Page 56 of Hunters and Hydrangeas

“You’re not a vampire?”

She shakes her head. “Not even a pre-vamp.”

“And she’s been in the business for five years,” Adam says, his voice thick with admiration.

“That’s impressive. Cassian said becoming infected is almost inevitable.” I take a seat next to Erin at the table. “How did you guys end up working for NIHA?”

“I was on a date.” Adam joins us, choosing the chair across from me. “It was going well—a little too well. Next thing I know, I’m a first-stage pre-vamp. I found out I could become a vampire hunter, and here I am.”

“I was also bitten on a first date,” I say.

Erin sets her phone down, giving us her full attention. “It happens a lot.”

“What about you?” I ask her. “How did you become a hunter?”

“My uncle is a NIHA doctor. I thought about joining the police force after high school, but he took me aside and suggested I do this instead.”

“Do you like it?”

“Hunting rogue vampires?” She grins. “Absolutely.”

“Paperwork sucks, though,” Adam says, and Erin agrees.

“How’d you end up with Cassian as your honorary conservator?” Erin asks. “He doesn’t even work for NIHA.”

“Montgomery was assigned to me first,” I answer, using Noah’s first name. “But one thing led to another, and here we are.”

Adam leans back in his chair, balancing on the back two legs. “Word has it he’s going to be nominated.”

“That’s this week, isn’t it?” Erin asks.

Adam nods. “In just a few days.”

They look at me expectantly.

“I don’t know much about it,” I admit when I realize they’re hoping for gossip. “I’m not even sure if I get a vote. I just entered the final stage a few weeks ago.”

“Oh, we don’t get to vote,” Adam laughs. “Only the heads of the houses get a say in the matter.”

“If there’s no duke right now, who’s running all this?”

“Duncan stepped forward and volunteered to head up a committee,” Erin says.

“Duncan, the previous duke before Etienne?”

“That’s right. His wife is on the committee with him. They chose Jorgen of House Hansen and Yvette of House Fontaine to join them.”

Adam stands. “I’m going to check the soda machines down by bookkeeping. You guys want anything?”

“I’m good,” Erin says. “Hurry, though.”

“I won’t be long.”

Erin and I fall into a companionable silence when he leaves, both of us distracted by our devices.

I’m already bored out of my mind, and I’ve only been here for thirty minutes. I hope this doesn’t take all night.

I’m halfway through another episode of a show when Erin says, “Adam should be back by now.”

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