“Maybe smarter isn’t the correct word,” Hannah conceded. “She is more knowledgeable ... especially when it comes to stuff like this. She came up with the nexus information.”
“And we’re not sure if we’re dealing with that,” Cooper pointed out. “In fact ... I know you want to cut down on the people who are allowed on the grounds at Casper Creek right now, but I don’t think it would be the worst idea in the world to allow Jackie out there. As head of the coven, she might be able to help us.”
Hannah glanced around at the word “coven” to see if anybody was listening. Her eyes immediately went back to the man at the center of the restaurant, who had moved on to another plate of food. “I ... don’t ... know.”
Cooper followed her gaze. “You’re not going to eat the prime rib now, are you?”
“I haven’t decided.” In truth, Hannah felt sick to her stomach, which wasn’t her normal reaction when someone was enjoying a good meal. She couldn’t put her finger on why this response had somehow been triggered, but she couldn’t shake it. “I might get soup and a salad.”
“Oh, you’re not getting soup and a salad,” he fired back, his gaze moving to the tables on the other side of the hungry man. To his utter surprise, he found the people sitting at them — most who looked to be on dates like Hannah and him — were shoveling in food faster than they could chew. “You’re getting the prime rib.”
After monitoring where Cooper’s eyes went, Hannah shifted her attention to the other side of the patio. There, every table was taken ... and the people sitting in their chairs were eating so fast that food was flowing down the fronts of shirts and landing on cheeks. “Cooper ... .”
“I see it.” Instinctively, he reached across the table and gathered her hand.
“This isn’t normal, right?”
“I’ve been hungry a time or two but never this hungry,” Cooper replied, slowly getting to his feet. “I know you liked the view and everything, baby, but I’m thinking we should go someplace else.”
Hannah swallowed hard and nodded. “I think you’re right.”
Jenn picked that moment to return to the table, the wine and water pitcher on a tray. “Is something wrong?” she asked, her smile never slipping.
“Actually, Hannah isn’t feeling well,” Cooper replied, forcing a smile that he didn’t feel. “I’m going to get her home. I’ll pay for the appetizers and wine, though. I apologize for any inconvenience.”
“It’s not an inconvenience.” If Jenn noticed anything odd about what was happening on the patio, she didn’t show it. “We can pack up the appetizers so you can take them with you if you like.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Cooper dug inside his wallet until he came up with a fifty-dollar bill. “This should cover everything.” He dropped the money on the table and immediately reached for Hannah. “Come on, baby. I’ll get you home.”
Hannah’s heart pounded as she reached for his hand. “That sounds good.”
“But you haven’t even tried the specials yet,” Jenn called out to them as they scampered across the patio. “Did you hear that, boss? They don’t even want to try the specials.”
Slowly, Cooper turned to see who Jenn was talking to. He wasn’t surprised when his gaze fell on the lone man at the center of the restaurant. The man continued chewing, although he’d slowed down considerably. “Is that a fact?”
“Hannah ... .” Cooper tried to push her behind him, but she was too interested in what was happening on the patio to pay him much heed.
“Look.” She pointed toward one of the nearby tables. “When he stops eating, they stop eating.”
Cooper hadn’t noticed that until she pointed it out, and now he was fascinated. The individuals in question remained in their chairs, glazed looks over their faces, and waited for further instructions ... as if they were under a spell. “We need to get out of here.”
“We can’t.” Hannah vehemently shook her head. “If we leave, these people will die.” She gestured toward the individuals at the tables, none of whom were making noise to leave.
“Are you saying he’s going to force them to eat until they die?” Cooper was determined to keep Hannah close, so when she poked her head over his shoulder to study the main man in the center of the room, he tried to puff himself out to cover her.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” She was having none of his protective instincts and pushed him to the side so she could stare down the man with the huge plates of food. “What are you?”
“I can still get you those appetizers to go,” Jenn offered brightly. “The food is good. I promise you that. We have a world-class chef, and in a few decades, he’ll have paid off his debt and be able to wow the world.”
Hannah ignored the waitress. “You’re some sort of monster,” she said, licking her lips as she regarded the man. So far he hadn’t said another word ... although the glare he directed at Hannah spoke volumes. “You’re ... an eating monster or something.”
The man shifted his impressive bulk and leaned back in his chair. He didn’t bother to pick up the napkin on the table to wipe the food from his mouth. Apparently he didn’t care. “Nobody cares what you think, witch,” he said finally, his voice a low rumble.
“Hannah.” Cooper felt out of his depth and wanted nothing more than to escape, Hannah at his side, and give careful consideration to what was happening. That didn’t seem to be an option, though.
“What are you?” Hannah was fascinated despite herself. “You’re not the same man I saw at the town.”
“No, I’m not.”
“You’re ... the same and yet different.” Hannah’s mind was busy with possibilities. “He fueled anger and you fuel
