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When the bubbles reach the rim of the tub, I shut off the water and turn to find Cordelya watching me.

I walk over to her and step between her thighs, enjoying the way her legs naturally wrap around my waist.

“You,” I kiss her lips softly, “take a long, leisurely soak, Moonlight.” I kiss her again. “I’m going to run to my house for clothes.” Another kiss. “And then I’ll be back to take you to work.”

She slides her hands up my arms to wrap around my neck. “I can’t tempt you to join me in the tub?”

I groan and press my forehead to hers.

“If I do that, it’ll defeat the purpose of the bath.” I press one last kiss to her lips before stepping back. “I’ll be back in a little while.”

“Okay,” she says with the tiniest hint of pout to her voice. I grab my bag with my uniform and the blanket covered in the unknown intruder’s scent, and head back to the front of the house. She follows me to the door, stealing one last kiss before I walk out.

As soon as I hear the lock fall into place, I head for my car. My house is a short ten-minute drive from Cordelya’s apartment. The neighborhood is small, with trees on every corner, and mostly made up of older bungalow-style homes.

As soon as I park, I’m out of my car and moving with purpose. I check the clock: I have a virtual appointment with my medical team and parents in thirty minutes. Just enough time to shower and look presentable.

After a quick shower, I quickly dress and grab a drink, then sit down and open the video chat. A few moments later, the call comes through. When I answer, my medical team’s faces populate the screen, followed a moment later by my parents.

“Hi, everyone,” I greet the video chat.

“Oh, Augustus,” my mom’s distressed voice cuts through the other voices like a hot knife through butter. “Honey, you look awful.”

I wince. I know how bad I look, but hearing my mom’s dismay takes it to a new level.

Doctor Camp, who has been on my team since I was born, chimes in.

“Tell us what’s going on, Augustus.”

For the next hour, I’m caught in a three-way tennis match, fielding questions from my doctors and parents.

“So let me make sure I’m understanding,” Doctor Parker says. “Your regimen of blood smoothies has been effectively working for years. However, in the last few weeks your tolerance to them has declined?”

“That’s correct.”

“And nothing’s changed?” my Dad asks.

Mate.

That same voice from this morning presses on my subconscious. Each time it’s more certain, confident that she’s mine and I’m hers.

“Augustus?” my mom prompts.

I shift in my seat, weighing how to explain feelings I don’t even fully comprehend. With a sigh, I go for the simplest explanation—the truth…minus this morning’s activities.

“A few weeks ago, we responded to a call for a vehicle accident. When we arrived on scene, there was this scent. Like caramel and pears.”

My mouth waters just thinking of it.

“When I reached the car, there was a woman. She was bleeding from a cut on her arm. When the scent of her blood hit me…”

I trail off, closing my eyes as my fangs drop. My gums throb as I remember the alluring call of Cordelya’s blood.

I hear several sharp gasps, followed by a cacophony of voices all asking rapid-fire questions.

It takes several minutes, but they all finally quiet down.

My Dad is the first to speak, his voice steady. “Son, your whole life, I’ve never seen your fangs drop.”