by L. Danvers
I chewed on the tip of my thumbnail, taking in Julian and the blue and red hues shining through the window behind him. I wished I had a camera on me. I wanted to remember him like this forever. “Thank you,” I said sincerely, admiring the hazy glow the lights cast on him. “This is a dream come true.”
He laughed. “We haven’t even seen anything yet.”
I shrugged. “What can I say? I’m easy to please.”
“First time in the city?” the driver asked.
Julian shot a glance my way. I answered for us. “Yes. For me, at least.”
“What brought you here?”
“Oh,” I said, scratching the back of my neck. “I... wanted to get away for a while.” I gave Julian a wink.
“You couldn’t have picked a better place to escape to. I have to ask—I ask everyone who’s new to the city the same thing—what are you looking forward to most? The Empire State Building? The Statue of Liberty?”
“Actually, I’m dying to see The Museum of Modern Art.”
“Let me guess: you want to see The Starry Night.”
“How’d you know?”
“Eh, it’s what everyone says.”
I nodded. It made sense. It was my absolute favorite painting in the world. I’d dreamed of seeing it in person ever since I was a little girl. My dad had promised to take me one day... My shoulders fell. Being here without him was bittersweet. He was the one who was supposed to bring me here...
But I was determined not to allow the sad thoughts to seep in. I wouldn’t let them rob me of this experience. Because I was finally here. In New York. And I wanted to savor every second of it.
A while later, we reached the boutique hotel Julian had picked out for our visit. From the outside, it was fairly unassuming—a massive brick structure situated on a street corner.
But inside...
The inside could only be described as cozy sophistication—brick walls, rich leather seating and custom-made artwork filled the space. I sucked in a deep breath, relishing in the smells of vanilla and cinnamon wafting from the candles at the reception desk.
Julian placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me while I marveled at the beauty of this place. How on earth had he found a room here on such short notice? This place was a dream.
The clerk—a man with a small frame and large handlebar mustache—took Julian’s credit card and inserted it in the chip reader. I’d never seen one of those things until earlier in the day. The whole chip thing didn’t make any sense to me. It took longer than swiping the card did.
As we were waiting for the card to be approved, an enchanting melody drifted from down the hall. The tune was mesmerizing. Heart-wrenching, even. I glanced over my shoulder, searching for the source.
“Ahh. That’s the live piano,” the clerk—Sebastian, according to his gold-plated name tag—informed us.
I squeezed Julian’s bicep, biting my lower lip in excitement. “Can we go check it out?”
“Of course,” he said with a laugh, shaking his head in amusement.
The second the clerk handed us the hotel key—we had to share a room, being as that we had booked it last-minute—I took Julian’s hand and dragged him down the hall, following the sounds of the captivating tune.
A couple of doors down, we found the entrance to the bar. A woman sat on the piano bench, her wiry blonde hair tied up into a neat bun. A man—strangely, also sporting a bun—situated himself in front of a microphone. He wrapped his hand around the mic and joined in on the vocals, and his voice took my breath away.
Julian took a step or two ahead of me, then whirled around and offered me his hand. “Care to dance?”
I lowered my gaze, embarrassed. I didn’t even know if I could dance. I could probably pull out a pirouette from the ballet classes I took as a kid, but somehow, that didn’t seem like the kind of dancing Julian had in mind.
And anyway, the dance floor was empty.
“Um,” I said, my eyes darting back and forth across the room, “no one else is dancing.” It was true. The room was packed full of patrons sipping on wine and enjoying the entertainment. But, despite there being an open space in front of the performers, no one was making use of it.
“So? What do they have to do with us?”
I suppressed a grin.
“Come on,” he said, cheeks dimpling. “You’re not going to make me dance all by myself, are you?” He balled his hands into fists and did the cheesiest dance move I’d ever seen, making me suffer secondhand embarrassment on his behalf. “I’m going to keep doing this until you agree to dance with me.”
Covering my face, I said, “Alright. I’ll do it.” And then I took his hand.
As the melody played in the background, he laced his fingers between mine while he held me close with his other hand. My body pressed against his firm chest, and I raised my chin to meet his lips.
“Thank you,” he whispered, his lips still tickling mine.
I pulled away ever-so-slightly. “For what?”
“For reminding me what it’s like to have something to live for.”
I cocked my head to the side. “And what were you living for before?”
He thought on it for a moment. “Power. Respect.”
“And now?”
“You.”
My heart fluttered. “I can’t be your reason for living, Julian.”
He pursed his lips. “No. I suppose that would be too much pressure.”
“And anyway,” I said, “I should be the one thanking you. If you hadn’t come after me...”
He silenced me with a kiss. “I’ll always be here for you, Danielle. Always.”
Aiden
It was no coincidence that a town that prided itself on haunted restaurants and ghost tours would be the one place we could go to get answers about Victoria’s phantasmal form—and how to keep her human. Victoria was famished, but despite the wide array of five-star dining options that abounded in Charleston, we settled for fast food. Because explaining Victoria’s fading appearance would be, well, challenging. I had offered to compel all of the patrons and employees of any restaurant of her choosing, but she declined. She’d never had a burger and fries anyway, so she was eager to try them.
