Page 28 of Vampires and Violas (A Vampire’s Guide to Gardening #2)

Needless to say, Sam didn’t make it to his niece’s birthday party. Neither did my flowers.

I only half listen from a barstool in my kitchen as Cassian and Noah discuss the day’s events. My thoughts are no longer on Sam and Ethan. I just keep running my tongue over my gums, terrified I’m going to feel the telltale bumps again.

But they haven’t returned, not since Cassian took me back to the house and made me take several shots of my prescription.

He didn’t dilute it in juice.

I think he suspects, though he hasn’t said anything. I keep waiting, but he’s stayed silent, suggesting we watch a baking show to pass the time while Noah was at the police department all afternoon and evening. We binged an entire season before Noah dragged himself through the door after midnight, but I don’t remember any of it.

It’s been a long day.

The longest, really.

“I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” Cassian says, and then he peers at me intently. “You doing okay, Piper?”

I jerk my head up, trying to act normal. “What? Yeah. I’m great.”

He and Noah both share a look, and he says, “Right.”

Noah walks him to the front door, and they’re silent for a while. The two are probably sharing a whispered conversation that I don’t care to hear.

Noah returns to the kitchen a few seconds after the door opens and closes. “Hey.”

“Hey.”

“I didn’t kill Sam,” he says.

I pull my eyes up to look at him. “I know. I heard you talking. They’re holding him without an option for bail.”

He nods. “Cassian says you’ve been quiet tonight. Do you want to talk about what happened?”

“I can’t believe you actually took out seven guys on your own.”

He smiles, so handsome. “I didn’t. I called Cassian as we were walking into the backyard and put him on speaker so he could hear what was going on. I had a bad feeling something was up. He showed up right after Sam grabbed you, and NIHA and the cops were right behind him.”

“So, Cassian tracked you with the app?”

“Yeah.”

“Handy.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t realize what was happening sooner.” He takes the barstool next to me, swiveling it so we’re facing. “It never crossed my mind that Ethan’s assassin would be watching you.”

“It’s not your fault. I didn’t realize it either. It was just business as usual, you know?”

“Maybe you should put your subscription orders on hold for a little while.”

I nod, acknowledging people probably won’t be cool with me delivering them during vampire hours anyway. “Yeah.”

We sit in silence, both of our minds heavy with the day’s events.

“Do you think Ethan was working for the house that hired Sophia?”

“I think so, but I can’t figure out how everything is connected. It’s making me crazy.”

“Sophia probably knows. Too bad she disappeared again.”

“Yeah,” he says wryly.

“Why would one of the houses want to work with Ethan?” I ask. “What did he offer?”

“I’ve uncovered quite a few shady business deals. Even before Ethan became a vampire, he and his brother were involved in lots of questionable practices.”

“Something has been bothering me. This house Sophia is working for—they probably don’t want Cassian to figure out who they are, right?”

“Definitely not.”

“Which means they might do something to the woman who was about to spill everything she knows?”

Noah looks skeptical. “You don’t think Sophia skipped town?”

“I don’t know. But did you see the way she looked at Cassian? I don’t think she was going anywhere.”

“She might have been abducted,” Noah says, but I’m not sure he believes it.

“Or worse,” I point out.

“No matter what, we have to find her.” Noah looks as tired as I feel. “But not tonight. It’s late.”

I avert my eyes. “I think I need a little blood before bed.”

“Cassian said you had your evening dose already.”

And I did, but I’m feeling edgy.

“You go on upstairs,” I urge him.

But he doesn’t go, which is unfortunate. He’ll know something is wrong if I drink my blood straight, and I’m not ready to talk about it yet.

Or maybe I’m just not ready to admit out loud what I suspect must be happening.

I open the fridge. When I take out my prescription, I grab the cranberry juice, too. I think the plant-based foods are starting to bother me, and that’s why my stomach has been upset all day, but one more time should be okay. I’m still transitioning.

My fangs haven’t fully come in yet, and Noah said that was the key.

The fangs.

That’s how you know.

I swallow, feeling sick, my tongue once again running along my upper gums.

I pour the blood into the cup, adding more than usual, and then reach for the cranberry juice. But Noah places his hand on mine before I pour it in, stopping me.

“Don’t,” he says softly. “Don’t make yourself sick.”

My throat closes, and moisture glosses my eyes.

He knows.

Cassian must have told him.

I lift my gaze to his, refusing to let the tears fall even though I’m really freaked out. “It’s supposed to be three bites. And this was barely a bite at all.”

“Have your fangs come in?” He drops his voice to a whisper.

“Not yet,” I admit, gulping in a lungful of air. “But I can feel them.”

He sets his hands on my arms and rubs softly. “It hurts for a while, but then it’s just an annoyance.”

“I’m not ready.”

“I’m sorry, Piper,” he whispers, looking anguished. “I failed you.”

“This is not your fault,” I say forcefully, and a tear slides down my cheek. “But what am I going to do?”

“We’ll get you into one of NIHA’s doctors tomorrow. They’ll prescribe your medications and adjust your blood dosage.”

All those bottles Noah has—those are going to be mine now, too.

“I can’t eat cucumbers anymore.” I cry a little harder now, laughing through the tears because I know that’s a ridiculous thing to care about. “ Noah .”

