Page 24

“After you, Prince.” Archer’s hand settled at the small of my back, guiding me in.

I tried not to stumble as I slid across the butter-soft leather, very aware of Archer following right behind me. His scent wrapped around me in the enclosed space, making my fangs tingle. When he settled beside me—closer than strictly necessary—his thigh pressed warmly against mine.

Sylvie took the seat opposite us, shooting me a knowing look that I pointedly ignored.

“Crystal Palace Mall, Thomas,” Archer called to the driver. “Take the MTN. Let’s show our prince how New Vale really travels.”

The luxury car hummed to life, smoothly merging onto one of the crystal-powered sky bridges that crisscrossed New Vale like strands of a magical web.

My breath caught as we rose above the city—this was nothing like the cramped subways or potholed highways of New York.

The crystalline lanes sparkled with ward magic, suspended impossibly high above the sprawling metropolis.

“Engaging supernatural drive,” the car’s AI announced as we joined the steady flow of enhanced vehicles. “Optimal speed calculated for scenic route.”

“Look, Luca!” Sylvie pressed against her window as the Financial District fell away beneath us. “You can see all the territories from up here!”

She wasn’t wrong. The city unfolded before us like a supernatural wonderland, each district distinct yet flowing seamlessly into the next.

Whitlock Tower rose like a crystal crown behind us while ahead, the Arts District’s modern spires reflected the morning sun.

Digital billboards floated at eye level, advertising everything from blood fusion cafés to the latest supernatural fashion.

“Entering Entertainment District,” the AI announced as we crossed into Sato territory at what had to be several hundred miles per hour, though the ride remained impossibly smooth. The MTN’s crystal technology made even New York’s fastest trains feel like horse-drawn carriages in comparison.

“Speaking of entertainment.” Hunter briefly looked up from his gaming device. “Their new VR center is insane . We should?—”

“Entering Coastal District,” the AI interrupted as we crossed into Bellini territory.

The architecture below shifted dramatically—all white stone and sweeping curves.

The ocean stretched endlessly to our right, sunlight dancing off waves that looked close enough to touch despite our dizzying height.

I couldn’t help pressing closer to the window, momentarily forgetting about Archer’s distracting presence.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed, watching luxury yachts cut white trails through the sparkling water.

The Crystal Palace Mall rose ahead of us like a mirage, its marble and glass structure literally sparkling in the sunlight.

“The Bellinis believe shopping should be an experience.” Archer’s voice held a hint of amusement as the car began its descent. “Just wait until you see the inside.”

The MTN’s crystal lanes spiraled down in a graceful arc, giving us a panoramic view of the coastal district before depositing us smoothly at the mall’s grand entrance. A line of luxury vehicles was disgorging New Vale’s elite under the sweeping crystal archway.

“Ready, Prince?” Archer asked as Thomas opened the door.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself after the awe-inspiring journey. This was nothing like squeezing onto a crowded subway car or sitting in Manhattan traffic. This was… magic. Real, breathtaking magic that made New York’s infrastructure feel like something from the stone age.

Archer stepped out first, then turned to offer his hand with a flourish that made several nearby people actually swoon. I placed my fingers in his, praying I wouldn’t trip over my boots and face-plant into supernatural social media infamy.

But something strange happened as I emerged from the car. Maybe it was the silver and lavender ensemble, my styled hair, or just the way Archer’s presence steadied me—but I felt… different. Like I’d finally downloaded the vampire prince software update.

“Gaming center!” Hunter bolted past us the moment his feet hit the marble, already plotting his path to digital nirvana. “Meet you guys at the café later!”

“Two hours!” Sylvie called after him. “And don’t spend all your allowance on character skins again!”

Around us, I could feel curious eyes tracking our movement, whispers following in our wake. A group of impeccably dressed women near the fountain seemed particularly interested in Archer, their gazes sharp enough to chip the marble.

“Where to first?” Archer asked, offering an arm to each of us.

Sylvie’s eyes lit up. “The new boutique wing! Luca will love it.”

She wasn’t wrong. The moment we stepped into the section, I felt like I’d walked into anime heaven. Everything sparkled with that perfect aesthetic, from the crystal chandeliers shaped like cherry blossoms to the holographic displays showing the latest fashion trends.

