Page 128 of Noctis

“I was practicing.”

“Almond croissants, sandwiches, lemon cake. You really committed to your research.”

“I liked the lemon cake.”

“Good to know.” I studied his face, gradually growing used to this being Caligo despite what my eyes told me. “So, as long as you want,” I repeated, “meaning what? Hours? Days?”

“Forever, if I want.”

The word struck a nerve. I let go of his wrist and looked away. “Right. Forever for you. Not so much for me. I’ll get old. Eventually, I’ll die, and you’ll still be here.” I folded my arms, hating how vulnerable the admission made me feel. “Have you thought about what you’ll do then?”

He reached for my hand. “Learning how to appear human wasn’t the only reason I sought the older ones. I asked if there was a way for you to become like me.”

I stared at him. “And?”

“There is.”

“You can make me a shadow person?”

“Not personally, but others can. You can live out your natural life, then choose whether you want them to transform you into something different.”

I looked down at our joined hands. “I don’t know if I’m ready to promise you eternity.”

“You don’t have to decide now.” His fingers tightened around mine. “I just needed to know if there was a way I wouldn’t have to lose you. And there is.”

I nodded, the knot in my chest easing. I touched his cheek. It was warmer than usual. “You have a pulse?”

He took my hand and moved it to his neck. Beneath my fingertips, a steady beat answered me. “Is that real?”

“It’s part of this body. I made it so you could touch me without feeling as though something was missing.”

I shook my head. “Cal, I never felt like you were missing anything.”

His expression softened. “I wasn’t sure at first, but now I like it when you call me Cal.”

“Yeah, well. We’re going to need a human name for when I introduce you to people. They’re going to ask what it’s short for. Caligo might raise a few eyebrows.” I thought for a moment. “Pascal,” I announced. “It suits the appearance.”

“Pascal,” he repeated, trying it out. “Do you like it?”

“I do.”

“Then that’s my name.”

“There are still things we need to figure out,” I said.

“What things?”

“You remembering to breathe when you meet my friends. Giving you a backstory that doesn’t involve centuries of existence and spending most of it frightening people.”

“I know.”

“And although most of what I said was crap, one thing still stands.”

“What?”

“There will be times when I want to be alone. Times when, no matter how much you want to, you can’t follow me.”

“I understand.”