Page 24 of Vampires and Violas (A Vampire’s Guide to Gardening #2)

23

“Another blood draw?” I shudder at the idea of the needle.

“The odds are low,” Noah says, “but…it’s possible you were reinfected.”

“And the blood test will show if I was?”

“It will let us know whether you’re still in the first stage, progressed to the second stage, or…”

“The final stage?” I whisper, remembering that both Noah and Cassian have mentioned that some people go full vamp after the second bite. “Isn’t that rare? It usually takes three bites, right?”

“It’s very rare,” he assures me. “I don’t know exact numbers, but it’s got to be less than a 1% chance.”

I drop my arm, growing angry now that the adrenaline is wearing off. “So, obviously, they were after me. Who is it this time, and why ?”

“That was Ethan’s assassin—the one he sent after me in New Castle. I recognized his fighting style.”

Noah sounds angry. I look up, realizing there’s a trail of blood running from his temple. “You’re hurt.”

He stops me from touching him. “Careful.”

Blood. Right.

Not that it matters as much right now. If I’ve just been infected, it will take a few weeks before I can be infected again.

“It doesn’t look too bad, but it will probably bruise,” I say, frowning at the gash.

“It’ll be gone by tomorrow,” Noah reminds me. “Okay, I'm going to call the sheriff.”

“I’m sure he’ll be glad to hear from us again,” I say with a sigh.

Noah chuckles, sounding weary, and reaches for his phone…only to remember he doesn’t have it.

“Just give me a second, and you can use mine,” I tell him. “I’m going to remove myself from the circle.”

But when I pull up the location app, I freeze. The screen shows three dots—Noah, Cassian, and me. I realize something at the same time as Noah. He grabs the phone out of my hand, zooming out to find his avatar. It’s currently racing away from the house, heading west.

“Go ahead and take it,” I say wryly, leaning close to see the phone.

“I need to call Cassian back.” Noah closes the location app and pulls up my contacts. A few seconds later, he says to the vampire, “Are you in the mood for a car chase?”

The law authorities have arrived by the time Cassian shows up at the house. It’s probably not a good sign the vampire is already back.

Noah talks to Officer Kerrington, a policeman I’m getting to know well thanks to Ethan and his thugs. Sheriff Thompson and a few others are out near the mailbox where Noah was attacked, looking through the shrubs with their flashlights and probably trampling my flowers.

A paramedic examines my arm, nodding to herself. “He barely got you, but the skin is broken. I agree with Mr. York. You might have been reinfected.”

“Great.” I sigh, not happy—but not quite as shaken about becoming a second-stage vampire as I was a first.

Cassian comes over when she’s finished. “How are you holding up?”

“Okay, I guess. Noah says it was the guy who locked Colin in the closet.”

“Yeah, I heard.”

“I thought we’d be done with this now that Ethan’s in prison.”

“He has a lot of men.”

“What’s the point of infecting me now, though?”

“If I were to take a guess? So, you’ll still be alive when Ethan gets out of prison, and you two can live your happy vampire lives together.”

I groan, settling my face into my hands.

Noah joins us. “Did Cassian tell you he found my phone?”

“Where was it?” I ask.

“They tossed it in the weeds off the side of the road about fifteen minutes from here,” Cassian answers.

“They must have figured out we could track it.”

Noah nods, returning my phone to me. “You got a call from your mom.”

I glance at the screen. “Just now? It’s after midnight.”

“Yeah, a few minutes ago.”

“Great. I had better?—”

The phone rings again, cutting me off. And yep—it’s Mom.

“What is going on over there?” she demands the second I answer the call. “Piper, are you okay?”

“Yeah, why?” I say, not wanting to go into all this with her tonight.

“Because my friend Alisha just called. Her husband was driving home late from work and went by your house, and there are a bunch of cops there.”

“Oh, that,” I hedge. “It’s not a bunch. Probably four, maybe five cars.”

“Piper!”

“Okay, listen. A group of guys attacked Noah when he went out to check the mail for me, and one broke into the house. Noah took care of it.” The line goes completely silent, and I’m a little worried she passed out. “Are you still there?”

