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“I’ve known for a while, remember? And I’m not going to tell anyone. But you two should probably know humans can hear you if you’re standing, like, three feet away.”

Zinni looks vaguely horrified. I wonder if this has something to do with the fact that he has a Deaf landlord. Maybe he’s forgotten other humans aren’t. He takes a deep breath, then his hand trails down before he grabs me by the wrist and pulls me into the little nook where we keep all the extra to-go supplies.

“I need you to understand how important it is that you continue to keep this secret.”

My brows fly up. “Is it illegal for him to be here or something?”

“His species typically cannot survive on Earth.”

Something like horror hits me right in the center of the gut. No, it’s not horror; it’s fear. “Is he going to be okay? Last time Eissa was here, he said that Hepyn could be in trouble. And now he for sure can’t get back to Erethar with the portals closed.”

Zinni takes a long moment before he answers. “He would not go back to Erethar even if the portals were open. And it’s not really my story to tell. But we are…” he hesitates, “working on a solution to his problem.”

“It’s a problem a human could solve, right?”

Zinni looks torn. “I…well. Technically, yes.” Bowing his head, he takes me by the shoulders and holds tight. “We like having you here, Syl.”

“You do.”

“Hepyn is not as comfortable as I am expressing himself. He knows we would be lost without you.” My chest goes oddly warm, and I feel myself blushing. “I need you to understand that what Hepyn needs is not something you can help him with.”

Well, that’s a challenge if I’ve ever heard one. I have a feeling Zinni won’t tell me more, no matter how hard I irritate and bother him about it. So, my only option—if I really want to find out—is to ask someone who is willing to tell.

And I’m not sure I could find Eissa now that he’s gone into hiding, but I bet there’s someone else who knows just as much.

And while I don’t know anyone off the top of my head, I do know there’s a sanctuary village of monsters and humans being built by the lake. I might not have connections now, but if I spend enough time snooping around, I should be able to find answers.

I love being a snoop. I’m terrible at it, but I have all the necessary things I need. Including a magnifying glass that I use to look at ants as they work, and binoculars which I procured to watch moths flutter in the light.

I’ve been asked if I’m birdwatching once today. I just smiled and nodded. Fuckers making assumptions. Not everyone likes feathered dinosaurs. Some people like goddamn bugs.

I fiddle with the binoculars around my neck as I linger across the street from where I know Luca is at this very moment. He owns the coffee shop and comes in often. He’s always signing, and I feel like a chump because I haven’t taken the time to learn any of it. It leaves me out more often than not. It’s my own fault, but right now, I’m nose-deep in work. I don’t have time to take on something else.

Unless it involves figuring out what’s going on with my boss.

Suddenly, the door of one of the cottages opens, and a monster appears, his body cloaked in a sheer tunic, his hair pulled up into two ponytails, large bows on each one.

His head tilts up to the sky, and he breaks out in a wide smile as he seems to bask in it. Then he lets out a happy trill and his gaze slams into mine.

I freeze, realizing stupidly that I’m standing across the street and staring.

With binoculars and a magnifying glass.

The monster sends up a wave and a wide grin before crossing the street right toward me. And listen, I interact with humans and Vyastil alike at the coffee shop, but I’m behind a counter and it’s my job. This is different.

He’s walking with a purpose.

And when he stops in front of me, he waves again and then holds out his arms like he wants a hug.

I stare at him, my mouth parting in shock.

“Hello, human. I have just come from a sleepover, and I would like a hug.”

I stammer when I hear someone call out, “Vyrian! You can’t just go up to people and ask for hugs. We talked about this!”

I peer around Vyrian and see a man who has come into the shop a few times. Luca’s brother, Dante, I think. He’s holding the hand of a monster wearing a pink jacket and is trotting across the street.

“I’m so sorry. He’s overly friendly and curious,” Dante says with a small laugh.