Page 4 of Valentine's With A Vampire

I swirl the blood coffee, ignoring her concern. “If he’s anything like the other outsiders who wander in, he’ll likely assume we’re all cosplayers until something impossible smacks him in the face.” I slide out of my chair, collecting my mug as I stand. “I can’t promise I won’t tease him. That would be a lie.”

Etienne’s shoulders shake in a silent laugh. “You’re impossible.”

Crystal sighs. “At least try to be kind.”

A playful grin creeps onto my lips. I lean down to kiss her cheek. “Always, Mother.”

She groans like she doesn’t believe me, but she knows me well enough to trust I won’t send him running for the hills. Probably. With that, I sweep out of the room and glide up to my bedroom. I tug on black leather pants, lace up my boots, and throw on a fitted jacket. My long, dark hair is braided over one shoulder. It’s easier to manage that way when spells and lanterns start swirling.

I dash downstairs, wave a quick goodbye, and head outside. Evershift Haven greets me with crisp autumn air. Cobblestones gleam under angled sunlight, and a few enchanted decorations swirl around lamp posts. The festival’s magic is already stirring.

Lanterns dangle overhead in neat rows, with each glass orb filled with swirling pastel light. They aren’t fully awakened yet. Soon, they’ll float freely to guide people toward their “destined loves” or so the legend says. I’ve seen it happen too many times to call it myth, but I still enjoy pretending it’s nonsense when explaining it to outsiders. Declan’s confusion will be entertaining.

I slip down Main Street, giving a polite nod to Willow Whisperwind. She’s positioning potted, singing sunflowers outside “Fae Fitness.” The flowers hum a cheerful tune. Willow says good morning, and I lift a hand in greeting. Beyond her, the Town Square’s ancient oak tree stands tall, branches shifting in a gentle breeze. Not many people wander about yet. Just a few residents setting up booths for tonight’s celebration.

I push open the door to my shop, and the familiar smell of old parchment, ink, and leather rises to greet me. Soft dust motes drift in the angled light. I set my mug behind the counter, flip the sign to “Open,” and start organizing a new shipment of reference books about local magical flora.

A slight shuffle at the door draws my attention. I glance up to see a handsome human standing in the entrance. He’s tall and fit, with a rugged edge that sends my pulse skyrocketing. He’s delicious, and I’m not thinking about his blood, though I’m aware of his rapid pulse too. Sunlight frames his broad shoulders, and tension lines his brow. He closes the door behind him carefully, like he’s not sure it’ll stay on its hinges.

I hang back a moment, letting him take in the shop. He’s wearing simple clothes—jeans, a dark shirt, and a jacket—but his posture screams ex-military. Every shift of his stance looks deliberate. He finally meets my gaze, and for a second, neither of us speaks. The corner of my mouth lifts.

He clears his throat. “Hi. This is your store?”

I lean on the counter. “It is. ‘Vandria’s Vellum & Tomes.’ I’m Vandria. Book purveyor and occasional troublemaker. You must be the outsider who arrived last night. My parents are Etienne and Crystal.”

He gives a stiff nod. “Declan Stewart.” He cups the back of his neck.

I study him, noting the faint circles under his eyes. “Sleep poorly?” Impossible with my parents’ enchanted beds, at least from a physical perspective.

He grunts. “Not used to the bed. Or the...ambiance.”

I try not to grin. “Moonlit Inn’s” ambiance can be a little intense for a newcomer. “What brings you to my shop?”

He glances around the shelves of books, scanning the titles on spines. Some glow with subtle enchantments. He makes a face like he’s wrestling with words. “I was told you might have maps. Actual, usable maps.”

My eyes light with amusement. “Of course I have maps. You planning to navigate your way out of Evershift Haven? That’s not as simple as it sounds.”

He steps closer, cautious. “I can try.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Would you prefer an illustrated fantasy map? Complete with whimsical creatures? I have a few that show imaginary roads that twist back into themselves. Quite entertaining.”

He scowls. “I need something real. Something that might get me to the main highway without...” He trails off.

“Without what?”

He exhales. “Without more weirdness. My phone died, my GPS is shot, my van refuses to start, and this entire place—” He gestures vaguely at the floating candelabra overhead. “This entire place can’t be real.”

I fold my arms. “Is that what you think?”

He shrugs, frustration clouding his features. “I’m trying to keep an open mind, but you have illusions and special effects everywhere. I saw a ghost maid last night. The folks at the inn already knew my name. Feels like I stumbled into some bizarre live-action role-play.”

My chest tightens with a laugh. “LARP? That’s a new one. Evershift Haven is absolutely real, magic and all.”

He shakes his head. “Magic.”

I move around the counter. “Your rational brain is probably telling you it’s a bunch of props. Yet you keep seeing things you can’t explain, correct?”

His shoulders hitch. “Maybe it’s advanced technology. Holograms or something. I’ve seen weirder government prototypes.” He swallows, shifting from foot to foot. “But that ghost...yeah. That one’s tough to explain.”

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