Page 16

“No one in this town will ever harm you. Richard won't find you, and if you wish to leave, you can, without any repercussions.” Xander looks at me, desperation burning in his gaze.

I shake my head, and a faint smile tugs at the edge of my lips. I lean in closer, catching the way Xander’s silver eyes look less and less human by the second. His skin is painfully perfect, and my lizard brain seems to know he is a hunter in human form.

“Since your cat is from hell, are you?”

In another world, my question might have been a joke. It may have even caused me a few strange looks or a tip for a great therapist. Yet the solemn look Xander gives me and the way his shoulders hunch is enough evidence that this is in fact a real and rather serious conversation.

Xander chuckles, but it isn’t filled with a sense of joy. Instead, his voice is strained and dry, “Not quite.” He fidgets in his lap, and I realize this is the first time I've ever seen him this uncomfortable.

“I’m not from hell. But I have been called a demon before.” Xander’s lips twitch, but he backtracks, raising his hands. “I’d never hurt you, Noah. I’m not an actual demon.”

“Spit it out, Xander.” I manage to clear the shake from my voice. “I’m not scared of you.”

Finally, Xander’s lips turn into a shy smile, and I realize how close we currently are, my hand pressing against his thigh, the warmth of his breath against my skin. I pull back, a blush spreading across my cheeks.

But it’s Xander who captures my hand and gently twines our fingers together. With a careful voice, he says, “I’m a vampire.”

I laugh.

My entire body shakes with laughter as I throw my head back and laugh like there’s no tomorrow. My lungs squeeze as I choke for breath, but I can't help the immense joy that suddenly flows through my veins.

“I write books about fucking vampires!” I wheeze and then bite my tongue, realizing what I've just said. “Wait. Not fucking vampires… just vampires. And werewolves. But not witches. Maybe I should start adding them in, but I don't know what witches can do.”

“Noah, breathe.” Xander’s hand finds the small of my back. The subtle movement and light touch of his palm have my voice fading and my lungs filling with much-needed air.

“Sorry,” I whisper.

Xander’s warm smile falls. “I should be the one who’s sorry. I should have told you the moment you knocked on my door. Instead, you suffered from my indecision.” He sighs. “If you no longer want to stay here… if I make you uncomfortable, I understand.”

The way he speaks sounds as though his own words are slicing the back of his throat, as if telling me I can go physically pains him.

My brow furrows, and I grasp his hand tighter, feeling how warm he is beside me. “I don’t want to go.” My voice is barely a whisper.

Xander’s entire body drops as he lets out a relieved sigh, his head hanging low, yet he doesn’t let go of my hand.

“But I have questions. Copious amounts of questions.” I snatch the throw rug and pull it over my lap.

“Anything,” Xander chuckles gently. “But I'm making you a peanut butter sandwich.”

“Deal.” I smirk as he slips from the couch and wanders into the kitchen, grabbing the bread and peanut butter.

“Do you drink blood?” I ask, feeling the way my heart somersaults. I feel like I need a note pad and pen for this.

“Human blood, yes,” Xander replies, smearing the peanut butter into two slices of bread.

“How often?”

He shrugs, and I notice the way he avoids my gaze as he pushes the sandwich together and plates it. “Once a week, maybe twice if I need to.”

I accept the plate as he hands it to me, and I take a bite. My stomach comes alive and growls angrily. Then it dawns on me. “But you ate normal food last night?”

Xander resumes his seat, angling himself to face me with a small smirk on his lips. “I can eat food. It doesn’t do anything for me other than taste and texture.”

I nod in understanding. I can see that making sense. But as my mind drifts to last night’s dinner, I realize he had eaten the pasta for me. Since it doesn’t provide him with any benefits, like nutrients or energy, he was simply being courteous. I smile.

“What else don’t I know?” I take another bite of my sandwich and watch how Xander watches the way I chew.

He takes a deep breath as he considers his thoughts. “Let’s see. No, I don't sparkle. Yes, I’m stronger than a human and faster too. No, a wooden stake can’t kill me. Yes, I’m immortal but if you were to cut my head off or burn me to cinders, then that might do the trick.”