A train ride through the Nevrondian countryside should be a calming proposition, but for Ursula, it isn't. Her thoughts swirl, fixated on one thing... make that two things. Specifically Nathan Northland and Vlad Blutstein. It's not just because they are both breath-stealingly attractive-although to be fair, that doesn't hurt. It's because they surprised her, and Ursula is very rarely surprised.

Even more confounding is her reaction to them, particularly the vampire, Vlad. Just what is she supposed to do about these... feelings?

All Ursula knows is that she doesn't have time for emotions right now. Not when the fate of the world is at stake. She can deal with this later. First, she's got to figure out what story she's going to tell the sure-to-be-furious Alfbern. Then, she needs catch up on all the sleep she missed before hitting the road again. Surely, she can do those things while being Lorehaven Bound.

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This story is a 10,000-word character study/missing moment that takes place immediately after Hunger Pangs: True Love Bites. You will want to read that first if you don't want to be spoiled for the events in that book!

Joy is a Scottish born author, editor, social activist and chronic illness and disability advocate currently manifesting in the American Midwest with her cryptid husband and their large adopted Internet family. When not collapsed in a heap of glitter and defiant hope, Joy can generally be found hiding somewhere behind a keyboard writing paranormal-pun-filled romances, usually about vampires, werewolves and all other manner of creatures that go bump in the night.