Page 16 of Taste of Death

He waited in the foyer, wearing a long coat that matched his waistcoat and trousers, his hands encased in black leather gloves.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Oh, you don’t have to come with me. I’ll find my way back.” My smile came nervously. I wanted nothing more than to stop being an inconvenience to him. “You’ve done too much for me already.”

“Nonsense. I’ll see you home safely.” His look was impish as he gave a final tug on his gloves. “Besides, we both know there’s a chance you’ll end up in my courtyard again.”

I forced out a laugh.Oh, he definitely doesn’t want me here.“That’s true. Your guest room is too nice and your snacks too tasty. Work on making those shittier if you want to be left in peace.”

Novak bared a fang in a slight smile but didn’t respond. “Where are you staying?” He opened the front door and gestured for me to go first.

“With Blood ‘til Dawn.” I walked through and waited for him to close up. “Do you know?—”

He didn’t move from his spot next to the open door, but it was his expression that cut my words short. His lips curled into a snarl, and his eyes were alight with shock and something else. Anger, or maybe even malice.

“What did you say?” he hissed.

“Uh, Blood ‘til Dawn?” I swallowed.

“Are you serious?” Novak snapped out of his frozen state, closing the door behind him as he joined me outside. “Or are you joking?”

“Serious.” Although I started to wish I wasn’t.

“You’re staying with the ruling clan of Sanguine?” Novak’s gaze narrowed, his eyes like two red lanterns in the dim light of dusk. “How did that happen? Did one of them turn you?”

“Yes,” I sighed. “My best friend’s mate did.”

“Mate?” he repeated. “Like a blood mate?”

“Um, yes?” I frowned. “I don’t entirely know what that is, but they’re having this big ceremony in two weeks.”

Understanding dawned on Novak’s face. “That’s right. I’ve heard that’s happening.” He glanced at me again, his expression cool and remote. “That’s your friend you’re having trouble with? She’s having a mating ceremony with Cyan of Blood ‘til Dawn?”

“Yup, that’s her.”

“I see.”

I’m glad you see because I am in the fucking dark, buddy.

The kind, casual Novak I’d been speaking to was gone. This vampire was closed off, a cold and stiff aristocrat. He didn’t even meet my eyes as he started down the cobblestone street. “Let’s get you back before they send out a search party.”

I hurried to match his stride. “Let me guess. There's a long and complicated history between your clan and Blood ‘til Dawn?”

He huffed out a mirthless laugh. “More than you can imagine, little brusang. And none of it is good.”

Chapter 6

Amy

My short walk with Novak was nearly silent, but as we approached the single-story building that was the garage entrance to the Blood ‘til Dawn compound, the urge to speak my mind grew overwhelming.

Summoning courage I didn’t know I had, I turned in front of Novak to block his path.

“I just want to say thank you, sincerely. For taking me in from the sun, the room, your blood, the food, everything. Whatever your history with them is,” I flung an arm out toward the garage behind me, “it doesn’t take away from the kindness you showed me today. I won’t ever forget it and I’m… I’m glad I met you, Novak.”

He met my eyes for the first time since we left his house, but remained silent for several long seconds, his expression unreadable.

Finally a crack showed in that cold exterior, and I saw the tip of one fang bared in a slow smile. “I’m glad I met you too, Amy. It was… ” he paused, his smile fading as he searched for a polite word. “… nice having your presence in my home.”

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