Marked for Darkness

Harlow sipped her hot coffee from the only mug she had packed. Pink with faded ‘You’re magical’ scrawled across the front and a gold unicorn on the back. She didn’t want to venture out after last night. She’d dreamt of the beast that spared her. And of the other—the one with silver, cunning eyes.

The same one that matched her painting.

She glanced sidelong at it as she scrolled down the page on her laptop. Her finger hovered over the keypad before she finally clicked ‘submit’. Another painting for purchase, though she felt as though she’d rather just burn it.

Both the female ruler and her…guard gave her the creeps.

To distract herself, she checked her email and texted Lenae, who’d already managed to find another ‘gorgeous mistake’ as she called him. It made Harlow smile.

By the time she’d sent a short reply about her hotel room and the fact that she had a date tonight, there was a new email in her inbox. She ignored the chiming of her phone as Lenae no doubt energetically squealed through text messages. It read,

Auction Sold to buyer AnonymousD329

Harlow blinked, her throat tightening. Every painting she’d sold online had been purchased by anonymous buyers. She clicked on the link and her eyes bugged.

Sold for $8,680.

Her heart stuttered as she read the amount again and again. At last she signed onto the auction site to double-check the numbers. Almost nine grand on one eerie painting.

She was used to her paintings selling for roughly the cost of rent and utilities each month, but this was easily two thousand dollars more.

AnonymousD329…

However, she noticed the shipping instructions were much different this time. Every painting she’d sold online before this one, went to some warehouse or other, but this one…was close. New York. A rural address not far from Binghamton.

Harlow wrote down the address before downing the last of her coffee, savoring the warmth of it down her throat. She’d continue her search for places in the city available for rent, then figure out the most suitable path to a post office, leaving her just enough time to get ready for her date with Rex.

Her phone pinged with another message a moment later. Figuring it was best not to leave Lenae without details for too long, Harlow glanced at it the screen. Heat rose up in her cheeks at the newest message.

It was from Rex.

Hey just checking that we’re still on for tonight? 😉

Harlow snorted a laugh at the winking emoji, then typed back: Sure are. See you at 7

Still smiling, she responded to Lenae’s all-caps intrusive questions, telling her how she met him, what he looks like and what their plan was for tonight.

Lenae answered with: You’d better call me the second you leave and tell me how it went. DON’T LEAVE OUT ANY DETAILS!!!

She agreed and told her friend she’d message her later. It was nearly thirty minutes after that, as Harlow rose and stretched, closing her laptop that her phone pinged again. Her stomach swooped when she saw it was from Rex.

So whatcha gonna wear?

It’s a surprise, she typed back.

His response was immediate: Can’t wait. Just no clown suits. Clowns freak me out.

Harlow laughed before setting her phone on the bed, then headed for the shower. Rex’s homor was a definite plus, on top of the fact that he was gorgeous. Jackpot.

After more than a dozen catastrophic dates in her life, she hoped tonight would be perfect.

***

She didn’t own many fancy dresses, and she was sure wearing the same one as last night wasn’t “dressing to impress”. She had an emerald green dress that was a little more casual than her black number, with three-quarter length sleeves, thigh length, and a wrap-around bodice. It was the prefect blend of comfort and style and with her hair down in loose waves, she definitely felt impressive.

Her eyes were accentuated with dark makeup, her lips stained red. With a final once-over in the square mirror in the small bathroom, she exhaled her nerves and grabbed her things before heading out the door.

After giving his address last night, Harlow had insisted she walk to his apartment, given that it was only a few blocks. Shaken by the two beasts in the street, she wished she hadn’t insisted as she stepped out onto the darkened side street.

Her pace was hurried to get into the light—to join the evening crowds. The sun had descended and only the faintest smear of light glowed on the horizon. The sky above was navy blue. Starless. Though the moon was full, it was mostly covered with clouds.

She couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder every few paces, but nothing and no one looked out of the ordinary. No giant beasts fell from the sky.

As she rounded the final corner, her shoulders sagged in relief. Across the street was Rex’s well-kept apartment building.

All around the people passing thinned, but Harlow kept her eyes locked on the doors as she stopped at the light, waiting to cross. The familiar sensation of being watched caused her to shiver.

Behind her, a low, rumbling growl reverberated all through her body. Her spine straightened, but no one seemed to notice the beastly sound. As though it blended into the dull roar of car engines, footsteps on pavement and the muted chatter.

But she knew it for what it was.

Reluctantly, she peered over her shoulder, down the street, but the throng of people milling about kept her from getting a clear view.

There’s no way a creature that big could hide out in New York City without being seen. Relax, you’re just on edge.

The light turned and Harlow raced into the street, just as another, low, menacing growl reached her ears. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and she sucked in an involuntary breath.

Without looking back, she broke into a jog, ignoring the discomfort that came with running in heels.

The distance between her and the ornate double doors lessened. Fifteen feet.

Ten.

A sound like a snarl rose up in the street and tires squealed against the road in protest. Horns blared.

Holy shit it’s really following me!

Six feet.

People around her were beginning to notice that she was clearly running from something. A panic flaring.

Hot breath puffed on her right shoulder blade and Harlow bit back a scream.

Four feet.

A sound of desperation escaped her, and a single word ricocheted through her mind.

Stop.

Had she thought that? It hadn’t sounded like her. And stopping was the last thing she wanted to do.

Harlow collided with the doors, a cry of relief rushing from her too-tight lungs. She pushed through them, turning at last and fully expecting the beast to be mere feet from her. The people that passed looked around, but none screamed or ran for their lives like a creature three times the size of a bear chased her.

It was calm. Nothing out of the ordinary.

What the hell, she thought.