The moment they entered the lobby, a whiff of antiseptic and something coppery flooded his senses. They caught the attention of a slender nurse behind the desk with long waves of indigo hair and dark crimson lips that matched her glowing eyes. It sent a wave of unease through Lucien’s stomach as she ogled Castor when he asked her where they could find Sebastian.

When she let her fangs poke out, Lucien instinctively drew him close by wrapping an arm around his waist. Frosted embers of forest green encased their bodies like a shield as Lucien narrowed his eyes at the vampire nurse. Had Castor ever given her his blood before?

“He should be on the third floor.” She concealed her fangs from them and crossed her arms over her chest with a glare of annoyance. “You usually don’t bring friends along, Castor.”

“Well, he did tonight.” Lucien pulled him away from the vampire nurse’s desk toward the elevator. Only when they were inside did relief flutter through Lucien’s chest. “Sorry about that.” He released his hand. “I didn’t like the way she kept staring at your neck.”

“No need to apologize.” Castor leaned against the elevator wall, his arm creating a barrier as he lowered his head closer to him. His warm breath caressed Lucien’s ear as he said, “I like it when you’re protective of me.”

The elevator door pinged open, and Castor stepped out first. Warmth crept through Lucien’s cheeks as he shook his flusteredness aside to follow him down the pristine hallway, where lemon-scented bleach wafted in the air. Floral artwork adorned the walls in a poor effort to add a splash of color to the blinding white at every corner.

Lucien had never been fond of medical clinics, but being inside one dedicated to vampires had his nerves overwrought. At the very end of the hallway, Castor cracked open a door labeled Break Room and poked his head inside before gesturing for Lucien to come inside with him.

Seated at one of four round tables was a man with short black hair, his bangs windswept to the side, almost hiding his dark scarlet eyes. He sipped something from a styrofoam cup, and Lucien suspected it was blood when he noticed a slight reddish tint to the man’s lips. His pointy tipped ears twitched slightly as he met Lucien’s gaze.

“You didn’t tell me you would bring a human here. No less, a member from the Supernatural Council.”

“Sebastian, this is Lucien. Remember, I told you all about him? Anyway, we flew down here because we wanted to ask about something important. Maybe you or someone around here has heard about the recent murder in Briarwood of Charlotte Cromwell.”

“Yes, I remember her. She came to donate her blood as much as she could,” Sebastian replied. “Usually came in the morning hours, just before we closed.”

“Charlotte did what now?” Lucien’s jaw dropped, unable to imagine his sister doing such a thing.

“I realize it’s uncommon for Briarwood wizards to do, but willing donors is the only way I can provide blood here.”

“My sister just never expressed interest in vampires. Do you remember when she last visited your clinic?” Lucien asked.

“Last Weydonday,” Sebastian replied.

That was only a day before she was murdered.

“Why was Charlotte donating her blood here? Did she ever say?” Castor asked with a frown. “The Cromwell family is more than well off, so money wasn’t a motive, I’m sure.”

“I believe she was seeing a vampire.” Sebastian paused to take another sip of his blood, then daubed his lips with a napkin. “She never told me who. They may not know about her death either.”

“Charlotte would never date a vampire,” Lucien rasped. “Our folks never would have approved, nor would anyone in our town. Hell, if they even knew about her being here in Nevermourn, they’d have forbidden her from ever coming back.”

“Yes, I’m well aware. That’s why she made sure her blood consent forms were protected under their Medical Act so her folks could never access them. Even if the Supernatural Council came here demanding my files, I would be under no legal obligation to hand them over so long as my signature is on their forms. Doctor, client privilege.”

“I guess she had things all figured out,” Castor said.

“Don’t worry, Lucien. I understand your apprehensions about me and my kind.” Sebastian’s brows dipped in a frown as he rose from his table. “We’re not the bloodthirsty monsters your council makes us out to be.”

Guilt weighed heavily in his heart when he thought of his impressions of Sebastian. Their families were stuck in their ways. Lucien recalled horror tales kids used to share about vampire serial killers slaughtering innocent people. Even his mom used to tuck him in each night, whispering not to let the vampires bite in the night.

“Is there somewhere Lucien can wait while we discuss matters more privately?” Castor asked. “I don’t want to frighten him with the blood.”

“Blood?” Lucien’s eyes widened as he grasped his friend’s arm tightly. “Are you sure about this?”

“I’ve done this plenty of times before, Lucien. I swear, I’ll be okay. You can trust Sebastian too. He won’t hurt me.”

As much as Lucien wanted to believe him, he wouldn’t let him go under some vampire’s fangs alone.

“Then I’m donating my blood with you,” Lucien declared.