She nodded, her eyes glittering in the lab’s spotlights. “It’s crazy. But then again, maybe that’s who I am. The crazy cat lady in love with the vampire.”

He swept her into his arms and spun her around, kissing her face as she laughed. “That’s exactly who I want you to be.”

“Put me down, you’re making me dizzy.”

He set her feet on the floor and kissed her again for good measure.

She gently pushed him away with her hands on his shoulders. “Why did you tell me all that about the amulet?”

He looked around. “You asked what I do down here. There was no way to answer you truthfully without the rest of it coming out. My work down here has been a struggle to find a formula that would take the place of the amulets.”

“But why? If you have them, why do you need something else?”

“Because since Alice created them, my grandmother has used them to bend us to her will. Sebastian would very much like to leave Nocturne Falls and hunt for his estranged wife, but my grandmother refuses to grant him permission, threatening to have Alice revoke the amulet’s magic if he does.”

“There are other witches in town. Have one of them make you a new amulet.”

“If only it were that easy. Alice’s magic is something more than what modern witches have.” He raked a hand through his hair. “When my grandmother saved her from death in Salem, Alice somehow managed to harness the souls of her sisters murdered before her. Those souls strengthened her as if she had the power of ten witches instead of one, and she channeled those souls into the magic of the amulets.”

Shock brightened Delaney’s eyes. “That’s some serious magic.”

“Exactly.”

“I can imagine you also wouldn’t want to tell another witch either, because like you said, the amulets are a source of vulnerability.” She frowned. “What would happen if someone were to yank that off you while you’re standing in the sun? Would you really burn up like vampires do in books and movies?”

An image of the one vampire he’d seen face the dawn filled his head. “If I could not find cover, I would burn to ashes in a matter of minutes.”

She covered her mouth with her hand. “That’s horrifying.”

“Indeed. Not something I’d like to experience.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

He smiled, her willingness gift enough. “No, my darling. I have collected and studied every text that holds even the slightest hint of promise. Someday I will unlock the secret.”

“Baking is kind of like science. You never know, I might be able to help.”

A new urge to kiss her arose. “This is not so much science as it is part alchemy and part witchcraft. Not that I am so talented in either, but I’ve taught myself a great deal over the years.”

“Thank you for confiding in me. For trusting me.” She walked around the closest work table, studying the things laid out on it and trailing her fingers around the edge as she made the loop back to him. “We’re both still hungry and my food will be here soon. You should feed. It’s what we came down here for.”

“Yes.” Doing this in front of her went against his grain, but the time for protesting was over. He went to move past her, gesturing toward the far bank of cabinets. “I need to get to that refrigeration unit.”

She hopped up onto the work table and propped her foot on the one across from it, blocking his path. “No, you don’t.”

“If I’m going to feed, I do.”

She swept her hair over to one shoulder, and color flooded her cheeks. “You have a source right here.”

Heat rushed through him in such a surge he saw stars. He’d already had a taste of her when she’d pricked her finger on his fang, but to drink from her…that wasn’t something he could allow. He was in love with her, and any vampire who drank from the mortal they loved risked hurting that mortal. He refused to put her in that precarious position. “No, absolutely not—”

“Why? Will it turn me into a vampire?”

“That’s not how it works.”

“Well, how would I know? You haven’t explained that part to me.”

“It takes three bites on consecutive nights to turn a mortal into a vampire. Two to make a rook. One has no effect.”

“Which explains why the world isn’t overrun with you fanged types.”

“Yes.” Her leg still blocked his path. “Now if you’ll excuse me—”

“Will it hurt? I’m not afraid. Just curious.”

“I’m not biting you.”

She made a face, her voice carrying a teasing tone. “Is it because your fangs aren’t sharp enough?”

“You know my fangs are perfectly—you can’t prod me into this, Delaney.”

She leaned in, close enough to kiss. “Are you afraid you won’t be able to stop?”

Terrified. “Delaney, I’m not doing this.”

“Then what?”

How did he explain the spell her blood would weave over him? The way he would come to crave her more and more. The way he would be unable to think of anything but drinking from her until she had nothing left to offer. If he didn’t physically exhaust her first. Then turning her would be the only way to save her. “Because of the risk involved.”

“I already know. I might not survive the turning.”