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at me, biting at her lip, seeming to be considering whether she'd answer or not. But finally she said, "Lily. My name is Lily."
    "Lily what?"
    "Just Lily."
    I caught up to her and walked beside her now that the trees were sparse and there was room for two. Her breath clouded in the air just like mine. If she was really a ghost, she was unlike any ghost I'd ever imagined. Okay, so she didn't want to tell me her full name, but I had to find out something about her. "Where do you live? I was told the nearest town is a couple hours away."
    She nodded, looking at me warily from under her lashes. "I live close by."
    "But—"
    "You shouldn't come into the woods if you don't know where you're going," she said, looking ahead again, back to where we were walking.
    I stopped moving and she stopped next to me, gazing up at me questioningly. I hadn't been prepared for her. But I definitely hadn't been prepared for her eyes in the light of the moon: wide and almond shaped, true violet, framed by lush, dark lashes. For a moment my breath hitched. I'd never seen eyes like hers. "I know. I . . . well, I was looking for you," I said distractedly, before I could consider a different answer.
    She studied me, her expression suddenly perplexed. "Me? Why?"
    I ran my hand through my wet hair, feeling more off balance than I ever had in my life. Why did I suddenly feel like an eighth grade boy at the middle school dance, trying to make conversation with a girl? "I . . . well I saw you, um, the other day . . ."
    "At the edge of the forest? Yes, I know. I thought you were going to drown in that hot tub." She cocked her head to the side.
    "Oh, uh . . . yeah, it probably looked that way. I just fell asleep. Thank you, though."
    "For what?"
    I shrugged and rubbed at the back of my neck. "For caring about me." I cleared my throat. "The thing is, Lily, I thought I saw you a few times, and I was curious about you. I wanted to . . . introduce myself." Introduce myself? Really? What the fuck is wrong with you, Holden?
    Lily swiped her tongue along her bottom lip, her brow creased, staring at somewhere just behind me. Finally her eyes met mine again. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Holden Scott, God Among Men."
    I stared at her blankly for a moment, memory finally dawning. "Oh, shit," I muttered under my breath. "Uh, about that . . . I uh—"
    She laughed suddenly, her white teeth flashing at me in the light of the moon, and then she turned. "I should apologize for spying on you." But she didn't sound sorry. "Goodbye, Holden Scott."
    I stepped after her. "Wait! Please don't go. I live right over there . . . temporarily, I mean. For now. I live there. Do you want to come in for a drink? A beverage or . . . or a meal or something?" A meal? Like she was homeless? "Not that you look hungry. Just that I'd like—" Jesus. I grimaced.
    Lily laughed softly again and I couldn't help but join her, feeling embarrassed, glancing at my feet before looking back into her eyes. "That god among men thing was obviously a gross overstatement."
    She raised one brow. "Obviously." But the smile turned her full, berry-pink lips up again, and there wasn't anything mean in her expression.
    "Do you know who I am?" I asked.
    Lily looked at me in confusion. "I just told you I know your name. Holden Scott."
    "No, I mean, not my name, but do you know who I am?"
    The look on her face was utterly confused and I let out a long exhale. "Never mind."
    "You should go warm up and get some sleep." When she began to turn again, I stepped after her once more.
    "Will you come back tomorrow?" Even I could hear the desperate note in my voice.
    Lily paused and regarded me for so long, my heart began to thrum faster with nervous hope. "Yes. Meet me right here tomorrow at sunset. She looked up at the moon and then back at me. Victory coursed through my veins. She was going to meet me again tomorrow. "I have to go."
    "Okay, Lily of the Night. Thank you."
    She turned around, walking backward as she went. "Okay,