Looking at the woman in front of him, Ezra was beginning to think all his problems might be solved. He needed a place to stay that was somewhat under the radar, since it was all too possible Robert was still holding a grudge, which was why Ezra had replied to a Craigslist ad in the first place.

But he also needed a bride, and he didn’t exactly have time to dawdle. Shaken from the death of his friends and needing to know Ezra could step up to the plate, Stephen was very serious about Ezra finding someone to turn sooner rather than later. He’d made that very clear.

And since Stephen knew Ezra wasn’t thrilled with the idea of claiming a human for himself, there was a time limit, to make sure Ezra wasn’t wasting time and trying to get out of their agreement.

Ezra liked human women, and it was no secret they enjoyed his company. But getting engaged to one had never crossed his mind. If he was going to stumble upon a woman he’d gladly claim, however, Kayla definitely fit the bill.

Glossy, brown hair with thick bangs in the front framed a gorgeous face with a cute, upturned nose, huge hazel eyes and delicate pink lips. The loose sweater hanging from her shoulders couldn’t hide her luscious curves, and he found the flush on her cheeks absolutely beautiful.

“Well, I think we should maybe talk a little before you start moving in,” she said, blinking at him.

“Sure, let’s talk,” he smiled, settling into the seat opposite her.

“Uh…” Kayla started to say, fidgeting with her hands. “Okay…” she finished hesitantly. “I think you’ve already gathered you’re not exactly what I expected.”

“The name can be a bit ambiguous, considering trends these days,” Ezra shrugged. “Just last week, I met a nice young woman named Billy. Call me old-fashioned, but didn’t that used to be a boy’s name?”

Kayla didn’t seem to be that interested in discussing the shifting nature of gendered, names, however, studying him with a furrow between her brows.

“I’m just looking for a place to stay, really,” Ezra assured her. “I didn’t mean to mislead you.”

“No, no, of course not,” she shook her head. “And I am looking for someone that can move in as soon as possible, like you said in your e-mail. The place is pretty big, and I didn’t intend to live there all on my own.”

“You last roommate bailed on you?” Ezra asked.

“Something like that,” Kayla replied, fussing with the sleeve of her oversized sweater.

“Well, you’re in luck, because I’m the best roommate, and I’m not even a serial killer or anything,” Ezra smiled at her.

That sounded reassuring, right?

“Alright,” Kayla nodded, still looking a little hesitant, but seemingly starting to get on board. “So, do you have any pets? Are you going to be bringing friends over to party, coming and going at all hours of the night, playing loud music, anything like that?”

“If I want the apartment I’m not going to admit to bringing along four Bernese mountain dogs and a posse of perpetually drunk friends, now am I?” Ezra cocked a brow at her, and he could swear there was a hint of a smile on her lips.

“It would be nice if you were honest,” she tilted her head, studying him.

He enjoyed the way her heartbeat sped up when he grinned at her, and the way she kept stealing glances at him. After a couple of decades of roaming around, one got a good sense for people, and Kayla struck him as a genuinely sweet person.

Not the type he usually went for, but then again, the women he tended to get involved with brought along trouble, more often than not. And he was in enough trouble without outside help at the moment.

“No pets,” he said, counting on his fingers. “No friends in town, yet,” he continued, shooting her a loaded look. “I own a great pair of headphones, noise canceling. And I do go out at night, but I’m very stealthy,” he finished, holding up four fingers.

“Oh, so you’re new in town,” Kayla nodded. “Welcome. I think you’ll like it here,” she smiled.

Ohio really wasn’t Ezra’s scene, but looking at Kayla, he didn’t feel that bad about being stuck there anymore.

“And did I mention I’m all ready to move in and start chipping in on the rent?” Ezra asked.

“Yes, you did,” she laughed. “Is there anything else I should know, or questions you might have for me? This is all a bit sudden, and we’re going to have to get along,” she said, and she sounded a bit wistful all of a sudden.

With no time for lies, or easing Kayla into his reality, Ezra decided to just go with the truth. He was fully aware it might not go over well, but what did he have to lose? Better to lay all his cards out there instead of starting off with lies.

“There is one thing,” he admitted, keeping his voice low, and Kayla perked up. “I’m a vampire.”

It was clear she didn’t really know what to make of that. Surprise turned into amusement, which turned into her clearing her throat and putting on a more neutral expression.

“You mean, like those people on TV? The ones that have a sun allergy or something and start wearing capes and stuff? Oh, I don’t mean to be insensitive about your lifestyle or anything…” she trailed off, looking markedly uncomfortable as she shifted on the couch.

“It’s not a lifestyle,” Ezra chuckled. “I’m the real deal, fangs and wooden stakes and all that. No turning into a bat, though, unfortunately. I was a little disappointed about that myself,” he shrugged.

“Wait, you seriously believe that you’re a vampire? This isn’t some live action role playing thing or whatever?” Kayla’s eyes widened. “I can play along or whatever, but you need to be straight with me right now so I know what I’m getting into.”

“I do like roleplaying, but not like that,” Ezra winked.

“I don’t think this is a time for jokes,” she remarked, starting to look unsettled again, glancing over at the other patrons sitting on the other side of the shop.

“I’m not a nutjob,” Ezra tried to assure her, before realizing that was exactly what a crazy person might say in this situation. “And I can prove it,” he added.

“Of course you can,” Kayla nodded, slowly getting up from her seat. “But maybe you can show me tomorrow, because I’m starting to feel tired and I think I’m ready to go home.”

Great, now she’s afraid of me, Ezra sighed to himself.

Glancing at the empty coffee cup in front of her, he got up, careful not to spook her with any sudden movements.

“Just keep an eye on that for a second,” he pointed his chin at the mug.

Before Kayla could answer, he pulled on the preternatural speed inside him, a dark and nebulous thing always floating close to the surface. Checking to make sure no one was looking directly at him, he pushed himself into motion. The edges of his vision turned blurry as he sped into the shop’s kitchenand back in the time it took Kayla to look at her mug and then at the spot where he was standing.

As she started to move her head, confused, Ezra was already back where he had been, the table between them was now empty.

“Wait…” she muttered to herself, lips parting as she tried to make sense of what just happened. “How did you…” she trailed off, looking up at him.

“Just one of the many perks of being undead,” he replied, giving her a little bow.

Kayla started backing away from him, hands trembling slightly and her heart beating a mile a minute.

“Don’t come any closer,” she warned, looking horrified at the sight of him.

And now I’ve managed to make things worse. I knew this whole thing would turn out to be a disaster. Thanks, Stephen.