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Wild blonde tendrils tumbled free of the faerie’s messy bun, refusing to be contained. Beneath the long hem of her bohemian skirt, her feet were bare. Over a midriff-baring top, she wore the loosely crocheted sweater she’d created just last night. Dove’s artistic spirit lent her to experiment with different art forms. Crochet was her musedu jour. Neither Vivian nor Armond had the heart to tell her one sleeve was longer than the other.

Above the multitude of colorful beads Dove wore around her neck were two iridescent fang marks, proclaiming her as Vivian’s. Though Vivian found the practice distasteful, in claiming Dove, she’d ensured that no other vampire could feed from her. The powerful blood in the faerie’s veins put her at risk, making her the target of many unscrupulous creatures.

Dove flounced into a plush armchair, setting the box she carried on her thighs. “This just came for you. The hottie you posted at the front door says he looked it over. Can I open it?”

Due to the recent threats Vivian had received, she was forced to double her security detail. Though she refused to have armed men lurking inside her home, she’d assigned twice the usual count to secure her five-acre property, along with the sinfully attractive guard who manned the front door.

“Go ahead,” she said with an affectionate smile, her Chosen’s excitement infectious.

Armond sidled closer while Dove untied the bow and drew open the lid.

“Someone has an admirer,” Armond intoned.

Dove dipped her nose into the box, inhaling deeply. “Mmm, they smell like spring.”

Inside were a dozen white lilies.

Vivian’s breath caught. Icy sparks prickled her skin.No, it couldn’t be.She’d had many admirers over the years. Several sent her roses and exotic bouquets. Onlyonehad sent her lilies. “Is there a card?”

Dove extracted the envelope, eyed the note, then frowned. “There’s no name. All it says is,Soon, my love.”

Armond stiffened. “That’s no gift. It’s another threat.”

No. It wasn’t possible.Hewas long dead, his body ashes. This had to be some horrible joke the universe played on her. Her enemies couldn’t have guessed the powerful effect the lilies would have. They couldn’t have guessed how the white blossoms would fill her with fear and nausea. Make her heart race and her palms sweat. Surely, the choice of flowers was a mere coincidence. After all, lilies were often associated with funerals and the deceased. Some deviant simply intended to send her a message. It was yet another absurd death threat.

The thought soothed her.

Little did they know it wasn’t death she feared.

She rose from the cushioned bench and stalked to the bed, anger rolling through her like a gathering storm. Armond opened his mouth, took one look at her furious expression, then fell silent, whispering, “Oh, dear.”

Vivian took the card from her subdued Chosen. The cowardly bastard had typed the message, further hiding their identity. “Useless guards,” she snarled, lips scraping her extended fangs. “This travesty never should have made it into my home in the first place.” She crumpled the note in her fist. “Why am I paying these fools?”

She stormed out of the bedroom, and Armond chased after her, saying to Dove, “Better move yourderrière, or you’ll miss the show. Heads are going to roll.”

“And here I am without my popcorn,” Dove whined.

Together, they followed Vivian down the stairwell, the clip of their racing feet not far behind hers.

On the main level, Vivian stalked across the massive great room to the foyer and heaved the front door open.

The guard flinched, then quickly composed himself. “Mistress Vivian. How may I be of service?” The question sparked a delightful image in her head. One of her brandishing her favorite whip, the leather tip cracking as it lashed his bare ass, his muscular body held captive on a Saint Andrew’s cross. While keeping him in her employ was tempting, the safety of Armond and Dove came first.

“Are you the one who allowed that bouquet into my home?” She shoved the crumpled card beneath his nose.

“Yes,” he said slowly, his handsome visage registering confusion. She’d assigned this particular guard to the front door because he was easy on the eyes. Pity, he was all beauty and no brains.

“I thought they were from one of your lovers or a secret admi—”

“You’re fired.”

His chiseled complexion paled. “But, Mistress, I’ve only been here four days. Surely—”

“Fired,” she snarled, baring fangs. “You will remove your worthless hide from my property immediately. Should you fail to obey me, I’ll release my hellhounds and let them chew on your bones.” With that, she spun and slammed the door. He hadn’t been in her employ long enough to know she was bluffing about the hellhounds. Still, it was a formidable threat. Just one of the ghastly beasts could lay waste to even the most powerful vampires.

She drew a deep breath and turned to find Dove and Armond staring back at her, jaws hanging, eyes wide, their concern a palpable force.

Merde. Come on, Vivian. Get it together.