Laughter and screams echo through the little establishment that Dewitt has dragged us to. It was made mostly of wood, from the tables to the chairs to the bar top. It reminds me of those dive bars that I would have to drag my brothers out of on a rough night. Or more like I was told by my mom to bring them home, and they’d go running out, leaving me with no ride.

There are a couple of people left inside. When we first arrived, there had been a crowd, but it had quickly thinned out. A lot of the townies had refused to sit with or by us. Like okay, my feelings weren’t hurt whatever. They warmed up slowly, and some even sat and gave us a brief rundown of this place.

It would seem this place is in a small area sandwiched between the witch, were, and vamp lands. Most people who permanently stay here were kicked out of their settlements or are wanted by the NTSCU. Even though they have no pull around here, many Terrors had gone missing after wondering into more Southern towns. Despite that NTSCU never actually come into the settlements, Yeah, that’s not suspicious or anything.

I’m jeered to the right as the man sitting next to me decides I was a good support. I almost shove him away before Nessa catches my arm and stops me. I mean, she couldn’t really stop me strength-wise, but maybe that’s what evens us out. She’s the magic, and I’m the strength. My stomach is already weak from the dinner I was forced to partake in if only to keep looking human.

“So do the NTSCU just not come ‘round these parts,” I question the cheery townies by us, and for a split second, you could hear a pin drop. If not for my hearing, I probably would have chalked it up to a lag in conversations, but their hearts are going crazy. Yeah, like that's such a coincidence.

“No, we don’t have that issue,” Dewitt answers me and lifts up his cup before taking a big gulp. His eyes don’t leave mine.

“How lucky.”

“Yes, and we’re well aware.”

“Speaking of aware. What would you like as payment for the room and food?” Nessa interrupts the tense situation.

“Well, the room is free as long as you help with the uptake once a week,” Dewitt answers her. He rubs the side of his faded hair cut.

“How generous.”

“Yeah, we like to think so. The food is to be taken up with Samuel. He’s the one who owns this little shop.”

“Makes sense.” She turns toward the man behind the counter and looks at the older man behind the counter. He smells like the girl from earlier, and if not for the tanned complexion, I would say they’re related. He’s eyeing me before ripping his gaze in Nessa’s direction.

“Just go to the woods and bring back what you can.”

“But that’s an hour walk.”

“No, the ones South of here. Dewitt or one of the brats can show you the way.” He walks away before stopping and picks up a cup and starts to clean it. “Hey, boy.” I look around ’cause I know this old geezer ain’t talking to me. “Yeah, you. What’s your mother’s name.” I feel as the blood leaves my face, and a stone drops in my stomach. Hopefully that food isn’t making an early reappearance.

“Why do you ask?”

“You remind me of a friend of mine is all. So what’s her name.” He’s not looking at me, but I know all of his attention is on my reaction. I could lie, but there’s a possibility, small as it may be, that he’ll find out, and then any trust I have here could go down.

“Amelia.”

“Her last name?” His eyes are on mine, and I could have sworn they shined a steel-blue in the light.

“Sorry, but I’ve been told to keep that to myself. Stranger danger and all that.” I bare my teeth at him but calm down when Nessa slips her hand into mine.

“No, that’s understandable.” He starts to wipe at the counter. “Your name wouldn’t happen to be Ig-”

“Nate.” I practically scream my name to the man. Either everybody was already eavesdropping, or people stay roddy around here. “My name’s Nate.”

“Good name.” He nods his head before looking at Nessa. “What about the missus?”

“I don’t share my name. But you may call me Vee.” She sits up straight, and no emotion shows on her face at all.

“Right, right. I forget witches don’t share their names without a show of faith.” I look towards Nessa, but she’s steady keeping her face away from me. But I caught a glimpse of her face, and it’s a light pinkish shade. Most wouldn’t notice or think it’s a natural look, but I know Nessa. Oh, this is too good.

“A show of faith, huh.” I move close as possible and whisper into her ear, not wanting the others to be privy of the conversation.

“Shut up, Nate.” She pushes me away before standing up and walking towards the door. “Well, come on. Let’s get this over with.” I chuckle under my breath as I follow, but I’m stopped right before I leave.

“Nate.” I look back at Samuel. He’s closer and has come from behind the bar. How didn’t I hear him? “I get the feeling y’all won’t be staying long. But know if you’re ever in trouble, just ask for me, and you’ll have help.” I nod my head before walking out.

“Will you be coming with us after all.” I smell him as he keeps following us.

“Might as well. Wouldn’t want your first night to end in shit.”

The trees are denser than I thought they would be though the trunks aren’t that thick. A worn-in path can be seen in the dim moonlight.

“Is this safe.” Nessa obviously is remembering the last time we stayed out late into the night.

“As long as you don’t go past the tree line, you’ll be within the wards, and Bobbies can’t get through.” Samuel is several feet away, but his voice carries clearly over to us.

