“Sorry,” he mumbled when he saw my face heat up with embarrassment. “I forgot you were here.”

  There became a lot of that sentence uttered during those first few days. Charlie had called on day three wanting to know how it was living with my “boyfriend.” I hated lying to her, but I didn’t want to upset her and the truth wasn’t an option, not that she would have believed me anyways. I told her it was great and no, I hadn’t given into his sex appeal just because I was living under the same roof as him. Cam just happened to be walking past when I said that. My face reddened drawing a small chuckle from him.

  My first load of laundry broke the washer. Cam and Tyler had set about fixing it only to find my panties had slipped under the agitator. Seeing Cam’s smug face as he held up my cheeky, white-lace panties had me gritting my teeth, yanking them from his grasp. I ordered a laundry bag off of Amazon, with two day shipping, to avoid that happening again.

  Derek had hidden my gloves—all of them. In the wake of coming downstairs my first morning with them on, they disappeared from my room shortly after. He said I was only allowed them when I went out. Inside the house was the one place where I didn’t need to protect others from myself. That had worked until day five, when I came downstairs to find some random busty blonde in the kitchen. Rooted to the floor, I stared at her in a t-shirt that barely covered her ass. It appeared she had nothing else on under it, though that wasn’t what halted me. It was the fact that I was more exposed than I had ever been around someone that could die with a brush of my skin. I no longer slept in my long sleeved shirt since moving in, but was now clad in a camisole and pajama pants.

  “Whoa,” Cam uttered, grabbing me by my upper arms, steadying me when I backed into him. I hadn’t even been aware that I was walking backwards, away from the woman until he caught me. Narrowing his eyes at the wide-eyed terror on my face, he gazed behind me as the clinking of glasses rung through the room. “Shit, I forgot you were here. Give me a few and I’ll get rid of her.”

  This was how I found myself sitting at the dining room table with my fellow horsemen having our first, and hopefully only, house meeting.

  “The skanks!” I shouted after Cam claimed I needed to hide my lady products. They were in the bathroom under the sink. I didn’t know what more he expected

  “Carla wasn’t a skank.”

  Glaring, I replied. “Are you serious? Her name was Christy.” I knew having spoken to the woman I caught using my blow dryer that morning.

  “Regardless, they see your chick stuff and get the wrong idea,” Cam explained.

  “I’m not hiding my tampons. The bathroom is where I use them.” All three guys made faces. “Seriously?” I gaped with a furrowed brow.

  “Sorry, Evie,” Tyler muttered still with a wrinkle of distain on his face.

  “Cam, Evie is right. This is her house too and you bringing home random women—” Derek began but was cut off.

  “Now you’re telling me I can’t bring women home?”

  “No,” I shouted before Derek could reply. “I would never ask that. I’m simply asking to get my gloves back,” I turned glaring at Derek.

  “No,” he stated firmly.

  “Come on. Don’t make me buy more.”

  Tyler spoke up. “Guys, what if we come to some kind of understanding. Evie lives here now so some things need to change. Cam no overnighters. Evie shouldn’t have to be afraid of hurting someone in her own home.” Turning his focus to me. “Evie, what if we get one of those shelve things that go over the toilet for your stuff? That way Cam doesn’t have to see it. Or Cam can use it and Evie takes under the sink.” I looked at Tyler seeing the twenty-seven year old in a new light. I normally viewed him the same age as the other guys, but he was older and had the maturity that came with it. “Derek, you can’t just take Evie’s side because you want her to feel comfortable and I’ll make sure to wear clothes when I come down in the morning.”

  “I’d settle for pajama pants?” I offered.

  “Deal.” He glanced around and we all nodded.

  I sat crossed legged on the floor of the library with a leather bound book in my lap. I had been spending most of my time there. There were brown leather couches and hardwood tables and chairs, but I had been at my task for hours and had moved from several locations around the room trying to ease the ache that continued in my spine.

