His eyes caught Maddy's attention first. Each iris was a moonlit pond, where silver koi danced in languid spirals, their scales glinting were a million tiny jewels set in liquid mercury.

A different set of grey eyes flashed through his thoughts. They were nothing like the ones in front of him. They were muted, dead fish floating to the surface of a toxic pond, their scales only reflecting against the harsh white light of Douggie's Diner.

Maddy's heart squeezed so tightly in his chest, that it reminded him of an overstuffed roast beef bounded with extra ties to keep the contents from spilling out.

A small quirk of the brow and a flicker of amusement in the stranger's eyes made Maddy snap his gaze toward Dee, his cheeks flushing. Dee had all but started to drool, as she called him over.

Even as he walked, he radiated effortless confidence that made Maddy feel a mix of curiosity and unease. The way his eyes lingered a beat too long, sent a prickle of warning down his neck. Maddy couldn't shake the feeling that beneath the polished exterior, something darker lurked. Everything about this man was perfect. Too perfect to be human.

And then, a smile bloomed on his face, a carnivorous flower revealing its fangs. The voice in his head, cold and rough, echoed the truth his nose already sniffed out, vampire.

"Quick, laugh, or something," Dee said behind a smile.

"What?" Maddy tilted his head, his brows furrowing in confusion. Something didn't sit right with Maddy. What was Dee doing hanging around with that kind of Strange Folk? A fuzzy memory began to surface in his thoughts.

Maddy was young, no more than eight or nine years old. He hid behind a wall as Mr. and Mrs. Tarkirk, Dee's parents were whispering in the kitchen. Whispering about him. Whispering about vampires. Maddy didn't remember making a noise, but Mr. Tarkirk had stopped talking. His shoulders had gone rigid and soon Maddy was met with a glare so cold it made his bones shake. A look Maddy would soon become accustomed to. Sparks flew from the man's fingers as he raised his hand toward Maddy.

Dee pinched the back of his bicep, "Ow, why?!"

"Laugh, Maddy, laugh." Her tone grew desperate.

Maddy scrunched his nose at the man approaching them. The noose around his heart squeezed, warning him to remain weary, "No."

"No, what?" Dee's new friend asked, stopping just a few feet away from them. His eyes light with curiosity and intrigue. Without skipping a beat he added, "Hi, how's it going?"

A sardonic laugh, laced with frustration, tumbled out of Maddy's lips. Of course, his voice sounded as smooth as butter. Butter that was cut into perfect squares and placed on top of pancakes. Butter that was spread in thick globs onto a crisp piece of sourdough toast. Butter that Maddy would eat whole.

Maddy's face quickly turned the shade of a tomato ripening in the midday sun, ready to burst at any moment. What was wrong with him? Had his fever made him delusional?

He mumbled an awkward greeting, shoving his good hand in his pocket. His eyes latched onto a painting of the university president hanging on a corridor wall, it suddenly became very interesting.

"A little late there, bud," Dee released an exacerbated sigh and turned her attention to the man in front of them. She said in a voice sounding so sweet, it could attract bees, "Hello again. Did you have fun exploring the campus?"

"It's a lot smaller than I expected, but I found a couple of quiet spots where I can write my paper without getting too distracted." He replied, his tone teasing.

Shifting his gaze Maddy turned toward the conversation, his brows narrowed and creased, was this man flirting or just charming?

Dee's new muse could have been the poster boy for Abercrombie, with his ash-colored hair, smooth sun-kissed skin, and sharp features. His V-neck sweater, the color of stained wine was cut low enough for his collar bones to pop through and fit just right, showing off his muscles. His dark slacks, tailored to hug every curve of his long legs told Maddy, the man didn't skip leg day- that he never missed any day at the gym if he could help it.

"Oh, I'm sure you might have one or two distractions." A sly smile curled on Dee's lips as she spoke.

Maddy's lips pinched together as if he bit into a lemon soaked in vinegar. Dee was definitely flirting and it was causing his head to ache. He glanced at the clock and found an excuse to leave.