Page 48 of Blood and Bonbons

“Patience, my young one. You will see.”

She made me nervous. I didn’t do nervous well.

As soon as my food was done, I turned off the stove and topped them with the blueberry compote and whipped cream.

I was bringing the first bite to my mouth when Cross entered the room. I choked on air.

“Vena, I thank you for the attire. It is a bit ill-fitted, but it will suit me until I acquire a tailor.”

The old, tan corduroy suit had to be from the seventies and hugged him like a second skin. Everywhere. The man had an impressively muscled, lean build.

The suit accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist. And he was packing. His long john, which was noticeably impressive, wasn’t the only impressive bulge. He also had another one in his pocket.

He smoothed his hands over his sleeves, pulling my attention from his double bulges.

“Other than the fit, it is quite comfortable.”

I struggled to be impressed by the ruffled shirt and the collar that jutted out three inches longer than what was currently fashionable.

Vena sniggered, and I closed my eyes.

CHAPTERNINE

After dressingCross in her grandfather’s leisure suit, Vena’s good mood lasted through breakfast but vanished the moment we entered her father’s study.

“Don’t touch anything,” Vena said to Cross as if she were talking to a naughty toddler.

She crossed the study, which previously belonged to her grandfather, and stopped before the desk. While she ran her fingers over the mark that had been in the picture, Cross veered over to one of the antique bookcases in the room.

“I had one like this,” he said. “This one has withstood the test of time remarkably well.”

I couldn’t help but watch as he studied everything around him. It was as if new and old blended for him, and all of it enthralled him.

When he had fanged out before, I felt fear. But now, horrid suit excluded, he seemed like a completely different person with his wonder.

“What are you seeking in here?” he asked.

“None of your business.” Vena eyed the clock. “Haven’t you been here long enough?”

“Not nearly. I’ve several more needs and will require assistance.”

“We don’t want to hear about your needs.” Vena pulled open a desk drawer and weeded through the contents. “There are hookers, er, wenches in the city who’d be happy to help you with your needs.”

“I meant blood.”

“They might be willing to give you that, too, if you pay them enough.”

Cross shot her an annoyed glance before focusing on me. “The fishwife spoke of blood banks.”

I pulled out my phone as Vena continued her search.

“Places for humans to donate blood. It’s usually for helping save another human’s life, but maybe you can find what you need there. It looks like there are several blood banks in the city to choose from. I’m sure you’re not the only, um, person interested in blood. But I have to be honest; I haven’t heard of a vampire drive-through, and they have regular daytime hours. Nothing at night. Oh, and I’m betting you’d need money.”

“I assume you know what money is,” Vena added.

I understood Vena tended to get testy when she was stressed and sleep-deprived, but she was taking her frustrations out on the wrong person.

“I wasn’t born in the cave. I simply slept there,” Cross said dryly. “Currency was coin before I came here, but it’s paper now, correct?”

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