Page 99 of Taste of Death

“I know.” My gaze held his. “I’ll suffer through it, but she doesn’t deserve to.”

His chin lifted, his expression one of muted surprise, but he didn’t comment further.

Thorne stubbed out the last of his cigarette and stood up. “We’ll be in touch after discussing this with more of our people.”

I rose to my feet after the other two vampires did. “Thank you for meeting with me.”

Thorne let out a dry huff of breath. “We’ll see. Until next time, Rathka’s Order. Or whoever you are now.”

With those parting words, the three of them turned and left.

Chapter 31

Amy

Under the crushing weight of depression was a familiar place I never hoped to be again. But really, what did I expect? This was me after all.

The only difference was that I had Tavia to lean on again. Instead of pushing her away, I rested my head in her lap while sobbing over Novak. She didn’t hold back on the wine or the disparaging words toward him, although she pulled back on the insults when I requested it. For some reason, I still felt the urge to defend him and never wanted to hear anyone speak of him badly.

That was only for me to do, privately. Under my breath, drunk off my ass, or while sobbing into a pillow.

The anger was new and unexpected. It wasn’t the first time a guy had hurt me, but before, I had always put the blame entirely on myself. It was my fault for falling short of what Tom Harrison had wanted, my fault for being so agreeable, gullible and naive.

With Novak, something in me had shifted. Maybe I held onto some of the confidence he gave me in the beginning, or maybe it had to do with my turning. But Iknew,as well as I knew my own name, that I was not at fault for this outcome.Hewas.

Sure, I had the bad luck of trusting the wrong people. But trusting in itself wasn’t a shortcoming.Hechose to discard me, chose to build me up with lies before tearing it all down. He was the only person to blame for this hurt in my heart, not me.

But that didn’t make it hurt any less.

It didn’t make any of his sudden change in behavior less confusing. And it definitely didn’t stop my head from replaying that sight of him tasting the naked woman’s blood, over and over again.

Days and nights blurred into each other. I barely ate, sticking to a steady diet of wine instead. The mere thought of tasting someone else’s blood made me physically ill.

Tavia was around frequently, but Cyan less so. She said he was dealing with clan politics whenever I asked.

She was a true friend, almost like old times but not quite. She never pushed me to move on or talk about it, just offered support, a listening ear, and gently encouraged me to eat. If we were still simple humans living in Sapien, she would have hunted Novak down with a baseball bat over her shoulder, but she kept that violent side in check now.

I was trying to make myself useful one day, tidying up the apartment instead of rotting away in bed, when a knock came to the door. When I answered, it was Laith, Des, and Rhain each carrying large black plastic totes.

“Hey, Ames.” Laith invited himself inside first, followed by the other two. Each vampire set their containers down on the coffee table in front of the couches.

“Hi, guys.” I eyed the large totes and the men who brought them in. “What’s this?”

“Delivery for you.” The three of them were already heading out of the apartment, their task efficiently done.

“Delivery of what? From who?”

“No idea, we’re just the messengers. But hey,” Des shot me a heartfelt grin with that chipped fang, “you’re looking better. You should come out with us tonight. Hit the clubs, get some drinks and let loose. We’re good bodyguards; we won’t let anyone bother you.”

“Rhain will even dance with you.” Laith patted the big vampire’s shoulder, who looked at him incredulously.

“I will?”

“Thank you guys, but maybe another night.” I gave them the best smile I could muster, which still felt strained.

“For sure. Whenever you’re feeling up to it. See ya, Ames.” Laith waved before closing the door after them.

I spun to face the totes the moment they were gone, feeling incredibly wary of this random delivery. Was it a prank? Some kind of taunt?

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