Brennen’s smile faltered slightly. He glanced at Mia, clearly hoping for alone time. Before either of them could answer, someone grabbed my hand and yanked me backward with surprising force.

  “No. You’re eating with me.”

  I twisted around to see Luna, her golden eyes locked on Mia with a hard scowl. Mia’s head tilted slightly in their direction, then she looked away—almost shamefully.

  “Sorry, Mia,” I called over my shoulder as Luna dragged me down the hall. “Rain check on lunch.”

  “That was kind of rude,” I said once we were a few steps away. “What was that about?”

  Luna kept walking, eyes straight ahead, grip firm on my hand. “You need to stay away from her.”

  I blinked. “Who—Mia?”

  “Yes.” Her voice was tight, edged with annoyance. “And you need to listen to me.”

  I tugged my hand free but kept pace. “Okay, that’s going to be hard. She’s Kylie’s best friend—and mine too. She’s been over to the house tons of times. Even spent the night. My parents love her.”

  Luna stopped dead, turning to face me. Her expression shifted—surprise, then something sharper. “Wait. She’s been inside your house? Multiple times?”

  I nodded, still smiling despite the confusion. “Yeah. Why?”

  She clenched her jaw, a low growl rumbling in her throat—barely audible, but unmistakable. Without another word, she grabbed my wrist again and started marching forward.

  “Just trust me,” she said through gritted teeth. “She’s not a good person.”

  I laughed, half-baffled, half-amused. “We’re talking about the same Mia, right? Small, sweet, blind Asian girl who wouldn’t hurt a fly?” I paused, realizing something. “Actually… I still don’t even know what kind of Asian she is. I should probably ask her next time.”

  Luna shot me a sharp look. “Meleek. I’m serious. Be careful around her.”

  I rolled my eyes and sighed. “Okay, whatever.”

  As we passed a group of students, I caught a snippet of conversation:

  “Oh my god, look—they’re holding hands. Is that Meleek’s girlfriend?”

  “He already has a girlfriend? Does Kylie know?”

  Luna and I both froze. We glanced at each other, then down at our still-linked hands. Her cheeks flushed. She yanked her hand away like it burned her and wiped it quickly on her jeans.

  “Sorry,” she muttered, then sped up again.

  I followed, trying not to smirk.

  We reached the front of the cafeteria. Lucian was waiting near the doors, surrounded by a couple of other jock-looking guys. He spotted us and walked over.

  “You eating with us?” he asked me.

  Luna answered before I could. “Yeah. And I had to pry him away from Mia’s fangs before he got hurt.”

  Lucian’s brow furrowed for a second, then he looked at me. “Oh—right. Yeah, Mia’s… nice. But you should probably keep your distance.”

  I stared between them, incredulous. “Okay, seriously. Both of you? I’ve known her for years. She’s literally the nicest person I know. What is your deal with her?”

  They exchanged another quick, loaded glance—brief, loaded, and gone in a blink.

  Luna’s jaw tightened. Lucian just shrugged, casual on the surface.

  “Come on,” he said. “We’re eating off campus today.”

  I hesitated, the absurdity of it all sinking in. Whatever this is, they’re both dead serious about it. And I’m clearly missing something big.

  “Maybe later,” Lucian said, waving off my question about Mia. “Come on, let’s go eat.”

  I followed them out, still turning the whole thing over in my head. Why are they both so weird about her?

  As we walked across the parking lot, Luna’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and sighed, heavy with annoyance, thumb hovering like she was debating whether to answer.

  Lucian noticed. “Him again?”

  She nodded once, tight-lipped.

  I stepped closer, curious. “Who is it?”

  “Her ex,” Lucian answered before she could. “They broke up. He’s been begging her to take him back.”

  Luna growled low in her throat—almost animalistic—and yanked the phone away, shielding the screen like I might try to read it. “He actually thinks after cheating on me I’d just roll over if he says sorry.”

  My eyes widened. “He cheated on you?”

  She nodded, hit ignore, and shoved the phone into her pocket. “Yeah. And I’m done.”

  We reached Lucian’s truck—a sleek black full-size beast, lifted high on massive tires, chrome ram bars gleaming across the front. It looked expensive, like something built for off-roading more than city streets. I climbed into the backseat while they hopped in front.

  As we pulled out of the school lot, Lucian glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “So, what do you feel like eating?”

  I smirked. “Did you already forget? Anything but meat.”

  Luna twisted around to look at me, a flicker of recognition crossing her face. “Oh yeah… still makes you sick?”

  I nodded. “Every time. Meat, eggs, anything animal. I end up puking my guts out. Not sure if it’s an elf thing or what.”

  Lucian grinned at Luna. “Too bad. We’re huge carnivores.”

