Page 81 of Prince with a Chance of Darkness

Bram lowered his head, laughing hard. I nearly pulled my phone out to record it. “I have seen it all now.”

I licked my lips. “I’m not sure you… Mr. Bubbles should be commenting right now.”

He straightened fast and wiped the smirk off his face.

Temperance eased closer to her father. “You’re tall.”

“As are you,” he said.

“So, you’re Vlad?” she asked. “Like The Vlad? The Impaler guy?”

Vlad’s expression became guarded. “I am.”

Bram stepped forth. “Temperance, history is not always what you might believe it to be. Vlad is many things, but I do not believe for a second he is as history as described him to be.”

Temperance frowned. “Bummer. I was hoping he could teach me some cool impaling techniques. Can’t wait to learn the rat thing.”

I covered my face with my hands. “I’m so happy she wasn’t a twin.”

Temperance laughed. “Hey, if Marcy has any say in it—you’re not done having kids, Mom.”

“No offense, Bram, but I really hope your wife is just eccentric and out there—and not right,” I said with a smile. “I’m not sure I have the energy for more mini-versions of myself.”

Temperance laughed so hard she snorted.

“I find I myself am trying to adjust to the news I received before we came here,” said Bram.

Vlad looked confused.

I glanced at Bram, wondering if it was okay if I shared the news with Vlad.

“Oh, did Marcy finally tell you she’s pregnant?” asked Temperance. “Hannah and I have been at her for a week to do it.”

“You knew?” asked Bram, shock on his face.

Temperance nodded. “Buffy ran out of the bathroom holding the pregnancy stick. She brought it straight to me. Kind of gross, but whatever. Congratulations on the new baby.”

He nodded his thanks.

Vlad stared at Temperance, his hand still around hers.

She gave him a light punch on the shoulder with her free hand before shrugging. “You’re not so bad, Vlad.”

He grinned.

She stepped closer to him.

I eyed her closely. “Tempi, do you want to hug him?”

“Yes.” She nodded quickly.

Vlad yanked her into a tight embrace.

The moment left me fighting tears.

Even Bram looked a little choked up by it all. “Join us at my home, Vlad. You and your family are welcome there.”

“Really? You want him to go to the place you just assembled an emergency meeting in a war room to discuss how to handle him?” I asked. “Uh, no thanks. I never thought I’d see him again. Let’s not stake him.”

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