A mysterious man has come to Spirit Falls. Does he have something to do with the new diner, or maybe the disappearance of the town's mayor? Sheriff John Darkman needs to find out the answers to both questions. Noah Graham is also curious about the mystery man and the new diner. Then he meets the man, Arik Dalca, who offers him a job as a waiter there. When the mayor reappears and begins to sicken, John and Noah discover the real reason Arik has come to town. Shocked and horrified, they are drawn into what is happening in their town. In the process of trying to stop the horror, Noah begins to fall for Ewan, one of Arik's team members, and John is drawn to Arik himself. Can the four men -- and the town -- survive what is to come?

The Diner

John laughed aloud when Arik echoed his thought by saying, “I don’t think my knees can take much more of this, although it was definitely worth it.” Arik stood, pulling John to his feet, and kissed him again. Then, stepping back, he said, sounding both reluctant and amused, “We should get you home. I think your grandmother’s waiting up for you again.”


Looking toward his grandmother’s mansion, John saw the lights were still on in the living room. “I should have called her.” He grimaced, adding, “God, that makes it sound like I’m still a teen who has to check in.”


“No,” Arik replied, wrapping his arm around John’s waist. “It makes you sound like someone who gives a damn about the people who care about him. So, do you want to go back and get your car or shall I just walk you home and—” he grinned, “—kiss you good-night on the doorstep.”


Linking hands, they did, and as promised Arik kissed John again before leaving.


Chapter 36