Page 3 of Victory for Vampires

Somehow, all I seem to notice is that Main Street seems full of couples. There’s the centaur pair crossing the opposite direction, smiling and waving at me. Two shifters sit on the sidewalk outside of Scoops, licking melty ice cream cones. And then, of course, agroupof couples are leaving my coffee shop, Higher Grounds.

Couples don’t usually bother me. Seeinglovedoesn’t usually bother me. But lately, the age-old ache to havesomeoneis more persistent. My brother, Alessandro, says it’s homesickness, that I simply miss Azuro, our home haven. But I know my melancholy isn’t a result of that. Home is where he and I are with Valentina. And it has been far too long since we’ve seen her.

Ever recently welcomed three new residents—human women—called here by our Keeper. Almost immediately, all three found monster mates within Ever’s wards.

I’m jealous. That’s my issue. My mate walks a different path from mine. I’d never pull her from her dreams and ambitions. Alessandro and I had our own dreams, which is why we came to Ever. But I’d like the day to come when Fate aligns our paths together into one, twining us into a tangled but permanent three-way knot. It has to happen eventually. I have to believe that.

Lost in thought, I don’t notice I’m at the door to the coffee shop until Higher Grounds swings it open for me.

“Thoughtful girl,” I murmur to my store, rubbing the door frame with an elbow to let her know I’m appreciative. The tiny bell above the door dings, announcing my presence.

My employee, Carolya, smiles at me, rounding the counter to take the blooms from my arms.

“Busy morning, Boss!” she chirps, translucent pixie wings fluttering at her back. Like all pixies, her primary job is to work in the pixie dust factory in the Community Garden. That dust powers Ever’s protective wards—it’s highly important work. I’m lucky to steal her for a few shifts per week.

I glance around the coffee shop. As always, when Carolya’s working, it’s spic and span. Everything is refilled, clean, and working properly.

“I wish you could teach Alessandro a thing or two about your process,” I tease. Except it’s not really a joke. We both know Alé might be the charmer of the two of us, but neat and tidy he isnot.

Carolya snorts. “Good thing you’ve got me here to sort it out. The espresso machine was sputtering and spewing everywhere when I arrived.”

I grin, patting her shoulder, careful not to touch her anywhere that might seem inappropriate. “Indeed, friend. Thank the gods for your assistance.”

She beams, cheeks blushing pink, before turning from me. I trail her behind the counter, where she sets the flowers down and begins separating the giant bouquet into three smaller ones. One for the pickup counter, another for the front entryway, and one I’ll take upstairs to Alé.

As she works, the steady thrum of Carolya’s blood, the way it eddies and swirls through her veins, calls my fangs. She’s always relaxed here at work, her heartbeat the same fast thud as all the pixies. Around us, our patrons’ conversations reachmy ears, overwhelming my senses with scents and whispered sweet nothings. It all serves to drag my mind back to what I was thinking about when I left Fleur.

Movement catches my attention. The ceiling tiles are rippling, cascading outward from a delicate chandelier in the middle of the space.

Carolya chuckles. “The shop likes your new bouquet, Pietro. Well done. The blood-colored roses are a nice touch.”

I smile, patting the countertop lovingly.

No, I don’t miss Azuro. I love Ever, and I love Higher Grounds.

I miss Valentina. I hope whatever—or whoever—she’s doing, she’s happy and having fun.

3

ALESSANDRO

“How long will you be in town for?” I grin at Valentina’s hologram, hovering above the communication disk on the floor.

She lifts her chin, eyes moving upward as she considers my question. When she returns her gaze to me, her grin is wickedly sensual. “At least a week, perhaps two. What do you think, Alé? It will be good to see each other, even if we aren’t hiding away in a tiny haven on the edge of nowhere.”

Her words are a match striking the tinder of my lust. That last visit where we holed up in a room and didn’t come out? It was everything for Pietro and me.

“Stay forever,” I growl, reaching down to adjust my erection.

Her expression softens. “I can’t do that. I’ve just been given this huge project. If I can do this, I’ll be able to ask her to make me Chief Haven Designer.”

Pride tempers my lustful thoughts, and I smile at her, crossing my arms over my chest to highlight how fit they are. “You’ve been working toward this for a very long time, my sweet. I’m proud of you. And I have the utmost confidence.”

Her cheeks blush slightly pink. “I need you, Alé,” she whispers. “I miss you both terribly.”

“Good.” I reach down and rub my hand down the length of my erect cock. “Come get a taste quickly, my love. We’ll be ready the moment you are.”

Twin fangs descend from her upper jaw, poking at her plump lower lip.

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