After scarfing down our late lunch, we headed straight for the public library. Victoria stayed in the car while I scoped out the place. I figured it was the most logical place to begin our search for the Book Slayers.
I marched purposefully across the parking lot, melting thanks to the humidity and the mid-day sun, and headed through the double-doors. I was preparing to have to compel someone at the front desk when a chalkboard sign in the lobby brought me to a halt.
In expertly crafted hand-lettering was a message detailing the library’s events for the evening:
6:00 p.m. – Teen Study Hall: Bring your homework. Snacks provided.
7:30 p.m. – YA Book Club: Bring your copy of V Games: The Vampire Games Book 1 by Caroline Peckham.
9:00 p.m. – Reserved for the Book Slayers.
I scratched my head. They seriously had a sign out front? I glanced around warily, questioning whether I was seeing things. But, sure enough, there it was.
I wondered if any of the Book Slayers were here now. Sure, I could come back this evening. But with Victoria beginning to fade into oblivion, every second counted. So, it wouldn’t hurt to check.
I made my way through the second set of double-doors and headed for the front desk. A woman with bright red hair sat behind a computer screen, busily typing away. Upon noticing me, she flashed a warm smile. “How can I help you today?”
I cleared my throat. “I need to speak with whoever’s in charge of the Book Slayers.”
“I’m sorry. The who?”
“The Book Slayers.” I gestured toward the entryway. “The sign says they’re meeting at 9:00 tonight.”
Her brow wrinkled. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about. The library closes at 8:00.”
Grunting w
ith frustration, I held up a finger, beckoning for her to stay put while I brought the chalkboard sign over for her to see. I lugged the awkwardly shaped contraption and placed it in front of her. She didn’t flinch. I pointed to the words: 9:00 p.m. – Reserved for the Book Slayers.
Her gaze darted between me and the sign. “I’m sorry. Am I supposed to be seeing something?”
“You don’t see that?”
“I see the Teen Study Hall and YA Book Club on there...”
It dawned on me then that she was under some sort of compulsion. The words were there, but she couldn’t see them. Curious.
“Have you ever heard of the Book Slayers?”
She shook her head, looking at me like I’d gone mad.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a woman. Her nose was buried in a book, the cover of which featured a brunette with skin as pale as the moon, one arm casually draped above her head as she reclined in a coffin.
My eyes flicked to the title: V Games.
I should have figured as much, given that it was the topic of the YA Book Club’s discussion this evening.
Lost in her book, with a satchel full of other books draped over her shoulder, the woman turned the page and kept on reading. I inched toward her, having sworn she’d flinched when I’d mentioned the Book Slayers. I hoped maybe she’d know something about them. And, truth be told, there was something curious about this woman—and I didn’t mean the superhero socks peeking out from under her jeans... No. She was a kindred spirit, so to speak, if my suspicions were right.
The woman was so invested in her book that she didn’t even notice me approaching—or, if she did, she hid it well. “Excuse me,” I said, trying not to startle her. “I see you’re reading the book club pick. How is it?”
“Amazing,” she answered casually, not bothering to tear her eyes from the pages.
“Good, good. So, you’re a fan of vampires...” I started. Her lip twitched. “Do, uh, you know anything about the Book Slayers?”
She slammed her book shut. “How do you know about the Book Slayers?” she hissed.
I gestured toward the entrance. “The sign out front, for starters.”
Her eyes narrowed, but they relaxed as she pieced together that I—like her, as I’d surmised—was a supernatural being. “Who are you?” she asked, chin raised.
I folded my arms. “I could ask you the same thing.”
“Melissa,” she said, offering me her hand.
“Aiden.”
Her jaw fell. “You’re... you’re not related to...”
“Xander?” I offered, finishing her sentence for her. “Yes, he’s my brother.”
She abruptly grabbed my hand and dragged me through the library, zigzagging between aisles of worn paperbacks. When she was sure we were out of earshot from library patrons, she asked, “Why did he send you here?”
“He didn’t. I’m here with... well, I need your help. With a couple of things, actually.”
She lifted an eyebrow, impatiently waiting for me to explain.
“First, there’s a woman. My fiancé, or maybe ex-fiancé, Victoria. She was brought back from the dead and seems to be turning into a ghost, or maybe she already is a ghost.” I shook my head. “It’s confusing. And then there’s—”
She held up a hand to silence me. “Back up. I’m going to need you to circle back around to the whole your-fiancé-was-brought-back-from-the-dead-and-is-now-a-ghost thing. You can’t drop something like and go on talking like that was a perfectly normal thing to say.”
I opened my mouth to explain further, but before I could get the words out, Melissa’s attention drifted to a group of three men who had wandered over to the end of the aisle. “Seriously?” she muttered under her breath. “Suddenly the whole town’s filled with nuclear physics buffs?” She rolled her eyes and beckoned for me to follow her into a nearby conference room situated around the corner. So, I did.
Now, the two of us stood in the empty room, and she latched the door shut behind us. “Okay,” she said, turning around to face me. “Start from the beginning.”
