Page 13 of The Forty-Year-Old Virgin Witch

I eyed him critically, but he wasn’t joking.

“So that’s why you were in the pub? You were on an errand for your Elder?”

The tea came, and we echoed our thanks to the waiters. I stirred in a bit of milk, letting all my questions roll around in my head.

“I’ve never met a vampyre before. Were you planning on biting me?” I winced at how awfully blunt that came out, but it didn’t seem to faze him. He neatly set down his cup on the saucer.

“I specifically don’t bite other supernaturals—too big a chance it will piss someone off and I’ll have an entire family on my back, set on revenge. Mortals are easier that way. However, to answer your question, it was your burst of magick that caught my attention. I hadn’t felt anything like it in decades. I had to meet you after feeling it.”

I cursed, wondering how much my slip of control would cost me. It was obvious Karl and Luka had found me that way. Were there any other supernaturals there that night? I had to learn control if I wanted to stay hidden.

“Usually I feed from a blood bank, but if I’m in a pinch, I’ll only take enough from a human to give them a mild headache. They don’t remember a thing.”

Blood banks. That made sense, in an odd way. I raised my eyebrows, incredulous.

“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea, though. Vampyres long for the violence that comes from feeding … from the rush of the hunt. I simply try to … control it.”

Huh. That made two of us, then.

“Does witch blood taste different?”

Karl shrugged. “Never tried it.”

I waited for a flirtatious comment about me offering, but it never came. He just studied me quietly, with an intensity that made my stomach flip.

“So … if you don’t want to drink my blood, why are you bothering me?”

The arrival of the sandwiches delayed his answer. Damon’s nose perked up from the corner of my satchel, and I threw one to the ground for him. He gave a happy mew as he tore into the tuna and cheese, and I gave him a small smile. I put one sandwich on my plate, then looked up as I felt a disapproving glare narrowed my way. Karl’s lips were pursed, and his eyes flicked to my plate. I sighed and added another sandwich. Only then did he answer.

“I have met a few witches in my undead life. All of them were strong with powerful covens behind them. Even the ones who lived in solitude belonged somewhere. You are the first one I have met who seems to be completely alone. I find myself protective of you.”

There it was again, the assumption that I couldn’t take care of myself. I opened my mouth to spout an angry retort, but he beat me to it.

“Do you not like being taken care of? I will cease to bother you if that is the case.”

My mouth slammed closed, the look of absolute anguish on Karl’s face leaving me breathless. I flushed, not knowing what to do with his heartfelt plea.

“I mean … I am not with my coven because they had certain ideas about what taking care of me meant, and I just—”

“Have I done anything specifically that reminds you of them?” Karl looked mildly horrified at the very thought. His distress was distressing me.

“No!” I rushed to assure him, confused myself and trying to muddle through to find the right words. His face brightened, his hand reaching across the table to grasp mine. Sudden heat blossomed in me despite the coolness of his skin, and I glanced down at our entwined fingers. Would it be so bad to let someone else into my life? It could at least be worth a try.

“Why would a vampyre care if a witch was protected or not?”

Karl pulled his hand away, and for a moment I thought I said something to upset him. He looked down and away, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. He glanced back up and seized my hand again.

“I suspect my mother was a witch. Her coven … well, I don’t know if she ever had one to begin with. She struggled most of her life, and even more so when I was born. Though I obviously am not what I once was, there is a soft spot in my heart for witches who are alone.”

My throat seized up, and I blinked rapidly. I tried to pull my hand away, but he held firm for just a moment, his eyes boring into mine.

“You don’t have to be alone. It is a choice. If it is still your choice, I will respect that.”

He was right, and wasn’t that just fucking great? My eyes heated and swelled with tears that I furiously shoved away. He had no idea what I’d been through and yet … he understood. I glanced back up, noticing the elegant arch of his neck and the angular structure of his jawline. His lips were full and tapered, and I wondered if they felt as cool as the rest of him. My body leaned forward of its own volition, and his pupils dilated the closer I came, the red infusing with the blue to create more purple around the pupil.

“Hope I’m not interrupting?”

I jumped and nearly fell off my chair. Karl didn’t so much as flinch, which made me wonder how long he’d known Luka had been there. Karl’s eyes flickered completely red for a split second, and he flashed his fangs. Luka growled back, bearing his own impressive teeth. I was quickly reminded I wasn’t dealing with normal men—these guys could literally destroy the entire village singlehandedly.

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