Page 17 of Fang Girl

"Places everyone," Basil said, climbing out with his guitar.

Ari stopped a few feet away. "You brought the whole band?"

"I wrote you a song in high school," I said, stepping toward her. "Seemed only right to play you a new one now."

Her lips twitched. "Another song about me?"

"Always about you." I nodded to Basil, and he started playing. The other guys joined in, and I took Ari's hands in mine.

"I know I scared you," I said. "I should have explained everything first, should have given you time to adjust. But being a vampire... it heightens everything. Especially how I feel about you."

"Victor—"

I pressed a finger to her lips. "Let me finish. Then I'll sing, then you can decide if you still want to run."

She nodded.

"I've been in love with you since high school," I said. "Back then I was too caught up in what others thought to act on it. Then I got turned, and I thought I'd lost my chance forever. But seeing you at that concert..." I cupped her face. "It was like the universe giving me another shot."

"But the feeding," she whispered.

"Is controlled, consensual, and never fatal," I assured her. "What happened with Kylie was an accident. We have strict rules, protocols. I should have explained it all first."

"I see ghosts," she blurted out. “I help them as much as I can.”

I smiled. "I know. You told me at the party. And I think it's amazing."

Her eyes widened. "You do?"

"Of course. You help lost souls find peace. How could I not love that about you?" I stroked her cheek. "Just like you seem to accept that I'm..." I gestured to my fangs.

"A vampire rock star?"

"Your vampire rock star. If you'll have me."

The band shifted into the melody I'd written for her, and I started to sing:

"In the shadows where I hide

You see straight through

No more running, no more fear

Just the truth of what's right here

Between darkness and the light

We'll find our way through the night"

As I sang, her eyes filled with tears. When the last note faded, she threw herself into my arms.

"That was beautiful," she whispered.

"I love you," I said against her hair. "Ghost whisperer and all."

She pulled back to look at me. "I love you too. Fangs and all."

I kissed her then, pouring all my emotion into it. When we broke apart, I pulled the small box from my pocket.

---