  The book that lay in my lap was called Demonology. I bristled at the different mentions of Death. There was the Angel of Death. Not exactly a demon, but was feared nonetheless because his touch brought death. I looked further, but there was no mention of any other powers other than the knowledge of when someone would die. I found the Demon of Death. It had a few different names, but no real information. It did refer me to another book called Deities of the World.

  I stood placing my book on the table before heading back to the shelf looking up the reference number.

  Inside I found Yama, the Hindu God of Death. They believed him as the king of hell. Not what I was looking for. As I scrolled through different religions they all referred to death in a similar manner—the lord or king of the underworld.

  Groaning, I set the book back on the shelf leaning my head against it feeling defeated. I needed to learn more about me and this power I possessed. I wanted to control my gift. To learn all there was that I could do with it besides never allowing myself to be touched.

  “Not going well?”

  I jerked my head up to see Derek’s sapphire eyes glitter with curiosity as he hovered in the entrance.

  “You mind?” He asked pointing to a shelf. I shook my head feeling done anyways. “You know, I’m not entirely sure what you’re looking for, but you might try asking Cam.”

  “Why?” it came out a little more hostile than I meant. Derek raised his brow having heard it too. “I mean why would I talk to Cam?” Cam had mentioned that the library was something that Tyler had put together. I figured if I should speak to anyone that it would be him.

  “If you’re looking into who the horsemen are or more particularly, a certain one… Cam has read almost everything we have. He took it upon himself to find the final horseman.” Derek shrugged. “Just a suggestion.”

  I didn’t know how to broach the subject with Cam. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to. Thinking that if I asked him and he realized I wanted something that he had, he might not give it to me out of spite. But that was more of my imagination getting away from me.

  I sat in the living room later that night trying to shut off my brain with some mindless TV. Since moving in, I had fallen behind on my favorite shows. Thankfully, the guys had a DVR, along with On Demand, so I was able to pull most up with ease. Tyler had even showed me how to program my shows to prerecord, but reminded me to delete them once I watched so the memory didn’t fill up.

  I startled when I heard keys jingle.

  “Jeez you are a jumpy thing,” Cam stated as he slid into his leather jacket.

  “Scary show,” I said with a point to the TV. I turned back to watch my shows, but then it occurred to me that I would never find a better time to ask Cam about the books. “Cam?” He looked at me with his brow raised in a silent answer. “Derek mentioned that I should talk to you about some books?”

  “You gotta be more specific, sweetheart.” He straightened the collar on his coat before standing at his full height. I took just a brief moment to appreciate the specimen in front of me, but veered my gaze off before he noticed.

  “About me?”

  “Can this wait until I get back?” He asked pointing to the door. “I have an appointment with an informant.”

  “Oh! Um… Sure,” I waved him off like it was no big deal.

  His lips curved up in a half grin before he nodded and left.

  The next morning when I came downstairs, sitting on the counter was a folder resting on top of a frail book that was being held together by a ribbon around it’s center. There was a Post-it resting on top of the folder reading,

  Evie,

  I hope this helps answer your questions.

  Cam

  I smiled to myself. Carefully grabbing the items left for me, I headed up to my room.

  In the folder were hand written notes. The writing matched that of the Post-it, so I could only assume it was Cam’s. The notes were in reference to events that had happened years ago. The first hit in the early nineties. Mount Pinatubo, June 15th, 1991. Cam marked it as Tyler’s birthday. I read over the information multiple times making sure I understood it correctly. He believed this was a sign of the first seal breaking. It was the second largest eruption in the century, affecting the entire world, dropping temperatures for the next two years ending only after the next seal was broken.

  When the Storm of the Century struck, it stretched from Canada to Honduras killing over two hundred and fifty people. Cam’s birthday was March 12th, 1993, the day the storm formed. I stared in awe of the information before me. How was this possible?

