Page 102

Noah makes a low noise, a mix between a scoff and a growl.

I sit primly in my seat, taking all this in. “Explain how this works. You’re the high authority? That’s why people disappear around you? You decide they shouldn’t exist, so you make them…not…exist?”

“I see you’ve been talking about me,” Cassian says to Noah.

“Don’t let it go to your head,” Noah retorts.

I think it’s already a little late for that.

Cassian turns back to me. “The people you’re referring to are criminals, and I deal with them, yes. But if it makes you feel better, I don’t kill them unless they attack me first.”

“And…they do?”

“The rogue ones are almost never on meds,” Noah says. “They’re all a little unstable.”

“It’s a fun kingdom you rule, Your Royal Vampireship,” Max says. “I would just like to know one thing.”

“What’s that?” Cassian graciously allows.

“Do you sparkle?”

I nearly choke on my coffee. “Max.”

The backdoor slams, drawing our attention away from Cassian.

“Oh, my freaking heck,” Olivia cries. “There’s crime scene tape.Crime scene tape. On your porch.Your porch!”

My best friend walks in like she owns the place, looking beyond frazzled. Her strawberry blonde hair is up in a messy bun, and she’s wearing hot pink jogging shorts, leopard flip-flops, and a shirt with paint stains on it.

It’s obviously laundry day tomorrow, and Max didn’t warn her this party included a wicked hot vampire prince.

Olivia comes to an abrupt stop when she spots Cassian, her mouth slowly falling open. She blinks at him, stunned, and then whips her attention to me and widens her eyes.

Who is that?she silently demands.

Cassian rises, crossing the room to greet her. “Hello. I’m Cassian Chevalier, a friend of Noah’s.”

Her lips part as she stares at him, and then she visibly shakes herself out of her stupor. “I’m Olivia, a friend of Piper’s.” She drops her voice. “Are you a conservator, too?”

“Not officially, but I am watching over Piper for now.”

Olivia shoots me a glance, a smirk toying at her lips. “Quick, bite me. I want to join the pre-vamp club.”

“Piper can’t pass the disease.” Cassian smoothly takes her hand and brings it to his lips. “But I can.”

She gasps, wide-eyed, as he brushes a kiss to her knuckles.

“If you bite her, I’ll stake you,” I warn him.

Cassian smiles, amused at the absurd idea.

“You’re a vampire?” Olivia breathes. “Like, a real one? Final stage? Destined to walk the night, can’t eat vegetables, turns-into-a-batvampire?”

I close my eyes. “Olivia.”

“I’m not a shifter, I’m afraid,” he answers. “Though wings would be convenient, I admit.”

If it’s possible, her eyes go even wider. “Are there shifters?”