“Are there any certain animals you like?”

“Just keep them in one piece and no magic.” I open my mouth, but he just keeps talking. “We have weres here, and a lot don’t like the taste of magic in their food.” He gives a small smirk before he leaves. “I hear it tastes funny.” I can’t even get mad because he’s telling the truth. But I never told Nessa in fear she’d get upset. Even the blood gets affected when you kill the way Nessa does.

“What? Is he serious?” She’s looking at me with her eyes wide.

“It was fine for the most part. Took me a while before I realized what made the funny taste.” She tries to interrupt again. “It kinda tastes like you.”

“High Spirits, you’re such a weirdo.” She’s full-on blushing now, and it takes everything not to run my palm down her cheek to feel the heat.

“Yeah, well, your the one the loves to stick with me.” I stick my tongue at her and take off running through the trees. Once I’m far enough I fall to my knees and shove my fingers down my throat. I’m careful of my clothes and locs as the bile exspells my body. I sit there for several minutes hacking and making sure none of the mess is left in my system. I get up and wipe off my mouth as I kick dirt to cover the gooey black pile. I don’t remember human food bein’ that bad when I ate it.

I sniff the air and smell the various deers and rabbits running about. CArefully I stalk a deer and crouch low when I come upon them. I rush it before it's aware and snap its neck. I draw out my knife and make a long incision across its neck. I lay the carcass against the tree and not lying in the blood soaked leaves. I look to the knife and run my tongue along the surface. My body shudders at the taste. Not sweet like humans but it’ll do. I finish cleaning my knife and tuck it back in place. Not long after, Nessa comes upon us.

“Seriously, Nate, you're so impatient.” She comes over, poking me, and it takes everything I have not to pounce on her. The adrenaline had not helped matters. I can practically feel her heartbeat drumming in my ears. It would be so easy to rip into her neck and watch as the blood spread around her. Oh, and the taste of her flesh would probably be out of this world. I can’t stop myself as I take a step in her direction.

“Nate.” She doesn’t move, and somehow that makes me angry. Why won’t my prey run? I stop in front of her and push her into one of the trees. It shakes, and from the groan, I know it’s threatening to break. “Nate.” I look upon her face and start to shake myself. This is Nessa, not some random body. I began to back up until a crack fills the air. I twist my head and look at the person who’s snuck up on us. The man seems familiar, and yet at this moment, I can’t place him.

“Back away,” my prey-Nessa-screams at our intruder. “You obviously knew what he was. Nothing has changed. Now back up or I swear to the Spirits I’ll make you into ash. “Dewitt didn’t okay this.”

“No, but that old man has lost his marbles.” Dewitt? Do I know a Dewitt? I look towards pre- Nessa - Nessa - her name is Nessa. Her eyes appear cold, and yet I’ve never felt warmer than at this moment. No, I wouldn’t enjoy biting her. She’s too warm to eat. She tries to move, but I keep her pressed into the tree. “Nate, you have to let me go.” I lower my head towards her, and suddenly there are several shouts.

I turn shielding Nessa with my body. Noises ain’t good Loud noises really ain’t good. I look down and see something slipping into my body. I stare down, and there’s a small pole sticking out my chest. Slowly I fall to the ground, and in the distance, I can hear Nessa calling my name.

“Nate, Nate, look at me, look at me dammit,” She keeps screeching in my ear, and I have no choice but to keep moving my eyes until my gaze meets hers. “There you are.” She’s running a finger up and down my face, and I jerk when footsteps step nearer. “Back the hell up.” Everything turns a brilliant orange with the glow of her inferno.

“Pretty,” I mumble and lean into her hand.

“Vee, you have to let us help.”

“I don’t have to do shit. You shot him, you shot Nate.” Nessa has tears running down her face, and I try to wipe them away, but for some reason, I just can’t find the energy. Pain resonates throughout my chest, and I groan, trying to curl into a ball. “No, Nate don’t do that.” Goddess, is she always this pushy.

“Goddess I’m so tire’.” My eyes start to flutter close before someone’s hand rough pushes me.

“Nate keep your eyes open.” That’s not Nessa. Steel-blue. I know him, I think. “Come on, boy.” He pulls my arm over his shoulder and pulls me to my feet. I groan the whole way.

“But sleep ‘Sa.” My head flops down, and though my feet are moving, I feel dead to the world.

“I know, Nate.” Her voice is as sweet as honey, but when I briefly open them, I see the steel look she’s giving the man. “What the hell is wrong with him. He’s been shot before. This has never happened.”

“Special drug,” He grunts out. “Come on boy, you gotta move these feet. You aren’t made of feathers, you know.” I nod my head and try to move more, but it doesn’t stop the blackness from clouding my vision and taking me into her sweet embrace. I can faintly make out the sound of my name coming from a raging fire that smells of citrus.