  Luna closed her eyes for a second, moaning softly as she licked her lips. “Mmm. The rarer the better. Thick, juicy, dripping…”

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  The way she said it—slow, almost sensual—made me burst out laughing. It sounded way dirtier than she probably meant.

  She snapped her eyes open, narrowing them at me. “What?”

  I shook my head, still grinning. “Nothing. You just made that sound filthy.”

  “I did not,” she protested, but her cheeks flushed a little.

  Lucian glanced between us, confused. “What happened?”

  “Nothing,” Luna said quickly, facing forward again. “Just drive.”

  We pulled into a casual diner parking lot a few minutes later. My phone buzzed just as we were getting out—it was Kylie.

  I answered. “Hey.”

  “Where are you?” she asked over background chatter and clinking trays. “I can’t find you in the cafeteria.”

  “Oh—did you know Lucian and Luna moved here? They dragged me off campus for lunch.”

  Kylie’s voice brightened. “They live here too? Nice! Tell them I said hi.”

  We stepped inside the diner and headed toward the registers. Before I could reply, Lucian leaned over quietly. “Salad?”

  “And sweet tea,” I whispered back.

  I brought the phone up again. “I’ll tell them.”

  “Okay, but seriously—tell me next time you’re going somewhere,” Kylie said. “I was worried. I’m supposed to be looking out for you, you know.”

  I chuckled. “Aww, you were worried about me. That’s sweet.”

  “Shut up,” she muttered, but I could hear the smile in her voice. “Just… tell me next time.”

  “Whatever, Mom.”

  “Shut up. Bye.”

  She hung up with mock annoyance. I pocketed the phone, grinning.

  Lucian and Luna finished ordering at the counter—two massive burgers for them, rare, extra meat—while I got my salad and tea. We grabbed a booth near the window and slid in, the vinyl seats creaking under us.

  Luna propped her elbows on the table, studying me with a small, curious smile. “So… you’re really here. In a real school. With us.”

  “Yeah,” I said, leaning back. “Feels weird. Good weird, though.”

  Lucian nodded toward the kitchen. “Food’s coming. Then you can tell us everything we’ve missed the last five years.”

  I laughed. “Only if you two finally explain what your deal is with Mia.”

  They exchanged another quick glance—brief, loaded, and gone in a blink.

  Luna shrugged, too casual. “Eat first. Then maybe.”

  I rolled my eyes, but I didn’t push. Not yet.

  The server dropped off our drinks, and for the first time since the school day started, the knot of confusion in my chest loosened just a little.

  Lucian glanced over curiously, only catching the tail end of my call. “Is your mom worried about you?”

  I shook my head. “Nah, it was Kylie. She freaked when I didn’t show up for lunch with her.”

  Luna’s face lit up. She grinned, shoving Lucian’s shoulder. “Kylie, huh? You know, Luc—”

  Before she could finish, Lucian panicked and shoved a couple of fries into her mouth. “Shut up.”

  She laughed around the food, chewing triumphantly.

  I looked between them, smirking. “What?”

  Lucian shook his head, stuffing more fries into his own mouth. “Just ignore her.”

  Too late—I’d already connected the dots. “Oh god. Don’t tell me you used to like my sister? Every guy had a crush on her back then. I never got it.”

  Luna nodded enthusiastically. Lucian scoffed, feigning offense. “What? No way.” He quickly changed the subject, pointing at my plate. “So… did I get the right salad?”

  I glanced down and nodded. Then I eyed their trays—two triple bacon cheeseburgers each, two large fries, and giant sodas. “How do you guys eat all that and not die?”

  They exchanged a knowing smile. Lucian shrugged. “High metabolism. We work it off with exercise.”

  Suddenly a small voice piped up from a nearby table. “Mommy, look! It’s Legolas! Is that the elf? Can I meet him?”

  Every head in the diner turned my way. I just grinned, poked at my salad, and pretended I didn’t hear it.

  Luna leaned forward, talking around a mouthful of burger. “Comments like that don’t bother you anymore? Or the staring?”

  I shrugged. “Not really. At least not yet. It’s kind of amusing now.” It was a half-lie—the attention still made me uneasy, but I was getting better at hiding it.

  She kept staring, studying my face, my eyes. I felt heat creep up my neck and looked away, rubbing the back of it bashfully. “What?”

  Lucian elbowed her. “Now you’re staring.”

  She blinked, then smiled softly. “Sorry. I just… missed looking at your eyes.” She turned back to her food, taking another huge bite.

  My face warmed. I ducked my head, smiling down at my salad. I’d missed them more than I realized.

  Lucian snorted. “Wow. Way to make him uncomfortable.”

  Luna laughed and looked at me again. “Aww, did I make you blush? You really haven’t changed—you still rub your neck when you’re nervous.”

