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“We did not,” Laurence interjects. “We were simply stating what needed to be stated. You have to make an effort, Amelia. There is a mate out there, if you would only look a little harder.”

“And as I said in my bedroom, I will make the effort.”

“Yes, you will,” Lucille barks, “tonight, in fact.”

“Oh, are we having a night out?” Maria asks. She is the second youngest child. She and Lucas, the baby of the family, are close. Maria found her mate last year. A delightful vampire called Mitch. His family is respectable, and he loves Maria. That’s all I need to know about him.

“Yes, we are,” Lucille answers. “Tonight, the Loch siblings are out for blood,” she cackles. I roll my eyes. Lucille loves drama.

“Surely I should have a say about where and what I wish to do on my birthday.”

“Last year, yes. This year no. You’ve wasted too much time and now we are intervening,” Lucille replies, a devilish glint in her eyes.

“It’s a good idea, Amelia,” my mother adds. I will not win this fight. I nod in acceptance. How I wished I’d stayed in my room with the pancakes Laurence brought me.

“That’s settled then,” my father comments. “Time for birthday gifts.”

I smile gratefully, even though I want for nothing. My parents always give lavish gifts. I’ve had more cars than I can count. A house and expensive jewelry. In reality, my tastes are much simpler, but I won’t let on to them, not when their faces light up so brightly when they get a chance to spoil one of their children.

This year’s gift is a vacation to Hawaii. I’ve been several times already, and I love it there. For once, I’m glad they went all out. A break from the constant chatter will be a godsend. A full year of listening to each member of the Loch family harp on about my final months as a sane vampire is enough to send me over the edge before I turn thirty.

“Thank you, really, this is perfect.” I kiss both my parents.

“It’s open-ended so you can go when you please. Hopefully with a woman,” my father winks. I grin, but it’s fake. I will be going to Hawaii alone; I have no doubt.

“We all got you a new bike,” Aliah, sibling number four, chimes.

“A bike?”

“Yes, a Ducati.”

“It cost a fortune, so you better use it,” Lucille adds. There is always a tinge of anger in her words, especially when directed at me.

“Of course I will. In fact, I think I’ll take it out this morning.” My love of motorbikes comes from my mother. I have loved every single bike she has owned, even the ones I was too young to remember. There is an entire room dedicated to her passion in the house. I remember spending hours in there with her, poring over old photographs. Most of her machines are displayed in a garage she had specifically designed as a showroom.

“Maybe I’ll tag along,” my mother adds. I smile widely for the first time today. Spending some quality time riding my bike with my mother is the best birthday gift I could ask for.

The rest of breakfast passes cordially. My family has finally stopped talking about finding a mate. Well, at least for now. I know this evening will be about my siblings throwing women at me, left, right, and center. Not that I’m going to complain. I won’t find my mate, but I might get a birthday fuck out of it.

The day is bright and warm, as is the norm in California. I take my time studying my new Ducati. It is beautiful. Matte gray with black trim. My siblings chose well. I’m not the kind of woman who likes flashy colors. My tastes must come from my mother in that department too. Her Yamaha pulls up alongside me. She’s dressed in all black like me. Her bike is dark blue with black trim. I chuckle to myself because we fit the human stereotype for vampires. Long dark hair, rather pale skin and clad from head to toe in black.

“Ready?” Mother asks. I place my helmet over my head, taking one last look at my new bike before straddling it. There is nothing like the feeling of 168 hp between your thighs to make you feel alive.

We pull off and my heart soars. I can feel the power beneath me, ready to be unleashed. But until we hit the coastal roads, I have to restrain myself. As we join the Pacific Coast Highway, I feel my body itch with anticipation. We can’t speed unreasonably, but we can let go a little. As if my mother has read my mind, she opens the throttle and takes off. I smile and follow suit. The ocean shimmers beneath the sun, reflecting like diamonds on a blue velvet bed. This is the best way to spend my birthday. Cruising along, forgetting about the doom and gloom that awaits me.

We have been riding for roughly an hour. Time means nothing to me, though, not only because vampires have more of it than most, but because pure joy cannot be caged by time. In this moment of euphoria, linear timelines dissolve into nothingness. I am one with my bike.

The lights and sirens of a police car interrupt my bliss. Instinctively, I check my speed. Yes, I’m a little over, but not by much. Sighing, I follow my mother, indicating and pulling over to the side of the road.

Taking my helmet off, I slowly climb off my bike and prepare my license. I know exactly who has pulled us over and I find myself amused. Officer Dana Brooks is a forty-year-old-looking vampire that I have had a few fun nights with. You might wonder how that works, seeing as she must have found her mate. Dana found her mate when she was sixteen. Dana and David are polyamorous. But no matter how many others they invite into their bed, they are soulmates.

The male of the species has never attracted me, so thankfully I got a one-on-one experience with Dana, sans David. It was a good time. My mother has also dismounted and removed her helmet. “Dana, good to see you,” she calls as Dana approaches. They hug. The vampire community is a tight-knit group. Nearly everyone knows everyone.

“Victoria, you look beautiful as ever.” Dana is an incorrigible flirt.

“As do you, Dana.”

Dana turns to me with a wicked smile. “Happy Birthday, Amelia.” Her embrace is tight, and she squeezes my ass. I laugh because she is terrible.