Page 14 of Magic and Muffins

“She’ll delight in the retelling of it, though,” Cross said.

“Or you could keep it to yourself.”

“Perhaps,” he said with his sexy half-smile.

“Don’t look at me,” Shepard said. “I’m not repeating that. But now I know why you like baking so much.”

Focusing on the cupboard I was cleaning, I kept my face hidden until my flush faded.

By the time I finished, the groceries arrived, and the pair helped me put everything away. It was nice spending time together, just the three of us, for a change. Listening to how they teased one another, they sounded like close friends or even brothers. If Shepard enjoyed watching me in the kitchen, I liked watching them as they were then. Laughing, light, and in harmony with each other.

I only managed to finish one batch of coffin scones, one of the creature-themed novelty treats for humans I’d come up with for the bakery, before Shepard got a call that killed the fun mood.

“That was Hugh. The girl in the video was identified by her parents. They want to speak to the wolf who killed their daughter. They don’t believe she was a vampire since she was talking and not attacking him.”

“Not all vampires are bad,” Cross said to Shepard. “However, every newly turned vampire is extremely dangerous. They wake hungry and often don’t care who they feed on.”

“I don’t think that’s going to comfort them.”

“She loved them enough not to go home after she was turned,” Cross said. “That’s what should comfort them.”

Shepard nodded and left me with Cross, who wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

I rested my head back against his chest.

“I didn’t know that,” I said. “How many go back and kill their families?”

“Not many, but it is a concern. To keep ourselves safe and hidden, we guard those we turn, knowing they’d go for the easiest blood source.”

“Have you turned anyone?”

“Never. I would never condemn anyone to this existence.”

“Not even me so we could spend an eternity together?”

He turned me around, his gaze sad. “Especially not you, Everly. Watching everyone you care about age and die is a cruel kind of torture I wouldn’t wish on anyone. The cruelty of an eternal existence is exactly why the first person was cursed with vampirism.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist, worried for Cross. Was he already thinking of how I would age and leave him?

“I think I’ve had enough kitchen time for now. I’m ready to sample something else that will make me moan.”

A network of black veins bloomed around his eyes before his mouth hungrily claimed mine.

CHAPTERFOUR

Before I even opened myeyes, I felt how I was wrapped around Cross’ side like a tree-hugging monkey. My head rested on his chest as he lazily ran his fingers through my hair. It felt so good, and I didn’t want to move until I realized I’d drooled on him a little.

I quickly wiped my face and Cross’ bare chest. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. You’re adorable when you sleep.”

“Drooling is only adorable when you’re a baby, and even then, I have some issues with it.”

He laughed softly and kissed the top of my head. “Still adorable.”

“What time is it?”

“It’s nine o’clock.”

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