Page 64 of Taste of Death

“Ah, hello,” I said stiffly, unsure why she stopped me.

Cyan’s mouth thinned, his hand drifting mostly likely toward a silver dagger hidden somewhere on him. But when Tavia asked, “Where’s Amy?” it sounded more curious than accusatory.

“She’s at my house,” I said. “Sleeping. I just needed to go for a walk.” To Cyan, I added, “You know where I live. You’re welcome to check on her.”

Tavia placed a hand on his chest like she was telling him to back down. “That’s not necessary. I just wanted to make sure she’s okay.”

I turned toward her then, moving closer to the fence and out of the flow of people walking the street. Cyan subtly tugged his mate closer to him, glaring at me.

“She was really upset,” I admitted. “Did you see her after she returned from Sapien?” I wasn’t sure how much Tavia knew, but it sounded like she and Amy had reconciled. Maybe she could give insight into who hurt her so badly.

“No.” Tavia shook her head. “These guys came back without her.” She pointed at Cyan with her thumb and gavehiman accusatory look.

“She asked us to drop her off in the Heart, so that’s what we did,” he argued. “I figured she was going off to see him.” He acknowledged me with a jerk of his chin. “You know we don’t like it, but Amy can make her own decisions.”

“How did she seem on the way back?” I asked.

“Fine,” he threw back. “Maybe a little quiet, but fine.”

“What happened while you all were there?” Tavia asked him.

“Exactly what I’d like to know,” I said.

“Some humans saw her, like I told you.” Cyan addressed his mate and ignored me. “They got spooked, that’s all. Pretty much the same reaction to seeing vampires. It wasn’t a big deal.”

Tavia sighed loudly. “Not to you, maybe. But Amy’s sensitive. She’s still adjusting to not being human.” She looked up at me. “Novak, would you like to sit with us?”

“I’m sorry, what?” Cyan stared at her.

“Cy.” Tavia’s head swiveled in his direction. “Novak is Amy’s friend. She spends more time at his place than with us. Doesn’t that make him worth getting to know?”

Cyan didn’t flat-out refuse but mumbled something like, “She’ll get over it.”

“I’ll behave if he does,” I said, nodding toward the other vampire.

Tavia beamed. “That sounds fair. What do you say, Cy?”

A long moment of glaring and jaw-grinding passed before he finally muttered, “Fine.”

I went through the patio gate and took a seat on the sofa across from the couple. “Thank you for allowing me to join you.”

“I’m glad I saw you,” Tavia said. “You stand out in a crowd with that hair color.”

“All of Rathka’s Order had that look,” Cyan said flatly. “The ghost hair.”

“You sound jealous, Cyan.” I couldn’t help ribbing him, running a hand through my pale blond strands.

Cyan snorted. “Jealous ofyou?Yeah, right.” His arm tightened around Tavia’s waist, face turning to kiss her temple. The wordless remark was clear.I have my blood mate, and therefore everything I need in this woman beside me.

Tavia let out a sigh but leaned into the affection regardless. “Not even five seconds and you two are already shit-talking.”

“I apologize. Congratulations on your mating, by the way.”

“Thank you.” Cyan actually sounded gracious, his hand possessively around Tavia’s hip. “There’s nothing like finding your person.”

I was starting to thinkIhad found my person, but with Baros breathing down my neck, a life with her seemed out of reach.

A vampire waiter came over to set a wine glass down in front of me, and Cyan gestured to the open bottle on the table. “Help yourself. Tavi just sold five cases of her wine to this lounge and we’re celebrating.”

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