“Good morning...?” The demon—his word, not mine—looks at me with a friendly smile. There’s an obvious question lingering at the end of his greeting. He’s asking for my name. Do I dare give it to him?
I’m surprised when I realize I want to share this small piece of me.
“I’m Sheena.”
When I give them my name, part of me expects something terrible to happen. When it doesn’t, my exhale comes out ragged. It’s noticeable, and I’m a little embarrassed. It’s just a name. Everyone has one, but it’s one of the few things I own. After guarding every piece of myself for years, I desperately want to hear someone say it with a fraction of warmth.
If my breathing is over the top, his smile makes my reaction look tame. Callum knocks me off kilter yet again with his white, gleaming teeth and genuine joy.
A wave of fear sinks into my heart. I can't let them become important. My rules are clear.
Gideon slips off the stool. He’s surprisingly graceful for a man his size, but it’s impossible not to notice when he moves. He walks over to me, transferring his coffee mug to his left hand and reaching out with his right.
It hangs in the air between us waiting for me to decide.
He could snap my arm like a twig. Something tells me he won’t.
I slide my hand into Gideon’s outstretched one. His fingers and palm are rough with calluses, and my hand disappears, completely swallowed by his size. He shakes our clasped hands up and down gently.
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Sheena,” he rumbles. My eyes drift shut, overwhelmed by the sound. My name has never sounded so perfect.
The buzzing in my chest goes silent.
I suck in a breath.
Romantic fantasies are a thing of my past—the hopes of a lonely child that pain forced me to outgrow. Given my experiences, I learned long ago that happily ever after only belongs in storybooks. But there’s something about the way I feel right now...
I guess I get why some people risk everything for a chance to feel.
Like they know how difficult it was for me to give them my name, neither man asks any follow-up questions. Instead, Callum digs through the cabinets, pulling out a pan and asking me what my favorite omelet ingredients are. Though I don’t register words leaving my mouth, I must say something, because before I know it, I’m sitting at the kitchen table with a steaming breakfast in front of me. It’s the best thing I’ve eaten in years.
I feel like the foundation I’ve built my life on is crumbling beneath me, but the banter between Gideon and Callum is easy and light.
“You've known each other for a long time then?” I ask, clinging to their normalcy and hoping it rubs off on me.
Gideon smiles as he chews an enormous bite, and Callum takes over seamlessly. He’s clearly used to speaking up when his friend can’t.
“Since we were born, actually.” Callum smiles at Gideon, a genuine expression that shows off his perfect teeth. “Our parents went to school together and now lead the same enclave. Lots of kids didn't trust me because of my... heritage, but Gideon always shut them up. Before I knew it, I was stuck with him.”
The giant blonde man looks almost embarrassed, a rosy blush spreading up his neck and across his cheeks.
“Yeah, well, kids are dumb.” Gideon clears his throat. “I knew you were pack from the start.”
Watching Callum from the corner of my eye, I can see the words sink in. There’s a moment of silence as he stares across the table at his friend.
“Anyway, we went to the academy together...” Callum trails off when he notices my confused look. “Starfall Academy. It sounds pretentious as fuck, but supernaturals are pretty big on traditions. Students learn how to handle their powers and choose vocational skills that will benefit their enclave. Pretty much everyone goes there.”
Except me, apparently.
Gideon nods and picks up where Callum left off.
“Yeah, think of it as an undergrad program for everyone who isn’t quite human.” He smiles at me warmly, dimples popping up again on his cheeks. “I bet you would have been there at the same time as us. We graduated four years ago.”
There it is. Another optional opportunity to share more about myself. It's a kind gesture, and I'm honestly tempted, but I don't take him up on it.
“It sounds like a magical place. Do you like the work you do now?” I’m obviously fishing for info, but neither of them calls me out on it. Gideon shrugs.
“It’s interesting, I guess. Especially when we get to investigate stuff. We don't patrol or arrest people for public nudity after they shift or anything dumb like that, but there is crime.” Gideon scratches the back of his neck. “Recently, we’re looking into a possible case of trafficking.”
