Foxes Love Sorcerers

“Isaac is more than just a mage. He is a sorcerer of epic proportions and he’s just so adorable. Why doesn’t he like me?” Caspian sipped his drink, letting the biting alcohol linger in his mouth.

“He’s a human before he’s a sorcerer, that’s why. He can sense your otherness and it scares him,” Deni stated, her forked tongue making an appearance as it tasted the air. Caspian growled. He knew some of the other cryptids distrusted the humans, but he had hoped that, after a year of living side by side, people would have softened and become more accepting. He had especially hoped his close friends would have understood that.

“Really, Deni? Have you even met Isaac? He is one of the most considerate humans in this town. He goes out of his way to help others. The mayor wants him to help out at the school. Which feels icky somehow, but it sounds like a good idea. I could see him guiding those brilliant minds, but he keeps saying no. He likes being where he is. He says that being front and centre by the café is more welcoming than at the township. He’s so sweet. I just don’t understand why—”

Deni sighed deliberately. She arched a perfectly groomed eyebrow at Caspian and waited for him to stop talking. “You’re pushing, then. Let him come to you. Stop wagging your tail at him. Be mysterious for once in your life.”

“I don’t want to,” Caspian pouted. Maybe Deni was right. He was pushing the slighter man a little too much. He had recently noticed that, the minute their eyes met, Isaac dropped whatever he was doing and disappeared. Caspian usually saw him again with the other sorcerer, Darius. He didn’t want to be jealous of Isaac's best friend, but he was. Somehow Darius always kept Isaac’s attention. He had the poet’s look to him, with pale skin and dark hair that always fell into his boring green eyes. And yet, Isaac catered to him all the time. Dropping his elbow on the sleek wooden bar, Caspian turned and looked at Deni. “Maybe you’re right. I have to be more like Darius. Have you seen him?”

“Don’t compare yourself to Darius. He’s an ass and I can’t taste him when he’s near. I don’t trust anyone like that.” Deni sipped her white wine. “Tomorrow morning, when you go to the café, buy Isaac a coffee and ask him about his day. Don’t talk about him being hard to get, or having to chase him down. Be neutral. Be interested in what he says. Maybe he’ll respond better.”

“Any other guy, I could have scented him, and everything would be hunky-dory. I’d be satisfied, he’d be satisfied, and we’d be getting on with our lives,” Caspian grumbled. He waved a hand at the bartender, asking for another drink. It was a drown-your-sorrows kind of night. “I mean, he’s so skittish. How do humans mate when they’re constantly nervous?”

“Eye contact, body language, flirting. A whole bunch of things, including talking. Scent's just the easiest one for you.” Deni eyed Caspian with a completely unimpressed look as she spoke.

An indiscreet chuckle interrupted their conversation and Caspian snarled at the noise. His nostrils flared in indignation at Darius, who sat down on the other side of Caspian. His nemesis gave a half smile before ordering a craft beer. “You need to use your other senses, Foxy.”

“Oh, fuck off, Darius,” Caspian snapped before he could stop himself. Isaac’s friend nettled him. Everything about Darius scraped against Caspian. He was charismatic, broodingly handsome, and sexy in a gaunt sort of way. Everyone cooed over Darius and he brushed them away, with the exception of Isaac. “That was rude of me. I didn’t mean to say that.”

“No worries there, bud. I get where you’re coming from. But you don’t need to worry about me. Isaac and I are friends, maybe mentor/mentee, if you want the nitty-gritties.” Darius winked at the bartender before sipping his beer.