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But one of the best parts was the sprawling lawn. From out here it wasn’t as spooky, instead, there was a quiet beauty. Lending to the calm atmosphere were the fairy lights strung on the various trees. Wandering to the collection of lights behind a tree that had lights wrapped around the trunk led me to a cement bench. Perfect.

I plopped my butt down and tipped my head back. I took a single deep breath, expanding my chest with the force.

A sickly sweet scent reached my nose. I jumped to my feet. There was a vampire. And not one of mine.

“Whose there?” I peered into the dark.

A throat cleared behind me.

I screamed and whirled. I pressed my hand to my chest. Talia stared at me from a few feet away.

“You’re incredibly jumpy for a vampire,” she said.

“Well, you shouldn’t have been so quiet.” I huffed. She slowly approached and nodded toward the bench.

“Can I?” I sat, but allowed her some space. She gracefully dropped beside me.

We sat in silence with only the sounds of crickets and wind fluttering the bushes and trees.

“I know you’re different.”

I looked over at her questioningly. “You feed on vampires,” she whispered. “All three of us are never to mention it once we leave. Asher’s already ordered it from all of us.” Her lips twisted. I wasn’t sure if she was upset because she was difficult to read. “He’s very protective of you.”

“Oh.” I nodded, not really knowing how to respond.

“I should not have spoken to you the way I did.” The words sounded dragged out of her.

“Did Asher order you to do this?” I asked wryly.

“No.” She shook her head. “I think he rather I stay far from you.” She winced. “Actually. Could you not tell him about me talking to you?”

I crossed my legs.

“Could you answer a question?” She smirked, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder. I took it as a yes. “How did you and Asher meet?” I frowned. “It’s so weird, thinking about how long their lives have been.”

“Yet, time blinks past in a flash.” Her eyes took on that far off look. “I knew Asher before, when he was human.” I perked up.

Pre-vampire Asher? “We were both employed at the whorehouse.” I stayed silent, not wanting to interrupt her, in case she stopped talking.

Her mouth pursed and she turned to look at me.

“He offered me this.” She flashed her fangs. “When one of my clients went and infected me with a disease.” Her nose wrinkled. “STDs were rampant back then.” She said it as if she were talking to herself. “He’s always saved me; makes it hard not to want him.”

I shifted on the bench uncomfortably. “No, sorry, fuck. I’m messing up what I was trying to say with all of this.” Her eyebrows furrowed. “I have never seen him the way he is with you. That’s what I was trying to say. Even when he was a human,he’s never let his guard down. He’s nevercaredfor anything more than his brother. When you made a big deal about his past, it made me angry, because I’d never seen him so vulnerable to another.” She laughed under her breath. “He uses his sexuality as a shield.”

He really did. “It is clear, they care for you more than their lives. That’s something big with vampires. And now they’re going to the trial in a few nights.”

“The trial, right.” I kept my confusion from my voice so she could elaborate, but every bit of my body had tensed.

“That Imogen has always been a bitch.”

“So, they have a date already?” I tried for nonchalance. In a fewdaysbased off her comment.

“Yes.” She frowned and her eyes widened. “I thought you knew.”

I clenched my teeth. How dare they hide this from me? I climbed to my feet.

“No, Cat, don’t tell him! He’ll think I did it on purpose!” I was already halfway down the lawn.