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“So what brought you to Moonfell?” I ask.

Noah’s fork is an inch from his lips as he suddenly stops and puts it back in his bowl. His scent turns sour, and I wonder if I've just overstepped.

“It was a break-up. My ex-boyfriend, Richard, kicked me out of his apartment.” Noah continues, his voice strained as if he’s holding back tears. “I guess I just stumbled upon Moonfell. I didn’t even know it existed until this morning.”

I nod my head, understanding him as best as I can. It’s been so long since I've had a lover. Let alone a break-up. Since I was turned, I've been relatively busy dealing with the supernatural world.

“I’m sorry about your break-up; that must hurt.” I manage to string a sentence out that sounds close enough to normal. It isn’t like I have any experience consoling grieving humans after they’ve been dumped.

Noah nods and continues to eat, but he isn't quiet for long. “Richard was a dick.” He giggles, and I realize the pun. I chuckle too.

“But tell me about yourself, Xander.” Noah smiles shyly up at me.

My heart skips a beat. Shit. I didn’t think this through. This little human has me so infatuated, I completely forgot to prepare my alibi. I can’t outright tell him I'm a two-century-old vampire that spends his time walking the boundary of his territory and scaring away the spirits that wander through town.

“I work in security,” I manage. It’s close enough.

Noah’s brows shoot up, his gaze traversing the expanse of my chest before he blushes and scratches the back of his neck. “I guess that’s why you're built like a bodybuilder.”

I smile and take another bite of pasta. “What about you?”

Noah’s face lights up just as it did upstairs, and his smile lightens the house's darkness. “I’m an author. I write romance novels.”

I nearly shake my head in awe. He’s gorgeous, thoughtful, and creative. “That’s fantastic. I’d love to read your work.”

Noah’s smile turns shy, and his cheeks heat a pretty pink as his gaze solidifies on his half-eaten bowl of pasta. “It’s um… I write gay romance. Specifically fantasy.”

I quirk a brow. “What kind of fantasy?”

Noah lets out a breathy chuckle, his eyes meeting mine. “Werewolves and vampires. That kind of stuff.”

I grin. “In that case, I'd absolutely love to read your books.”

Just as he’s about to respond, the sudden shift of air explodes through the house, and every hair on the back of my neck stands on end. Noah twists in his seat, and I follow his gaze; my jaw ticks.

In the darkness of the living room, two glowing red eyes peer back at us, following our every move. Specifically, Noah’s.

“What the hell is that?” He hisses, not taking his eyes away from the onlooker. My gut churns, and I nearly pick up the spatula from the sink, ready to toss it into the void.

With a black and white tuxedo fur coat, Nyx saunters into the light of the kitchen. She meows up at me with two sharp fangs and stretches lazily.

“Is that your cat? She’s the size of a horse!” Noah proclaims, still unmoving from his spot. He isn't entirely wrong. With Nyx reaching my knees, she’s far larger than any domesticated cat.

Another meow erupts from the top of the steps, and Pumpkin comes racing down, his tail flicking wildly behind him, only to come face to face with Nyx, who towers over him. Her thick coat makes her look three times the size of the tabby.

The duo simply sniffs at each other, and I tense, expecting at least a hiss or two, but for a few strained heartbeats, Pumpkin slides his cheek against Nyx. She lifts a paw as if unsure what is going on before she takes a seat and lets him brush up against her flank.

“Aww, they like each other,” Noah coos, and I let out a relieved sigh. If I had known Nyx was going to return from the underworld, I would have made sure to let Noah know to keep Pumpkin locked away until she settled. But I guess it all worked out in the end.

We both sit in an easy silence as we finish our meals and watch the two cats get to know one another. If Pumpkin could smile, he would be, by the cheerful chirps he lets out as Nyx finally gives him a few tentative licks. Her tongue covers at least half of his furry face.

Noah giggles, and I find myself once again unable to tear my gaze away from him. I want to know more. No, I need to know more about him. From what he’s shared so far, his previous relationship was reasonably terrible, but I can't help the weight that grows in my stomach as I wonder exactly how terrible it was. For him to have found Moonfell, he must have been desperate to get away.

Moonfell isn't a town that appears on any map. It’s shrouded in supernatural barriers, allowing only those who seek peace and safety from the world beyond the mountains to enter. The town is mostly inhabited by supernatural beings, but there is a small pocket of humans.

As I watch my new roommate coo at the cats with a gentle smile on his lips, I itch to find out exactly what he was running from. And I silently promise myself I will do everything in my power to protect him from whatever it might be.

Chapter Three