The crisp wind stirred up maple and crimson leaves all around them. Alpine trees shrouded the moon, yet Kieran somehow maneuvered effortlessly through the dark. They left the pub and that nosy vampire who watched them behind. Everett followed close behind Kieran, unsettled by the sudden silent treatment.

After admitting to him about being poisoned, he couldn't even bother to look at him, let alone speak to him. Everett worried he'd want to drop the investigation.

Over the outcry of owls in the distance, Everett mustered a small question. "Are you upset?"

"Of course I'm upset." Kieran clenched his fists at his sides, speeding up his pace.

Everett sighed, jogging just to catch up to him. "I'm sorry I didn't mention it sooner, but I don't like telling people. I can easily make myself a target if they find out."

Kieran stopped in his tracks, whipping his head back in Everett's direction. His brows furrowed. "I'm not upset with you. I'm pissed at the fucking hunters who did this to you. If I could kill them-"

"They're already dead."

"Good." Kieran nodded, eyeing his neck. He gently reached out, brushing a finger over the tender pinpricks. "I'm sorry for doing this. Are you really alright?"

Warmth radiated Everett's face. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"You were used as vampire bait before. I'm sure they must've hurt you with their bites." Kieran dropped his hand with a grimace. "I didn't mean to make you relive that."

"Unlike those damned hunters, the vampires were always so kind to me. Like you are." Everett laced his fingers through Kieran's before he could pull away from him. "I promise, I'm okay. It felt rather good, actually." Everett stammered over his next choice of words. "B-Because of the aphrodisiac in your venom, I'm sure."

"Is that so?" Kieran smirked as he brushed the pad of his thumb along Everett's knuckles.

"Mmh. So, are you going to tell me what you learned back at the pub? And where the hell are we going?"

"I got a name for our suspected vampire. Vincent Hallowthorne. Now, the bartender hasn't seen him in a while but his blood donor works at a diner on the border of Nevermourn after all this. I hope you haven't felt too dizzy."

"I told you I'm fine." Everett couldn't resist smiling at the fact that he cared. But he tried to show a more serious expression before saying, "Do you think his blood donor will know his whereabouts? Look how long it's been. He could already have crossed the border. Before you suggest sneaking into Valorath, might I remind you how illegal it is for us wizards and humans to cross over. You vampires are lucky to have a free visiting pass."

"No, I wouldn't risk your life by making you follow me to my home country." Kieran chuckled. "But if clues lead us there, I might have to do some investigating without you. I hope that's alright."

"Of course." Everett stuffed his cold hands in his pockets.

Rather than travel the mountainside on foot, Kieran returned to his fascinating bat-humanoid form to allow them a quick flight to the town border. Everett suspected many would fear Kieran in such an uncanny form, but somehow, he found him quite adorable. His velvety skin also made it quite comfortable to snuggle up against. But maybe it was just illusions of the aphrodisiac that strengthened his attraction toward the vampire. Surely that was it, right?

When they landed, Everett studied Kieran's bat-like appearance as he morphed back into human form. Wings dissolved, pointy ears returned to being smaller, yet still slightly tipped, and his face resembled more a man's than a bat. Strong jawline and very kissable lips. Everett shook such thoughts aside, hoping Kieran didn't find him weird for staring.

"Sorry if my form frightens you," Kieran said. "It's the only way I can carry you in the air."

Everett blinked. "What?"

"You were staring."

Son of a witch, he'd noticed. Everett took his precious time concocting a viable response, but when it slipped out of his mouth, he wished he could've flew away from there himself. "I'm not frightened, if anything, it's more of a turn on." Everett held up a hand to spew some sort of defense, then promptly facepalmed. "Please, forget I said that."

Laughter rattled off Kieran. "Gods, I've seen my venom enchant maidens before, but even that couldn't chase their fears away."

"Don't compare me to some maiden." Everett crossed his arms over his chest. "And I'll have you know, I was attracted to you before you bit me."

For fangs-fucking-sake. Everett swore the Gods were playing a cruel prank on him and somehow hexed him with blunt honesty.

"Really?" Amusement vanished from the vampire's face as he stared at Everett like he'd sprouted a second head.

