I set the cup on the table and took a big gulp of air. Tu Shen gave a small, vicious little smile, pleased to exert his power.

Even rabbits had teeth. Shen wasn’t the strongest god by far but he was cunning. I could get fae vapor elsewhere but I hated the fae. I never did business with them on principle. Plus, I loved Hunan cuisine and this place was top-notch.

“I suppose this is when I ask if you’ve eaten yet,” Shen said and I sighed.

“Sort of,” I responded grumpily, rubbing the soft green faux fur of my coat. His pink eyes snapped to mine, not liking my response and I frowned. “Sorry. Not yet, have you?” I asked. He smiled slowly and I couldn’t help but eye his pretty lips.

“Not yet, let us eat,” he said, waving his hand towards the waitress. She scuttled quickly behind a curtain that led to the kitchen. Once she was gone he relaxed and looked me over. If there was anyone as draped in luxury as me, it was him. Gold, gemstones, silks, his long white hair brushed by ten servants for three hours every day if rumor was to be believed.

“Lacey, how have you been?” He asked. He was worse than a fox in my opinion but he’d probably take offense to that being the Rabbit God and all. I noted the gun clipped to his belt and the large lump of another under his jacket.

“Great,” I lied. He raised an eyebrow in disbelief. I smiled and doubled down. “Perfect.”

“You’re always so fun,” he commented. The waitress came back with two helpers and the table was suddenly filled with varying pans, plates, and trays steaming with vegetarian dishes that burned my eyes with spice.

Shen sat there regally, watching them without expression while they fumbled through serving him up before bowing and then taking their leave.

“Must be so hard, being a god,” I said.

“Oh? Wouldn’t you know?” He joked. He peeked out of the booth and confirmed everyone was out of the room before he began gorging himself on the food, moaning as he shoved various dishes in his mouth.

“Fuck, I was starving,” he groaned. I laughed and joined him, filling myself up in an undignified way.

“You could always just be less perfect in front of everyone. I doubt anyone would think any less of you.”

“Your youth and naivety is refreshing. Nothing has ever been easy for the Chinese god of gay sex and love.” I didn’t comment. What could I say? He had many long centuries on me and really, I had to admit I didn’t know much of anything when it came to his past. In the present he was a clever little rabbit god in his crumbling Hunan restaurant.

Which was complete bullshit. This place was a farce. I don’t even think he liked the food all that much but he met up with certain people here–me being one of them.