Page 81 of Magic and Muffins

“Not all vampires are monsters,” I said softly.

“No, but Vivian is,” Vena said. “And he just confirmed what we’d been guessing. I mean, it all lines up with what we know. Orphia’s drive to get the rings. A private party contacting my grandparents about finding a missing relic. They disappear after reading the book that contains information about the rings…and the portals to the fae world.”

We all shared glances. Shepard looked like he was about to explode.

Although we’d guessed it, hearing it confirmed felt different. More real. More imminent.

“I still say we raid Effora’s house,” Vena said. “They hoard relics. Maybe the one Orphia is looking for is there.”

“Doubtful,” Cross said. “She wouldn’t have left it behind, and she wouldn’t hand it over. She would never agree to leave the human realm.”

“If she doesn’t support Orphia and her plan, why give Vivian the ring? And why does Vivian still have it?” I asked, trying to make sense of it all. “I don’t understand what his angle is. He basically called Orphia out and exposed her plan. How does that benefit him? How does it benefit her? Does he plan to give the ring to Orphia, or is he up to something else?”

Shepard stood and walked over to the window to look out as Cross answered.

“If this was just about having humans to feed on, I’d say he would give the ring to Orphia even if he’s angry with her. She was the one to turn him, after all. But the only person Vivian has ever been interested in is Adriel, not the humans they fed on. I doubt he’d give Orphia the ring just for a feeding frenzy.”

“Then what was the point of getting the ring from Effora?” I asked.

“Stirring the pot,” Vena said with a shrug. “It’s what I would do if I were Vivian. Make everyone chase after things while he’s living his best life feeding off people.”

It still wasn’t adding up for me. Cross said Vivian only cared about Adriel. How could he be living his best life without Adriel?

“It’s his revenge,” I said, suddenly understanding. “He’s getting back at the wolves for what happened to Adriel. He was wearing Shepard’s ring so that the packs know Shepard doesn’t have it anymore.”

Shepard’s phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and answered it.

“Yeah?” He was still looking out of the window. Had I not known what just happened, I wouldn’t have thought much about the call. But his already stiff shoulders tensed further.

“I understand.” He ended the call.

“What was that about?” Vena asked, but Shepard was already answering another call.

This time, he walked into the study and closed the door.

“Did you hear anything?” Vena asked Anchor and Cross.

“The first call sounded like a pack delegate asking about the ring and warning him there could be challenges,” Anchor said. “Not sure about the second one.”

“You mean challenges from idiots like MC?” Vena made a barfing motion, which made me want to sympathy barf for real.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

I fledto the kitchen to make breakfast and to escape Vena’s fake puking, but she followed me.

“What are you making?” Vena asked.

“Something simple for Shepard,” I said. “I have a feeling he is going to need to leave soon.”

“I’ll take whatever it is, too. Even your simple is better than most things. I’m not dissing the cooks at the pack house, but I miss your cooking.”

“I can’t tell whether you’re buttering me up for something or if you’re actually being sweet.”

“I’m always sweet.”

Both Anchor and I snorted and shared a conspiratorial smile as he joined her at the island.

“Hey. Iam,” Vena reiterated.

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