Page 84 of Blood as Sweet as Roses

Paige frowns. “Were they doing…”

“Glow,” I answer, watching them to ensure they’re gone. I want to be alone with her. “It’s a magically-enhanced drug. Cedric has disrupted the supply chain, so there’s been an influx of cheaper, low-quality product.”

“That’sawful,” she sighs, crossing her arms over her chest. Goosebumps dot her skin. Is it chilly, this time of year?

“Well, Alin may have a solution,” I reply. “He’s created a proposal for the Night clan to establish our own supply of glow. We could sell it directly to our donors, and in our clubs and bars. If we can develop the infrastructure, we might be able to cut costs…”

“You can’t really be considering that,” Paige says. I turn back to look at her, surprised by the emotion in her voice.

“Why not?” I ask. “Many vampire clans produce magical drugs. It’s a solid business model.”

“But it’swrong,” Paige insists, her voice sharpening. “Those drugs have a real impact on people, especially vulnerable people. Yes, sometimes it can be fun to go out and use, but for lots of people, especially people with histories of trauma and abuse, that use can quickly become unhealthy.”

I wasn’t expecting her to react this way, and I become instinctively defensive. “What can we do, if some breathers use too much?” I scoff. “We’ve got to make money, we can’t control what happens once they’ve bought our product.”

Paige glares at me, a passionate fire in herdark eyes. I’m shocked by the sudden shift in her demeanor. I’ve never seen her this way, except perhaps when her ex came to the mansion.

“You have aresponsibility,” she declares. “If you’re going to sell magical drugs, you have to do it safely, or not at all…”

I cross my arms in frustration. I’m not used to being spoken to like this. Breathers only ever treat me with fear and deference. “Who areyou, to tell me what I can and can’t do?”

“I…” she starts, but her voice catches, and she appears a little unsteady. Then she seems to make a decision, and she finds her words again. “I was calling my brother today because…it’s the anniversary of the day my mother died. The day she… sheoverdosed. I was the one who found her. It was the worst day of my life.”

She takes a deep breath. I’m startled by her revelation, and surprised by the twisting sensation in my gut.

“I know you don’t think about those things, because you don’t have to. And I know this is an entirely different world than the one I’m used to, but…youdohave a responsibility. If you have power, and wealth, then you have a responsibility to use it to protect people. To take care of people.” She gestures to where the breathers had been using, only minutes ago. “Those donors, they come here to they serveyourvampires. They offer up their own blood. Without it, your vampires wouldn’t be able to…do whatever it is all of you do. You owe it to them to make sure they’re safe. And giving them dangerous drugs isn’t keeping them safe.”

I lean down toward her. “Paige…”

“No,” she whispers, stepping backward, averting her gaze. I can see the tears well up in her eyes, and it tugs at my unbeating heart. “I’m going back to my room. And I don’t want you to follow me.”

Without another word, she turns away, and hurries back into the mansion.

CHAPTER 29: BLOOD AS SWEET AS ROSES

Paige

I twirl the vermicelli around my fork, but I can’t bring myself to take a bite.

Clarance insisted on bringing me a full dinner, even though I told him I don’t have much of an appetite. The only reason I came to the restaurant was because I couldn’t stand being alone in my room any longer.

After I argued with Crimson, so many horrible memories came flooding back. I spent the night crying, clutching my pillow, wishing with my whole heart that I could hold my mother one last time.

The pain never goes away, it just disappears into the background for a while. I never tell anyone about what happened. It’s a lot to unpack. I can’tbelieveI said it to Crimson. There’s no way I’m not going to get fired, or get in trouble, for talking back to her. I’m sure she never wants to see me again.

The sensitive girl with the addict mom.

That’s all I’m ever going to be.

The tears threaten to break through again, but I push them down. I don’t want anyone to see. Luckily, there aren’t many others here this time of night. It’s after sundown, and most of them are either finishing up their dinners or already downstairs in the lounge.

I lean against the dark window, the cool glass grounding on my forehead.

But a warm, excited voice distracts me.

“Paige, there you are!”

I turn, to see Eloise coming over to my table. Immediately, I stand up, and she gives me a big, tight hug.