I filled Melissa in on everything—from Victoria’s awakening to Xander’s curse. She told me she would do some research and asked me to come back this evening for the Book Slayers meetup. She even offered me the keys to her home, knowing that taking Victoria out in public wasn’t an option. I couldn’t believe how generous she was.
“Thank you for this,” I said, hoping the sincerity in my words was coming through.
“Of course. Anything to help Xander.”
I reached for the door but stopped when she called after me.
“Oh, and Aiden?”
“Yes?”
“If you mess with my bookshelf, I will literally rip your heart out.”
VICTORIA AND I RETURNED to the library promptly at 9:00 p.m. I had hoped the veil of night would make the heat more bearable, yet the moisture in the air still clung to my skin. Victoria’s arm was slinked around mine. But as we walked along the sidewalk, she came to an abrupt stop.
“What’s wrong, my love?”
Concern swirled in her eyes. “What if they can’t help me?”
“Of course they can.”
“And if they can’t?”
“Then, we’ll find another way. I am not going to lose you again.”
She sighed.
“I mean it, Victoria,” I said, and I pulled her in close and kissed her. Real. Her kiss felt so very real. And warm.
My mind flooded with memories of our time together more than a lifetime ago...
Our first encounter wasn’t ideal. It hardly made for the beginning of a good love story. She had caught Xander’s eye first. In fact, it was he who had brought her to the castle to begin with. We were hosting a ball—for Christmas, if my memory served me right. He had met her in the mountains a week before, an innocent young woman who knew nothing of vampires or supernatural beings. But her effortless beauty and gentle spirit piqued his interest, and so he invited her to the castle.
He had told me about this enchanting woman and eagerly anticipated her arrival that evening—so much so that he hardly laid eyes upon Marie or Louise or any of the other humans that had been invited for us to feast on.
He swore up and down that Victoria was special. That she was his. And that none of us was to touch her. And especially not feed from her.
And, like the others, I’d agreed.
I didn’t realize who she was when I first saw her. I still remembered that dress. She was a vision in white. And whoever she was, her beauty surpassed that of any other woman I’d come across in centuries. But it wasn’t only her looks that captivated me. It was like she had this light radiating from inside of her, and I couldn’t help but be drawn to it. So, even though Marie and I were doing the waltz, I knew I had to introduce myself. So, I excused myself from my dance partner and headed in the mysterious guest’s direction.
I bowed upon greeting her. I was so nervous that I didn’t even asked her for her name before I blurted out, “Would you care to dance?”
She looked around at first, but then, face flushing, she took my hand.
We danced to two songs before Xander spotted us and cut in. My jaw fell when he told me she was Victoria. I could tell he was willing himself to stay calm when he actually wanted nothing more than to punch me. And he asked her for a dance. Being the kind soul she was, she accepted his offer and apologized to me.
I felt like a jerk for dancing with her in the first place. Xander had spoken of her beauty, but I was so enchanted by her that I’d forgotten about him and his awaited guest entirely. And I felt awful for not even thinking to ask her for her name. And yet...
Throughout the night, I caught her gaze drift my way from time to time. Pink would creep up her cheeks, and she’d flutter her lashes and turn away. I watched her from afar, admiring the way the corners of her eyes crinkled when she laughed.
It wasn’t until the evening had winded down and Xander had bid her farewell that I
made my move. She was about to get into the carriage Xander had arranged for her when I pulled her aside... I didn’t know what came over me. All I knew was that I desperately wanted one moment with her. One more chance to see her before she left.
I’d hardly said two words to her when Xander spotted us.
Long story short, it came down to the following agreement: Victoria would choose one of us to pursue her, and we would respect her wishes.
She asked for a week to think things over.
It was one of the most agonizing weeks of my life. Things had never been so tense between me and Xander—we hardly spoke a word to one another. Which was unusual for us. We were polar opposites but had always gotten along so well.
I convinced myself that she would choose him. Resigned myself, even. Had come to accept it. He was the more attractive one. And he had courted her first.
But, for reasons I still didn’t understand to this day, she saw something in me. And if so delicate a creature could see something good in me, then maybe, maybe, there was indeed something good worth seeing.
Victoria had loved me at my worst. Through my worst. And I would love her through this, too. No matter what it took, I would find a way to save her.
Aiden
“Here you go,” I said, handing Melissa’s key back to her. “I can’t thank you enough.”
Victoria and I had spent the afternoon in Melissa’s home. It was a pastel purple house. For a former librarian, Melissa had done exceedingly well for herself. Vampirism did have its advantages.
And it was true. We were grateful for being able to use her place as a safe house. It was a lovely little escape for the two of us. But even though Victoria and I had agreed not to ruminate over all the what-ifs all day, the unspoken tension in the air had been palpable. It was hard not to let our minds go there. Yet, somehow, we got through it.
Melissa dipped her head in acknowledgment, then cocked her head to the side. Eyes sparkling, she said, “You must be Victoria.”
Out of instinct, Victoria offered Melissa her hand. Melissa’s eyes widened at the sight of her vanishing extremities and let out a low whistle. “You weren’t kidding...” she said, her voice trailing off.