It’s not exactly something you can work into an everyday conversation.” I’m not sure, but I might faint.” She breathed and he was instantly standing, gripping her arms. “I’m so sorry, Rebecca, for putting you through that.” He told her, rubbing her arms. “I know this must seem surreal. Why don’t we go back to your place, and I’ll make you some tea and we can sit down and talk. “She nodded numbly and let him scoop her up and carry her back to her house even though he was naked. He set her on the sofa and went into the kitchen, coming back with a steaming mug of tea. She took it from him, warming her hands against the cup, and wondering which of them would be the first to speak.
It was Luke, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for you to find out like that. I wanted to tell you but I just had been putting it off. I thought you’d run screaming. “I didn’t scream.” She mumbled.” I know you didn’t. You were so brave.” He said and reached out to stroke her cheek. “So what you can do,” she started to say. “It’s real?” She asked and winced when she realized how stupid her question sounded. Luke didn’t laugh at her though. “Yes, it’s real. I’m real. ” And…there are other people out there who can do the same thing?” She asked. “No, I’m the last of my kind. The rest of my people have died or have been hunted down.” Luke said. “I’ve been looking for someone for so long that could help me carry on my line, preserve the gift.” He hesitated. “I knew from the moment I met you and you started drilling me about the sanctuary’s practices that you were it. You are it for me, Rebecca, and I want you to be that person, but only if you want that too. “Her breath caught in her throat. “Yes, I want that.” She answered. “Wait, you said that some of your people were hunted. Does that mean that there are others that know about you? “He nodded slowly. “Old families, ones that can remember further back then they have any right to. There’s not many of them but just enough to hurt us, end our line. ” There was a man yesterday.” she quickly said. “He said he was FBI but he was carrying a shotgun and he wouldn’t tell me how he got in. He was looking for you. “Did he mention a name?” He asked. “No, well, he called himself Agent Wilson. Do you know him?” She asked. “No, but I know the name. The Wilson’s are an old family and I know they’ve produced quite a few hunters.” He explained. “Will you be alright? What will we do?” “Nothing, he doesn’t have any proof. I haven’t broken any laws. He can’t do anything.” Seeing her confusion, he explained. “Men like Wilson, the hunters, they’re usually police or FBI. It gives them a good way to cover it all up, all they need to do is plant a gun and say the victim tried to use it.” Rebecca panicked. “But won’t he try to do that to you?” “I’m safe inside the sanctuary. There’s no way he’s getting in again after what you put him through. I’ll just have to be careful when I go out.” “You know, for someone who’s being hunted down by a hunter who killed your entire family, you’re oddly calm.” “He didn’t kill my parents, they both died of natural causes. Besides, hunters have really been losing steam in the last twenty years. My guess is that he’ll get bored after a few weeks and disappear.” “So, I’m guessing I shouldn’t serve you any tea with silver spoons then?” She asked, trying to lighten the mood. Luke laughed. “That’s a myth and I’m not a werewolf, you know. Silver doesn’t affect me.” she swallowed, wondering if she should voice the question on the tip of her tongue. “And…bullets?” “Real bullets hurt just as bad, not that I’d know personally.” He poked her side, trying to get a smile out of her. “Please don’t worry about this. I’ve actually ran into three hunters, one even personally apologized to me for what their family had done over the centuries. I promise I’m not in any danger.” “Okay,” she said softly. “I trust you.” He cupped her face, drawing her in for a soft kiss. “Tomorrow is Sunday.” “It is.” She agreed. “You have the day off tomorrow.” His lips trailed down his neck. “I just might be able to get out early.” Her lips twisted up into a smirk. “I was going to go in anyway and see if I could get some more work done. Lots to do before the holiday.” She tapped his thigh. “And speaking of work, we should get ready or we’re going to be late.” He groaned comically against her neck. “Technically we don’t have anyone to report to.” “Are you really going to make those giraffes wait even longer for their breakfast?” She fired back. They got ready together, Luke cleaning up the best he could in yesterday’s old clothes, promising to go back to his house at lunch and change. “You’ll scandalize poor Maggie if you don’t.” Rebecca had told him. They parted ways with a kiss and promised to meet up for lunch as soon as Luke had gotten a chance to change into fresh clothes. Rebecca drove her ATV out to the edge of the sanctuary, determined to finish surveying the tiger enclosure. She had started the survey the other day, but the tigers seemed distrustful of her and she didn’t get much done when they started to show signs of agitation. She was hoping to earn their trust, so she was making an effort to come to the enclosure at least once a day so they could get familiar with her. As she got her equipment together, she could swear that she could feel eyes, staring a hole into her back. When she turned around, she couldn’t see anything, but the feeling of unease followed her for the rest of the day.