"Yes. Now, come on." Everett marched ahead. "You owe me a meal, remember?"

Neon lights penetrated the fog, and as they stepped closer, a lone diner came into view. The vibrant letters flashed The Crow's Nest. Crows painted the windowpanes and a sign at the entrance read, Vampires Welcomed. No vehicles were parked in the small lot.

When Kieran opened the door for him, a bell jingled. Buttermilk and cinnamon wafted in the air, making Everett's stomach rumble. It alerted the attention of a petite waitress, who led them to a booth in the corner. She handed Everett a menu and brought out a carafe of coffee for him, along with a mug.

Wavy locks of lavender hair cascaded down the young woman's back, and on the sides of her neck, Everett noticed checkered pinpricks amid her fair skin. Perhaps she was merely a human with no magic? The way she carried herself and his meal didn't indicate she obtained any magical abilities. Everett didn't notice a wand in her apron either, but the outline of a gun was quite visible.

"Do you get many vampires around here?" Kieran asked as she brought him his own carafe, filled with thick crimson. Blood, of course.

"Of course. Many bring their blood donors with them, like you have," she replied.

Kieran gave her a sly smile. "Well, it was time I found myself one. My good friend Vincent recommended I find one. You can imagine how dangerous it is to attempt hunting and the blood at that clinic here comes from Gods knows what." He wrinkled his nose. "It's just unfortunate that his blood is so foul. Like sucking out of an ill pig."

Everett choked on his coffee. "Excuse me? That's rude, you bloodsucking-"

"I understand. My Vincent says the same thing." A ghost of a smile lingered on her face. "I do hope he's faring well out there. He's not visited me in weeks now, and I worry." She shook her head. "Sorry, I'm sure you don't wanna hear about my life. How's your food?" she asked, turning to Everett.

"Delicious." Everett stuffed a mouthful of gravy-coated biscuit into his mouth, glaring daggers Kieran's way. "Unlike me, I suppose."

The waitress giggled, then stepped aside, allowing them space. Once she went back to speak with the cook, Kieran took a sip of his blood then wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"Better than my blood?" Malice tainted his tone.

"Ah, I said that so she'd report it to any vampires who might ask about you. Vampire etiquette. It's a warning for others to stay away from you," Kieran explained, then leaned in and lowered his voice. "I'd rather not let any of them know how delicious your blood tastes. Especially with it not even being a rare blood type."

Everett took another bite of his biscuit. "Would've been nice to tell me."

"How should I have known you'd believe me?" Kieran shrugged. "It was quite adorable though. You were so upset. It was as if I'd broken your heart."

"Let's not be that dramatic." Everett rolled his eyes, then pointed his fork at the vampire. "I'm likely only acting this way because of your venom. So don't get cocky. We're just investigative partners. Nothing more."

"I didn't realize something more was on the table." Kieran raised a brow.

"It's not." Everett cleared his voice. "At least we know Vincent has been around within the past year. Here's to hoping he might show up. I have no doubt that the waitress will report back to him tonight."

Kieran propped an elbow on the table. "How will she contact him?"

Amusement twinkled in Everett's eyes. Unlike many young wizards in Briarwood, he was well-versed in vampire abilities. Perhaps one perk of being a prisoner to those hunters all those years ago.

"They've likely formed a connection from him drinking her blood," Everett replied. "She's not a magical user, so I'd assume the messages aren't strong. Just enough to warn him about some weird strangers. His control over her is likely more developed. For instance, if he instructed her to kill us, she would. However, if he wishes to keep his meal ticket, he'd know better than to do such hasty things."

Kieran raised a brow. "Huh, and here I was told wizards around here were dense. You're probably right. I'm hoping he might even pop in just to check us out. Make sure we're not a threat."

Everett sipped his coffee. "Is that why you told her my blood tastes like crap? Jealous I'll give my neck to some other vampire?"

"Maybe I am." Kieran fought back a smile.

As if on cue, a rush of wind rustled Everett's hair as he whipped his head toward the opened door. A gangly older gentleman stepped into the diner, with his black cape buffeting behind him. Silver hair drew his attention, then down to his piercing crimson eyes. The man resembled a zombie more than a vampire. Unlike Kieran, he wasn't very attractive, with rough patches of darkened skin blotting his neck and chin. His left ear sagged a little, as if something once tried to tear it off.

