I Didn’t Know He Wasn’t Human

Freya Valerius stood outside the bar in the cold, already wishing she’d never come. Christmas lights blinked weakly along the street, reflected in the fogged glass doors where heat and laughter pressed from the inside. A carol played badly through old speakers. Someone screamed with delight. Someone else knocked over a chair. It was exactly the kind of night people called magical. Freya had always suspected that was a lie. And somewhere inside, her boyfriend was cheating on her. Six years. Six winters. Six springs. Six summers. Six autumns and Thanksgiving dinners she never went home for. Two thousand, one hundred and ninety days when she chose Ethan Over family and friends, Over better options she never thought of or explored, Because she’d convinced herself that staying made her a better person. Her phone vibrated again in her palm. Another message from a number she did not recognize. You should go inside. You deserve to know. Freya swallowed. Her throat burned the way it did right before tears arrived, but she refused to let them win. She pushed the door open. Warmth hit her first. Then noise. Then the smell of alcohol and cinnamon and sweat-soaked wool coats. The place was packed shoulder to shoulder with bodies flushed from drinking and forced cheer. Someone spotted her immediately. The whisper started small and then spread. Heads turned. Eyes widened. A few people looked away too late. She saw him near the back. Ethan. Her Ethan. Or the man she thought was hers. He was pressed against a woman Freya vaguely recognized from work parties. Her dress was red and tight and her mouth was on his neck. His hands were not hesitating. They were familiar. Comfortable. Possessive. For a moment, the room tilted. Then someone laughed loudly behind Freya and the spell shattered. Her body moved before her mind caught up. She crossed the room in a straight line, boots slipping slightly on spilled beer. Every step felt heavy and unreal, like she was walking through water. Ethan saw her when she was close enough to touch him. The color drained from his face. Freya stopped directly in front of them. She took in the flushed skin of the woman. The way Ethan did not immediately move his hands. The way his mouth opened and closed without sound. Merry Christmas, she said calmly. Her voice surprised even her. The woman pulled back, eyes darting between them. I did not know, she said quickly. I swear I did not know. Freya nodded once. I believe you. Then she looked back at Ethan. Six years, she said. Her voice cracked this time. Six years and this is how you do it. On a holiday season. People were staring openly now. No one pretended not to watch. Phones lifted slightly. A girl near the bar whispered," Oh my God." Ethan ran a hand through his hair. Freya, I can explain. She laughed. The sound was sharp and ugly and entirely real. No you cannot. Not in a way that matters. He reached for her arm. She stepped back. Do not touch me! The woman in red slipped away, disappearing into the crowd. Ethan looked around as if suddenly aware of the audience. This is not what it looks like, he said, lowering his voice. Freya felt something inside her snap. It was quiet and complete. It looks like you cheated on me, she said. It looks like you got comfortable lying. And it looks like you forgot I exist. That is not fair, he said. You have been distant. Always working. Always tired. You make everything so heavy. There it was. The blame. The excuse wrapped as confession. Freya felt heat rise behind her eyes. She refused to cry. Not here. Not for him. So you cheated, she said, because I expected you to act like an adult. Someone behind her snorted. Another laugh followed. The room buzzed with it. Ethan flushed. Lower your voice. Lower my voice, she repeated softly. Because I am embarrassing you. Now. She stepped back another pace. Her chest hurt. Her heart felt bruised. We are done, Ethan. Completely. She turned away before he could say anything else. She pushed through the crowd blindly, ignoring the way people parted for her like she was contagious. Cold air slapped her the moment she stepped outside. Her breath came out in white bursts. Her hands shook violently now that she was alone. She walked. She did not know where she was going. Just away. The street glittered with holiday lights strung between buildings. Shop windows glowed with gold and red. Couples laughed. Someone sang badly a few steps away. The city celebrated while she unraveled. Freya stopped near a narrow alley, bending forward slightly as nausea rolled through her. Her phone buzzed again. Ethan this time. Please answer. Babyyyyyy Pleaseeeeeeee. She blocked the number without hesitation. A sob tore out of her chest before she could stop it. She pressed her fist against her mouth, shaking. That was when she heard a voice behind her. Are you all right? It was calm, deep and earnest. Freya straightened sharply, wiping her face and reddened cheeks. She turned. The man stood a few feet away, hands visible at his sides. He was tall. Broad shouldered beneath a dark coat. His hair was dark and slightly damp with snow. His eyes were the kind of color that caught light and held it. Not brown. Not gold. Something strange and deep. She bristled immediately. “I am fine.” He studied her face without apology. “Your eyes and your face say otherwise.” “Do you make a habit of telling strangers how they feel?” she scoffed. “Only when they look like they’re about to collapse in an alley on Christmas Eve.” Her mouth twisted despite herself. She hugged her coat tighter. “It’s a festive collapse. Very on brand.” A corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “You were inside.” She stiffened. Her voice cracked with each word. “You saw that?” “Yes.” He nodded once. Heat flooded her cheeks. Her eyes burned, tears threatening, but she forced them back. She hated being witnessed. Hated that he knew. Hated that her humiliation had an audience. “I am not interested in anyone’s commentary,” she said. He nodded once. “I wasn’t offering any.” Silence stretched between them. Snow drifted slowly through the air, catching in her hair. Then an uncoordinated voice echoed down the street. “Freyaaaaaa!” Ethan jogged toward them, breathless. He stopped short when he saw the man standing with her. “Who is this?” he demanded. A surge of anger hit her so sharp it almost made her dizzy. She didn’t answer him. The stranger stepped slightly closer to her without touching her. The movement was subtle. Deliberate. “She’s not interested in speaking with you,” he said. Ethan laughed incredulously. “This is between me and my girlfriend.” “Ex-girlfriend,” Freya said. The word felt heavier than it should have. The man beside her didn’t look at her when he spoke again. He looked at Ethan. “You embarrassed her publicly. You don’t get to follow her now.” Ethan bristled. “Mind your own damn business.” The air shifted. Freya felt it before she understood it. The man inhaled slowly. His posture didn’t change, but something dangerous slipped into the space around them. “She’s my business,” he said quietly. Freya turned sharply. “What.” Ethan stared. “What the hell does that mean?” The man finally looked at her. His eyes softened in a way that sent an unexpected shiver through her spine. It means you should leave, he said. Now. Something in his voice made Ethan hesitate. He scoffed again, but it was weaker this time. This is insane. Then he left. Back toward the lights. Back toward the warmth. Freya stood there breathing hard. Her pulse thundered in her ears. She turned on the man. You cannot just say things like that. His gaze never wavered. It was true. She stared at him. Snow settled on his shoulders. He did not brush it away. You do not even know me, she said. I know enough. She laughed bitterly. You sound like a lunatic. He inclined his head slightly. I have been called worse. Silence again. The city hummed around them. Somewhere a bell rang. Freya rubbed her arms. She was cold down to the bone. Why did you help me?", she asked finally. His answer came without hesitation. Because you are mine. The words hit her like a physical thing. Her breath caught. Her skin prickled. She took a step back. Do not say that. His jaw tightened. I would prefer not to frighten you. Congratulations, she said. You failed. He looked at her as if committing her face to memory. Something fierce and restrained coiled beneath his calm. This night will change you, Freya Valerius. Her blood turned to ice. Why do you know my name? His eyes glinted faintly, catching the glow of the lights. Because this is the night the bond awakened. A low sound echoed somewhere far away. Or maybe it was only in her chest. She shook her head. You are not real. He watched her go, snow falling between them, knowing the lie would not last.