TWO

I turned to see Kieran smiling down at me. Luna trotted over to him wagging her tail and he reached down to pet her. This is the second time this man left me stunned. Luna did not just walk up to people she doesn’t know. Let alone a man.

“She’s beautiful. What’s her name?” Kieran asked?

“Luna.” I said beginning to silently summon power.

“And yours?” He said, still giving Luna ear scritches while simultaneously staring into my eyes. A shiver ran down my spine and I’m not certain it was a bad one.

“Freya.” I replied straightening my spine.

“Mmm… What a powerful name, Freya.” He said with small moan. My body full blown betrayed me and instantly butterflies began dancing in my stomach. “I’m sorry we met under these circumstances, Freya. I can’t fully explain it but I feel drawn to you. Did you put a summoning spell on me?” He asks.

“I don’t use summoning spells.” I scoff, rolling my eyes. ”They’re timing is unpredictable and I’d prefer not to have a random monster show up while I’m in my apartment. Although somehow you’ve found me anyway?”

“So I have,” he says smirking at me. We are both silent for a few moments and I am oddly relaxed in his presence.

“So have you come here to turn yourself in, or…?” I say taking a tentative step forward.

“Hmmm, no. Just intrigued by you.” He smirks and I roll my eyes. “Stix had it coming to him and he stole that money in the first place. I simply reinvested it into something good.”

This definitely peeked my interest. I know Stix isn’t a ‘good’ person but I didn’t know what to think of this accusation. “Can you prove this? Not that it will make a difference. The bounty is already over your head.” I say, shifting my weight over to my right hip and unconsciously relaxing a little before I realize it and I snap back into a firmer stance. Something about him feels comforting and… I can’t quite put my finger on it. But I mentally shake myself and focus on Luna instead of that gorgeous face of his.

He takes a step closer and says, “Will you let me in? I can convince you of his crimes and my innocence over dinner?” in what appears to be… a flirting tone? Was he flirting with me?

“Absolutely not, buddy. Not only do I not know you, but you’re a wanted criminal! You’re not going anywhere near my home! You’re lucky I’m letting you pet my dog!” I spit back, gesturing to Luna. She happily trots back to me and sits on my foot. She always has to be physically touching me when we aren’t actively moving around. She’s done it since she was a pup.

“How about a restaurant then? My treat!” He asks with honest to god puppy dog eyes.

I bite back a smile and tell him to wait there while I let Luna back in the house. Hey… If I can capture him and get a free meal out of it, I can’t see the harm in dinner. I will just stay alert for any funny business he might try to pull. Then I quietly sigh, starting to feel bad as I turn toward the apartment to bring Luna back in. She’s been home alone all day and now she will be alone for another couple hours.

As if reading my thoughts, Kieran says, “Why don’t you bring her with us? She clearly likes me!” Luna doesn’t wait for my reply. She turns and sort of hop-jumps excitedly over to him.

“I swear if anything happens to her, I will KILL you.” I say with full vigor while staring at him to make sure he understands. Luna is my world and I’ll be damned if I let anything happen to her.

“I promise, Luna is safe.” He says placing his hand to his heart and giving me those puppy dog eyes again. Which by the way is a little comical coming from a 6’5” man but also kind of cute. “There’s this pizza shop just down the street with a small patio. They allow pets and even encourage it!” He continues with a proud smile. Luna yips and jumps in excitement to show she agrees with the plan.

“At 3am?” I ask doubtful.

“The 3am crowd is the best.” He says holding his hand out to me.

I give him one last skeptical look and resign myself to dinner with a vampire. An extremely handsome and charming vampire… No. I need to stop that train of thought right now! I ignore his hand and motion for him to lead the way. He drops his hand acting unfazed and we begin walking towards Main Street.

Secretly I’m excited because I don’t get to enjoy the Main Street strip very often due to my work hours. I don’t do very much in general actually - outside of spending time with Luna and work. Alcide is my only friend and he’s still in his residency. Any spare hours he has are with his boyfriend. Which I don’t blame him one bit. Those two are inseparable and absolutely sickeningly cute together. If only I could find a love like that. Not with this career I think, mentally shaking myself.

Lost in thought as we finally turn onto the street I am in shock when I see the whole street brightly lit and full of… people? vamps? supes? after 3am in the morning. The smell of magic lingers in the air and I breathe in the comforting scent and smile. It’s not often I get to be around other witches or magic since I’m a rogue witch but in the rare moments I do get, I feel something deep in me reaching out for them. It’s too bad they always reject me as soon as I speak my name though.

Kieran notices the various emotions cross my face but wisely chooses to ignore them and says, “They re-open the shops at 3am for the supernatural. It’s spelled to deter normal humans from wandering on this street from 3am to 6am.”

“That explains why I smell magic. Is it spelled by one witch or a coven?” I ask with true interest.

“One witch, she’s a rogue. I assume that’s what you are too? I could introduce you some time if you’d like?” He says, completely forgetting or ignoring the bounty on his head.

“Hmmm…” I hum thoughtfully. “Do you think she would want to talk to me? Usually once they hear my name, they instantly reject me.” I ask, intrigue winning over my embarrassment.

“I would never reje-“ He paused and cleared his throat. “Why don’t we find out now. Look, there she is.” He said gesturing to a woman in the window of a nearby shop