Page 3 of The Sasquatch and the Hairdresser

I shrug again. “The pills make me groggy the next day, and I need to be alert or my anxiety spikes. So I stopped.”

“Once you get settled somewhere new and establish a daily routine, some of these issues may resolve on their own. Or at the very least, you’ll feel more comfortable taking the medication.” She tilts her head. “Have you made it to the place you were telling me about?”

I nod. “Just arrived a bit before I called you.”

She smiles brightly. “What do you think? First impressions?”

I consider that. “It’s pretty. Lots of trees. I’ve never seen so much nature outside of Central Park. And it’s super quiet compared to the city. So far, I kinda like that. Makes me think I can work on figuring my shit out in peace.”

“I think you made the right call going there. You deserve to experience the safety of a Sanctuary Haven. They’re truly special places. You haven’t known much safety in your life, but you’ll be able to find it there.”

“That’s pretty much the reason I hopped on a bus. Now I just need to figure out how to stay here. I’m broke as hell and jobless.”

She frowns. “Are you still meeting with someone to discuss options?”

I fiddle with my mug. “The agency that put out the ad arranged an appointment with a local contact. They’re meeting me here in the coffee shop in a little while.”

Am I super fucking anxious about that?

Yep.

Cue the damn nicotine craving once again.

We spend another fifteen minutes going through some of the grounding techniques she’s shown me and then Dr. P signs off, reminding me to keep writing in that damn journal.

After we hang up, Cumar appears at my table with a coffee pot in hand. “Free refill?”

I blink. “For real?”

He chuckles. “Drip coffee refills are on the house.”

“Thanks, man.”

Once he refills my mug and heads back to the front counter, I sip the steaming brew and try to ignore the growling noises my stomach has decided to start making. I haven’t eaten anything since last night, but I need to conserve the last bit of cash I have until I know what’s what.

Glancing at my phone screen, I see it’s almost time for the meeting that A.S.S.E.S. set up for me here in town. My leg jiggles nervously under the table. The receptionist had been super vague about who I was meeting, let alone what this meeting would involve.

I look up as a mysterious woman approaches my booth and do a double take.

She’s gorgeous and also intimidating as hell, with long black hair tied up in a slick, high ponytail and electric blue eyes almost the same shade as the nail polish on her long, deadly-looking nails. Her outfit consists of a pair of skintight jeans, thigh-high black leather boots, and an off-the-shoulder red sweater.

When she stops at my booth and grins at me, sharp teeth on display, I can’t hold back a shiver. I’ve gotten good at sensing who’s got the kind of aura I don’t wanna mess with. And this woman’s power is rolling off her in waves. I’m pretty sure she’s not human.

I’m also absolutely certain she could kick my sorry ass.

Shit.

“You must be Skylar,” she says, holding out her hand. “I’m Astraea. Welcome to Mystic Hollow.”

I shake her hand with my own damp one and she takes the seat across from me.

Although I can sense her power, her body language is nonthreatening for now, and I relax a little.

Her eyes gleam. “Just so you know, you’re the very first person to respond to the ad I had A.S.S.E.S. put out. I’d call that destiny, wouldn’t you?”

I stare at her in surprise. “Really? That ad was pretty tempting. I’d think more people would’ve jumped on the opportunity to move somewhere safe that’s looking for business start-ups.”

Maybe other people aren’t as desperate as I am?