Page 64 of Twice Bitten

As interesting as all of this was, they’d said nothing helpful yet. “You know about my attack.”

Tiegan nodded. “Yes, and we know you’re experiencing…side effects.”

I froze. The morning I climbed out of their window, I wasn’t experiencing anything except some pain from the injury. How did Tiegan know what was happening to me? “Are you spying on me?”

Heather snorted. “You work in a coffee shop where witches are regulars. Did you not think one of us would see you making googly eyes at someone’s neck?”

I winced. And here I was thinking I’d played it off just fine. No Oscars in my future, I guess.

“I didn’t bite her,” I grumbled.

“No,” Tiegan said quietly. “And it’s a good thing you didn’t.”

She sighed and sank into one of the chairs. “Hybrids are rare in our world. Do you know why?”

“Um. Because most people don’t get caught between two creatures in an alley and almost get stabbed to death?”

Macy snorted. “True. Idiot.”

“Do you have a problem with me?” I snapped.

Macy’s eyes flashed. “As a matter of fact, I do.” She started to come closer, but Heather waved her hand and Macy stopped mid-step.

“Let go of me,” she growled.

Heather shook her head. “Alex’s circumstances are due to birth. If you can’t treat her with some respect, then you need to leave.” The witch’s face turned grave. “And if you do decide to leave, we will discuss your future with this coven at a later time.”

Macy’s eyes widened. Her jaw clenched, and I thought she might leave anyway until she gave Heather one sharp nod.

Heather watched her for a moment longer before releasing her hold. “You made the right decision.”

From Macy’s dark look, she wasn’t sure she agreed.

Sighing, Tiegan rubbed her hand over her face. “Any other side effects we need to know about?”

I told her about my rare steak cravings and pulled the wolf necklace out from under my shirt. “Someone gave me this.” They didn’t need to know who.

Heather leaned forward and studied the pendant. “Straightforward and simple magic. Does it help?”

I nodded.

“Good. Keep it. I sense no hidden spells. Someone must have brought it to you in good faith, though it’s concerning that they know what’s going on with you. Have you spoken to anyone about your attack?”

I shook my head. Addy could take care of herself, but I wouldn’t voluntarily get her involved in this if I could avoid doing so.

“And has the vampire side calmed down now you have this pendant?” Tiegan asked.

“Before, some people looked and smelled delicious. Some don’t.” I had no idea what triggered the blood craving, but the urge wasn’t always there now. Whether it was the pendant helping or my body adjusting to what happened to me, I didn’t know.

“Every vamp has their preferred blood type,” Tiegan said. “If you don’t feel the urge all the time, maybe yours is a rarer kind.” She stepped closer and peered into my eyes. “Are you feeling fatigued or anything like that?”

I shook my head. “Right after everything happened, yes. But not anymore. Just hungry at inopportune times.”

She grunted. “Alright. We might be able to help. If you’d stuck around, we could have done this earlier. Maybe even headed off some of these unfortunate side effects.”

“Considering I didn’t know why you’d taken me, and I woke up in a strange bed and house, I thought it best to get out first, ask questions later.”

Tiegan nudged Heather. “Told you we should have left a note or something.”