Page 34 of Taste of Death

I set my coffee down and looked at her squarely. “You want to ask me, so just come out with it.”

To my surprise, she retreated. “No, sorry. I’ll admit I’m worried. But you’re clearly alive and well, and I said I’d give you space. If you want me to know anything, you can tell me. But I know I’ve been too pushy and overprotective, so I’ll just leave you be. Sorry, Ames.”

She picked up her coffee and made a beeline across the apartment, heading toward her and Cyan’s bedroom. Part of me was relieved to be left alone without any awkwardness or prodding, but I also knew it was on me to start repairing things.

“Wait,” I called to her. “I’m sorry too.”

Tavia stopped and turned slowly to face me. Once I had her attention, I kept going.

“I’m sorry for how I’ve been acting since, you know, all of this,” I gestured around my face, “happened. This change has been a lot to deal with, but I shouldn’t have lashed out at you. I know you meant well. I’ve always known that. And I was more cruel and entitled than I ever had the right to be. I hurt you, Tav, and I’m really sorry about that.”

She went eerily still as she listened, then took a long pause before saying softly, “You have every right to be angry with me.”

“Sure, I’m not denying that.” My palms wrapped around the steaming mug. “But I didn’t have to treat you like I did. I didn’t have to rot for two weeks on Bea’s couch and lash out when you tried to help. I could’ve handled my anger better.”

Tavia paused for a few moments before hesitantly approaching me again. “I appreciate you saying that. And I could’ve handled myself better too. I’m sorry for being overbearing.”

I nodded. “My behavior didn’t make you worry any less. I get it.”

A tentative smile touched Tavi’s lips. “Do you want to sit?” She held an arm out toward the couch.

“Sure.” I followed her lead and felt tension draining out of me as I relaxed into the couch cushions. We weren’t all the way fixed yet. I still had to drop the Novak bomb on her, but this progress felt good.

Tavia remained standing, looking nervous. “I… I got something for you.” She flushed, as if embarrassed.

I stared at her, confused. “What do you mean?”

“Just a little gift. Wait here.” She went into the bedroom, moving quietly, and returned with a canvas tote bag, which she held out to me.

I accepted the bag, noting the weight as I set it on my lap. When I peered inside, the threat of tears pricked my eyes.

“You got me knitting supplies?” I lifted the skeins of wool yarn, my fingertips already buzzing with satisfaction at the soft material. There were so many different colors, including my favorite shade of blue. A pair of knitting needles were already set in an inner side pocket. At the bottom of the bag, underneath all the yarn, sat a book of patterns.

“Not everything has to change,” Tavia said softly. “I remember how much you loved knitting. When I first moved here, it was my winemaking that kept me sane.”

“Thank you, Tav.” Emotion filled my voice as I carefully refilled the bag with yarn. “This is really nice and thoughtful. And you’re right. I can’t wait to make something.”

Knitting was my favorite hobby aside from reading, and yet I’d hardly given any thought to it after being turned. Without realizing it, Tavia had given me a part of myself back, one of the few pieces of my human life that I found genuine joy in. Already, I was eager to hold the pair of needles in my hands and get into that soothing rhythm of manipulating yarn into something beautiful.

“You’re so welcome. I can’t wait to see what you do.” Tavia laughed a little awkwardly as she took a sip of coffee. “So, back to your well-fed look. Did you end up giving the blood bank another try?”

I took a deep breath, my heart suddenly beating like a drum. Telling her the truth could undo this tentative peace we’d just found. But lying would only have bigger consequences later. And Novak was right. She had the right to know who would show up to her mating ceremony.

I also had to be honest with her if I wanted any chance of our friendship being repaired.

“I went to Novak’s house again, and took his blood,” I said in a single breath.

Tavia’s eyes widened, her mouth going slack. “Youwhat?!”

“I would also like to bring him to your ceremony as my guest.” I closed my lips against the urge to say,if that’s okay with you.Whatever permission she gave regarding the ceremony I would honor. But my friendship with him did not require her approval.

“Amy!” She hissed out my name and immediately glanced at her closed bedroom door, as if expecting Cyan to burst out any moment. “Are you crazy? Thorne forbade any contact between you two!” Her expression changed, concern pinching her brow. “Did he seek you out?”

“No, Novak didn’t do anything wrong.” I straightened, firming up my tone. “I soughthimout. I went to his place and he wasn’t home, so his chef let me in. And I just kind of hung out until he got there.”

“And you stayed there all night?” Tavi whispered.

“Nothing happened,” I insisted. “We just talked. And he gave me blood before I left.”

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