Page 101 of Hunters and Hydrangeas

“Just go,” Noah finally says. “We’ll join you soon.”

“Come on.” Sophia takes Cassian’s arm. “We’ll go together.”

As soon as they’re gone, I turn to Noah. “What’s going on?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is there any random illness that affects vampires?”

“No.” Noah heads toward the shop.

“Maybe he just felt hot,” I say, beginning to doubt myself. “Dr. Martin said it will take time for my body to adjust. Maybe I’m running a little cooler than usual?”

“Maybe.”

We make it to the shop with only a few minutes to spare. The attendant looks at the wall clock before she gives us a half-hearted smile. “Can I help you find something?”

Which I think is her polite way of saying, “Hurry up so I can go home in time.”

“We need a thermometer,” Noah says.

“Down at the end of the middle aisle.”

The shop is filled with souvenir items—T-shirts, mugs, keychains, and other gifts. But there’s also a row of travel-sized toiletries, a stand of packaged snacks, a solitary cold case with milk and drinks, and a small over-the-counter medicine section.

And we’re in luck, because they have a thermometer.

“That can’t be the price,” I gasp quietly. “Fifty bucks for that cheap thing? I bet you can buy the same one online for less than fifteen dollars.”

“We’re paying for convenience.”

“Yeah. But I don’t have to like it.”

Noah chuckles. “I don’t think there’s much danger of you becoming a wild, frivolous spender.”

“Just pay for it, and let’s go.”

The woman finalizes the sale in record time and all but boots us out the door so she can lock up.

Noah holds up the bag as we walk to the elevators. “Strange that our first purchase as married vampires is a thermometer.”

His words nearly make me stumble. It’s not that I forgot that we’re married now. It’s just so surreal.

I’m married to Noah. Noah is married to me.

Officially.

Legally.

All that.

And we can’t even enjoy it because Cassian has picked up some freaky illness, and we’re dealing with stupid vampire politics.

When we reach Cassian’s room and knock on the door, Sophia answers it, looking frazzled.

“Is he okay?” Noah asks.

“He’s lying down.” She lowers her voice to a whisper. “He said his head hurts.”

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