Page 33 of Victory for Vampires

Alé joins us, handing us both a glass of champagne. “She’s going to want us later.” He rubs at his chest. “She’s so hyped with excitement for today.”

Nodding, I turn and nip at the dark elf hovering by my side. Turns out wethoroughlyenjoyed him. So much so that we’ve invited him to join us on many occasions. I think he’s Valentina’s favorite plaything, and he adores being used by her.

Glancing around, I take in the huge crowd standing in front of the former empty building. Now it’s dark but shiny and new. A huge, elegant white-lettered sign announces it as Grand PortalStation. Rows of armed gargoyles and minotaurs stand in front of the building with Evenia, Valentina and her team.

A giant red ribbon is stretched across vaulted double doors into the new haven.

Evenia clears her throat into a microphone, and the gathered beings fall silent.

The haven system’s original designer stands tall and haughty at the front of the crowd. “Welcome, monsterhood.” Her voice is powerful, carrying a strength that belies just how ancient she is.

She opens her arms wide. “Welcome to Grand Portal Station. Monsters have long asked for an easier way to travel between havens. But safety came first, and we never had a good solution that would keep safety in mind. But—” she turns to Valentina, “—my Chief Haven Designer, Valentina, came up with a brilliant idea. The culmination of that idea is what we’ve invited you to see today.”

I’m a little surprised at her kind words. Evenia’s never been known for that. Alé, Valentina and I even joked this morning that Evenia would likely demand to cut the red ribbon.

I’m further surprised when Evenia drones on for a few minutes but hands a pair of giant scissors to Valentina. My mate’s beautiful ruby eyes find us in the crowd, our bond full of love, pride, and shock.

“You’ve got this,” I whisper, knowing she can feel my adoration through the bond.

Alé sends his wonder and awe of her along our connection, and I smile.

We’re here. Finally. After centuries of painful longing, after centuries of never being able to sleep in the same bed for more than a few days at a time.

Valentina takes the scissors and turns to the carved black wood doors. Monsters of every species are represented. It’s abeautiful testament to the new world this project opens up for us.

I hold my breath as she cuts the ribbon and it flutters down onto the ground. A gargoyle female steps forward and takes the scissors. Valentina grasps the door handles and pulls them wide, revealing a protective ward surface.

The crowd erupts into murmurs and whispers as she turns and smiles broadly at us. “Come on in, please!” With that, she turns and disappears through the portal’s surface and into the building.

It takes a few minutes for the entire crowd to traverse the portal into the enormous, cavernous room on the other side.

“Holy fuck,” Alé gasps out. “A million mockups couldn’t do this justice.”

I reach for his hand as I stare around the room. A glass ceiling above gives the impression of sunny, beautiful skies. I know from talking with Valentina that the sky’s weather will change all the time. It’ll be beautiful to be inside this building at sunset.

White stone walls are carved with frescos representing the havens that helped provide feedback for the portal station. All along the oval outline, green portal doors gleam and shine.

Evenia climbs on top of a small stage and grabs a microphone. “Welcome to Grand Portal Station! If you’d like to take a short trip to any other haven, they are all represented by the portals in this room. We encourage you to take a quick visit.”

The room grows loud with excited monsters. Many disappear through portal doors with visible excitement. Between every portal door are small shops—cafés, restaurants, newsstands, gift shops, and more.

Valentina appears at my side and slips her hand through the crook of my elbow. “Wanna see it?”

Excitement fills me.

“Absolutely,” I say on a growl. Tugging a smiling Alé with us, I follow my mate to the far end of Grand Portal Station. The far end isn’t completely finished, but Evenia didn’t want to delay the grand opening.

We pause in front of an unopened café. A sign at the top reads “Higher Grounds.”

“It’s beautiful,” Diavolo whispers, having followed us.

Valentina beams at him, then looks at Alé and me. “I know you’ll want to be here a lot as you get close to opening, but I wanted to show you how much progress we’ve made on your plans.”

Evenia got strict the closer to opening day they got. Alé and I weren’t even allowed to visit our second location for fear of something being leaked to the public. So, Valentina has been managing our build for the last few weeks.

“Want to see inside?” she asks, tickling Alé on the side.

“Hells yes,” I bark out.

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