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“She’s got money in the bank too.”

“Gross.” Juniper grabbed a small blue ledger from the drawer she’d been rummaging through. “Check this out.”

Various amounts of money were recorded. Payments to a Mr. Danny Hutchinson.

“Why does she give you money?”

He shrugged. “I visit, she helps me out.”

This man had no honor. “But you lie to her about your intentions.”

“She’s a lonely old lady with no husband or kids. What does it matter what the truth is? I’m all she’s got.”

Adriel was also a lonely old lady without a husband. A snarl built in her throat. “A woman’s older age and lack of husband does not justify such treatment. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

“Look, lady, I’m just trying to live.”

“So am I.” She lunged, slamming his body into the door and sinking her fangs into his throat.

Juniper screamed.

Hot, life-giving blood flooded Adriel’s mouth, and she moaned, locking her fists in his hair as she pinned him in place.

“Adriel, no!” Juniper yanked on her shoulders, and Adriel’s jaw opened wider as she turned andhissed at the witch. She ducked and held up her hands in defense.“Are you crazy?”

Seeing how appalled she appeared, Adriel covered her mouth. “ I wasn’t hurting him. I was feeding. He’ll be fine, just a little lethargic and dizzy. “

“He’s bleeding!”

Adriel looked back at Danny. “Oops.” She yanked him forward and quickly licked the wound. “All fixed.”

Danny drooped against the door, eyes glazed and confused.

Juniper cowered in the far corner of the kitchen, her eyes lit with a mixture of fear and disgust.

“You’re the one who suggested I change my thinking. I needed to feed. He’s food.”

Her face twisted in horror. “That’s way different than glamouring someone for a place to sleep.”

Adriel’s jaw locked. She’d endured centuries of censorship and was finally free to choose for herself. “You were fully aware of what I was when you asked to come with me.”

The potent human blood flooded her system—so much more intoxicating than that of a small woodland creature. She felt drunk on a mixture of elation and freedom. Such newfound autonomy flooded her like a drug.

What did it matter how she fed? She hadn’t killed anyone. With only days, maybe hours left,it seemed fair that she at least enjoyed a decent meal.

After losing everything, she had nothing left to lose. Her home, her community, her family, and her friends—they were all gone, left behind in a place she could never return. There was no reason she should also have to starve.

Looking into Danny’s eyes, she ordered, “Come back tomorrow.”

“Are you insane?” Juniper rounded the counter. “He’s a complication.”

“No, he’s a solution. I have to keep my strength up. Leaving the house opens us up to danger. Unless you plan on offering your vein, we need him.”

Juniper scoffed. “I’m not a fucking blood bag.”

“Which is exactly why you should be grateful we have Danny.” Adriel returned her gaze to Danny. “Tomorrow. Same time. Tell no one of our presence, and don’t be late.” She opened the door and nudged him across the threshold. “Go home and contemplate the ways you’ve wronged others.” She shut the door and sighed. “Don’t look at me like that. I was hungry, and he deserved it.”

“No one deservesthat.”