Page 118 of Vampires and Violas

“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.

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