Our bodies rested in a state of cooled comfort. Although vampires didn’t sleep, we relished periods of rest, especially to recover from vigorous activities. I looked over at Caleb. His eyes were closed, and his body was cold. A few months ago, the icy feel of his skin would have freaked me out. Now I knew the fluctuations of his body temperature were normal. He looked exquisite, a mark of pure perfection, resting on the silk tufted bed adjacent to his luxurious bathroom.

I walked down the long, crimson corridor that led to his open concept living room. It was wide and expansive, with black accents and tall, wide UV protected windows. I looked out over the vista of the Hollywood Hills below us and smiled. It was almost daybreak, and I felt the need for some fresh air. Not wanting to interrupt Caleb’s rest, I headed out the front door and down the narrow, curving road towards Natalie’s Tuscan-styled mansion.

When I was almost to Natalie’s house, I saw that her front gate was open, and her porch light was on. I headed to the patio door, which led straight into the kitchen. Inside, I could already see Natalie mixing her organic greens into a frothy smoothie. Her honey blonde hair was coiled up in a bun, and she looked glamourous and unfussy in her silk pajamas. When I opened the door, Natalie jumped.

“My God, Abby. Don’t scare me like that!”

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I just didn’t expect you back this early in the morning.”

“And you never miss a chance to sleep in. What’s up?” I fixed my hair in the hallway mirror, trying to look less rumpled and a bit more put together.

“More like, what’s going on with you? I hardly see you anymore. Does Caleb Crane lock you in his dungeon at night?”

“Natalie.” I hesitated a moment before continuing. “You’ve known me for a long time, and we’ve been best friends since high school. We can tell each other everything, right?”

“Of course.” Natalie twirled a loose tendril of her hair as she absentmindedly stirred her smoothie with a stainless-steel straw.

I wanted to tell her everything. She didn’t even know that I’d transformed. It made me sick to my stomach to hide something so big from her. I started to speak when Natalie slid into one of the tulip chairs next to her table and sighed.

“I broke up with Ansel again.”

“Oh?”

“It was just creepy being with a vampire. I mean, at first, I thought it was cool and edgy. But the novelty wore off really quickly. I mean, I don’t know how you do it with Crane. Doesn’t it gross you out? Vampires are so shady.”

I leaned back against the cool, marble countertop of the kitchen island and bit my lip. So much for Natalie being open-minded. This was a secret I’d have to keep for now, or risk losing my best friend.

“So, what do you need to tell me?” Her gaze raised and she looked at me expectantly.

I shifted on my feet, and tried to think up something fast. An image of Reina flashed across my mind.

“Oh, it’s just that I saw this woman, Reina, getting into Caleb’s Maserati yesterday at the studio. I was far away, but I’m sure it was her. I’d recognize her long blonde hair anywhere.”

“Long blonde hair? That’s half the women in LA. Maybe it was one of his assistants picking up his dry cleaning.” Natalie wrinkled her brow.

“No, I’m sure it was Reina.”

Natalie twirled her hair in-between her fingers. “Then again, never trust a vampire. Too many secrets.”

“Yeah,” I gulped. “It’s complicated. Caleb introduced me to her when she was at his pool awhile back. They used to be…together.”

“Together?” Natalie’s eyes widened. “What did he say?”

“He brushed it off like it didn’t matter.”

“Maybe it didn’t matter,” Natalie took a long swig of her green smoothie. “All that really matters is whether or not you trust Crane. Do you trust him?”

I thought back to how Caleb had rescued me from my nightmare in the shower. How he’d been able to make me feel safe when I needed him the most.

“I do trust him.”

“Well, good. Problem solved.” Natalie smiled and changed the subject to her favorite topic: herself. “Have you heard Caleb say anything about Ansel? I mean, has Ansel mentioned what happened right before we broke up?”

“No,” I shook my head. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Ugh! It’s so embarrassing, Abby. Ansel and I were fucking in my trailer on set, and someone busted us mid-thrust. Can you guess who?”

“I can’t even begin to imagine.”

“Mark Freaking Jessup.”

“Your ex-boyfriend?”

“Uh-huh.”

My eyes widened. “How did Ansel take to seeing him?”

Natalie shifted in her seat. Her shoulders stiffened, and her demeanor turned serious. “I’m not sure what Mark saw. I mean, nobody knows Ansel is a vampire.”

“I know, you know…” I started to say.

“I mean regular people in Hollywood,” she interrupted me. “Ansel is just getting his acting career back. He’s always lived in the shadow of his brother, Oliver Tate. If he is discovered and exposed for who he is, it will ruin him.” Her eyes moistened with tears, and she choked back her words. “Not to mention, it would ruin my career, too.”

“I’m so sorry Nat. What would have Mark seen that would have tipped him off? I mean, you two were having sex, and that’s it, right?”

Natalie blushed. “It was more than that. He likes to pierce with my neck with his fangs. You know, tease me with the thought of making me like him. Which I would never let him do, obviously.”

“Of course not.” I pressed my lips together. “Do you think Mark saw Ansel biting you?”

“It doesn’t matter. Ansel is furious and jealous.” Natalie paused. “Especially given my history with them both. I’m worried Ansel is going to hurt Mark.”

My eyes raised. Mark Jessup was the most bankable star in Hollywood. Natalie’s years-long affair with him had been the talk of the tabloids. He was as high-profile as a celebrity could be. If Ansel attacked Mark, it would be front page news.

“So, that’s why you broke up with Ansel? To keep him away from Mark?”

She shook her head. “I know, funny logic. I would never forgive myself if Ansel hurt Mark, or anyone else.”

“Right.” I gulped and closed my eyes. “I would hate for the Vampires of Hollywood to be exposed. They’ve been a secret society for so long.”

“They’d be crucified by the press. Can you imagine?” Natalie shook her head. “There’d be a civil war, and I’m not sure who would win.”

A pit formed in my stomach, and my head ached.

“You might want to distance yourself from Crane, Abby. I didn’t realize how dangerous and fucked up vampires are until I got in deeper with Ansel. You just moved to LA, and I don’t want to see you getting sucked into the wrong scene.”

“Caleb’s not like that. I trust him.”

“Bullshit,” Natalie said. “You just told me that you saw some hot chick getting into his car. Maybe they’re having an affair.”

“You just said it was probably innocent.”

“I can’t even with you, Abby.” Natalie shook her head. “Do what you want, but just be careful, okay?” Her voice softened.

“Of course. I’m a level-headed attorney, not some school-girl. I can take care of myself.”

“Caleb Crane is a force of nature, Abby.”

“I liked it when we were talking about your love life, Nat.” My brow arched. I was done hearing her half-baked advice, especially when her own love life was in shambles.

“That’s my favorite topic, too,” she grinned. “Let’s get dressed and hit that spa in Beverly Hills. You desperately need a mani-pedi…and a facial. You’re so pale. It’ll be my treat.”

“Natalie, you’re the best friend ever.”

She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “I’m glad you realize that.”