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“It really doesn’t affect you?”

“Nope. I’ve had a packet recently, anyway.” She shrugged. “Typically, unless someone is bleeding out all over the place, we’re unaffected because we feed throughout the day. Some of us have difficulties with large amounts of blood, but even then, some Vasirian have no issue. Usually, they work in the health sector. Like Mera. She’s working toward a bachelor’s in Health Science.”

It made sense when she stopped to think about it. If the Vasirian walked around humans every day in town, how would they handle blood lust every time they passed a woman on her cycle, or a kid with a knee injury from a bike accident?

“I need tampons. I have a box in the top of my closet. I didn’t know how to get there from here when Lukas wouldn’t leave.”

“Why didn’t you ask him to grab you the box?”

The flush of humiliation heated her face. “In my world, we don’t tell guys when it’s going on. We just don’t.”

Riley nodded dubiously and went to the door. “I’ll be right back.” She unlocked the door and left the bathroom. Lukas started questioning her as soon as she opened the door.

After several minutes, the door opened again and Riley stepped inside, calling back to Lukas, “I told you she’s fine. No, you can’t come in.”

“Does he know?”

“No. But he’s really worried.”

Riley set the box on the counter. Blaire picked it up and looked at her.

“I’ll just…” Riley motioned toward the door. “I’ll get you fresh clothes.” She left the bathroom.

When Blaire finished cleaning up and sorting herself, she called Riley back into the bathroom. She came in carrying a pair of blue plaid cotton pants and a loose white t-shirt. Blaire made quick work of removing her stockings and her uniform shirt and tie, pulling the t-shirt over her head before slipping on a pair of fresh panties under her skirt.

She had just dropped her skirt when she froze as Lukas stepped through the doorway.

“Oh, come on. I told you not to come in,” Riley said, heading toward Lukas to push him out of the room.

“I couldn’t hear anything. I need to know she’s alright.”

“She told you alrea—Hey!”

Lukas shoved past Riley and stared at Blaire. “What the fuck is that?” The concern on his face when he first entered the bathroom contorted into a mask of fury.

Blaire followed his gaze to her thighs, then snatched the pants off the counter and pulled them on.

“Did he do that to you?” Lukas spat, his jaw tightening, the vein at his temple on display.

“What?”

“Did your stepbrother do that?” Lukas flung his hands toward her bruises, exasperated.

Blaire’s gaze snapped to Riley, who looked away. She told Lukas.

Blaire narrowed her eyes. “How could you tell him? I told you that in confidence.” Her voice shook. She didn’t know if anger or hurt fueled her questions. Likely both.

Lukas stepped away from them to pace the corner of the bathroom, both hands on the back of his head as he muttered under his breath. She hoped he was trying to calm down.

“I’m sorry… I thought I was helping,” Riley whispered, bringing Blaire’s attention back to her.

“How does that help?” Blaire crossed her arms over her chest and pressed her lips flat.

“He’s your pair… Aiden’s your friend… I thought—”

“Aiden knows?”

Riley flinched.