I’m fishing, and I’m sure Sebastian can tell. If he can, he doesn’t seem bothered.
“Some of your human myths are based in fact,” he says. His mouth slants into an easy smile. “Vampires must be invited by the property owner. No invitation, no entry. It’s why I needed your landlord.”
I swallow. My steps slow as we near the end of this street. It meets the foot of the mountain, sloping upward and gradually growing thick with trees. I glance between the final few buildings. They look the same: dull, unassuming, unlit.
“Is he alive?” I ask. I don’t look at Sebastian as I do, even as I feel his gaze on my face. “Is Tessa?”
“The landlord is dead,” he says. “Tessa probably woke the next morning with little memory of the days before, but otherwise, she’s fine.”
He’s so cavalier as he speaks, as if he doesn’t feel an ounce of guilt. And why should he? It’s clear these vampires don’t see humans as anything more than their personal playthings. I sense it for myself too. I may be a half-witch, but I am as soft, as breakable as any human. They judge me for it, look down on me as if it’s a personal failure, rather than basic reality.
“Come,” Sebastian says. He leads me across the street and stands before the final door. He raps his knuckles against it, and it opens immediately.
My eyes widen as I stare at a creature almost as startling as the Nectoa. It’s a man, his broad frame filling the doorway. He wears form-fitting leather, criss-crossed with thick belts. There’s at least one knife in each, I realize, sheathed but no less intimidating. The blades are different lengthsand widths, probably made for gutting unsuspecting witches like me.
I stumble backward without making the conscious decision. It’s not the man’s muscular frame or even the weapons that have me moving. It’s hiswings. Massive and black, tinged with dark red at the edges. They’re tucked behind his back, but they’re large enough I can still see them.
Sebastian steps, angling his body in front of mine. I move farther behind him. I’m not against using him as a shield if this guy tries to attack.
“Nicasi,” Sebastian says.
“Sebastian Vulce,” the man returns. His dark gaze flickers toward me, then back to Sebastian. “You’ve brought a human?”
“May we come in?”
“Always.” Nicasi steps to the side, waving for us to enter.
Sebastian shifts, urging me forward. I keep my eyes on the strange bird-man until we’re fully inside and he’s shut the door. Only once he’s crossed the room do I let myself study the building’s interior.
Wood paneling covers the walls, sand-colored tiles line the floors, and strange furniture fills what appears to be a living room, combined with a dining room. Through one doorway, I can make out a cramped and cluttered kitchen. Through another, a bedroom with an unmade bed and a pile of clothes in the corner.
“This isnota shop,” I accuse. I drop my voice to a hushed whisper, glaring at Sebastian. “You said we were getting clothes. And unless this man-bird-creature wears a size four, I don’t think we’re going to find what I need here.”
Despite my lowered voice, the bird-man laughs. It’s a loud guffaw that makes his entire gigantic body shake. Hemust be close to seven feet tall with enough muscles to be three hundred pounds.
“Where’d you find this one?” Nicasi asks. He leans against the wooden table. It only comes to mid-thigh, where it’d probably be at my belly button. “She’s not your usual type. In fact…”
He trails off, sniffing the air like he’s a dog.
“She’s not of the Night Realm at all.”
Nicasi steps closer until I’m forced to cower behind Sebastian again. If this man makes my abductor nervous, it’s impossible to tell. Sebastian stands at ease, both hands in his pockets. He lets me shrink behind him without so much as a glance.
Another deep inhale, but this time, Nicasi frowns.
“Not human,” he says. “Can’t place her smell though. What did you say she is?”
“I didn’t. Now, enough with the questions,” Sebastian drawls. “Get your wares or we’ll look elsewhere.”
A broad smile stretches Nicasi’s mouth.
“Is that right?” he asks, punctuating the question with another booming laugh. “Go ahead. Tell me how many harpies invite you into their home.”
Harpy. I add it to the ever-growing catalogue of Echo creatures. Sebastian wasn’t kidding. They really do have one of everything.
“The wares,” Sebastian repeats.
“What’s your name, sweetheart?” Nicasi asks. His dark eyes settle on me, that goofy grin still in place.