“ Are you okay? ”

“Yeah, but I was bitten again. The paramedics have disinfected it, but I’ll have to go to the doctor next week to see if I was reinfected.”

“We’re in the car, only about five minutes away,” she says frantically. “I told you Noah was trouble—didn’t I tell you?”

“They were after me , Mom,” I say, beginning to lose my temper. “Noah is the only reason they didn’t drag me off with them.”

“We’ll discuss it when we get there.”

Great.

“So,” Cassian says when I hang up. “That sounded like it went well.”

“They’re on their way.”

Noah rubs his hand over his face, looking like he’s not in the mood to deal with them either.

“Where are Larissa and Sophia?” I ask Cassian.

“I sent them back to my place. The last thing I need is them getting in the middle of all this.”

“Didn’t Larissa check the yard before they left?” I ask.

“She did. Ethan’s men must have shown up after that.”

“Or she and Sophia are connected to all this,” Noah says. “Ethan is one of hers, after all.”

“They’re not,” Cassian insists.

I frown because he’s just being stubborn now. “But how can you be so sure?”

“I just am.”

“Well, either way,” Noah says, “all this happened the night they showed up. I’m not comfortable having them stay here.”

“What are you going to do about Piper’s parents?” Cassian asks him.

“I don’t know yet.”

“Best figure it out quickly.” Cassian gestures to the car lights pulling into the drive. “Because it looks like they’re here.”

They don’t get very far. Several police officers block the drive. One goes to the driver’s side window, probably demanding to know who they are and what business they have here at this time of night—after an attack, no less.

I expect Sheriff Thompson to let them in, but he’s nowhere to be found.

“I should tell Officer Kerrington they’re okay,” I say.

The policeman looks over when I approach him, flashing me a grin. “Hey, Trouble.”

He’s using that nickname again, though I guess we’ve met under weird circumstances enough times now it might be fitting.

“Those are my parents,” I say. “Can we let them in?”

“Sure.” He radios the men outside, and a minute later, Dad’s car makes its way down the drive. Mom leaps out before Dad comes to a complete stop and runs up the porch stairs.

“Hey.” I meet her outside the door. “You really didn’t have to come over. It’s late, and they have all this under control.”

“You’re coming home with us,” she says.

“No, I’m staying here with Noah. I’m safer with him than anyone else, and I don’t want to make you and Dad targets.”

“If he could keep you safe, this wouldn’t have happened!”

Generally, I’m a patient person, but all that flies out the window after midnight.

And she’s not done. Barely holding back scared tears, she continues, “You said that man stalking you was in prison. You told me everything was fine!”

“He is in prison…but apparently, everything isn’t fine. I don’t know much yet.”

“You must be Piper’s mom,” Officer Kerrington says, joining us.

She dabs her eyes. “Yes.”

“I overheard part of the conversation, and I want to assure you that Montgomery York is one of NIHA’s top hunters. Your daughter is safer with him than anyone else.”

Her jaw works. It’s apparent she’s not in the mood to hear anyone sing Noah’s praises. “If he is such a good—what did you call him?”

“A hunter, though technically he was recently promoted to chief of investigations,” Officer Kerrington says carefully.

“Yes, we heard . Well, Piper wouldn't have been attacked if he is such a good hunter.”

“He fought off five men single-handedly.”

“So he says,” Mom snaps.

“So the video record says,” Officer Kerrington corrects, becoming one of my favorite people. “There was just enough light in the landscape around the mailbox to make out the attack on the security system camera.”

“Did you get a good look at the guy who broke in?” I ask eagerly.

The officer shakes his head. “It was too dark with the burned-out lightbulb.”

“Do you think someone tampered with the light?” I ask.

“It’s possible. If so, we might be able to find it when we look back over the security footage. Noah has it saving to a cloud. He said there’s about a week’s worth online.”

I nod, suspecting we’re not going to see anything. Noah would have gotten a notification if someone had walked up to the porch, and he definitely would have noticed if that someone had been messing with the light.

Officer Kerrington gets called away, and I turn back to my mom. “Everything is under control here. You guys really should head home. I’ll call in the morning.”

