Molly Harper - 07 Peace Blood And Understanding by Molly Harper

Author:Molly Harper [Harper, Molly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781501151385
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Gallery Books
Published: 2019-10-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

There will be times when your moral strength will be tested. Those tests will usually involve past temptations or unhealthy behavior patterns or someone who really, really annoys you.

—Peace, Blood, and Understanding: A Living Guide for Vampires Embracing Pacifism Sometimes even someone who intentionally and unflinchingly looks on the bright side of life has a bad freaking day. I had hit the bottom of my emotional resources. I was tapped out. I didn’t want to open the shop, because I was pretty sure it still smelled like burned paper and ass-waffles. And I certainly didn’t want to stay home, where I was playing a constant mental loop of my argument with Luke.

So I was working at the archives, because it could give me the busywork I needed to keep my brain and hands occupied. I cleared the tiny pile of data that needed to be filed. I pulled old files and delivered them to my coworkers’ desks as ordered. I kept my head down and didn’t talk to anyone. I should have known it would be noticed eventually.

“Hey, Meadow, I have something for you,” Sammy said as I passed by his coffee stand on the main floor. The combination mini–coffee counter and deli was one of Jane’s “just because it makes employees happy” efforts in the Council facility. So I chose to find it charming, even if the smell of Sammy’s lovingly constructed turkey-and-avocado sandwich specials made me feel a little vomit-y.

“Hey, Sam. What’s up?”

“Nothing much.” He smiled and handed me a to-go coffee cup that smelled of peppermint and sweet donor blood. “You just seem really down. I thought you could use a pick-me-up.”

That dry well of emotion in my heart seemed to refill just a tiny bit, like a reverse Grinch. “That’s really sweet, Sammy.”

“Now, I know you don’t drink coffee. That’s why I used peppermint tea and Faux Type O and Hershey’s Blood Additive and the nonfood creamer. I know it’s nothing like the stuff you make. It’s not specially designed for your chi or anything, but I thought you might like it.”

My eyes actually started to film over with cold tears at Sammy’s gesture. But because our tears were mixed in with just a little bit of blood, I sniffed and did everything I could to not let them fall. (Blood tears were very off-putting to humans unless coming from some sort of religious figurine.) “Thank you.”

I was starting to sip from the cup when Sammy said, “Oh, wait, look at it before you drink.”

I laughed and removed the lid. On the surface, Sammy had used chocolate and nondairy, nonfood creamer to draw a little kittencorn done in perfect chibi style, complete with whiskers and a swirling unicorn horn. “This is amazing.”

“I know how much you like Chloe’s shirts, so I thought you’d get a kick out of it.”

“Thank you, Sammy.” I stood on my tippy-toes to kiss his cheek. He did smell of candy. Stupid sensible friend zone and my own clear emotional inability to maintain an adult relationship.

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