Page 105 of Blood and Bonbons

“Amusing.”

He dropped it back down and looked at some of the other research.

“Why was he researching vampires?”

“After we realized what we’d done by taking the ring, we panicked. I think he was trying to find a way to help.”

“None of these would be helpful.”

“We know.”

He glanced at me. “Besides the vampire you mistakenly woke, are there any other creatures who might be looking for you, Everly?”

“Me? No. Well, maybe if the people who took Miles know we have the book.”

“Then I will find them.” He looked over to the refrigerator. “An unpleasant odor lingers here.”

He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a half-eaten, half-mushed cake.

“Don’t eat that,” I said, rushing toward him.

He lifted it to his nose, sniffed, and grimaced.

“I smell you on it and something quite disturbing. Why would you eat cake made with sheep scrotum?”

I made a sad face, crossed my arms, and frowned at him. “I’m feeling very judged right now by a guy who eats people.”

“Not people. Only their blood.” He put the cake back where he found it. “You seem to have a love for any type of confectionery.”

“No, not any kind. I prefer the normal kind. The sheep scrotum was a horrible surprise that I’m probably going to have nightmares about for years.”

Cross smiled slightly.

“My poor Everly. That will not do.”

He inhaled deeply again, turning his attention to the rest of the apartment.

“There are other scents there. Older. Harder to distinguish. But there’s a definite feminine one that is not you or Vena.” He sniffed again and slowly walked to Miles’ open bedroom door.

“Perfume,” Cross said, going to the bed and leaning in. “Human.”

I bit my lip at the implication. A human woman’s scent concentrated on Miles’ bed meant one thing. A booty call.

“That troubles you?” Cross asked, catching my disappointment.

“I just wish we’d found something. An actual lead.”

Cross arched a brow at me.

“And the scent of a human female isn’t a lead?”

“As a kidnapper? No. As a secret girlfriend that’s going to upset Vena? Yes.”

“Vena led me to believe that she and her brother didn’t keep secrets.”

“I mean, they don’t usually.”

“Then why would you think he would keep a love interest secret from her?”

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