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Pan wanted to grip Noah’s chin and run his thumb over that plump lower lip before consuming him. Those thoughts needed to wait because the dragon outside wasn’t going to. They had no sense of time, which meant they had very little patience.

Pan frowned and looked at Linda. “When you say sort out the food, what do you mean?”

“I have four days’ worth of food, and we’re not going to be able to open. So I need to determine what we can take home and what I can give to a friend of mine who is stuck…do your friends need feeding? Or do they need blood?”

“It depends on the age of the vampire. The young ones don’t eat blood.” And he didn’t want to explain vampire blood magic.

That probably didn’t work either. Fuck…maybe they were dead like the selkies.

He inclined his head to hide his expression. “I will check with them. It is a very generous offer. Perhaps if you have a little meat, you can spare for the dragon?”

Linda laughed. “I don’t have enough to feed a dragon.”

“It’s about the offering, not the quantity.”

“A bit like a stray cat? If you feed them, they become your friend,” Noah said as if warming to the idea.

“Exactly. Though I don’t recommend getting too close as you do not speak Dragon.” He stood. “Thank you for the tea and the cake. Hopefully, I’ll return with some kind of good news.”

He wasn’t even sure what good news looked like. Or what he wanted it to be. Only that he needed help. Every Tarikian needed help.

For the first time in his life, he wasn’t special. He wasn’t anything.

And he didn’t like that at all.

CHAPTER10

Noah watched Silas walk out of the kitchen, the heavy coat swinging around his ankles. He was a little shorter than him but exuded some kind of power and authority that made Noah dizzy and breathless and hungry for more. Though more of what, he couldn’t say.

“Come on. There’s work to do.” Nan gathered up the empty plates.

“Do you want me to finish cleaning up the broken glass and tidy up the bar area?” They hadn’t swept or mopped or run the dishwasher. They’d done the bare minimum and fled.

“What’s so interesting out there?”

Noah ignored the heat blooming on his cheeks. “I’m curious, that’s all.”

“Curious about the palace or Silas.” She pinned him with her gaze.

“Nan. Please. He’s an incubus.” Silas could have anyone he wanted, and Noah wasn’t about to get caught up in sex demon magic. He collected the cups and put them in the sink.

Nan huffed, and her eyes narrowed. “I don’t know what he is. But he’s not an incubus.”

“What makes you say that?” Not that he was an expert in incubi or any mythological creature.

“Because he ate and drank, and incubi feed on sexual energy.”

Noah’s cheeks burned. He never wanted to hear his grandmother mention sexual energy again. “Our myths might be wrong…he said vampires eat.”

“Hmm. Maybe, but there’s something about him.” She tapped her nose. “I can’t put my finger on it, but he doesn’t seem to be lying about wanting to help his people and the dragon.” She frowned. “He talked to the dragon. Does that make the dragon a person?”

“I have no idea. You should’ve asked him.” Noah grabbed the broom and dustpan. “Thanks for volunteering me to search for the dragon.”

“I volunteered your friends, not you.”

“You’re just hoping Web will be eaten.” Why couldn’t he go dragon hunting? Did she think he wasn’t capable?

“I hope dragons have better taste.” She put her hands on her hips. “We have work to do here. Go and clean up. I’ll start sorting out the meat situation.”