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“You don’t think I can behave myself?” I say, though my eyes have strayed to his neck, making me question whether I can behave myself. Even now, my new creepy-as-heck fangs are nudging against my gums.

When I went to my new doctor who specializes in vampire care (who’s actually, and ridiculously, called a vampirologist), I learned that fangs begin to form right after the final transmission, taking a few weeks to reach their full size.

Mine started aching after the altercation with Sam, and they’ve been really annoying this last week.

Dr. Martin gave me a prescription strength painkiller, since apparently our metabolisms burn through the regular stuff too quickly.

He told me it will pass as soon as my fangs break through my gumline for the first time.

So…that’s something to look forward to. Too bad it’s taking longer than he said it would.

“No, just…” A smirk passes over Noah’s face, but he bites it back. “The teething stage is uncomfortable.”

I close my eyes, horrified. “Don’t call it that.”

“Fanging stage?”

“Doesn’t make it better.” Shuddering, I start up the stairs. “Now that you’ve killed the mood, I’m heading to bed.”

Noah chuckles as he follows me, parting when he reaches his hall. “Night, Piper.”

I close the door to my bedroom and head into the bathroom to wash up. My toothbrush feels weird against my gums, reminding me I’ll never be normal again.

I’m now Piper: Night Monster Edition.

After I rinse out the toothpaste, I lean forward and tilt my head back, trying to see my gums behind my teeth. I can’t, of course, since humans don’t work like that.

When my fangs come in, supposedly, they’ll slide right against my incisors, extending beyond them in sharp points, perfectly shaped to fit. Dr. Martin said if they don’t, I’ll need to see an orthodontist who specializes in fangs.

I already knew vampire dentists existed—I saw the sign for one in the waiting room when I visited my dietitian for the first time. But that doesn’t make it any less weird.

I test my smile, relieved that I look normal.

A sudden shot of panic tightens my throat when I think a little too long about all these changes, and I close my eyes and take a deep breath like Dr. Martin instructed. The medicine helps, but it doesn’t make you numb.

I won’t go to the support groups, but maybe I should meet with a NIHA therapist. Noah has gently been nudging me to make an appointment, and Cassian has been a little less subtle.

Thinking of Cassian reminds me of the phone call, and my worry moves to Sophia. What happened the night Sam attacked Noah, broke into the house, and infected me? She and Larissa were shopping for sheets, and then they vanished.

I roll my shoulders, trying to relieve the tension that’s settled in them, and head to bed.

Though I try to sleep, my teeth ache, giving me a headache and causing me to toss and turn for most of the night.

I’m finally good and asleep when my phone jolts me awake. Bleary-eyed, I grab it off the nightstand and scowl at Cassian’s name.

“Why are you calling me at six in the morning?” I croak, wishing I’d silenced my notifications.

“I thought you were a morning vampire?” he says instead of answering my question.

“My fangs hurt,” I admit to my conservator.

“They haven’t broken through yet?”

“No.” I drape my arm over my eyes, knowing I’ll never get back to sleep now that I’m awake. Because I am a morning vampire—even when I haven’t slept.

“You know, there’s a way to hurry the process along.”

Intrigued, I drop my arm and stare at the ceiling. The light coming in through the drapes is muted, making me think it must be cloudy today. “What?”

“Bite someone.”

“ What? ”

“Let me clarify. By someone, I mean Noah.”

This is wandering way too close to personal territory, but I’m too groggy to care. “I thought you meant a regular human.”

“I’m certainly not endorsing that.”

“I can’t bite Noah. We’re…I just can’t, okay?”

“It was merely a suggestion—one you might have to try thanks to the prescription blood.”

“No bite, no fangs?” I groan.

“That’s pretty much how it works, yes.”

“Why didn’t Dr. Martin mention it?”

“Just about everyone at NIHA knows you and Noah are together. Forgive me, but I believe he assumed there was no reason to bring it up.”

“Cassian.”

“I’m just saying, you’re both young and…” He chuckles to himself. “Do I need to elaborate?”

“No, you absolutely do not.”

Cassian laughs again, finding the situation more amusing than he should. “I’m sure you’ll work it out. Now get up and get dressed. We have an appointment with a realtor at nine.”

“Uh, Cassian.” I glance toward the window. “I can’t go outside, remember?”

“The weather says it’s supposed to be overcast all day today. Wear a hat—you’ll be fine.”

“Wait, hold up. Why are we meeting your realtor?”

“He’s not my realtor—he’s not even an actual realtor, if we’re being particular. And we’re looking for property for your new garden nursery.” Then, like I’m adorably daft, he adds, “We discussed this, remember?”

“No, I know. But Cassian…what about Sophia?”

“While Noah’s people attempt to find her, I’m going to do what I do best.”

“And what you do best is start flower farms?” I ask incredulously.

“Sure.”

I shudder, the frugal side of me panicking. “I don’t want to leap into anything. We’ll look at properties, but we’re not going to sign any contracts, okay?”

He makes a humming noise of agreement that makes me think he’s not actually agreeing. I suspect it’s probably all I’m going to get.

“When are you going to be here?” I ask him.

“I’m leaving my place now.”

“Fine,” I groan. “I’m getting up. See you soon.”

We end the call, and I drag myself to the bathroom, stopping in front of the mirror and running my thumb over my gums behind my teeth. It doesn’t even feel like there’s room for fangs.

Being a monster is weird.

With a sigh, I turn on the shower to let the water warm up and start getting ready for the day.