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Judging by Junjie’s expression, his nonchalance did not fool the vampire. He likely knew Leo had been in the vehicle the entire time.

“You should have remained behind. It’s dangerous,” Junjie said.

Leo sidled a step closer. “Are you worried about me?”

The vampire looked away and resumed walking through the woods, stepping over a fallen log. He held the branch of a bush as he passed by it, waiting for Leo to join him so that he wouldn’t risk making a noise.

“You know, I have been running circles around the fae for months now with no problems. They can’t catch me.”

“Have they honestly tried to?”

Leo shrugged one shoulder. Probably not. He was beneath their notice. Until recently, all their focus had been on the humans and the vampires who’d been causing them problems.

“You need to be more careful. I was going to ask for your help, but…”

When Junjie’s words drifted off to nothing, Leo hurried a couple of steps ahead of Junjie, forcing the vampire to meet his gaze. “What? What did you want to ask me?”

A frown formed on Junjie’s lips, and Leo wanted to kiss it away. This man shouldn’t be frowning. He was sparkling starlight and champagne bubbles.

“The fae have been doing more in the woods during the day. We think they’re preparing for another ritual that will expand the woods and destroy more human cities, but we can’t investigate it because of the sun.”

“You need me to spy on the fae,” Leo filled in.

“Mn. We’ve asked Huli and Kai to help, but there’s so much ground to cover.”

“I’ll help you.” The words were out of Leo’s mouth before he could even think to stop them.

When the hell had he ever volunteered for anything?

Fuck, he was pretty sure he’d volunteer to stand before a firing squad if Junjie asked him. As long as it got him to stop frowning.

It also didn’t hurt that the vampire had adopted a kitten into his clan without a single moment of hesitation.

“I’ve changed my mind. This is a bad idea.” Junjie twisted, slipping away from him, but Leo was undaunted. No one could escape him.

He moved quickly and silently, even on human feet, getting in front of Junjie despite the vampire’s smooth efforts to escape him.

“Tell me. What’s wrong?”

Someone cleared their throat, and they turned to see Chen glaring at them from a few yards away. His expression spoke loudly—Quit fucking around.

Junjie sighed, his shoulders slumping. “I don’t want to involve you. The fae are now targeting shifters and witches. Hunting them. I don’t want to give the fae more of a reason to come after you.”

Leo grinned as he reached up and brushed some hair off Junjie’s shoulder. The vampire had been letting it grow longer so that it was falling below his shoulders and hanging in his eyes. It looked so silky and soft; Leo was dying to run his fingers through it. He hadn’t thought too much of it until Yichen had shown up with his long hair hanging down his back. Now he was obsessed with the idea of Junjie growing his hair that long so Leo could wrap his hands in it and cover his face with it.

“Oh, I know all about the fae’s efforts to kill shifters. They attacked a dive bar not too far from your place. Declared war on the wolves drinking there.”

“What?” Junjie demanded in a harsh whisper. He grabbed Leo’s wrist, his touch pleasantly cool compared to the surrounding air. “Were you in there at the time? Are you all right? Were you hurt?”

“Nah. They couldn’t get me.” Leo pulled his arm up to his face and rubbed his cheek on Junjie’s hand. The vampire let out a hiss and released him. His frown turned to a glare of irritation, but Leo didn’t miss the bit of relief that rested in his eyes.

“I didn’t stay to find out who won that fight,” Leo continued, keeping his voice low. “But I have seen the fae stepping up their attacks in town. I don’t know about the woods, though. Sincethey have become more aggressive, the only woods I go into are the ones near your house.”

“That is wise,” Junjie murmured. Leo tried to steal Junjie’s hand back, but the vampire remained elusive, dodging his attempts to cuddle again. “Now that you’re here, you should stick close to me.”

Leo sucked in a breath and lunged for Junjie, wrapping his arms around the man’s slender waist while resting his chin on Junjie’s shoulder. “Amazing! I was thinking the exact same thing.”

A growl escaped Junjie, and it was all Leo could do to keep from giggling in his ear. “This wasn’t what I had in mind.”