He stared into her eyes. That grin, along with the sparkle in her gaze, did things to Nyte. They warmed parts of him that had never felt heat, made everything inside him feel oddly light and tingly. “A very great deal, witch.”
“Then it’s a good thing I have you to watch over me. Now, come on. They’re already waiting inside.” She slipped her hand into his and led him toward the entrance.
Whenever Ember took his hand like that, he seemed to lose the will to resist. It just felt so natural.
Damn it, why am I letting any of this happen?
But his feet moved, carrying him forward alongside her, and hemade no effort to withdraw.
Long ago, he’d sometimes walked the night in human guise, yet he’d always done so as an uninvolved observer, rarely interacting with the mortals around him. Escorting Ember to and from the boutique for the last two days had been similar. He’d spoken to no one but her, and he’d largely watched his surroundings to protect her.
This was very different.
There would be questions, conversation, food and drink, unfamiliar social norms… It sounded exhausting. Far more trouble than it was worth.
No, that’s wrong. It’s not more trouble than it’s worth.
Because he perfectly recalled the moment when Ember had first approached him about this double date. She’d been a little hesitant, and she had made it clear that he could deny her request, that he didn’t owe her anything. The way her face had lit up when he’d tentatively agreed…
It was like every star in the night sky had come together into one impossibly radiant celestial visage.
The joy and excitement this brought Ember made it worth all the trouble. Nyte knew that should’ve alarmed him, should’ve made him question his state of mind, but again…
This simply felt right.
The moment they opened the doors of the establishment, music, voices, and the sounds of cutlery and dinnerware being used flowed over them. The same brick from outside the building formed the walls within, though it was broken by tall, recessed sections that were painted and decorated with large murals, the most prominent being a large black cauldron. A strange purple light shone on the mural, making the green liquid inside and the bubbles and steam rising from it glow preternaturally.
“Ember!” a woman called, immediately drawing Nyte’s attention.
Maggie.
The woman smiled wide and waved.
Nyte recognized her from the pictures he’d seen. Her skin was pale, starkly white against her black makeup. She wore a form fitting black dress and silver cross necklace with a ruby at its center, and her long red hair hung loose around her shoulders.
The man who stood up from beside her was also familiar from a couple of the pictures. Levi. He too was clothed in black, from his zip-up jacket down to his jeans with tears at their knees and black boots. His beard and moustache were full but neatly trimmed, and some of his long, black hair was pulled back and tied at the back of his head. His mouth curved into a kind smile.
“Maggie!” Ember released Nyte’s hand and rushed to meet her friend, practically bursting with excitement.
Nyte followed her path, though he did not match her pace, watching as the women took each other in a tight embrace, both of them bouncing on their feet and beaming as they did so.
In his experience, mortals and immortals alike were largely duplicitous, selfish creatures. They lied and plotted, they cheated, stole, and manipulated. They hid their motives behind false smiles. They all wanted something, and their dealings with other beings were conducted only to fulfill those wants.
Starling had been the exception. She’d never once asked for anything of Nyte, had never betrayed him, even if this latest stunt had initially felt like a betrayal. And though it should’ve been much too soon to tell, he knew Ember was the same. She was kind, loyal, considerate, and genuine.
As much as Nyte seemed unreal to her, she seemed impossible to him. This open joy, this blatant, honest display of affection and caring, he wanted to believe it couldn’t be anything other than performative. And yet that wasn’t the case. Emberand Maggie truly werethisexcited to see one another. The only thing either hoped to gain was the joy of the other’s company.
Maggie drew back from Ember, her grin still wide. “I missed you so much.”
Levi chuckled. “You two talk pretty much every day, my love.”
“I know, but it’s not the same as spending time in person.” The red-haired woman stepped back and looked at Nyte. “And this is the guy friend you told me about?”
Ember moved to Nyte’s side, slipping her arms around one of his. “He is. Maggie, Levi, this is Nyte.”
Nyte could hear the smile in her voice, could hear the pride. And she’d introduced him from his side, holding him like they were in this together, like he wasn’t a possession or a prize but an equal.
Maggie’s smile softened. “It’s wonderful to meet you.”
