Page 5 of Valentine's With A Vampire

He wants a real answer, but I doubt he’s ready. My mother told me not to tease him, though the temptation is strong. “We have no high-tech illusions. Only magic. This entire town is hidden behind a barrier that confuses outside travelers. Some manage to leave, some choose to stay, and others return.”

He looks at me like I’m speaking Greek. “So, you’re telling me I’m stuck?”

I tap my lip, eyeing him. “Not permanently. The barrier eventually releases outsiders, though not until it...or Grizelda...is ready.” I brush past him and pluck a rolled map from a shelf. “Here. This might help you see how Evershift’s roads connect, but it won’t break the enchantment forcing you to stay.”

He stares suspiciously at the rolled parchment in my hand. “What if I just try walking through the forest? There has to be a way around.”

I press the map into his grip. “You can try, though the forest might decide otherwise. The trees here are known to lead wanderers in circles. Of course, you’re free to attempt it. Just watch out for floating lanterns.”

He snorts. “Floating lanterns? That’s ridiculous.”

A soft tinkling sound draws our attention upward. The candelabra shifts aside, and a single glowing lantern drifts free from the overhead fixture. That was faster than expected. Normally, they start floating at dusk. The festival’s magic must be more potent today.

He steps back, eyes wide. The lantern bobs at the edge of his personal space, shining with a gentle gold light. He reaches out to swat it away, but it gently floats back. The orb pulses, almost like a heartbeat.

“Stop that.” His voice holds a tremor. “Why is it following me?”

I shrug. “It isn’t my doing, I promise. It’s the Festival of Luminaries. These lanterns choose people they believe have a destined love in town.”

He shoots me an incredulous look. “That’s insane.”

The lantern nudges his shoulder, reflecting a shimmer across his face. He flinches, tension coiling in his muscles. I fold myarms, lips curving into a lopsided smile. “I guess you’re a lucky one this year.”

He exhales a sharp breath. “Lucky? This thing is stalking me.”

I snicker. “They can be persistent.”

He grits his teeth. “Get rid of it.”

I shake my head. “It doesn’t work that way. It’ll follow you until the festival ends, or until it’s sure you’ve found your fated match.”

He stands frozen. The lantern hovers in front of him, glowing with a quiet confidence. His frustration radiates in the taut lines of his shoulders. He glances at me, a flicker of alarm behind his eyes. “Fated match. That implies—someone here is my...?”

“That’s the rumor.” I lean a bit closer. “Could be me.” I show the barest hint of fang. “Don’t worry, I already had breakfast.”

He backs away, face coloring. “You’re messing with me.”

I place a hand over my heart. “I might be teasing, but we do have real vampires, ghosts, witches, orcs...you name it.”

He seems unsure what to do with that. The lantern floats near his ear, bobbing in a friendly greeting. “I can’t handle this. You people are... Are you all serious about the magic stuff?”

I nod. “Why else would a lantern be floating next to your head?”

He closes his eyes for a moment as his pulse jumps in his throat. “I need to get out of here. This is too much.”

I press the map into his hand. “At least use this. It won’t solve everything, but it’s better than wandering aimlessly.”

He snatches it, voice hoarse. “Thanks.” He glances at the lantern, which bobs in place. “Stop following me,” he mutters.

I raise my palms in a gesture of helplessness. “Telling it to stop won’t help. Let it float. It means no harm.”

His jaw clenches while he pivots toward the door, clearly done with conversation. Halfway there, he pauses and looksback. I watch him carefully, and a flicker of regret tugs at my stomach. Maybe I’ve pushed too hard.

He shakes his head and storms out, trailing the lantern behind him. A hush settles in the shop. I stare at the door, trying to swallow the knot in my throat.

My mother warned me not to do this. He’s obviously disoriented, and I piled on a lot. That unsettled look in his eyes lingers in my mind. I was having fun until I caught that panicked edge in his voice.

I lean on the counter, pressing my palms against the worn wood. The swirl of guilt in my chest catches me off guard. Usually, I don’t regret messing with outsiders. They either accept the magic or leave. This time... I exhale. He’s not just any random outsider. Something about him... Seeing him so rattled makes me wonder if I was too harsh. My parents did say to be nice.

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