Nora's POV
"Beautiful evening, right?" The words tumble out before I can stop them, though nothing about tonight feels beautiful.
The temperature has dropped even more, and I'm certain we'll wake to frost covering everything tomorrow. "Stay," I whisper to Zerra, the command slipping out in Enochian.
"That your dog?" Officer Arturo's voice cuts through the night air.
"I'm actually more of a cat lover," I stammer, cringing internally at how unconvincing I sound.
Damn it.
"We're pet-sitting," James jumps in smoothly. "The owner's vacationing in Bali."
"Dogs need leashes in this area," Officer Arturo responds, shifting his patrol car into park. "How long you been watching her?"
"Just picked her up yesterday," I reply. Technically the truth.
Officer Arturo gives a slow nod, his attention still fixed on Zerra, who sits motionless beside me. James moves closer, and I watch Officer Arturo's entire body go rigid, his hand instinctively moving toward his weapon.
