After seven years of being on the move, Arlo Barman wants nothing more than a place to call home. But unbeknownst to him, Arlo is a caladrius healer, so staying in one place has never been an option. The compulsion to separate himself from those he's healed is all-consuming and leaves him little choice but to pack up yet again. Nash Silver is the only werewolf in his small coastal town. Living undetected in a human world is imperative for his kind, and he and his small circle of friends -- a vampire and a psychic -- have done so for decades. But Nash's anonymous existence is jeopardized when a man with an enticing scent moves into town. From the moment Nash lays eyes on the stranger, nothing is more important than being close to him. Not even guarding his secret. Arlo isn't interested in a relationship or even a date, his past has taught him nothing good comes from it, but the rather pushy local popping up everywhere he goes has his heart somersaulting. If he's heart is somersaulting or not doesn't matter, because when Nash gets injured, Arlo is the only one who can save him. Having used his powers, Arlo has to leave Nash and the cozy town he wanted to make his home, but can Nash survive being separated from his mate?

Black Bird

This town was safe for now, and the job at the coffee shop wasn’t bad. Perhaps he could stay a couple of weeks. He just had to make sure he didn’t get to know anyone, he had to keep his distance from Holly, and he should under no circumstances speak to that Nash guy.


A tingle spread through his body. Arlo blew out a breath and stood. He wasn’t sure he could call it lust, but whatever it was it surprised him. Hadn’t he learned his lesson by now? Reality was far from dreams and fantasies, and he’d tried the whole boyfriend thing—never again.


Nash. Allowing him to star in some fantasies couldn’t be too bad, could it? It was safe. Fantasies were just fantasies.


He put the half-eaten bowl of ramen in the sink and went into the living room. Reaching for a box of things, he halted mid-motion to look out the window. Darkness was all he saw, and yet he could’ve sworn someone was there.


Unease curled around his heart. He’d know if someone was watching him, right?


Chapter 7