Page 66 of How to Stake a Vampire

Titania sniffed and dabbed at her eyes with a hanky.

“So why did Miss Martin get bitten?” Daria asked. The witch looked uncomfortable at all the public displays of affection taking place in theTwilight Conference Room.

“When Ludvik couldn’t find Virgil at Bean Me Up, he took his frustration out on Ellie,” I said.

I decided not to mention my best friend’s appalling skills at coffee making had probably triggered the episode of violence.

Cornelius’s puzzled gaze swung between me and Ellie.

“Do you two know each other?”

“We live together,” I said. “Ellie is my best friend.”

Ellie beamed.

Daria’s face fell. “Ah.”

“What an unlucky coincidence,” Melody remarked thoughtfully. “That both of you got bitten within a month of each other.”

Portia frowned. “Almost like it was fate.”

I couldn’t deny that it was a freaky situation to be in.

“Still, it doesn’t explain why Miss Martin is not acting like a normal newborn,” Gregory said.

“That’s because Virgil gave me his blood,” Ellie said cheerfully. “It was delicious.”

The Alliance members stared at her like she’d just suggested a full-on orgy.

“I thought that was just an urban legend,” Oscar said warily.

“So did I,” Wendall muttered.

“You gave her your blood?!” Constantia asked, stunned.

Virgil’s face tightened. “It was the only thing I could think of to help Ellie through her transformation.”

“But—why go so far for a perfect stranger?” Cornelius asked.

Virgil and Ellie exchanged a hesitant look.

Gregory lowered his brows, understanding dawning on his face. “Wait. Don’t tell me?—”

“Ellie and I like each other,” Virgil declared. He jutted his chin and took Ellie’s hand.

Ellie smiled mistily.

Gregory looked like he was considering turning to religion.

Constantia swayed.

Titania supported her with her hands and murmured words of reassurance while giving Portia and Daria a glance that said they were gossiping about this over cocktails later.

“Virgil’s blood stabilized Ellie,” Barney said. “His emotions for her likely influenced her transformation.”

Wendall’s face twisted in disgust. “Like a love potion?”

Pearl wrinkled her face like she was ready to cough up a fur ball.