Page 101 of Blood and Buttercups

I don’t know much about him, but I know I don’t want to cross him. Right now, he’s acting like he’s on our side, but can we trust him?

“I’ve had an associate look up his home residence, but it’s going to be difficult to locate him. He owns over forty-five properties in the area, and he uses his office as his mailing address.” Cassian takes a sip of his iced broth. “I have a man scouting the properties, but until we find him, I’ll be keeping an eye on Piper.”

“Explain to me again how someone who’s not working for NIHA can become Piper’s conservator?” Noah says.

“You never minded when I joined hunts.”

“That was different.”

“Why?”

“Because, at the time, I thought I could trust you.”

Several emotions flicker across Cassian’s face—irritation, regret, maybe even guilt. But the mask returns just as quickly. Dismissing Noah, he turns his attention to me. “I want you to tell me everything you know about Ethan.”

“If you read Reid’s notes, you know everything.” I smile at Max when he brings me a mug of coffee. Then I ask Cassian, “And why doyouneed it?”

“If Reid keeps burying the case, we’ll have to deal with Ethan ourselves.”

“That doesn’t sound super legal.”

“Neither is spreading the virus.”

I suddenly remember what Noah said about the madness, and I wonder if that’s the source of the gleam in his eyes. Growing nervous, I glance at Noah, expecting him to intervene.

But the hunter leans forward. “You want to take him out ourselves?”

Oh, whoa.

I hold up a hand. “What do you mean, ‘take him out?’”

“Don’t you watch movies?” Max asks, thoroughly invested in the conversation. “They’re going to go Van Helsing on his?—”

“Got it.” I hold up my hand to cut him off. “But that doesn’t sound like a good idea, especially when Noah is already in hot water with NIHA. Not to mention it’sillegal.”

“We play nice with the humans, but ultimately, we abide by our own governing system,” Cassian says. “If neither the police department nor NIHA will pursue this, due to negligence or corruption, then we must deal with it ourselves. One way or another, Ethan will be brought to justice.”

The way he says it makes goosebumps rise on my arms. Noah has always described vampires as human—just humans with a disease. Cassian makes it sound like they’re a separaterace.

“And…what kind of governing system do the vampires adhere to?” I ask.

“In a family line, younger vampires must bend to the will of the eldest.”

I swallow. “And you’re…pretty old, right?”

Cassian smiles again. “Not only am I the eldest vampire living in my line, but I’m also the eldest vampire in the entire US.”

“Oh,” I say softly. “So, you’re basically…”

Noah scowls into his sparkling water. “A freaking prince.”

Cassian chuckles, leaning back in the chair and looking highly satisfied with himself. “That’s right.”

22

“You mean thatmetaphorically, right?”I say. “Or should we refer to you as Your Highness?”

Cassian’s eyes crinkle in the corners. “I wouldn’t object, but it’s not necessary.”

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