Page 3 of His Human Believer

“Of course it is,” Dagr laughs from behind me as he loads my suitcase, then climbs in with Skylo.

I exhale and take the passenger seat.

“Rainy season ended ten days ago,” Avery remarks as she pulls away from the curb and drives through the city. “Everyone’s coming back outside. It’s the best part of the year. This side of the planet is sparkling clear and all of us are in a great mood after spending the last month cooped up inside. So, you’ve arrived at the perfect time.”

“And it’s a perfect time to have Halloween.”

“Yep.”

I glance over at Avery, staring at her profile as she talks. Fifteen years ago, my friend was a terrified scholarship kid with a past she wouldn’t talk about, sweating next to me in a testing hall where neither of us belonged. And now she has not only an established career, but a husband and children too. I never wanted any of that for myself…and yet lately…I feel like Avery’s got it all and I guess…I guess I might like to start a family too?

I’ve had a great career and built a business for myself. I’ve worked hard my whole life. I feel scrappy and strong, proud of myself for what I’ve accomplished. And I’ve had zero need for a romantic partner in my life. Boyfriends and husbands sounded like too much work and not enough in return. And anyways, I’m mainly ignored as a sexual partner by most human males, as well as Gravian males, because of my weight. They tend to look past me as if I don’t exist. All I’ve ever experienced was the occasional mediocre hookup sex via a hotel bar during work conferences.

Why would I want someone around who would demand we eat a dinner I didn’t like, watch a show I hated and have family and friends I would probably dislike?

No thanks. My trusty masturbation toys have provided for all of my needs.

But…I’m recently noticing that I could have been wrong in these assumptions. My apartment is starting to feel…lonely? Maybe I can find a life partner who is just different enough to be interesting, not annoying? Maybe he’d have family and friends I actually enjoy. Maybe I want to have kids? It might be possible.

Maybe…

Or maybe I just need a pet.

I smile and look back out the window, listening as the three of them regale me with funny stories of their house-bound escapades during the month-long Tarvos rainy season. In the back, Sela sleeps through all of it with her head tipped sideways and one small, clawed hand curled around the strap.

Finally, we reach the edge of town and Avery turns onto a wider road. Through the trees I can see the fence of their huge, gated community and the peek of elaborate roofs. My best friend is lucky enough to live in basically the nicest neighborhood in the main city of Tarvos. And I still like it too because it manages to be nice, yet not super snooty.

Avery slows at the checkpoint. Two Hyrrokin guards in dark uniforms recognize the vehicle, glance in at me, and wave us through. One lifts a claw at Mitry, who waves back with enormous dignity.

I look out at the wide swath of houses and the central lake. This place never ceases to amaze me. Even though I don’t understand why my friend lives on this planet, I have to admit I wouldn’t mind living in this community too.

Then we pass by my favorite house in the neighborhood, and I let out a squeak of delight. “I love that house so much.”

“Yeah, me too,” Avery says, serene, not slowing down at all. “Did you know that Bergelmir and Chloe’s house is on the historical register now?”

“Oh, I totally understand. It’s stunning.”

The house is three stories of red and gold, with a snarling dragon’s head at the roof peak. Metal-spiked wings fan to either side. Carved flames roll down the walls in frozen waves, and a tail wraps the whole back of the structure. The entire house appears to be mid-roar.

“Chloe restored every inch of the inside. Since you’re here longer this time, I bet she’d give you a tour if you want.”

“Oh, I want.”

We turn down a quieter street that ends in a cul-de-sac, and the Hellstone domicile sits at the end of it—tall, clean-lined and welcoming, with tidy landscaping.

And I look up past the roof of the house, and that’s when I see the stone wall of the nature preserve immediately behind their house, running the whole length of the property, taller than the house itself. And beyond it is the wildlands rising straight up into the dual-sun light. Green and purple foliage in late dry-season color, trees with broad leaves moving slow in the breeze.

Something in the canopy shifts.

Wind, probably. Bird, probably.

I look at it two seconds longer than I mean to.

“That’s the preserve wall,” Avery reminds me, following my eyes. Her voice is a shade too light. “We’re safe behind it.”

“Sure,” I agree.

Avery pulls into the vehicle bay and cuts the engine.