Their waitress came to greet him immediately. Her eyes widened in delight as she struggled to hide her true feelings, leading him over to a table behind theirs. Everett pretended to be too busy eating, but spared a glance at the unattractive vampire as he crossed by them. Blood stained the whiteness of his undershirt. Perhaps he'd already had a bite to eat.

"Kieran, what a pleasant surprise," Vincent said, halting in front of their table. "What brings you to Nevermourn? I was just visiting your home country, Valrorath, before the winters worsened."

"Wanted to see the lovely fall in bloom here in Marusticia," Kieran replied.

"Who might this be?" The vampire knelt down, examining Everett with intrigue. He bared yellow-ish fangs at him.

Everett recoiled, then mustered the courage to put on an innocent act. "I'm Kieran's um," he paused to bite his lip. "Blood donor? Isn't that the right word?"

Kieran nodded. "It is."

"Never took you for the type to take a wizard." Vincent turned his attention back to Kieran. "What brings you to this diner? A little birdie told me you were looking for me. Well, I'm here."

"I was hired as a private investigator to look into the case of a dead wizard. You're familiar with Richard Lianorin, right?"

"Doesn't ring any bells." Vincent rubbed his chin.

What a bunch of bat shit. Everett resisted the urge to speak up, knowing Kieran surely knew how to get an answer from the vampire. However, he didn't think a little magical coercion would hurt. Everett kept his wand concealed beneath his robe, underneath the table, and whispered a soft spell into his mug of coffee.

"Are you sure you haven't heard of him?" Everett asked, flashing him innocent doe-eyes.

"No, I don't believe we've crossed paths."

Long white whiskers sprouted from the vampire's cheeks as his nose twitched. Everett bit back a snicker while Kieran damn near choked on his blood.

"You're not lying to us, are you?" Everett questioned. "Surely you've heard of Richard. Didn't he come to you, wishing you'd turn him into a vampire?"

"What is this about, Kieran? Do you not have control over your mouthy bloodbag? I don't know who this Richard is you speak of, but I've never contacted him." Vincent snapped as he adjusted his collar and turned to walk away. Behind him, a rat tail sprouted and slithered out from under his robe.

When he reached his pretty waitress, she let out a gut-wrenching scream that made even Kieran chuckle. Vincent stormed back to their table, blazing rage emitted from him like steam. However, Everett was prepared with his wand drawn and he expected Kieran to jump to his defense if he needed to.

"Have you never heard of the tales in Briarwood?" Everett grinned. "Lying little wizards will turn into rats if they don't learn to speak the truth. If you're not honest with us, the effects could become permanent, you know. It won't be long until you shrink."

"Shrink?" Vincent's voice raised an octave. "Reverse this awful hex now."

"The only way to break the hex is to be honest." Everett spread his hands. "It'll all vanish if you answer the previous questions truthfully."

Vincent swapped nervous glances between him, Kieran, and his waitress. He sighed, curled a fist at his side. "Damned wizards. You brought this little devil on purpose, didn't you?"

"How should I have known he'd do that?" Kieran shrugged. "Unless you wanna be a rat forever, you better answer."

"Fine." Vincent grimaced. "Yeah, I tried to turn that Richard guy into a vampire. He was desperate. Said he would die if he couldn't become a vampire. Something was really wrong with him though, and it was until after I tasted his blood did I realize what was happening. It was a setup."

"What do you mean?" Kieran frowned.

"Richard was poisoned with Tainted Venom. You know, that crap meant to entice vampires to drink their blood. Hunters like to use it. So, I fled after draining him dry."

No more rat features manifested, meaning he was telling the truth. But who would've poisoned Richard? Did he think the only way to reverse the poison was infecting himself with vampirism? Everett never even considered such a thing. Would the transformation even work with the poison in their veins?

After getting the truth out of Vincent, Everett reassured him that the effects would wear off within twenty minutes or so. Yet he couldn't stop wondering who would've poisoned Rowena's husband and if someone might've done the same thing to her.