“What else?” I ask, still on tenterhooks.
His features settle into quiet certainty, and his gaze rests easily on me. “Alvin, I finally know what I’m meant to do. Vampires destroyed the West Coast Peralta Clan, and this town needs Monster Hunters. All of Northern California, actually. So I’m going to stay here and rebuild what was lost.”
He seems so sure, so calm, the tension coiled in my shoulders starts to melt.
“Oh,” I say. “Okay. So, um, you think you’ll be able to find other Hunters out here?”
We step out of the Aston Building’s tall brass-framed doors right onto Market Street. We’re near 6thStreet, which has always been rough, and it’s well after lunch, so the sidewalk only hosts a handful of people: a few tech bros clutching their phones and a pair of clueless tourists across the street rattling their luggage toward BART. Rafa hooks a left toward the station on our side.
“I’ll certainly try, but our numbers have always been limited. Becoming strong takes years, the process needs to start when you’re very young, and it has to be in your bloodline.” He tilts his head in my direction, a subtle salute. “But I’ve recently learned you don’tneedto be a Hunter to fight monsters—and rumor has it that there are some wolves in Stockton who’ve been keeping the vamps in line. Thought I might try to contact them.”
“You mean, reach out to actualwerewolves?” We pass a guy in stained activewear, camped out on a blanket on the street. His eyes shoot up at me, shocked, so I duck my head and lower my voice considerably. “As a Monster Hunter?”
Rafa gives a low laugh. “I get it’s out-of-the-box thinking—but turns out what I was taught about paranormals might not have been 100% true.” He nudges his shoulder against mine. The pressure sends a subtle warmth through my bicep. “That’s another thing you gave me.”
We turn the corner, passing the grimy pit that serves as the entrance to BART on this side, to make our way over to the street where his shiny black tank of an SUV is parked. At least some foot traffic moves in and out of thelow-rent hotels around us, which is probably the only reason no one’s touched it.
Back at the office, I’d been afraid he might be mad at me or something, but now that it’s just us, every glance he’s given me, every gesture, even his tone of voice—he’s being nothing but gentle and warm. And he certainly doesn’t look wasted away or in withdrawal or whatever. Still, I search Rafa’s face, residual anxiety pressing inside my chest. “Look, do youpromiseyou’re really okay? That I didn’t mess you up somehow? This whole week I’ve been crazy worried I hurt you!”
He purses his lips and ducks his head, a bit ashamed. “I’m sorry, Alvin. Even with how we left things, I should have realized you’d feel that way. And honestly, I did need a little space to get my head right after. But I swear, you didn’t hurt me—you freed me.” His eyes light up. “All these years, since my parents were killed, I’ve been in pain—lost, really—and in a way I wasn’t even aware of. Then, after being with you… I’m not going to pretend I’m like on some higher level or anything, but I justknowwhat I need to do now, and that I totally can do it. At least with a little help.” We stop next to his car, and he turns to face me. A lanky dude in torn jeans and a hoodie sprints past us towards BART, and Rafa’s palm gently cups my arm, guiding me against the side door. Then he bites his lip shyly. “That’s the other change, I guess. And another reason why I needed a few days. After not letting myself get close to anyone pretty much my whole life, I think I finally feel ready. You know—to get close.”
His grip lingers and his thumb strokes the side of my triceps in a way that feels unconscious. He’s near enoughfor my incubus senses to pick up on the body heat from his chest—the same heat that warmed me in his coat before. I’m not going to lie, even though it annoyed me before, there is part of me that likes Rafa’s strong hand on me now. Part of that is the relief in finally knowing for sure that he’s okay. Thatwe’reokay. But part of it is enjoying his touch.
He tilts his head, his muscular frame suddenly uncertain. “I was actually wondering if maybe we could have dinner tonight and talk more about that. That I could… make up for the radio silence by taking you someplace special.”
“Oh!” I say, feeling really embarrassed for some reason. A fresh blush rises to my cheekbones. “Well I, uh, actually have plans tonight.”
I glance over at Collin, who is happily leaning against the parking meter, watching the two of us—not the least bit threatened by any of this.
Rafa follows my eyes, his own face becoming a bit more neutral. “You mean with the Avatar?”
“With Collin. Yes.” There’s no point in beating around the bush. Still, I bite my lower lip and wince. “It’s kind of a date, actually.”
Rafa nods and removes his hand. There’s disappointment in his eyes, but he does a good job covering. “All right. Maybe some other time, then.”
“Definitely.” I don’t want him thinking I’m not interested in being friends, especially after everything we did, so I continue. “Things are… a little up in the air right now, but I should know in a couple days when I’ll be free.”
That would beafterI confirm brunch day with Mom. The last thing I need is for those two to cross paths.
“Can I call you?” I ask.
“Of course.” He smiles. “Just like I told your boss, call day or night. I promise, I’ll pick up this time.”
He lifts both his arms while I just raise one hand, and there is an awkward moment where we jockey and it’s not clear if we’re going to hug or shake.
It turns out we do neither. He just gives my shoulder an affectionate little punch and says “I’ll see you around, then,” before rounding the front of his vehicle to climb into the driver’s side. And somehow that totally casual bro-gesture leaves things feeling even more charged than if we had embraced.
I watch him drive off north through the narrow channel of tourist hotels and restaurants lining the street, still feeling the impression his touch left on my arm.
“You don’t have to choose, you know…”
I turn and Collin is standing at my side. His soft blue eyes radiate warmth.
He continues. “There’s no reason you can’t be with both him and me.”
“Hemight have a reason.” I furrow my brow, caught off guard. “Wait. Are you saying… you don’t want to be exclusive?”
That gets a chuckle out of him. “Considering what I am, that’s not actually a choice I can make. If you’re asking if you’re enough for me, though, you absolutely are.” A slight tension forms along his jawline, his expression becoming more measured. “But I’m not flesh and blood. There are ways I can’t be there for you and ways that beingwith him could make you a lot stronger—which, if you’re now meeting with fae queens, might not be such a bad thing.” He catches my frown and his smile immediately springs back, sympathetic and sincere. “Ah, come on now—no need to look so worried, Alvin. This isn’t self-sacrifice. I really meant it when I said I’m not the jealous type.”