  Next, famine struck North Korea in 1994. The Arduous March or the March of Suffering began the year Derek was born. His birthday was January 17th, 1994. After that things got fuzzy. He began searching different events. He made a note that the Arduous March reached its peak in deaths in 1997 narrowing down the year of the fourth horseman.

  The horsemen had no clue when the fourth seal had been broken—not until he marked my birthday—June 25th, 1997, the eruption of Soufriere Hills. I was curious when this note had been added. I’d never given the guys that tidbit of information. There was a possible date marked down when the activity first occurred in 1995, but later was dismissed. Since it was the year after Famine had appeared it had made sense that it was likely. He noted that the activity occurred preparing for the final horseman until the seal was broken releasing me, causing the earthquake and eruption.

  Disasters over the next twenty years were marked as possible seals being broken. There were earthquakes. Gujarat Earthquake in 2001, Pakistan in 2005, Sichuan Earthquake in 2008, Haiti in 2010, New Zealand in 2011. Hurricane Katrina. The Tsunami in Sumatra. Blizzard in Afghanistan 2008. East African drought in 2011. Heat wave in Europe 2003. Even last years Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. All these disasters and more he believed had been seals breaking.

  “Rise and shine, sunshine,” Tyler knocked on my door before cracking it open. “You decent?”

  “Yeah,” I replied before closing the file, setting it and the book on my nightstand. He tossed me some gloves as he entered. “What are these for?”

  “We’re going out tonight and you need clothes.”

  “I have clothes,” I responded wringing the gloves in my hands. I didn’t want to give them back. They were my safety net whether I needed them around the guys or not. They provided a certain comfort that I had come to rely on over the years.

  “Not the right kind. Sorry, but you’re out ruled on this. Get dressed. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  Groaning, because, for one, I hated shopping and two, I had only just scratched the surface of the information Cam had provided me with. I got up and dressed in skinny jeans and a long sleeve black t-shirt with white lettering that read, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, say it sarcastically.” With my lack of wardrobe, I figured having cute sayings on my shirts was the extent of variety.

  I slipped on my gloves with a familiar ease as I headed downstairs.

  “Ready,” I announced when my eyes landed on Tyler.

  “Good. Let’s get this over with.”

  “You seem as thrilled about this as me,” I told Tyler as we headed towards his white Equus.

  “Sorry, I’m glad to go with you.”

  “But?” I asked as we climbed in the car.

  He sighed then smiled, but it wasn’t wholehearted. “But, I get nominated over a stereotype.”

  “Stereotype?”

  His brow furrowed not grasping what I was misunderstanding. “You know, how gay guys love shopping?”

  “You’re gay?” I didn’t mean to sound as surprised as I did. Tyler didn’t put off a vibe.

  He chuckled. “No, but the guys don’t think there’s a difference between bi and gay.”

  “Wow. I did not know that.”

  He shrugged. “It’s not something I advertise.”

  “I’m sorry the guys stereotyped you, but if it’s any consolation, I’m glad it’s you, even if you don’t know the first thing about women’s clothing.” And it was true. Out of the three, Tyler seemed the best choice. Cam would probably argue with me or try hitting on the nearest female. Even shopping with Derek, who was my confidant in the house, didn’t seem appealing either.

  “Thanks, I think.”

  Tyler drove us to a boutique named Allure. I knew it by reputation. Charlie was a huge fan. I had never gone because my style was a little more unisex. I took a deep breath readying myself to head inside. Tyler grabbed my hand when he saw the struggle I was under.

  “The place is bought out. You’ll have your run of the store.”

  “Really?” I beamed but still held on to my reluctance. It was the kindest thing that anyone had done for me. He knew that I was nervous about being around people. Now, with the exception of the sales associate, I wouldn’t have to worry about anyone, and with Tyler by my side, he’d ensure that even they kept their distance.

