Page 25 of Vampires and Violas

I sit next to the guy whose name I can never remember. He doesn’t look any more excited to attend a support group at my house than he was last week at Marilyn’s.

“Hey, Dan,” I say, glancing at his name tag.

The man is probably in his late thirties. He wears jeans, a T-shirt, and work boots, and he hasn’t shaved in a few days.

He doesn’t have a drink or a cookie, and he looks so uncomfortable, I take pity on him. “Do you want me to grab you some lemonade or something?”

“I don’t want to trouble you.”

“It’s no trouble. I’ll just make Cassian do it.” I lift my hand, waving at the vampire. “Hey, Your Highness. Can we get some lemonade over here?” Then I lift my brows and smirk, reminding him he’s the reason we’re doing this.

An amused smile ghosts across his face, and he leaves his place at the wall and walks into the kitchen.

When I turn back, I find most of the room gaping at me. Ashlyn takes the seat on my right, holding two butter cookies stacked on a napkin, and offers me a friendly smile. Quietly, sheasks, “What’s your relationship that you can talk to a head of one of the houses like that?”

“Reluctant prisoner.”

Her face goes blank. “What?”

Laughing because this is all so absurd, I sigh. “We’re just friends.”

“Do you want to be more than friends? I’m a good wingwoman.”

I start to protest, but Marilyn decides it’s time to start the meeting.

We’re halfway through Colin’s weekly recount of his kidnapping when the front door opens. Seconds later, Noah appears at the edge of the living room. He pauses, looking slightly vexed to find all these people in his home.

I think back, wondering if I remembered to warn him, and realize I did not.

All eyes swing to him, and Colin stops mid-sentence, gaping like a celebrity just joined us. “Noah!”

People whisper to their neighbors, most likely not expecting the hero of Colin’s story to suddenly appear. For many, this is probably their first time seeing him.

“Sorry.” The hunter’s eyes find mine. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.” He then turns to Colin, acknowledging the newest member of his fan club. “Hey, Colin.”

Next to me, Ashlyn practically vibrates with questions. I can guess a few of them:

Why is Noah here?

What’s his relationship with Piper?

Where can I sign up for his fan club?

I would like answers to a couple of those myself.

“It’s not a problem, Noah,” Marilyn assures him with a bright smile, as charmed by my ex-conservator as the rest of the women in attendance.

Looking like he’s preparing for a hasty getaway, he nods to her and then says to me, “I have some work to finish up. I’ll be in the dining room.”

We all watch him disappear through the kitchen arch, and then slowly, the room’s attention moves from Noah tome.Again.

Marilyn clears her throat. “Colin, please continue.”

Needing no further prompting, Colin continues his story with renewed exuberance. While he talks, I unlock my phone and discreetly pull up my texts.

Piper: Sorry, I forgot to tell you about the meeting.

Noah: It’s fine. I saw the cars and figured it out.

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