Page 51 of Only Fangs

“He’ll assume you’re nervous because you’re not used to vampire high-society, what with the whole coming from the back-arse of nowhere thing. He’ll assume that’s why he doesn’t know you. It’s perfect.”

“It’s suicide.”

“Don’t be melodramatic.”

“But—” My protestations die on my lips when I see the pleading look on her face. “OK, let’s do it.”

Have I just agreed to meet with actual Andrei Hele and pretend to be an actual vampire?

What the fuck is wrong with me?

This woman is going to be the death of me.

Chapter 27

Ari

At ten past five, only minutes after Brody has left for the day, the sound of my doorbell trills through the flat. Someone is obviously leaning their whole weight against it. Ivan.

“Come in,” I say as I open the door.

“Jeez, this place is…” he makes a face as he gives himself a tour, wrinkling his nose as he takes in the highlights of the flat.

“It’s a shit hole. This is why you’re never invited over.”

“Thank god.”

“But yet, you’re here…” I wait for him to explain the purpose of his visit.

Instead he goes into the kitchen. I hear some swearing under his breath and the clinking of glass. He emerges with two gin and tonics and hands me one. “Clara told me you’re going after some of that sweet vampire funding for Only Fangs.”

“Clara is a gossip.” I literally only rang her half an hour ago to confirm that Brody and I would meet her dad.

“She is.” He nods a few times. “But you, young lady, are a halfwit.” He puts his hand on his hip and shifts his weight to the other leg. He stares at me.

“Bit mean.”

“You do realise your man is a normie?”

“Of course I do.” I narrow my eyes at him. “I told you that the other night at the Cloisters”

“You did?” He shrugs. “I don’t remember.”

“So how do you know?”

“Matt told me.”

“Oh.” I guess that makes sense.

“Are you seriously going to take him to Andrei and try to pass him off as a fucking vampire?”

“Umm…”

“You can’t lie to Andrei.”

“Not lie. Just, you know, bend the truth a little bit. You know what he’s like, he won’t even ask. He’ll just assume Brody is a vampire and think nothing more of it. He’ll barely even register his existence.”

Ivan pauses, his stare growing more intense. “You’re right.” Then he grins. “This could work you know. It’s basically using his own prejudice against him. He dislikes humans so much he’d never assume you’d want to work with one.”