Page 54 of Seph

And Simeon had lost whatever it was that made her hate him.

Doesn’t mean I should love him.

To promise to get someone back, even if it takes a thousand years?

Don’t kid yourself, Emily. You love him, even if you’re notinlove with him. He’s... He’s your first true friend and your last true enemy. That’s poetic. To a hunter, to a Van Helsing... That’s everything.

She looked up at him and smiled. “What’s the plan?”

“Hera’s Bridal. New York City.”

“I’ve always wanted to stay in a real fancy Manhattan hotel and blow the big bucks on 5th Avenue.”

“You’re in luck. You’ll have to go in on this one. I’d stand out.”

Simeon sat in the driver’s seat. The car was dead silent. With a look, he gripped the wheel, and she braced herself against the doorframe, feet jammed into the passenger’s floorboards.

“Take us to the nearest, safest empty spot big enough for a car in a shadowy location within easy walking distance to Hera’s Bridal store in Manhattan, New York City, the United States of America.” Simeon read the location they’d worked out off the back of their hotel receipt, which was currently stuck in the sun visor.

The car swiveled, purred, and blurred the air as it soared away.

“We did good! I think we did good!” Simeon shouted. “Good plan to write it out first!”

“Shut up until we land!” Emily gripped his hand as the car skidded down onto the asphalt. Her stomach was rocking up to her throat and down to her knees in a sick swoop.

But he was right. They were sitting in a dark, shadowy alley in New York, and Emily could see a row of stores if she craned her neck. “I think this is the right place.”

“I think so, too.” Simeon panted, even though he didn’t need to breathe. He gently squeezed her fingers before letting her hand go. “Are you all right?”

“My stomach hates me. But, yeah. I’m fine. I can’t see the bridal store from here. Which direction do you think I should go in? Do you have the address?”

Simeon concentrated, eyes closed. “Visited New York a few times over the years. Wonder if it’s been here that long? I think... yep, the address was on the door. Here.” He grabbed the door handle and stumbled out. “Damn knees aren’t working yet. Think this ride must mess up your molecules.”

“Yeah, I’m worried about barfing on Mr. I-Rule-The-Underworld’s upholstery.” Emily nodded and clambered out as well.

The sun was gone, but the sky was still orange, fingers of night poking the light away. “You can come with me, the light’s low enough.” Emily sounded hopeful.

“I’ll do the pacing groom bit outside the shop. Maybe I’ll hear something useful.” They’d planned it out while packing, carefully avoiding falling into a repeat of yesterday’s carnal bliss. Emily would go in to browse the dresses, praying they didn’t require an appointment first. She’d feel the place out and decide how to approach Hera and ask her the delicate question, “Is your husband boffing his niece-daughter to the best of your knowledge?”

“She probably gets asked a lot of embarrassing questions,” Emily muttered as they maneuvered through the crowds on the streets.

“Yeah, but I’m bettin’ she doesn’t like it. How would you like it if the person you pledged your life to kept fuckin’ all and sundry?”

“I would hate it.”

“Yeah. Me, too.”

Simeon let out a deep sigh, but it tapered off suddenly. She slipped her hand into his.

“I wouldn’t do that. You know. If I were with someone?”

“Yeah. Me, neither. Never did.” A slow smile spread across his face.

“What about all the ladies you’ve had over the years?” She hoped she didn’t sound too jealous.

“I had my dalliances. They never lasted long. At heart, I’m a romantic under the big scary vampire suit. I wanted to marry Anna Wharton. When I lost her, I thought Lilith was my salvation, my beautiful bride of the night. When she killed Anna, I killed her, and just like that—I was done looking for a woman to share my life with. Until now.”

“But you have a reputation. You’re the bad boy narrator. I even heard you on a podcast, and—”

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