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“Guys, this is my friend Felix.” I usher Fitzie into the room. “Be nice to him. He’s visiting from out of town.”

Plato does a double take and sits up, letting his controller fall to his lap. “Your friend?”

I catch the eager look on his face and sigh. “Come on, I have friends.”

“No you don’t,” Fitzie snarks.

“Nice to meet you, Felix.” Plato leans over the back of the couch and holds out a massive hand, grinning. “I’m Plato, one of the other bartenders.”

“I hope you’re bullying Ezra the way he deserves.” Fitzie shakes his hand. “You look too nice, though.”

“Nah, I leave that to Orion.” Plato chuckles.

“I can’t wait to meet him, in that case.”

When Fitzie has introduced himself to the rest of the room I relax slightly. It went fine. Nothing’s on fire. I just have to explain somehow that all these people are secretly not human, if he’ll just put on this magical necklace…

That’s gonna go well.

“They seem extremely normal.” In the hallway, Fitzie gives me a dark look. “What’s the catch? You’re being weird.”

“Nothing!” I yelp. Then, guiltily, “You’ll see.”

“I don’t like surprises, Ez.”

“Just… trust me. Please.”

He sighs. “So who’s Orion?”

“He should be at the bar by now.” I take him back down the hall. “Orion!”

“Yo —” Orion stops short. It’sextraweird seeing him in human form, I’m so used to his shadowy self. He gives Fitzie a slow once-over and puts a finger to his lips. “You’re Ez’s buddy.”

“Felix Fitzsimmons. Mybuddiescall me Fitzie, for some godawful reason.”

“Fitzie. Cute. Like you.” Orion shakes his hand vigorously. “You’re a nicer sight than his ugly mug, that’s for sure. I’m Orion.”

“Hey,” I protest half-heartedly.

“Thanks.” Fitzie’s eyes glint. “Hot yoga and daily affirmations keep me youthful.”

“You ever been to a siren rave? You look like you can dance.”

I wince, but Fitzie takes it in stride. “I was a pro for two years. Ballet before that. Nowadays I only do parties if you ask really nicely.”

Orion chuckles. “Ezra’s lucky you’re not my type, or this would be the beginning of one hell of a toxic situationship.”

A surprised laugh bursts out of Fitzie. “I really was a stripper, y’know. I had to give it up when I started teaching dance to kids.”

“Babe, no one here will give a shit. Except Syril, they might try to enlist you for acultural night. Don’t let them pressure you into it, or you’ll never be free of this place.”

Orion winks at me as we leave him behind at the bar. I grab a booth for us, extremely aware I’ve taken Lysander’s usual spot. He said he’d come down and I’m counting on it. In the meantime, I have some things to clear up.

“He seems nice,” Fitzie says quietly when I come back with drinks.

I slide into the bench. The music ratchets up and the door opens, admitting a handful of regulars. I take a sip of my drink, trying to find the right words.

“You’re freaking me out, Ez.”