Page 26 of Taste of Death

“There’s an entrance to this world at Niagara Falls. Almost twenty years ago, my drunk dumbass fell into the Niagara River. It was so fuckin’ cold and I thought I was gonna die. But I was okay with it, you know? My life was a fuckin’ mess.” Jo took out a loaf of bread and began slicing it. “Felt myself sinking, drowning. I must have gotten right under one of the falls because it felt like I was getting the shit beat out of me. Next thing I know, I’m washed up on the shore of this serene, mountain lake. The water was as smooth as glass.” She turned to get more items out of the fridge and laughed. “Definitely not New York.”

“Where were you?”

“The Crown, north part of Sanguine. That’s where Novak’s clan is from. And I was lucky enough to run into him while he was up there, doing science or whatever he does.” She cackled again as she placed slices of cheese on the bread slices. “This poor man must have lost his shit seeing a soaking wet and filthy stumbling human around. But he took me in, patient as a saint while I lost my shit over vampires being real, then gave me a home and a job. I’ve been here ever since.”

“Wow. Have you never wanted to go home?” I asked.

A few days before the attack on Sapien, a woman from the human world, Heather, had stumbled upon our settlement in a similar way. All she wanted was to go back home. She disappeared one day, assumedly back to her world. I wondered if she ever made it back and was okay.

“Nah.” Jo brought the two bread slices together in a towering sandwich. “I love New York, but my old life woulda killed me if I’d gone back. I got a second chance here, kind of like you.” She plated the sandwich and placed it in front me. “Eat up. Tell me what you think.”

“What is it?” The bread was light brown in color, the sliced meat bright red and tender.

“Pastrami on rye. It’s a New York staple. Loved by humans and hopefully brusang.” Jo’s smile was slow, confident. “Cured the meat myself. Go ahead.”

I took a bite, chewed, and moaned at the flavors hitting my tongue. The combination of salt, fat, and spices was perfect. The cured meat sated the bloodthirsty part of me, for now. I would need blood soon, but this would hold me over in the meantime.

“Oh my God, Jo, that’s so good!” I’d barely swallowed the first bite before taking another. “Novak is so lucky he found you.”

Jo laughed, a sound I was enjoying the more time I spent with her. “His tastes leave me limited, but I’ve missed making human food. I’m glad there’s someone else to enjoy it now.”

I just swallowed the last bites of the sandwich when I heard a rumbling outside that grew increasingly louder until it seemed to be right outside the front door. There was no mistaking that sound—a motorcycle engine.

My heart jumped into my throat and I froze. Did someone from Blood ‘til Dawn find out I was here and come to get me?

“Ah, speak of the devil.” Jo appeared calm as she took my plate and wiped down the counter. “Sounds like the boss is home.”

The sound cut off abruptly and a few minutes later, the heavy front door swung open. Novak’s footfalls echoed over the floor, long strides eating up the space between each step, which came to a slow stop as he entered the kitchen.

He was still dressed immaculately with black trousers and a matching waistcoat over a white long-sleeved shirt. Again, his sleeves were rolled up past his elbows and he held a black leather jacket in one hand. His long, silver-blond hair was disheveled, a little wild. It suited him extremely well, like he was born to be aristocratic and a rebel.

“Um, hi.” I swallowed. “Again.”

“Hello.” He turned and hung up the leather jacket on a coat tree just outside the foyer. “Didn’t think I’d see you here again.”

My whole body tensed like a rabbit about to bolt from a predator. “I can go.”

“Right after you’ve eaten? No, stay.” Novak tugged his leather gloves off as he meandered toward the island. “I’m just surprised, that’s all.”

Jo’s back was turned, but I swore I heard a snickering, “knew it,” under her breath.

Novak’s eyes slid toward her with a suspicious gaze. Before he could ask any questions, I blurted out, “I didn’t know you rode a motorcycle.”

His gaze returned to me, amusement dancing in his red eyes. “Well I can’t let Blood ‘til Dawn have all the fun, can I?”

The smile grew across my face before I could stop it. “Definitely not.”

He reached the edge of the counter and braced his palms wide on the dark marble. “And should I be concerned about them crashing through my door at any minute?”

“I don’t think so.” I shrugged and wiped my hands on a napkin. “I’m not worth the trouble.”

“Why do you say that?”

I paused before answering. He looked genuinely baffled as to why I wouldn’t be a priority to Blood ‘til Dawn.

“I’m just not anybody important. They don’t know what to do with me, so nobody cares if I stay or go.”

Novak curled his fingers and tapped his knuckles gently on the counter. “A vampire clan is supposed to look after all its members, both immediate and extended.”

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