Chapter 2Blood Lies and Cherry Pies

Grandma always said my stomach was a black hole and that it was a miracle I was never kidnapped as a kid by someone offering me candy.

Ethan worries I'll starve. Even though I'm in college and only home on weekends, he stocks the fridge and pantry until they're literally overflowing.

But when I got home today, something felt wrong.

Ethan wasn't here.

Arthur, our housekeeper, said Ethan was feeling unwell and had gone to "that place" to rest.

"That place" is the one room he’s forbidden me from entering. Every full moon, he holes up in there to "recover" until it's over.

Ugh. With Ethan gone, even the snack cabinet was empty.

Night fell.

I’d eaten dinner, but I was still starving and couldn't sleep. Around midnight, I snuck into the kitchen looking for a snack.

The fridge was totally empty.

Except for the refrigerated drawer...

It was meticulously organized with Ethan’s "rations"—animal blood bags, all neatly labeled by type.

I picked up a bag labeled 'O-Negative.' I swallowed, my mouth watering.

No! Cici, bad! That’s Ethan’s food!

But… he always makes it look so delicious when he drinks it…

...I mean, just one sip?

Curiosity and hunger defeated my conscience. I tore open a corner of the bag and took a huge swig.

It was... sweet. And rich. And... fruity.

Like overripe cherry juice...

Wait.

Sweet?!

I didn't believe it. I took another massive gulp.

I was 100% sure.

This wasn't blood plasma. This was high-fructose cherry juice.