Beneath the surface

The morning sun streamed through the thin curtains of Mia’s bedroom, casting a soft, golden glow across the wooden floorboards. She blinked awake, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. It took her a few seconds to remember where she was: Silver Hollow, her new home. The town with dark secrets, a strange quietness, and three unsettlingly magnetic men.

Rolling over, she groaned as the memories of the previous night came rushing back. Her mind lingered on Eli, Jace, and Luke, the three men she’d met at the tavern. There was something about them, something that stirred a restlessness in her that was both thrilling and unnerving. It had been a long time since she’d felt anything close to attraction, but they’d drawn her in so quickly, like she’d been waiting for them all along without realizing it.

Sitting up, Mia ran her fingers through her tousled hair and pushed the thoughts aside. Today, she had real-life problems to deal with—like getting settled in a new town, starting over, and finding a way to let go of the past. She had come here to escape, not to get tangled up in something new, something strange.

But a nagging sense of curiosity tugged at her. What were the odds of meeting three men like that on her first night in town? And why had they been watching her so intently?

She shook her head and climbed out of bed. It was too early for questions she didn’t have answers to.

Downstairs, Mia made herself a quick breakfast of toast and coffee. The house still felt cold and empty, but she didn’t mind. It was better than the suffocating weight of her old life, where everything had reminded her of mistakes and pain. At least here, she could start fresh—if the town would let her.

After eating, she pulled on her jacket and stepped outside, taking a deep breath of the crisp morning air. The sky was a pale blue, the trees swaying gently in the breeze. It was peaceful—almost too peaceful, as though the forest surrounding the town was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

Mia decided to explore more of the town. She hadn’t seen much the night before, and there was something about Silver Hollow that made her want to learn its secrets. She walked down the narrow streets, the morning sun warming her skin as she passed the old-fashioned storefronts and quiet houses. The town had an old-world charm to it, but there was an underlying tension, like a string pulled too tight, just waiting to snap.

As she walked, she noticed how empty the streets were. Hardly anyone was out, and those who were gave her brief, wary glances before hurrying on their way. It was strange, like they didn’t know what to make of her presence.

Her feet led her back toward Mercer’s Tavern, where she’d met Luke, Eli, and Jace. She hesitated outside, her eyes scanning the building in the daylight. It looked less mysterious in the morning light, but something about it still drew her in. She had questions, and part of her hoped she might find answers inside.

Before she could decide whether to enter, the door swung open, and Luke stepped out, blinking in the sunlight. His green eyes lit up when he saw her, and a grin spread across his face.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the new girl,” he said, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Back for more already?”

Mia crossed her arms, fighting the smirk that tugged at her lips. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m just exploring.”

Luke chuckled, pushing off the doorframe and stepping closer. His presence was disarming—easygoing, playful. But there was something beneath the surface, something darker and more complicated.

“Exploring’s a good way to get into trouble around here,” he teased, his eyes flicking over her with interest. “This town’s full of surprises.”

Mia raised an eyebrow, trying to ignore the way her pulse quickened under his gaze. “Like what?”

“Like me,” he said, his grin widening. “And Eli and Jace. We don’t get a lot of newcomers, so we tend to take an interest when someone new rolls into town.”

“I noticed,” she replied, unable to stop the wry smile. “You guys don’t exactly blend in.”

Luke’s expression shifted slightly, something more serious creeping into his eyes. “We don’t try to.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of his words settling between them. Then Luke’s easygoing demeanor returned, and he stepped aside, gesturing toward the tavern door.

“Come on in,” he said. “I’ll show you around.”

Mia hesitated for only a second before following him inside. The tavern was much quieter during the day, the low hum of conversation from the night before replaced with a peaceful stillness. Luke led her to the bar and motioned for her to take a seat.

“So, what do you think of Silver Hollow so far?” he asked, leaning casually on the bar as he watched her with a curious glint in his eyes.

