Page 65 of Taste of Death

“Thank you, and congratulations, again.” I poured myself a modest-sized glass. “Amy brought one of your wines to my house, so I’m already a fan of your work.”

“Oh, that’s very sweet. Thank you.” Tavia blushed and looked a little uncomfortable, clearly not one to bask in her accomplishments. “Five cases seems a little excessive, but it’s what they asked for.”

“Nonsense, they’re already selling it,” Cyan told her. “They’re going to sell out by the end of the week and ask for twenty next time.”

“You’re full of shit.” Tavia groaned, but grinned at his praise.

Cyan turned to me. “I’m planting an orchard for her ciders. Obviously she needs a vineyard and all the right facilities and equipment too.”

“That seems like a logical next step,” I said. “Let me know if you need an investor. I love to support a good product and new businesses.”

The two of them looked shocked. Cyan even sputtered and choked.

“We don’t need money from Rathka’s Order.” He grimaced like he was going sling another tired insult, but a glance at Tavia had his expression softening. “But your generous offer is… noted and appreciated.”

“Now that would be a step toward repairing the feud between your clans.” Tavia smirked over the rim of her glass. “Blood ‘til Dawn and Rathka’s Order coming together over some wine, can you imagine it?”

“Don’t get your hopes up.” Cyan dropped a kiss on her shoulder.

The two of them were so naturally at ease with each other. Comfortable, with a spark lighting up their touches and glances at one another. Their connection was one to be envied.

“Can you tell me anything else about Sapien last night?” I focused on Cyan, since he was with Amy that night. “Who were the humans who got spooked by Amy?”

“I don’t know.” He ran a hand over his buzzed hair with a sigh. “Some human male. Looked like his blood tasted bad. You know what I mean?”

I nodded while Tavia shook her head with a small chuckle. It was just a feeling vampires had sometimes. Every once in a while, we only had to look at a person toknowthat their blood was shitty.

“The other was an older woman. I think… ” He turned to Tavia. “I think it was Robin, the one who looked out for you and Amy.”

“Oh no.” Tavia’s face fell. “If Robin reacted badly to seeing her, Amy would’ve been crushed. She looked up to Robin. We both did.”

“What about the male? Who was he to her?” I desperately wanted to know if he’d been one of Amy’s bullies, or significant to her in some other way.

“I don’t know.” Cyan threw his hands up helplessly.

“What did he look like?” Tavia asked him. “I’m sure I know who he is.”

“Like a worm. A really thick one, with bad blood.” She smacked his arm and he proceeded to give his best actual physical description of the male. Then Tavia looked at me, anguish and sorrow in her eyes.

“That sounds like Tom Harrison. I hate him with every fiber of my being.”

“Why? What did he do?”

Tavia’s shoulders slumped.

“He broke Amy’s heart.”

Chapter 20

Amy

Ifelt like I was waking up from the dead all over again, only in a much more pleasant way. This bed was the most comfortable one I’d ever slept in, and as I rolled and stretched, I felt so much lighter.

My tears had all run out, and the heavy weight of worthlessness no longer sat like a boulder on my chest. But a flutter of anxiety filled me when I remembered what else happened last night.

Novak carrying me, holding me. Kissing me.

I brought my knees toward my stomach, suddenly self-conscious and worried. How pathetic must I have looked to him?

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