Morpheus laughs. “ ‘Mutated.’ The word you’re looking for is evolved , luv. He has shed his monkey mortal state and donned the robes of netherling immortality. That’s a step up, not a step down.”

I start to work the buttons open on Morpheus’s black shirt, but Jeb brushes me aside and takes over.Morpheus places his hand on Jeb’s busy fingers, eyes opened to slits. “Ah, my pretty pseudo elf.” He takes a labored breath. “Is it time at last to express our unrequited feelings?

Jeb smiles—a genuine Jebediah Holt grin, complete with dimples. Such a beautiful distraction. “I love you, skater girl.” The nickname winds through me, comforting and sweet. I smooth my palm across his shoulder. “Say it again.”“I love you.”“No . . . the other part,” I plead.He pulls my body to his, so our mouths come together in a warm, soft kiss. “Skater girl,” he whispers against me, brushing hair from my face.

You can put me down now," I grump."I don't know. It's a lot easier to save your ass when I have it riding on my shoulder.

I'm going to fall in love with an artist. And we'll have two kids and live in the country. A quiet life, so we can hear our muses and answer when they call. Tipping up my chin to meet his gaze, he gives me a tender, starlit smile—one that melts my insides. "I like your version better.

You can’t come in without an invitation.”He leans a shoulder against Alison’s framed photo of a wheat field at harvest. “That so?” His boot heel nudges the door behind him, shutting out the storm and the scent of rain. “Last I checked, I wasn’t a vampire,” he says, his voice low.My fists clench tighter, and I step backward onto the line of carpet that borders the edge of the living room. “You sure have a lot in common with one.”“Because I suck?”“More proof. You just read my mind.

Poor control-freak Jeb. Your world’s way off-kilter when little Alyssa’s not tripping over her chastity belt. Is that it, bad boy?

Fingers locked around Jeb's neck, I tug his short ponytail. To help us fit in at a banquet, we're both in costume. He's supposed to be an elfin knight, so sprites drew his hair across his ears to cover their rounded tips. I like it this way. His strong jawline and expressive features take center stage."Figured they'd put you in a hat," I tease."Nah. Those are reserved for worms with wings.

Did he touch you? Hurt you?" Jeb whispers in the silence."No. He was a gentleman."Jeb frowns. "You mean a gentleroach .