“It’s… different,” Mia admitted, glancing around the tavern. “Quiet. A little too quiet, if I’m being honest.”

Luke’s grin faded slightly. “It gets like that sometimes. But don’t worry—things have a way of getting interesting around here.”

Mia studied him for a moment, sensing there was more he wasn’t saying. “What about you and the others? You seem… different from the rest of the town.”

Luke’s smile was back, but this time it didn’t reach his eyes. “Oh, we’re different, all right. You’ll figure that out soon enough.”

Before Mia could press him further, the tavern door swung open again, and Eli stepped inside. His piercing blue eyes locked onto hers the moment he entered, and Mia felt a strange jolt in her chest, like the air had been sucked out of the room.

Eli was every bit as commanding in the daylight as he had been the night before, his presence filling the space like a storm cloud on the horizon. He didn’t say a word as he walked over to the bar, but his gaze never left Mia’s.

“Morning, Eli,” Luke said, his tone casual but with an edge of tension. “Mia here was just getting a tour of the place.”

Eli nodded slightly, his eyes still fixed on Mia. There was something unsettling about the way he looked at her, as though he could see straight through her. It wasn’t just attraction—it was something deeper, something more primal.

“Figured you’d be back,” Eli said, his voice low and rough. “This town has a way of pulling people in.”

Mia swallowed, her heart racing. “What do you mean?”

Eli didn’t answer right away, his gaze intense and unblinking. Luke shifted slightly, clearing his throat to break the tension.

“Eli likes to be cryptic,” Luke said with a chuckle. “Don’t mind him. He just doesn’t know how to make small talk.”

Eli’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he turned to Luke. “Jace is looking for you. Something about a job over at the mill.”

Luke sighed, running a hand through his sandy hair. “Always something. I’ll catch up with you later, Mia.”

With a wink, Luke sauntered out of the tavern, leaving Mia alone with Eli. The air between them felt charged, like a storm about to break. Mia shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of his gaze.

“You should be careful,” Eli said after a long pause, his voice low. “This town isn’t what it seems.”

Mia frowned, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “Everyone keeps saying that, but no one’s telling me what’s really going on.”

Eli stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “Because some things are better left alone.”

Mia met his gaze, refusing to back down. “I didn’t come here to be in the dark. If there’s something I need to know, I’d appreciate it if you told me.”

For a moment, Eli seemed to wrestle with himself, as though torn between telling her the truth and keeping her at a distance. His blue eyes darkened, and Mia could see the conflict in them, the weight of whatever secret he was carrying.

Before he could respond, the tavern door opened once again, and Jace entered. His dark, brooding presence filled the room like a cold wind, his eyes flicking between Mia and Eli with a knowing glance.

“We’ve got a problem,” Jace said, his voice calm but laced with tension. “There’s been another attack in the forest.”

Eli’s expression hardened, and he turned to Jace. “How bad?”

Jace shook his head, his jaw clenched. “Bad enough. We need to deal with it before anyone else gets hurt.”

Mia’s heart raced as she listened to their conversation, a growing sense of unease settling in her chest. Attack? What kind of attack? The howls she’d heard the night before echoed in her mind, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something dark was lurking just beyond the trees.

Eli glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “Stay out of the forest, Mia. It’s not safe.”

Mia’s frustration flared again. “You keep saying that, but no one’s telling me why. What’s going on out there?”

Jace’s dark eyes met hers, and for a moment, she thought he might actually answer. But instead, he looked away, his expression hardening.

“It’s not your concern,” Jace said coldly. “Just stay out of it.”

Mia clenched her fists, anger bubbling beneath the surface. She’d come here to escape the secrets and lies of her past, but it seemed like Silver Hollow had its own share of mysteries—and she was determined to uncover them, whether they liked it or not.

But as Eli and Jace exchanged a grim look, Mia couldn’t shake the feeling that she was already in deeper than she realized.

And whatever was hiding in the forest wasn’t going to stay hidden for long.