  Old habit kicking in, I scratched my eye with my middle finger—flipping her off.

  She gasped dramatically. “You wish.”

  I grinned and nodded, just to mess with her. She chuckled and flicked a fry at me. It bounced off my chest.

  “Wow,” she said. “You’re definitely not as shy as you used to be.”

  Lucian stood. “While you two catch up, I gotta hit the bathroom.” He walked off, smirking.

  I turned back to Luna. “Seriously… it’s really good to have you guys back. I missed you.”

  “Yeah,” she said quietly, sipping her drink. “We missed you too. How’s your family? I miss your mom the most.”

  I picked at my salad. “They’re good. Dad still works nonstop—barely home. Mom basically runs everything. Kylie’s as annoying as ever.”

  Luna smiled. “You’re looking good, though. I like the hair. I still can’t believe your mom let you go to a real school. She was always so nervous about it.”

  I leaned back, already full. “I begged. Kylie helped. So… how was Canada? I heard you guys were in witness protection.”

  She blinked, confused. “What?”

  “My parents said that’s why we couldn’t contact you all these years. Witness protection.”

  Luna chuckled lightly and looked away, taking another long sip. “Oh. Yeah… it was okay. I met a lot of family I didn’t know I had.”

  I glanced at her phone on the table. “Even got yourself a boyfriend.”

  She scoffed, rolled her eyes, and flipped the phone facedown. “Don’t remind me abou—”

  A woman and her young son approached our table. “Sorry to interrupt,” the mom said kindly, “but my son was hoping for a picture with you both.”

  Luna frowned. “Why me?”

  “You’re his girlfriend!” the boy exclaimed.

  Luna looked at me; I was already grinning, barely holding back laughter. “Oh, we’re not—”

  The boy grabbed her arm, eyes huge and pleading. “Please? Please?”

  Luna sighed in defeat, glanced at me again, then stood and held out her hand. “Fine, honey. Stand up.”

  “Okay, dear,” I said, taking her hand and standing. She glared, not amused by my teasing.

  We posed with the boy between us on the edge of the table. His arms wrapped around both of us, beaming. Right as the mom snapped the photo, he turned and planted a big kiss on Luna’s cheek.

  Her eyes went wide. The boy giggled, jumped down, and ran back to his table.

  The mom laughed. “Sorry. I think my son has a crush on your girlfriend.”

  I called after the kid, “Hey! I’ll trade you my girlfriend for your kid’s meal toy!”

  Luna whipped around, shocked, then looked at the staring faces around us. “Shut up!” she hissed, shoving me.

  The boy’s face lit up—he actually started looking for his toy. The mom quickly explained I was joking; his smile dropped into a pout.

  Luna shoved me again. I stumbled, laughing.

  Lucian walked up just in time, grinning. “Wow. I leave for two minutes and you’re already dating?”

  Luna scoffed. “Gross. Like that would ever happen. Who’d want to date a Keebler elf?”

  I sighed at the nickname. It still stung a little.

  Lucian shook his head as he sat. “You’ve gotta forgive Luna. She still doesn’t think before she speaks.”

  I smiled and sat too. “Don’t worry. She’s not my type anyway.”

  Luna narrowed her eyes, trying to decide if I was insulting her. I just kept smiling.

  We finished eating eventually and headed back to Lucian’s truck. On the drive back to school, he glanced at me in the rearview. “So… what’s your type, then?”

  I caught Luna looking back at me, curious. I scratched the back of my head. “Uh… I don’t know. Any girl who’d have me, I guess.”

  Luna rolled her eyes and turned forward.

  “Kidding,” I said. “Someone funny, easy to talk to. Takes care of herself, takes pride in how she looks—but not conceited. Someone I can talk to about anything. A real friend.”

  Lucian smiled. “Damn. And you said you hadn’t thought about it. Solid list. I know a few girls like that.” He glanced sideways at Luna. “Maybe I can find one too.”

  “As long as she’s not my sister,” I teased.

  Luna burst out laughing.

  “Ha ha,” Lucian muttered. “Shut up. I don’t like your sister.” He went quiet, staring straight ahead.

  Just to mess with Luna one more time, I added, “Oh—there’s one more thing.”

  She looked back at me. I smirked. “She has to think before she spits out rude comments.”

  “Oh, haha, asshole,” she said.

  Lucian and I both cracked up.

  We pulled back into the school lot. As we headed inside, Lucian asked, “What’s your next class?”

  I fished out my schedule. “Mrs. Stewart, Biology, room 163.”

  “That’s mine,” Luna said, grabbing my arm and tugging me along. “I’ll take you.”

  Before Lucian headed off, he called after me, “Don’t forget—meet me at the track after school!”

  I nodded, already wondering what the rest of the day—and the rest of this weird, wonderful new chapter—had in store.