Page 56 of Starlight

“Anti-human?”

“Um…some monsters have had bad experiences⁠—”

“Like you.”

Akai nodded. “Like me. Or worse, so they don’t trust humans. But Bob is great, and because of his mate, he knows all about humans. He wants to make sure you aren’t there to hunt us or expose us.”

What kind of monster did they think he was, aside from the human kind? “And if Bob doesn’t like me?”

Akai pushed a couple of gems across the counter. “Then he won’t give you a token to get through the magic.”

“Magic?” He couldn’t believe this was the first time he was hearing about this.

“Wards and such, that keep us hidden.”

Yeah, of course that made so much sense. Magic. If monsters were real, why not magic too? “So I will have driven all that way, and I won’t be allowed in?”

Akai still didn’t look at him. “I don’t get a say. I am young and have no political power. Bob was surprised I was even bringing you.”

“Because you don’t like humans.” Cole didn’t blame him after what his cousins had done. How many humans hunted and hurt monsters? How many monsters had retaliated and done the same?

“I like you.” Akai looked up from his gems. “I didn’t need to like everyone.”

Cole pressed his lips together. While that was true, it didn’t make him feel any better about what he was committed to.

“You do not like every monster,” Akai continued.

“I don’t know every monster.” All he knew was that the Mothman was Akai’s uncle and that thunderbirds were real.

“And I do not know every human,” Akai’s voice was low.

Cole drew in a breath and sighed. He didn’t like or trust plenty of humans, so it was reasonable to assume that some monsters were dicks just like humans. “Fair point. What are you making?”

“At the moment, nothing. I have been cutting and polishing the stones, as most were raw, and coming up with ideas. It’s been bittersweet, both close to my sister while acutely aware that she is gone.”

“Did she like them?”

“She did, rubies were her favorite. Instead of leaving them forgotten on a shelf, I’m going to give them new life. I think she’d want people to wear them.” He picked one up and held it to the light.

“They are very pretty,” Cole agreed. “Leaving them in a workshop seems like a waste.”

“Not a waste. They were waiting for the right opportunity. Not every stone is ready to be set. Some need time.”

“The stones need time?”

“How would you feel if you were ripped out of the ground, polished, cut, and wrapped in hot metal?”

“Er…shocked?” He’d never considered that gemstones might have feelings.

Akai nodded. “Like when I stepped out as a wolf, it changed your reality. It takes time for some stones’ vibrations to settle.” He placed it down. “It’s not only the rubies. I like you, but my vibrations need time to settle. I don’t want to be set in hot metal, yet.”

“I don’t understand?” They had agreed that Cole would drive to Yellowstone and go to the party for a week. Or attempt to get into the party. “You don’t want me at the party? You want me to drive and leave?” He was not a monster taxi service.

“No, that’s not it. I think you’ll like the party. I want you to experience it. But I’m not ready to have a mate, human or otherwise.”

A laugh burst out of his mouth. He didn’t even know where it had come from. “If having a mate is like being married, I don’t want that either.”

Akai frowned. “You don’t?”