“I’m not leaving without you,” she says stubbornly. “I’ll sleep on the couch if I must.”

I’m too tired for this. “Fine. Do whatever you want—but Noah will be here, too, so you had better be on your best behavior.”

Noah joins us, looking highly uncomfortable. “Hello, Mrs. Edwards.”

She narrows her eyes. “Noah.”

“We’re going to get to the bottom of this,” he promises.

“You had better.”

So much for best behavior.

“Mom says she’s not leaving,” I tell him flatly. “She’s informed me she’ll sleep on the couch.”

He looks taken aback for half a second, and then he recovers. Far too eager to please, he tells her, “I’d be happy to make up the guest bedroom for you. Piper, do you have an extra set of sheets?”

What? No .

She stares at him, thinking he must be bluffing, and then gives him a curt nod. “You do that.”

“He can’t do that,” I snap. “If you haven’t noticed, there are half a dozen officers hanging around the house.”

“We’re about to get out of your hair,” Officer Kerrington says, joining us again. “We’ll keep in touch.”

It takes about thirty minutes for everyone to clear out, and then it’s just Noah, Cassian, my parents, and me.

“I’m going to head out, too,” Cassian says, walking to the door. I follow him so I can lock the deadbolt when he leaves. Just before he steps outside, he whispers, “Have fun with your sleepover.”

I scowl, making him smile. As soon as he leaves, I move to the window, watching him walk to the Lamborghini, get in, and drive off. Only when he’s safely out of the drive do I return to my living room and the mess that is my life.

“Where’s Noah?” I ask my parents, concerned by his absence.

“He went upstairs to change the guest bed sheets.” Mom crosses her arms like she’s waiting for me to freak out.

“You’re seriously making him do that?”

“He offered.”

“This is ridiculous.” I walk up the stairs, leaving my parents in the living room, and find Noah smoothing the comforter.

He glances over when he sees me. “I found extra sheets in the linen closet next to the bathroom.”

“You don’t have to do this.”

“I already packed my stuff anyway.” He gestures to the suitcase and duffel bag waiting on the floor.

“You can’t sleep on the couch.”

“I’m going to take one of the beds Cassian bought.”

“But it’s hot in there.”

He gives the pillows a final fluff and turns back to me, having the audacity to smile. “It was good enough for Sophia and Larissa, but it’s not good enough for me?”

“I like you more than I like them.”

His smile edges on a smirk as he walks across the room. “I like you, too.”

I lower my voice. “You realize we’re going to be separated by my parents now, don’t you? They’ll hear if I try to sneak downstairs.”

Noah lifts a brow. “What plans, exactly, does that foil?”

“I’m just saying.”

“It’ll be fine. They have their own house—I’m sure they’ll get tired of hovering after a few days.”

I wish I wouldn’t have called Mom’s bluff. She’s more stubborn than I realized.

“It’ll be all right,” Noah assures me again, taking my shoulders. “At least they aren’t trying to get rid of me this time.”

I grunt, not as optimistic about the situation as he is.

“Get some sleep.” He looks like he wants to kiss me, but he glances toward the door like he’s afraid my parents will catch us—like we’re high school kids sneaking around and not full-grown adults. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Reluctantly, I tell my parents their room is ready, and then I head to bed.

It’s the crack of dawn, and I should be outside working. But I’m scared to go into the garden alone, so I sit in the kitchen, drinking my coffee, waiting for things to get awkward.

Noah comes in from the sunroom at about six-thirty, dressed for work. He smiles when he sees me and then pulls a coffee mug from the cabinet.

“Did you sleep okay?” I ask. “Was it too hot?”

“I’ll probably need to get a fan, but it was fine.” He pours himself a cup of coffee. “I have to head into work today, but I won’t take off until Cassian gets here.”

“He’s not already on his way, is he? Did he get any sleep?”

“He’s about thirty minutes away, and I’m not sure he went to bed.” His expression becomes solemn. “Larissa and Sophia never showed up.”

“They weren’t at his place when he got back last night?” I ask, startled.

