Page 1 of Hunger & Harmony

1

SUNVEIL

Rules aren’t made to be broken.

They’re made to be bent.

That’s the mantra I cling to when only a door stands between me and four vampires.

To me, they’re not just bloodthirsty immortals. They’re more than terrifyingly beautiful descendants of myth and curse. I’m not practicing breathing exercises and wiping my clammy palms on my jeans because they’re led by literal fanged royalty.

Behind this underwhelming, ordinary door is Arteria. Rock legends that held the crown long before their musical influence became a supernatural scandal. I don’t listen to rock music. None of my stolen minutes are wasted on their genre, and even I understand their significance.

Most importantly, they’re my ticket to freedom.

“No piano lessons, Cadence.”

“No concerts, Cadence.”

“No humming in public, Cadence.”

Music was always the most forbidden candy in the bowl of taboos. Now, there’s no one to tell me no. Least of all my parents. Gone are the days of sneaking earbuds under my pillow or getting grounded for tapping my foot along to a grocery store’s speakers.

Being a ten-hour car ride away helps. This “internship” is all thanks to my best friend. Only Viola’s perfect smile and flawless record could charm both her career counselor and my parents into signing off on this.

Sure, we fudged some details . . .She’s the one who taught me how to bend a rule just enough to get my way. Her lesson will have to be the wind beneath my metaphoric wings. While my audacity is never lacking, I’m gonna need every ounce of her confidence.

The front desk staff said to just knock. With one last deep breath, I finally lift my hand.

Only for the door to rip open without warning.

“Oh!”

My eyes snap up to chase a gleam of sharp ivories. Jade green eyes and an angelic halo of curls seem incongruous with the pierced smirk and tapestry of tattoos along this guy’s golden skin.

“A human . . .” His tongue runs over the points of his fangs. “You here to be my next meal?”

“Uh . . .” I blink up at him. “I don’t think you’re supposed to eat personal assistants.”

He blinks back.

“Ezren fucking Black.” A woman’s stern tone has his smirk fading and spine straightening. Mine, too. “Knock it off.”

A pout settles on Ezren’s lips. The silver hoop on the bottom left side juts out comically.

“What? I can’t have a little fun?”

“Threatening the new hire isn’t fun,” she says as she stands from a leather couch.

Her tone is as sharp as her eyeliner. Ezren may have been threatening to turn me into a snack, but just the way she approaches has me alert. Despite her blunt reprimand, he doesn’t let up.

“It is to me . . .” he mumbles.

Arteria’s drummer is well known for his antics. A face like an angel, but he’s pure trouble. Face-to-face, he seems more like a prankster than a villain.

When she flicks her silver ponytail at him, he flinches like it’s the tip of a blade. After one last glare, she settles her ice-blue eyes on me.

“Excuse this idiot.”