Page 24

Ashlyn’s gaze goes between us, and curiosity lights her eyes. She glances at Colin, and they share alook. A look I don’t like.

As soon as Cassian directs them into the living room, and we’re alone in the entry, I scowl at my conservator. “You need to tone down this gracious host thing. People are going to start rumors that we’re together.”

The vampire frowns. “But you’re in love with Noah.”

“First of all, no, I’m not. Second, they don’t know our weird history.”

His frown increases as he studies me, his dark eyes thoughtful. Gently, he asks, “Piper,you’reaware I’m not romantically interested in you, right?”

“Ew, yes. I know.”

“It’s not that I don’t think you’re a lovely girl.”

“This is getting awkward.”

“But there’s abro code.”

“You’re making it worse.”

“I just don’t want you to misunderstand. It’s not you—it’s me.”

“Can you stop with the breakup speech? I know we don’t have that kind of relationship. And I don’t wantotherpeople to think we do.”

Looking mildly offended, he crosses his arms. “Now, wait a minute. You could do worse, you know. I am the head of a house, after all, and?—”

“You’re such a cat. I didn’t say I wasembarrassedby the idea. I just don’t want it to get back to Noah.”

His scowl turns into a smirk. “Why? I thought you didn’t like him anymore?”

I roll my eyes and walk into the living room, leaving him to deal with the next group of attendees who just showed up.

The doorbell goes off every few minutes as people arrive. They’re like trick-or-treaters, but not as welcome, because they won’t leave if you give them candy.

Too soon, I have a whole crowd of uncomfortable pre-vamps in my living room. They hold red disposable cups of lemonade and nibble cookies off paper napkins.

It’s like an awkward co-ed middle school party.

“Nice house,” Dylan says to me when he arrives. “Have you lived here long?”

He takes a sip of his disgusting smoothie, passing on the lemonade.

“A while.”

He looks around like maybe I’m suddenly worth his time. “The mortgage must be a bi?—”

“I rent.”

His smile dims, suddenly not as impressed, and he finds one of the folding chairs Cassian set up earlier.

“Having fun?” Cassian asks after he wanders back into the room.

“If you do this to me again, Your Highness, I’ll end your two-hundred-year reign.”

“Such a violent bunny.” He takes a sip of iced broth, surveying the room, and smiles when he sees most people have helped themselves to the refreshments he prepared. “It looks like Marilyn’s going to start soon. You should probably find a seat.”

“Where did all these folding chairs come from anyway? Did you rob a convention center?”

Cassian chuckles, shaking his head, and none-too-gently nudges me into the group.