Enchanting Wilder by Cassie Graham

snicker.
    The corner of Declan’s mouth turns up. “So no parking lots? Got it.”
    “Definitely not. Parking lots are not magical.”
    He grunts. “I don’t know about that. Depends on the setting.”
    My eyebrows wrinkle and I give him a look of inquisitiveness. “What does that mean?”
    The dimples on his cheeks show themselves and he chuckles. “Maybe I’ll show you what I mean one day.”
    My heartbeat speeds up and a wide grin spreads across my lips. I know he didn’t say it, but in so many words, he told me he’d see me again. I would be lying if I said that didn’t excite me a little bit.
    We both stay silent as we make our way out of town and into the deep woods. It’s only now I think this could be a huge mistake. I don’t really know Declan. I mean—sure, he’s a Pursuer and he seems like a great guy, but he could be a murderer for all I know. I guess he didn’t murder me at the hotel, that’s something.
    Tugging on my bottom lip, I wonder if I should allow myself to truly trust him. I’m so back and forth about it. Trust is such a simple thing, yet ridiculously complex. It’s like free-falling off a cliff. You have give yourself completely over to fate. You hope and pray your parachute opens in time to save you, yet if it doesn’t, you’re forced to use your back-up plan, hoping you don’t lose yourself in the process. Trust the wrong person and your parachute could malfunction. I can easily see myself falling for a guy like him. I shouldn’t take the plunge, but the rush could be so exhilarating.
    Declan eyes me warily. “You’re awfully quiet over there.”
    Weighing my options, I tilt my head and watch him. “I’m just thinking.”
    “Thinking about what?”
    I can’t tell him what I was actually thinking, so instead, I go another direction. “Are you a murderer?”
    Declan sputters and coughs into one of his hands while steering with the other. “What? No!” He seems a little put off I asked. “I mean, not in the sense you’re probably worrying about right now.”
    “What do you mean?” My interest is piqued now.
    He pulls off the highway, pressing his lips together in a small grimace. Once he finds a clearing he’s content with, he shuts off the car and exits without a word. He stomps to the front of the car and sits heavily on the hood, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jacket. His head bows and small puffs of air plume around him.
    Getting out of the car, I tightly wrap my jacket around my body and make my way to him. “You okay?” I didn’t mean to hit such a nerve. I was trying to joke.
    Declan runs his hand through his hair and looks down at the ground. He clasps his hands and his legs bounce. His hair sticks up in a disheveled mess; way too beautiful for his own good and I fight the urge to soothe him.
    “Not really, McKenna. I am a murderer.” His head pivots toward mine, and his eyes beg for me to understand. “Not one that kills humans. I don’t kill just to kill, but I do kill,” he whispers. “I’ve killed more monsters than I can count.”
    I stay silent, afraid any retort will cause him dismay.
    “You should probably run.”
    I tuck my hair behind my ear. “I’m not going to run. I know you think you’re a bad guy, and you’re weighed down by your guilt, but you have to find a way to let it go.”
    A ghost of a smile pulls on his lips. “I wouldn’t be me without the guilt.”
    “I don’t know about that. But, this is your life. You have to accept your responsibilities and not feel bad about them. You’re saving lives, Declan.”
    He gulps.
    “You save more than you kill. I can guarantee that.”
    “You have far too much confidence in me, Mighty.”
    I sit next to him on the car. “Mighty?”
    This time he smiles. It’s radiant and glowing, causing my brain to slow for just a moment to take a mental picture—something so I could see him when he’s long gone. “Mighty. That’s what you are. You’re strong and brave. I could