the information that was bestowed upon me, the memory that stands out the most is the staggering need to find, locate, and save my mate. I knew Vaughn was in some sort of trouble, yet I hadn’t an inkling of what kind. Was she in danger? Is she in danger? Those are things that need clarification and I have a sinking suspicion I won’t know those answers anytime soon. This makes my growing headache tighten in my temples as the random thoughts float through my mind. I’m not one to sit idly by and let a mystery eventually play itself out. I’m a problem solver. I need the right piece of the puzzle to complete it. I need the entire picture in order to set things back to rights.
And set them back, I will.
This is my town now, and nobody threatens the safety and happiness of the residents. Not with me on watch. Word has slowly begun to spread about the fact that I’m not the one that’ll sit back with a cup of coffee and a cigar while the town runs itself. Nope, I’m an everyday, every minute inspector of all things around. I’m not the spectator sort as it appears Cal was. Whereas he seemed to trust everyone to do the right thing, I enforce the laws and work hard to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible and everyone is doing as they should.
Not being able to sleep nor shut my brain down, I decide to head into the office and go through the files again. Something is nagging at me that’s keeping me from getting a good rest.
“Sheriff,” I hear Gaia’s enthusiastic, melodic tone, and she’s a tad too happy-go-lucky for me. She singsongs her way into my office with a graceful step… almost like she’s dancing. Her tune is full of happiness and excitement which is heavily laced in her voice as she graces me with her presence.
“What can I do for you this fine day, Gaia?” I try to match her enthusiasm, but I can’t wrap my head around what could be so fantastical that she’d be in such a great mood.
“I felt a veil open last night and guess where I tracked it to?” My head hangs as it begins to pound with her question. My mind is not ready to play another round of twenty questions with her at this early hour. I haven’t even made it through my first cup of coffee and she’s already got me anxious to crawl back into bed and call this a day.
“A veil?” I ask, not yet ready to comprehend what she’s speaking of. I need some fucking pain reliever to ease the pounding in my brain. This marching band, residing inside of me, needs to end their halftime entertainment show. I don’t understand why my bear didn’t heal me right away, but right now, he’s on my shitlist.
“A veil, you know, a rip in time?” She looks at me as if I’m dense, as if she’s embarrassed on my behalf for not knowing or understanding.
“No, Gaia, I don’t know, please explain.” A harsh expulsion of breath leaves me as I look up at her with a ‘get on with it’ look.
“I guess I should really write you a report of definitions so I don’t have to explain everything to you.” A growl escapes my lips with annoyance. My bear is clawing inside of me, ready and willing to take over my being. He’s angry and disturbed from feeling disrespected, he’s ready to avenge me. Closing my eyes, I calm him down. I know Gaia meant no harm with her previous words to me, but my bear loves confrontation and takes everything personally. Over the years, I’ve worked hard