Page 100 of Blood and Bonbons

“It’s probably the couch,” Vena said helpfully. “Give your backside a little wiggle to really work it in.” Her smirk died quickly. “Wait, is Anchor going to be able to smell that you were on the couch after he was on the couch?”

It was Cross’ turn to smirk. “Perhaps you have far too many male callers.”

“First, no one uses the term ‘callers’ anymore. Second, he–”

“Hold up,” I said, stopping a fight before it could start. “Can we focus on the bigger issue here? Why would an old acquaintance you just warned us to stay away from send you a feeder that looks exactly like me to my door and call it a peace offeringafterwerewolves destroyed their club?”

Cross sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“There are several possible scenarios. The first, and most likely, is that she sensed me when I woke and has been following me. Sending the feeder was to gain information and test my bond with you.

“The second, less likely option is that she realized you belonged to me after I killed everyone in the establishment and sent the feeder as a sincere apology. The club had cameras that might have recorded me there.

“The third and least likely option is that she somehow managed to taste your blood before the werewolves destroyed the club and sensed my bond with you. Since she is unable to walk in daylight like I am, that is highly improbable.”

I briefly thought of the blood smeared on the back of the door Cross had ripped off its hinges. Nope, not going there.

“Okay, that doesn’t answer either of my questions. Why me, and am I in danger?”

“She knows me well, Everly. I often have many feeders to prevent weakening any of them, but I only stay close to my favorites. I won’t let anything happen to you. You have my vow.”

My thoughts almost snagged on the fact that he considered me his favorite. But I heard the deeper message too, thankfully.

His promise to keep me safe meant I was in danger.

“Wait, are you saying Everly is your flavor of the month?” Vena asked, sounding a little offended.

“Based on my close interactions with Everly, that’s what my acquaintance would believe. Which is also why she provided another woman who looks very similar to Everly. Meanwhile, the three of us understand that this is a business relationship. As such, I believe it’s time for Everly to dress and for us to be on our way to our meeting. Wouldn’t you agree, Everly?”

I nodded but didn’t move.

“How much danger am I in now that some other vampire knows about me?”

“None so long as you stay away from the places you do not belong.”

“Such as?” Vena pressed.

“Such as feeder dens. Much has changed since I was last awake. My kind used to feed and kill. A few like me grew smarter and realized that, if we wanted to remain hidden and thrive, we needed a better way. I stopped killing centuries before I chose to sleep.”

“Damn. Way to clarify that it wasn’t a choice out of some growth of consciousness.”

I shot Vena a warning look.

“It would seem the rest of my kind came to the same conclusion and started gathering feeders of their own. I believe they…shared them.”

The complete disgust in his tone almost made me smile.

“Orphia knows I don’t share. She will stay away from you so long as you do not place yourself directly in her path. Even then, she may hesitate.” As he spoke, he ran his thumb over the ring on his first finger thoughtfully.

“She better stay away, or I’m holding you responsible,” Vena said before looking at me. “Your coffee is in the kitchen when you’re ready. Extra whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top. After the pawn shop, we need to get Cross a phone so he can text you instead of slinking into your bed at dawn.”

“I did not slink; I let myself in through your front door.”

I left them to bicker and hurried to dress so I could enjoy my Vena-venti before the whipped cream melted.

Fifteen minutes later, we were all on the way to the pawn shop.

Like the previous time, the door was locked, and we had to wait for Stan. Unlike the last time, he wasn’t alone. He led us to a back room where Mr. Davies was seated at a scuffed conference table.

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