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“It looks like it’s going to be crazy.” He seems a little disappointed, but then he flashes us a grin. “Probably because tonight’s band drew in the crowds, don’t you think?”

“Go get ready,” I laugh. “We can get the rest of this.”

“Have fun,” he says, already heading off.

“You too.”

“Nottoomuch fun,” Olivia mutters, unloading the cart. Then she says to me, “I thought he might have to quit the band when he joined NIHA.”

“Conservators have pretty regular hours,” I say. “I don’t think it will be an issue unless he becomes a hunter.”

“Has he told your parents about the new job yet?”

“No.” The mention of them fills me with dread. “They don’t even know about my stuff.”

“Areyou going to tell them?”

“Yeah.” I frown at a bucket of snapdragons. “Eventually.”

“How do you think they’ll take it?”

“About as well as any parent would take learning their daughter is a vampire.”

“At least you’re just a pre-vamp. I think the biggest hurdle you’re going to face is Noah. A parent wouldn’t want their daughter to be a vampire, but they wouldn’t want her dating one either.”

“I’m not dating Noah,” I remind her.

“It’s only a matter of time.”

“I saw all his prescriptions a couple days ago,” I say quietly.

“Okay?” My tone must concern her because she gives me her full attention.

“It kind of freaked me out. I knew he was on them, but seeing them all… Livi, it’s a lot. Just to keep him from going full monster.”

She gives me a sympathetic frown. “Are you worried he’s going to stop taking them?”

“Not really—not Noah. He’s so responsible. It’s just unsettling, you know?”

“I do.”

I drop my voice, glancing around to make sure there’s no one nearby. “And there’s something else.”

“What?” she whispers.

“I’m not sure I could resist temptation if we were together. I’m afraid if we start dating, I’ll end up a final-stage vampire, too.”

“Temptation? Youwanthim to bite you?”

“The virus messed up my brain a bit.”

Her eyes are huge. “So do vampires…drink each other’s blood?”

“Yuck, no.” I shudder, horrified at the thought. “That’s illegal and disturbing. They just…um…”

“Bite?” She giggles, so ridiculously amused I’m afraid she’s going to draw attention. “Little love nibbles?”

“Yes, okay. Now, tone it down a little bit. People are watching.”