“So what’s a bloodfiend?”
Claire told her. Everything.
“Oh, Claire. Isn’t there any help for him?”
“There’s no cure. The condition is super rare, but it’s genetic. I know another bloodfiend who comes into Slake It Off sometimes, and it’s hard on him too, but…I think it’s worse for Tai. I don’t know why, maybe age. This other vampire is a couple centuries old.”
“Whoa,” Ember whispered. “I remember you saying he remarked on odors once or twice in a way that made you think he was extra odor-sensitive. And when I started dating Aaron, I thought, well, if they do get together, we won’t be able to double date if Tai can’t handle the scent of a wolf.”
Claire had nearly forgotten that old clue. He hadn’t mentioned it often. Ember, on the other hand, clearly forgot nothing Claire said. Ever.
Still sounding softer than her usual self, Ember said, “What about therapy? Coping skills? I know you said it’s physical, not psychological, but it could still help to talk through his experience with somebody.”
Despite the weight on her chest, Claire chuckled. “Who are you, and what have you done with Ember Reed?”
“I’ve taken Ember Reed and her inner little girl to a really great therapist,” Ember said. “And you know it’s changed my life.”
“I do, and I’m glad.” Claire wished they weren’t separated by hundreds of miles. For a conversation like this one, she wished they could sit together on her couch. “Maybe the other bloodfiend I know goes to therapy; I have no idea. But I think he can help Tai, even if all they do is compare notes so Tai isn’t alone with this. I gave Tai his number—with his permission, of course.”
“Oh, good. Sounds like a good first step for Tai.”
“I hope so.”
“Claire, you told me how it is for him, living as a bloodfiend. How is it foryou, dating one?”
“It isn’t his fault,” Claire said, maybe too fast.
“No, I get that.”
“It’s…” Tears sprang to her eyes. Where was this coming from? She blinked hard, but a few fell anyway. “I think he’s been in pain for a really long time. I don’t think he’s told me everything yet.”
Ember didn’t respond for a minute. At last she said, “How do you feel about it?”
“I hate it.” More tears. Shoot. “I hate it, Ember. I can’t fix it for him. I can’t keep him from hurting. I’m falling in love with him and I can’t help him.”
Ember stayed quiet while Claire swiped at her tears, buried the rest of them. Then she said, “You’ve already helped him. You gave him that other vampire’s number. You talked him throughthe—the episode or whatever it was—after the highway accident. And you didn’t throw him away, Claire, when he obviously thought you would. You’re staying with him through this. All of that sounds like really great ways to help.”
“Staying with him is easy,” Claire said. “He’s so worth it. He’s so…so smart and musical and kind and organized and the hottest kisser on the planet.”
Ember burst out laughing. “Everything you ever wanted in a man. Kind, organized, and a hot kisser.”
“Don’t forget musical.”
“I’d be taking you to task if you were staying for his sake over yours. He’s got to make your life better, not worse—otherwise you dump his butt.”
“You know I would.”
“That said, though, for someone who deals with shame, it’s a big thing when a person finds out about their struggle and then stays.”
“Oh,” Claire said. She’d known that, yet somehow she’d missed the application to Tai. “That’s true. Thanks.”
“I was right,” Ember said with a little chuckle. “All this time, I was right. You two just needed a ridiculous amount of time to get your acts together.”
They really had. Claire could wish he’d told her sooner, wish she’d been ready to listen sooner. But maybe their timing was meant to be. Ember’s wolf pack would call it fate.
“I know it’s only been a few weeks,” Ember said, “but you sound extremely serious about him. Or should I sayeternallyserious?”
“Maybe not. He says he can’t be bloodbound.” Claire couldn’t hold back the wince as she said it.
