Page 11 of Tempting the Dhampir

Miraculously, they decide to follow us, and Bertie’s shoulders sag in relief. He gestures for Sadie’s sister to walk in front of him. The two exchange some light pleasantries in hushed tones. I’d consider listening in, but I’d much rather focus my attention on the beautiful woman I’m escorting.

“So, how do you ladies all know each other?” I ask Sadie, hoping to use the walk to get to know her better.

She chuckles. “Would you believe that we’ve only known each other a couple of hours? We met Iris and Helena earlier this week, and they invited us along for a sunset cruise. We only met the other girls tonight. Would not have predicted our night ending up like this.”

“Wow, you guys really didn’t mean to end up here, did you?”

I’ll definitely have to tell Bertie how accidental their arrival actually was. No way they could’ve orchestrated such an elaborate scheme to find us when they’ve only just met.

Sadie purses her lips and shakes her head slowly. “Nope. An island full of monsters was not on my bingo card for the night.”

“And what was?” I goad her, letting her see the mischief on my face before I turn back to watch the path.

Sadie’s voice is thick with innuendo as she looks up at me with a smirk that makes my knees weak. “Well, there’s this one thing— Nope. I have so many filthy responses, but I’m going to keep it clean. For now.”

My lips turn down in mock disappointment but I let the comment slide in favor of getting to know her better.

She continues in a more thoughtful tone, “How about you guys? Monsters on a private island in the Caribbean, how did that happen?”

“This island is owned by Bertie’s family and was warded specifically for our reunion this weekend. We haven’t all been together like this since we graduated.” I grin at how happy I am to see my friends in one place after so long.

All the guys went their separate ways after school, moving back to their home countries, taking over family businesses or starting new ones. Many of them are bound to legacy positions and don’t have much choice in their futures, it’s all dictated by the fates, our families, and our species.

Sadie’s eyes brighten with curiosity, her whole being perking up as she looks up at me. “Where did you go to school? Is it like a secret monster school?” she adds in an excited whisper.

“It’s called Alberad School for the Supernatural. We usually have meetups there since the grounds are warded and concealment is guaranteed. It’s enshrouded deep in the Black Forest, hundreds of years of continuous warding keeping humans from accidentally stumbling upon it.” I give her a pointed look as I help her step over a log.

The curriculum provides a perfect environment to learn control of our powers. It encourages the exploration of individual abilities while providing support and guidance from the highly knowledgeable elves and their extensive library on the premises.

“Then why didn’t you just go there?” Sadie asks, her brows drawing together in confusion.

I shrug because the answer seems so selfish now. “We wanted a real vacation, on a beach. This island was here, so it only made sense to enjoy it. All of us monsters carry some magic around with us and it tends to mess with the natural order of things if there’s a larger group of us gathering outside of any wards. Bertie said his father came with some other elves to coordinate the whole warding process, ensuring the highest safety standards for the reunion.”

Sadie scoffs. “Apparently Bertie’s father and the elves weren’t very successful.”

Shaking my head profusely, I say, “You don’t get it. Bertie’s family runs the school. They study magic every day. If they warded this place, it shouldn’t be able to be found. I don’t think this has happened before. That’s why I’m worried, Bertie even more so.”

Realization dawns on her face. “Oh shit. So this isn’t the case of someone simply fucking up?”

“I don’t know. That’s why we’re going to the manor, to see if we can chat it through and figure out how it was possible. You guys shouldn’t have even been able to get on the island, never mind venturing so far inland and finding us,” I explain, already racking my brain for possible ways this could have happened.

I decide to go into more detail so she can understand how significant them finding us is. “The wards grow incrementally stronger the closer to the manor we get. Bertie said the entire island has a repulsion charm placed around it. Then, there’s a sound ward, which extends to the curtain of leaves you saw us through at the waterfall. And finally, the strongest wards are placed around the main property, shielding the manor from view. They’re spelled to make it look like an uninhabited island.”

Sadie blinks a couple of times at the new information, then nods slowly in understanding. “The strong reactions from Bertie and the others are starting to make more sense now.”

I take a moment to study her profile, lingering on her luscious lips—so pink, almost like they’re begging to be nibbled on. She catches me staring, and I feel a rare blush heating my cheeks. I suck my lip between my teeth and worry at it, a sad replacement for hers.

Trying to draw attention away from myself, I say, “You’re handling all this surprisingly well.”

Sadie lifts her shoulders in a shrug. “I’m just embracing my new ‘fuck-it’ attitude.”

Oh shit, I’m in trouble. I wish that “fuck-it attitude” includes me.

I swallow hard and focus on my steps, hoping to redirect my impure thoughts.

Her attention turns to Bertie and her sister walking ahead of us. Bertie’s leaning his head slightly toward the woman, listening intently to what she’s saying.

Bending down and putting my mouth closer to Sadie’s ear than strictly necessary, I say in a low voice, “I think Bertie might have a little crush. Is your sister single?”

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