“Sophia took her pardon, and they vanished.”

I gape at him, feeling betrayed. I can only imagine how angry Cassian must be. They used him.

They used all of us.

“What’s he going to do?” I ask.

“We’re going to track them down. I don’t know what they’re up to, but I don’t like it.”

“Is he okay?”

“He’s not happy.”

One of the stairs creaks, alerting me we’re not alone anymore. Unfortunately, Dad’s the early riser. And he’s the last person I want to deal with before I’ve had a full cup of coffee.

“Morning,” I say when he comes in wearing the same clothes he arrived in yesterday. “I made fussy-bean coffee if you want some.”

He grunts, eyeing Noah as he chooses a mug from the cupboard.

As soon as he’s out of the way, Noah pulls out a skillet and says, “I’ll make breakfast. How do you like your eggs, Mr. Edwards?”

“Is that safe?” Dad watches him from the corner of his eye as he pours his coffee. “I thought you were contagious.”

“Dad,” I hiss.

“You’d have to come in contact with my blood,” Noah says, taking it in stride. I guess in his line of work, he’s used to being around hostile, freaked-out people. “And I don’t intend to put that in the eggs.”

I snort and then clear my throat, pursing my lips together to hide my smile.

Dad scowls. “I’m not hungry.”

“Piper?” Noah asks.

“Yes, please.”

A few minutes later, Mom comes down. She looks rumpled after sleeping in street clothes yesterday. She’s pulled her hair back in a ponytail, and she’s not wearing a stitch of makeup. Judging from the dark circles under her eyes, she didn’t sleep well.

“Would you like some breakfast?” Noah asks her.

Unlike Dad, she peers at the eggs frying in the skillet like she’s thinking about it. Then she finally shakes her head. “I need coffee.”

Undaunted that they both snubbed his offer, Noah says, “Now that you’re up, I’d like to talk to you about the plan we’ve established for Piper’s safety.”

His tone is brisk and businesslike, like he’s now in work mode.

As the eggs cook, he turns to face us, casually leaning against the counter. “I’m no longer moving out—I’m sorry if that makes you uncomfortable, but I think you’ll agree Piper’s safety is most important.”

Dad grunts…but he doesn’t argue.

Noah flips the eggs. “I’ll be here through the nights, and I’ll accompany Piper when she leaves the house in the evenings. Cassian will be here while I’m at work. If both of us are unavailable, I’ll assign a NIHA hunter to cover her.”

“What about Max?” I ask. “Can he still fill in?”

“Not now that there’s been an attack. He hasn’t had the proper training.”

I nod, disappointed. If I can’t hang out with Noah or Cassian, Max would have been a good substitute.

My parents don’t say anything.

“Our top priority will be tracking down and arresting the attackers,” Noah continues.

“Are you two still dating?” Dad asks bluntly.

The kitchen goes silent.

After several long, awkward seconds, Noah says, “We’ve agreed to put our relationship on hold.”

“No, you agreed,” I add, none too happy about it.

Dad nods solemnly. “Thank you for respecting our wishes. I’m sure you understand why we don’t want Piper any more involved in this than she already is.”

The attack didn’t do us any favors. It’s going to be next to impossible to convince my family that vampires can live normal, uneventful lives now.

Because of that, I think it’s time for some tough love.

“As you can see, Noah has this under control,” I say. “When are you two going home?”

They share a look, and I’m worried they’re about to say they aren’t going home. And that’s not an option.

“I know this is still technically Grandma and Grandpa’s place. But I’m an adult—I pay them rent every month. This is my house. And though you are very welcome to visit, I don’t need you hovering. Noah is extremely good at his job. I promise I’m safer here than anywhere else.” I pause, trying to look stern but loving. “ Go home. ”

They stare at me, conflicted. Finally, Dad nods. “Okay—but you need to keep us in the loop. I don’t want to learn there are police outside your house from a friend who just happened to drive by.”

“Deal.”

Dad looks at the eggs Noah is sliding onto a plate for me. “I think I will take a couple of those if the offer stands.”

“Of course,” Noah says, looking secretly delighted. “Just tell me how you like them.”