“Oh my God,” I breathed, stopping in front of a display of the most adorable accessories I’d ever seen. “Is that… a tiny vampire bat bag charm that actually floats?”

“Get it,” Archer said immediately, already signaling a sales assistant.

“What? No, I couldn’t?—”

“Prince.” He leaned close, his breath tickling my ear. “If you think I’m going to let you leave without that charm when your eyes just lit up like actual stars, you clearly don’t know your big brother very well.”

Two hours later, I’d given up protesting Archer’s excessive shopping habits.

Sylvie explained it was a lost cause anyway—apparently, spoiling his family was one of Archer’s favorite hobbies.

The floating bat charm had been joined by several matching accessories, three designer outfits that Sylvie insisted I needed, and a collection of products that promised to enhance my “natural vampire luminescence.”

“And now,” Sylvie declared, expertly juggling her shopping bags, “it’s time for the Starlight Café.”

I gasped as we entered. The café occupied a corner of the mall’s top floor, all soaring windows and elegant white marble.

Sunlight streamed through crystal chandeliers, casting rainbow prisms across pristine tablecloths.

The air smelled of expensive coffee and designer perfume, filled with the gentle murmur of New Vale’s young elite at play.

Everywhere I looked, beautiful people lounged at carefully spaced tables—heirs comparing shopping conquests, young clan leaders holding court with their admirers, socialites pretending not to watch each other over the rims of porcelain cups.

A server in an elegant black uniform appeared immediately, bowing politely. “Alpha Archer, welcome back. Please, follow me.”

He led us to what was clearly the best table in the house, positioned perfectly to see and be seen, with a stunning view of the coastline through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

I tried not to stare too obviously at the pastry displays we passed.

Everything looked incredible—delicate macarons, glossy chocolate eclairs, jewellike tarts that made my newly vampiric heart ache with impossible hunger.

“The blood-infused beverage menu for you, sir.” The server presented me with a special card edged in dark red. “And our regular selection for the others.”

I studied the options while Sylvie and Archer debated the merits of various pastries I couldn’t eat. The blood-infused drinks at least sounded amazing—everything from rose-blood lattes to crimson chai teas.

“The caramel blood-fusion latte is excellent,” Archer suggested, noticing my indecision. “And they make it with O negative.”

After we ordered—blood latte for me, various pastries and drinks for the others—Sylvie frowned at her phone. “Where’s Hunter? He’s not answering my texts.” She tried calling, then huffed in annoyance. “Straight to voicemail. I swear, if he’s blown his entire allowance on gaming stuff…”

I sipped my latte—which was divine , the O negative blending perfectly with the caramel—and tried not to look too wistfully at Sylvie’s chocolate eclair. Being a vampire prince had its perks, but right now I’d trade all my new designer clothes for just one bite of that pastry.

“Hey, sorry I’m late!” Hunter appeared, juggling several gaming store bags. “There was this limited edition?—”

“If you say you spent your whole allowance again…” Sylvie threatened, but her eyes sparkled with affection.

“Nah, just half.” He grinned, grabbing a plate from their selection of pastries. “Besides, Uncle Archer said?—”

“At least order properly.” Sylvie sighed as her brother piled chocolate-covered everything onto his plate. “You’re not taking all that to play games.”

“Hot chocolate too, please,” Hunter called to the passing server, already pulling his noise-canceling headphones from his bag. “I just got to the final boss level, and?—”

Archer waved him off with an indulgent smile. “Take the next booth if you’re going to game. Just try not to get chocolate on the upholstery this time.”

Hunter beamed, carefully balancing his plate of sweets and newly arrived hot chocolate as he moved to sprawl across the neighboring booth. Within seconds, his headphones were on and his gaming console was out, the world effectively forgotten.

The sudden hush that fell over the café made the rest of us look up, though I’d been half expecting this confrontation.

I’d first noticed these women when we arrived at the mall—their perfectly coordinated outfits and calculating stares had stood out even among New Vale’s fashionable elite.

Over the past two hours, they’d been like expensive shadows, always just visible at the edges of our shopping expedition.