I close the door of my car and look up at the big gray Victorian. With its single tower rising up to the second story on the left and its covered porch surrounded by the new spring leaves of wild rose bushes, it had a welcoming feel that lured a person in. I drew in a deep breath and braced myself before taking those four steps up to the porch.
A little bench sat between two large planters filled with fresh growth off to the side of the door. A smattering of multicolored blown glass balls hung from the porch roof, casting rainbow glints around the space. There was a dark dragon's head door knocker in the middle of the solid wood door, its jaws gripping a wrought iron ring.
That certainly hadn't been there last time I visited.
I reached up and gave the ring a tentative knock. The big black truck in the driveway assured me someone was probably home, but there was no guarantee the couple hadn't left together. Not to mention, this visit was not exactly planned.
The soft thud of footsteps sounded from deep inside the house, coming closer. A dark shadow moved over the frosted pane of one of the long glass windows framing the door. The slide of a dead bolt giving way gave me just enough time to tug my light jacket needlessly properly into place.
The portal opened soundlessly and my breath caught in my lungs.
No matter how many supernatural creatures I saw, I had yet to meet any as stunningly gorgeous as the Incubi.
Verrin was framed in the doorway, a bright smile on his darkly handsome features. His hair was a little longer on top than the last time I'd seen him, settling into a soft mahogany wave. His brilliant blue eyes brightened as he recognized me and he gestured me in. "Sarah! This is a surprise! Come on in!"
"Hey Verrin! It's nice to see you again." I tucked a loose strand of my bangs behind my ear as I stepped inside, letting him shut the door behind me.
"If you're looking for Cass, she's still at work for another hour or so," Verrin said, taking my coat and hanging it up. "I was just starting to put dinner together, but you're welcome to hang out."
"Thanks. I was actually hoping to ask you a few questions." I tell him as I follow him toward the back of the house and through the archway into Cass's kitchen.
The kitchen had been renovated years ago, expanding the tiny space into another room and adding cabinets and new counter tops. When Cassidy had inherited the house she'd added an island with a breakfast bar and changed out the appliances. Now it also bore Verrin's touch in the form of a brand new coffee maker, waffle press and a planter by the window of fresh herbs.
I smile as I take a seat at the breakfast bar, setting my purse on the stool beside me. "I see you've claimed the kitchen," I say, gesturing at the potted herbs.
Verrin grinned. "Cass is a good cook, but she works all day. I love cooking and it gives me something to do." He opens a cupboard with cups on one level and mugs on the next. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"Water is fine," I tell him, shrugging out of my coat and laying it across my purse.
He delivers a tall glass of cold water to me and leans back against the other counter, crossing his ankles and his arms casually as he does. "So what's this about questions you have for me?"
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