Eldur's POV
There are moments when I think I've gone completely soft. Weak, even. Not in the way people fear—supernaturals and some humans who knew the real me still flinch when they say my name, still cross the street to avoid walking beside me, still whisper the word "monster" like I don't hear it.
I do.
I just don't care.
But lately... lately, it's been different. And it started with Nova.
Nova, with her strange, infuriating kindness. Nova, who laughs like the world hasn't earned it but she gives it anyway. Nova, who makes me feel like I've swallowed lightning every time she looks at me like I'm... good.
Whatever that means.
Tonight, she told me to go home. Told me she'd come over to mine after gathering her "girly things," as she called them, from the chaotic circus she calls a shared room with her crazy roommate Lara.
I pretended to agree.
I did go home.
For fourteen minutes.
