Page 11 of Hunters and Hydrangeas

Thinking of Cassian reminds me of the phone call, and my worry moves to Sophia. What happened the night Sam attacked Noah, broke into the house, and infected me? She and Larissa were shopping for sheets, and then they vanished.

I roll my shoulders, trying to relieve the tension that’s settled in them, and head to bed.

Though I try to sleep, my teeth ache, giving me a headache and causing me to toss and turn for most of the night.

I’m finally good and asleep when my phone jolts me awake. Bleary-eyed, I grab it off the nightstand and scowl at Cassian’s name.

“Why are you calling me at six in the morning?” I croak, wishing I’d silenced my notifications.

“I thought you were a morning vampire?” he says instead of answering my question.

“My fangs hurt,” I admit to my conservator.

“They haven’t broken through yet?”

“No.” I drape my arm over my eyes, knowing I’ll never get back to sleep now that I’m awake. Because Iama morning vampire—even when I haven’t slept.

“You know, there’s a way to hurry the process along.”

Intrigued, I drop my arm and stare at the ceiling. The light coming in through the drapes is muted, making me think it must be cloudy today. “What?”

“Bite someone.”

“What?”

“Let me clarify. By someone, I mean Noah.”

This is wandering way too close to personal territory, but I’m too groggy to care. “I thought you meant a regular human.”

“I’m certainly not endorsing that.”

“I can’t bite Noah. We’re…I just can’t, okay?”

“It was merely a suggestion—one you might have to try thanks to the prescription blood.”

“No bite, no fangs?” I groan.

“That’s pretty much how it works, yes.”

“Why didn’t Dr. Martin mention it?”

“Just about everyone at NIHA knows you and Noah are together. Forgive me, but I believe he assumed there was no reason to bring it up.”

“Cassian.”

“I’m just saying, you’re both young and…” He chuckles to himself. “Do I need to elaborate?”

“No, you absolutely do not.”

Cassian laughs again, finding the situation more amusing than he should. “I’m sure you’ll work it out. Now get up and get dressed. We have an appointment with a realtor at nine.”

“Uh, Cassian.” I glance toward the window. “I can’t go outside, remember?”

“The weather says it’s supposed to be overcast all day today. Wear a hat—you’ll be fine.”

“Wait, hold up. Why are we meeting your realtor?”

“He’s notmyrealtor—he’s not even an actual realtor, if we’re being particular. And we’re looking for property for your new garden nursery.” Then, like I’m adorably daft, he adds, “We discussed this, remember?”

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