Page 51 of Blood and Bonbons

“People would pay good money for his secret.”

“That’s mercenary, even for you, Vena.”

“He’s a vampire, Ev. We may not know much about them, but there are documented cases of killing sprees. Why do you think yesterday’s murder and this morning’s murder aren’t on any news feeds? It would scare the ‘sheeple.’”

“We both know that Cross hasn’t gone on any killing sprees. He’s hunting deer instead of feeding on us.”

“Don’t tell me you think he’s as docile as a dwarf.”

“No. But, he hasn't ripped out our throats. All he’s done is ask a few harmless questions.”

“And all I want to do is ask a few harmless questions of my own.”

I gave her a look. “Harmless to you but not to him.”

She shrugged. “I still want to know.”

“So do I, but I’m not dumb enough to ask. Risks, Vena. Less of them. Please.”

However, as soon as Cross returned with a spot of blood on the corner of his lips, Vena asked, “How come you didn’t light on fire?”

I leaned over to grab a tissue from the box on the desk and handed it to him.

“You have a little something on your mouth,” I said.

“It is like paper and cloth,” he said, feeling the tissue. “Extraordinary.”

“You throw them away instead of washing them.” I pointed to the garbage next to the desk.

After he wiped his mouth clean, he placed the tissue in the garbage.

“Well?” Vena asked. “According to what I’ve been told, vampires can’t survive in the sun. Why can you?”

“The reason is none of your concern,” he said. “Can we be off? The sooner I can exchange for blood, the better.”

I studied his light brown gaze, completely devoid of any hint of blackness, and nodded. “I’ll get my keys.”

He followed me out to the entry where I’d deposited my keys the night before. I picked them out from the antique ceremonial bowl and slipped on my shoes.

When I straightened, I glanced at Cross’ outfit and felt a stab of pity for him. He had no idea Vena dressed him to look like a vintage pimp daddy. Thank goodness she didn’t have a feathered fedora to go with it because I was pretty sure Cross would have worn it. His face was so attractive it was almost a crime to let him walk around the city dressed like that.

I opened the door and called for Vena.

“Hang on!” A moment later, she appeared with the book in her hand. “I’m reading this on the way.”

Cross was intrigued by the car and ran his hand over everything as soon as he settled in the front passenger seat. I showed him how to buckle for safety, which made him smirk when my hands grazed against his chest.

As I drove, I explained the gearshift, gas, and brake.

“You will teach me this skill, too,” he said. “It looks relatively simple.”

“It’s not difficult, but it does take some practice. Why bother with driving a car, though, when you can move so fast?”

He arched a brow at me. “I wish to blend.”

“Ah. Right.”

“This is a bunch of nonsense,” Vena said abruptly from the back seat.

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