Johanna heard the restaurant before she saw it, but then the two-story establishment covered in chipped blue paint came into view. It felt homey, with its waves of patrons, clinks of utensils, and laughter bouncing off the walls.

The staff smiled at her and Luke and welcomed them both warmly, but none more so than two of Luke's friends. Tommy, a werewolf, and Loe, a faerie, slid into their booth with them. Luke kept Johanna by his side and slung an arm over her shoulders while he ...