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enlightened being, and a part of the future, not the past.” This was a topic that could anger him like no other. Even Bane sensed it and stopped.
    Forks clinked against stone plates.
    â€œI heard at Central Council today,” Phlox finally said brightly, “that they’re thinking of adopting a new policy on coagulants.”
    â€œMmm,” Sebastian chimed in. “The trade in blood concentrates has been out of hand for some time. Three dealers were incinerated for it last week alone.”
    And just like that, conversation moved on. Oliver only half-listened. His mind kept coming back to either the doctor or Emalie, and both had him worried.
    Oliver had an easy time waking up the next evening, mainly because once again, he’d barely slept. He was up long before his alarm, tossing and turning in the late afternoon. When four o’clock finally arrived and the winter sun set, Oliver got up and set yet another lie into motion.
    Bane was still fast asleep. Phlox was bustling upstairs. Sebastian had left early for work. Oliver hurried up to the kitchen.
    Phlox was organizing dishes. The TV mounted to the wall was on and turned to a weather channel, where meteorologist Ken Tempest was reporting from a hurricane. His trench coat flapped in howling winds, yet his hair remained perfect. “The entire southern coast is absolutely in tatters,” he said seriously, yet with a trace of a smirk. “So far five deaths have been attributed to this storm.” Behind him, rain flew sideways, and palm trees bent almost to the ground. The report cut to a house being torn apart. Oliver watched with interest. Ken was a household favorite, since, unbeknownst to his human television employers, he was actually vampire. He always got the most exciting scoop on the biggest storms, and vampires always enjoyed a good human tragedy.
    â€œHi, Mom,” said Oliver.
    â€œHey, you’re up early.” Concern filled Phlox’s voice. “Trouble sleeping?”
    â€œNah,” Oliver lied, leaning on the center island but not sitting down.
    â€œOh.” Phlox seemed to relax. “The dreams then, huh?” She smiled. “Have you learned his name yet?”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œYour demon.” Phlox sounded as excited as his gossipy classmates sometimes got. “Do you know where he’s from?”
    â€œI—”
    â€œOh, never mind. It’s probably too soon,” said Phlox. “I’m sure the settings and images are still confusing.”
    â€œYeah,” said Oliver, trying to sound disappointed.
    â€œWell, in time—”
    â€œI have that study group before school,” Oliver blurted before Phlox said any more. “I told you.” He kept his eyes off her, picking a spot on the low cabinets and staring at it.
    â€œWhat study group?”
    â€œFor Multi-world Math.” Oliver knew Phlox rarely forgot one of his activities. This was risky, for sure.
    â€œAnd you told me when?” asked Phlox skeptically.
    â€œYesterday,” Oliver said quickly. “I mean, I thought I did. I was supposed to…I don’t want to go.”
    â€œWell…of course you should.” Phlox nodded firmly. “You need to take every opportunity to keep your grades up. Um…” She opened the fridge and reached for a blood bag. “Okay then, I can whip up something quick for breakfast, I guess.”
    â€œMom, I…I’m supposed to be there soon.” Oliver couldn’t stand the idea of sitting in the kitchen, eating beneath the weight of his lies.
    â€œAll right, here”—she rummaged into the cabinet and produced his herb pill—“take this, and this, while you walk.” She reached into the fridge for a large jar that held tarantulas in suspension. The spiders were flash-fried to keep their fluids and venom in, then dipped in chocolate. Tarantula venom helped with quick healing, which was important, because