Page 45 of Magic and Muffins

I huffed a sigh. “You make it really difficult to stay mad at you when you say sweet things like that.”

He chuckled and kissed my nose.

“Actually, I’m very surprised you know vampire hunters exist.”

“Pfft. Before I crash-landed into your cave, I thought vampires were more mythical than real. That didn’t stop certain hunters from chasing them as obsessively as Vena chases treasure. We met a few in passing through her connections. I thought they were crazy.”

“Like Vena,” Cross murmured.

I poked his side lightly.

“For believing in something that regular people didn’t know was real,” I clarified. “But now everyone knows, thanks to Orphia’s videos. Those vampire hunters will look to fulfill their life’s ambitions.

“I don’t mind that Orphia put her face out there, but I don’t like the idea of you doing the same. How will people differentiate between a good vampire and a bad one?”

“We’ll find out. Sounds like Hugh wants us to go to the studio tomorrow.”

Shepard hung up and turned toward us.

“You make a good point,” he said, proving he’d also been listening to our conversation too. Or at least partially. “And I think that should be the point of tomorrow’s segment—how I figured out Cross wasn’t bad.”

“Can you do that without Cross showing his face? You know he needs anonymity to stay safe.”

Shepard smiled slightly as his gaze swept over me in Cross’ arms.

“He does, but not for his safety. For yours. Since you’re staying here with Cross, I won’t risk protesters showing up at his door.”

“That’s unlikely to happen,” Cross said. “I’ve already sold the business to Vena. Everything is legally in her name.”

“You what?” I demanded, pulling back from him.

He quickly kissed my forehead and released me. “Let me explain. I would have rather put it in your name, but she and I agreed it was better to put it in hers so nothing could be traced back to you if my involvement in the business is discovered.”

I wanted to say she’d only done it for the money, but I knew better. When it came to her love for me and her love for money, I knew I would win. She’d do anything for me, including putting her name on everything so I could safely remain a silent partner. I was more than her best friend, and she was more than mine.

Grabbing my phone, I sent Vena a text.

Me: I know what you did. Sisters by choice. Sisters for life.

She sent back a crying emoji followed by hearts.

“Aren’t you worried she’ll sell the place once it’s profitable?” I heard Shepard ask.

“She won’t,” I said. “This is our dream, and she won’t forget who made it possible. Vena is loyal to a fault. It gets her into trouble more times than not, but she won’t abandon anyone she considers her people. Ever.”

I went to Shepard and took his hand. “Please don’t do anything that will end with either of you two hurt. Hugh’s job is to keep the peace between the racesfor the benefit of humans. Not for wolves and vampires. Don’t forget that.”

Shepard wrapped me in a hug.

“Hugh isn’t Effora. He won’t sacrifice everyone around him to benefit himself or the people he works for. He understands the dangers of alienating the wolves. We’re the only line of defense against the vampires.”

“Maybe you were centuries ago,” Cross said. “But the world has changed. Humans have evolved. Their technology has evened the playing field enough that my kind can’t hunt as freely as they used to. Why else would Orphia want to open the portals?”

I felt Shepard sigh before he kissed the top of my head and released me to look into my eyes. “He’s a bit of an ego killer. Are you sure you need to love him?”

“You know you’re starting to love me, too,” Cross said from behind me.

Smiling, I stood on my toes to kiss Shepard on his lips.

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