Falkner is a dhampir, a human-vampire hybrid. They're rare and not well accepted by the supernatural world in general, which is why he's never told anyone, not even his best friend with benefits, Andrew. That plus knowing he'll eventually lose him when Andrew falls in love pushed Falkner to try to put some distance between them. Andrew knows something is going on with Falkner. He's been in love with him for years, but he's never had the guts to tell him, not even now that they've crossed the line from being only friends to being more. He's terrified he'll lose Falkner and their friendship, and those two things are the most important in his life. The only reason Richie agreed to move in with the coven is that he wants to help James learn control over his shift and his wolf. He never expected to start falling in love with two vampires, especially since Falkner and Andrew are already an item—kind of. Richie's presence pushes Falkner and Andrew to finally talk, but he's not the only new one in town. A group of dhampirs has moved in, and even though Falkner wants to believe the best of them, Andrew and Richie suspect there is more to the group than what they allow Falkner to see.