“I know.” He pulls me in for a hug. “But there are perks.”

“Not getting sick,” I say, sniffing.

“That’s a big one.”

“I’ll never need glasses.”

“You won’t.”

“And you can’t get in trouble for infecting me because Ethan took care of it for us,” I whisper.

He pulls back and places his hands on my cheeks. I can tell he wants to say something, but he stays silent.

“I’m a monster now.” I blink quickly. “Not just a baby larva—a real one.”

Noah chuckles and leans down, giving me a gentle kiss. When he pulls back, he strokes my jaw. “I’m sorry.”

“For breaking my parents’ rules? Surely you know I don’t care.”

“No.” His eyes search mine, and he swallows. “No part of me should be happy about this.”

Despite everything, my heart flutters. “Are you, though? Happy?”

Remorse crosses his face, but he gives me the barest nod.

“Because my species has changed ?”

He barks out an incredulous laugh, shaking his head. “I’m not sure how many times we have to go over this. You’re still human.”

“Sure. Just human…plus.”

“A limited edition.” He gives in to a lopsided grin.

“With all the upgrades,” I agree.

“And you can do things that pre-vamps can’t do.” He lifts his brows, smirking.

And, oh, that smirk eases a good portion of my fears. “Like drink blood?”

“That’s not that great.”

“Okay, what then?”

He lowers his mouth to my neck, brushing his lips over my sensitive skin. I shudder a little and hold my breath, my eyes going wide when I feel his teeth graze my skin.

“For starters,” he murmurs, “we can answer some of your more intriguing questions about vampire relationships.”

I grasp hold of his waist, afraid I’m going to melt onto the floor. “Okay,” I say, my voice going breathless. “Go ahead.”

“Not yet.” Noah pulls back, his eyes sparkling.

“Why?”

“Didn’t I tell you?” He gives me a mischievous smile. “I’m an old-fashioned vampire. I don’t believe in biting outside of marriage.”

“Oh, shut up,” I laugh.

His smirk becomes a soft smile. “You told me to find a nice vampire girl, remember?”

Slowly, I nod.

“I’ve found her. She’s my favorite.”

“Noah.” My heart gets all warm and squishy. “You’re really sweet when you want to be.”

“Let’s un-pause our relationship,” he says. “Even for vampires, life can be short.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” He takes my hand. “We came a little too close to losing each other today. It made me acknowledge how much I care for you—how much I need you in my life.” He meets my eyes. “I love you, Piper.”

His declaration chases away all my fears and assures me I don’t have to go through this alone. “I love you, too.”

Noah pulls me into him, holding me tightly. I rest my head on his shoulder, and it feels right.

Together is the way we should be.

“You best be careful,” I say lightly. “With that kind of declaration, a girl is likely to lose her head and start looking at wedding gowns.”

I’m teasing him, and I expect him to laugh. But he’s silent.

I pull back. “Don’t panic—I was joking.”

Noah frowns, studying me. “I’m not panicking.”

“Then what’s with your expression?”

“I like the idea more than I probably should admit.”

“Yeah?” I try not to grin. “Is the courthouse open? Where do we get the license?”

I’m still joking, obviously. Absolutely joking.

Noah smiles. “Are you in a hurry?”

“Yes.”

He finally laughs, his eyes so warm. “How about this: soon, the houses will nominate princes for the throne. I have a feeling life is going to get complicated when that happens. Let’s return to this discussion after that’s all settled.”

“How long will that take?”

“A few months, probably.”

“So, you’re saying we should date awhile before we leap into marriage and biting, like responsible vampires?”

“I think that’s what I’m saying.” He lifts his brows, looking smug. “Tell me the truth, though. You don’t want to get married. You just want me to bite you, don’t you?”

I grin. “You could bite me now and find out.”

“I’m feeling used again.”

Goodness, I love this man.

“If you’re not going to kiss me, or bite me, or anything equally interesting, we should probably go to bed,” I say.

Noah chuckles, nodding toward the counter where I left my glass. “Don’t forget your blood.”

“Right.” I chug the thick, scarlet liquid all in one go. And you know what? Now that I’m a vampire, it actually tastes…

Worse. It tastes worse.

“I told you the prescription blood is nasty by itself,” Noah says, amused by the look on my face.

I rinse the glass and chase it with water, trying to wash away the awful taste. “I’m going to miss the smoothies.”

“It’s an adjustment,” he agrees, following me up the stairs. “But you’ll get used to it, I promise.”

We stand at the top of the landing and turn toward each other, reluctant to part ways. I run my eyes over Noah’s face, taking in every detail.

He’s mine, and I’m his, and I’m happy. Even though my life is changing drastically, my heart is full.

I figured out how to be a pre-vamp, and I can figure this out, too—especially when I have Noah to help me.

“So…no biting at all?” I raise my eyebrows. “Not even a little nibble before bed?”

“I had no idea you were so promiscuous.” Noah grins. “Do I need to lock my door?”

I flash him a smile over my shoulder as I head to my bedroom. “Hmmm…maybe.”

“Goodnight, Piper,” he calls, chuckling as he turns down the hall to his room.

I don’t know what the next few months of vampire drama will look like, but I do know one thing: living with Noah is going to be very difficult now that we’re officially dating.

And I’m looking forward to every minute of it.

To be continued…