“I don’t know. He smells weird.”
“Weird how?”
“Like marshmallows. Most people just smell like... people. I don’t know. I’ve just spent too much time with him, and he’s an asshole.” She finger-combed her short, platinum blonde hair out of her eyes. It was greasy, like she hadn’t washed it in a few days.
I looked at Maverick. He was so deeply asleep that his mouth was parted and his body was slack. I poked his cheek, then his throat, and he didn’t so much as flinch.
Lowering my voice to barely above a whisper, I asked, “How’s the bloodlust?”
She bit her lip and shook her head.
Bad, then.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
“A little tired, but fine otherwise. How many days are you at without feeding?”
“Four. I haven’t zoned out, though.”
“Would you know if you did?”
“I’m not sure.”
I nodded. She hadn’t realized she was doing it in my office, so it seemed safe to assume she wouldn’t. “Have you checked my messages to see if Velour texted me?”
“He called you yesterday. I called back, after you were stable.”
“What did he say?”
She bit her lip again.
I waited.
“Harper...”
“It’s not for sure,” she whispered.“I think it’s bullshit.”
My eyes widened. “He actuallyfoundsomething?”
“It’s a long shot,” she said. “It’s just a myth, or... an urban legend.”
“Tell me.”
She sighed. “Apparently there’s a rumor that the only way to prevent a turned vampire from devolving is by drinking werewolf blood.”
My body stilled. My mind moved faster. “So I just need to take things back to blood bags with Maverick.”I looked at him. I couldn’t lie to him. I hated it so fucking much, and we were getting closer. But I had to.
“You can’t do that, Bloom. It’s probably not even true.” Harper took my hand and squeezed lightly. “You didn’t see him. You were basically dead, but he didn’t give up. He didn’t walk away. I don’t think he ever even let himself consider that you might not make it. Whatever this thing is between you guys, you’re not just soulmates or engaged or whatever. He cares about you.”
My throat swelled. “I care about him too, but if I have to choose, I’m going to do whatever will keep you alive.”
She gave me a small smile. “I love you, but I don’t support that decision.”
“I wasn’t asking for permission.”
Maverick’s snore caught, momentarily becoming a snort. We both jumped a little, looking over at him and waiting.My heart pounded hard again.
His snores evened out again immediately.
