Nora's POV
The receptionist's smile vanishes the moment I approach her desk. She's new, not the same woman from my last visit, but her eyes widen with unmistakable fear. I wonder if Phoenix has my picture plastered around the building with warnings that I'm some kind of threat. The black cat in my arms probably doesn't help my case either.
"Hi there," I say cheerfully, letting Mack leap onto her desk. "I'm here to see my brother Phoenix. You can tell him his little sister Nora King wants to chat, or I can just walk right in and surprise him. We haven't seen each other in ages, and I know he'll be thrilled."
My bright smile does nothing to ease her panic. Her hand creeps toward something under the desk, probably an emergency button designed specifically for situations involving vampires and troublesome family members like me.