  We headed into the store and I sighed in relief when I saw it was empty just as he said. Tyler’s hand hovered over the small of my back but didn’t touch me as he guided me along. The moment we entered a very perky blonde appeared eager to help. I didn’t know how much it cost to buy out the store, but she obviously knew there was money here.

  Tyler stepped forward putting himself between her and me as he spoke to her what we were looking for. When he mentioned heels and dresses my eyes bugged.

  “Size?” she asked.

  “Huh?” Her question threw me off.

  “Dress size?” she asked like I was dense, but tried hiding it when she remembered how much money we were spending here.

  “Oh, uh, I don’t know. My pants are a seven.”

  “I could measure…”

  “No!” Both Tyler and I said simultaneously.

  Her eyes widened. “Sorry,” Tyler spoke with a calming smile. “My friend doesn’t like being touched. Just bring her a dress in a seven and we’ll go from there.”

  “Dress?” I asked Tyler when she walked away.

  “Some of the places we go, you need to blend in. Demons tend to be more on the sexual side. You’d stick out unless you dress like you belong.”

  “But—” I began as Tyler cut me off almost like he was reading my mind before I could utter the words aloud.

  “I know you dress to protect others from your touch, but we’ll be with you.”

  The dress she brought me fit like a second skin.

  “I think I need a bigger size,” I announced toddling out of the dressing room trying to stretch the dress to cover more. Both Tyler and the sales associate, Bridgett, immediately answered with a hard no.

  “That’s the way it’s suppose to look, honey,” she explained. “And you look amazing in it.

  “Really?” I tugged it down over my thighs but then my breasts popped out more. It became a tug of war. “I feel like half of it is missing.”

  The rest of the clothing went the same way. Tyler insisted on clothing that showed skin whether it was my legs, shoulders, or breasts. Every piece was designed to reveal something. And as someone who had spent the better part of her life keeping herself hidden, it was a huge adjustment.

  “I can’t walk in these,” I moaned when I tried on a pair of stilettos she brought for me.

  “You just have to practice. Don’t put weight on the heel unless you’re standing still. All the weight is on your toes.” I ended up with a pair of stilettos, thigh high boots, a pair of ankle boots all black and lace up nude heels.

  “Sleep attire?” she asked Tyler. His eyes met mine and I shook my head silently begging to be done.

  “Just grab her three sets in her size,” he answered.

  “Shorts or pants,” I called out not wanting her to bring lingerie that I would never wear. “Ty,” I approached when she disappeared. “I can’t afford all this.”

  “You’re one of us, Evie. We got this. One last thing.”

  I groaned until I saw what he was offering, then my eyes lit up over the pants he held out. Not only were they the first piece of clothing that would cover me the way I preferred, but they were also leather.

  “Two pairs for hunting will be good,” he smirked.

  Bags in hand, we headed back to the house.

  “Thanks for buying the place out for me,” I told Tyler as we exited the car. “I don’t think it would have been as easy otherwise.”

  “I wish I could take credit, but you should thank Cam. He thought you’d use it as an argument to not go otherwise.”

  My heart swelled feeling grateful to Cam, but also annoyed at his presumption. “Well, he was right. If you tell him I said that, I’ll hurt you.”

  “I’d never,” he said holding his hands up in defense.

  Derek appeared at the door as we entered the house taking my bags from me. “I see the shopping was a success.”

  “You could say that,” I grumbled.

  Derek chuckled at my response. “You needed them, Evie.”

  “I told her that,” Tyler laughed heading up the stairs with my bags.

  “Wear your standard,” Derek gestured to my current outfit, “around here and only wear the new stuff if we need you to go into a demon lair.”

  “And tonight?” I wondered remembering that Tyler had mentioned going out.

  Derek shook his head. “Werewolves, so a sexy badass,” he replied as we followed Tyler.

  “The leather pants,” Tyler threw over his shoulder.

  “You got her leather pants?” Derek called after Tyler. “That’s actually perfect. I told you you were the right man for the job.”