Page 53 of Blood and Buttercups

The word gives me chills. “Like…a vampire hunter?”

“It sounds more impressive than it is. I just arrest criminals and shuffle a lot of paperwork. Very rarely do I need my stakes.”

“Rarely?”

“It happens.” Noah stands. “Let’s heat up the blood.”

He says it like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Reluctantly, I follow him. Once we’re in the kitchen, he pulls a bottle from the fridge like he owns the place and sets it on the counter to warm.

I sit on a barstool, staring at the prescription. “Do I really have red flags in my file?”

“Not literal ones, but yeah.”

“Because I have a stalker?”

Noah studies me, pressing his hands to the counter. “And a dead ex.”

“What does that have to do with NIHA?”

“Maybe nothing.”

“But it’s weird, right? A murdered ex-boyfriend and a vampire stalker?”

“The timing is suspicious.”

“Do you think Ethan had something to do with Kevin’s death?”

“I think it’s likely.”

I slowly exhale, staring at the counter. “I’m still mad at you—you should have told me—but it’s a relief to have someone to talk to. I was feeling a little…”

“Lost?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s what conservators are here for.”

I give him a droll look. “And apparently busting through doors.”

“That’s a service unique to me—you’re welcome.”

“So, what am I? Your…client? Ward?”

“We call you pre-vamps.”

“That’s great.”

Smiling, he picks up the prescription and gives it a swirl.

“Doesn’t it freak you out?” I ask.

“The blood?”

Biting my bottom lip, I nod.

“No.” The blasé way he says it makes me believe him.

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