Page 18 of I Dated a Golden Vampire (Blind Date Corporation #21)

“Pria’s sister, Vesta. I have access to a portal, and do you want me to take you to your casino to attend to your emergency and then transport you back to Riro’s home and Cabree’s side?”

He looked at her. “Yes.”

“Take my hand, and let’s walk through the portal.”

He gave orders to return to the island they had just left, and he took her hand to walk through the red portal.

She got the position from his mind, and he blinked. “That is convenient.”

“I know. Saves so much commute time.” She smiled. “Cabree needs you for house hunting. If you need a fixed portal, I can set one up for you.”

He went around his desk and got his computer up. “Why would you do that?”

“Cabree is your mate; she is Pria’s friend. Pria needs friends; therefore, she needs Cabree. Making a fixed gate is something I can do as long as there are limited users.”

She smiled and went to look out the window.

“So, you really want me to move to Riro’s island?”

“Cabree doesn’t want to raise her children this close to a casino. She needs peace, and she still wants to program.”

He paused and smiled. “Children?”

“More than the one she is carrying. She has lived alone for a long time, and if you don’t want to father the others, she can easily find someone.”

He snorted. “You are not subtle.”

“I know. Subtle takes time. Now, what is the emergency?”

“There are pirates who are approaching over the casino, and I need to defend it.”

“May I assist?”

“Can you?”

She grinned. “Oh, yes. Shall we head to the port?”

“My guards are there.”

“They won’t be needed.” She walked to the door. “I don’t know where I am going.”

He nodded and came around the desk, walking her through the maze of the casino and out into the village that was currently unoccupied. The vessels in the harbour were suitably cobbled together.

“Those are the ships?”

“Yes.”

“Have your guards ready to go. I am going to show you my party trick.” She stepped forward a few steps, and then she split into thirty archers.

She raised flaming arrows and fired at the ships. Then she reloaded and fired again. And again.

The ships suddenly started listing and moving aimlessly. “Send your men out. The pirates are unconscious and will remain so for forty-five minutes.”

Denog nodded and sent his guys out. A wave of guards got into boats, and they went to grab the prisoners and the sinking ships.

“So, what is that, exactly?”

She snapped back into one body. “Oh, just something that is handy for situations like this. This didn’t come to me naturally.”

“What happened?”

“I was sold, and then I was purchased, and then this happened.”

He stared. “Oh.”

“Yeah. Now I’m an agent.” She wrinkled her nose. “It seems that Aksalla is willing to take servitude for citizenship.”

“An agent... ah.” Denog chuckled. “It seems I am mixing with interesting people.”

“Yes. Do your men have things under control?”

He looked around and spoke into his com. A man named Cavel spoke and said, “ We’ve got it. What do we do with them? ”

“Call the Sethir. These appear to be their citizens gone astray. They can come get them.”

Vesta smiled. “You have really good vision.”

“Of course I do. I could see Cabree sunbathing on the private deck from here. At that point, she was going to be mine.”

Vesta chuckled. “And now she is.”

“Your sister almost stopped that, but it is best the way it worked out. Cabree is worth the fuss and definitely the trouble. I never imagined I would find a woman with golden blood guarded by a woman who used water whips.”

Vesta grinned. “That’s Pria. I am so happy to be with her again.”

“Are you?”

“Happy or with her?”

He snorted. “Yes, you sound like her.”

She grinned. “If your men are ready, I will bring you back to Cabree. You might want to make it legal, by the way. She needs to know someone is choosing her.” Vesta chuckled. “Plus, she isn’t in it for money.”

He grinned. “I know, I looked into her finances.”

She nodded. “Me, too. Pria and I were born poor, were taken down to nothing, and had to work like hell to get back to poor.”

Denog said, “Agents make quite a bit.”

“It will all go to Pria if she needs it.”

He smiled.

The man named Cavel came over and said, “We have them all locked up. Are you going back to the casino, sir?”

“No. I am going back to propose to Cabree. Call me if you need me. I should be able to arrive in a few minutes.”

Vesta held out her hand, and they walked through the crimson portal, landing on the beach where they had started.

Denog found Cabree and walked toward her.

Cabree laughed. “She was right. You were quick.”

Vesta chuckled. “I have to go get someone.”

Cabree blinked. “Someone?”

“I will see you in a few minutes.” Vesta grinned and walked through her portal.

The sound of children made her smile. Torenne was holding Khy and said, “Is it all sorted?”

“It is. Pria is currently engaged and rolling around with Riro, shocking the fish. I think they are creating a tidal wave.”

Torenne said, “Are you sure you want to move all the way out there?”

“Pria is my sister. I need to stay with her for a while, and Khy needs to know her.” Vesta smiled. “You are always welcome to visit, Torenne.”

Her friend sighed. “Kiss?”

Vesta leaned in and kissed the doctor who had helped her deliver Khy a few weeks ago. The kiss was sweet, and Khy cooed softly.

“What island are you on?”

“Riro’s island. If Pria doesn’t take to the baby, I will be back and begging for shelter.”

Salat’s voice was soft. “And we will give it. How are you doing, Vesta?”

“Good. Pria is finally safe, and her future is looking bright. Riro finally figured out what she needed, which is funny considering how much she was yelling it at him.”

Salat chuckled. “Waterdance was always direct. I have some shirts for you to bring them. There’s one for you there as well, and a onesie for Khy. She’s a little doll.”

Khytten walked over. “I didn’t put any growth into her. She’s exactly as you left her, but it’s six diapers later.”

Vesta smiled. “I have supplies at the small place I rented. I warned them she was coming. I also get the idea that they might have supplies in the city.”

Khytten sighed. “You could stay here. You know I love babies.”

Vesta laughed. “I am aware. Come in for a hug, Khytten. We will be back for a visit when you least expect it.”

They carefully hugged around the baby.

Salat put the shirts in the diaper bag. “Is anyone hunting you?”

“Aside from the Lorn Emperor? Nope. I think he gave up when his concubines started showing up dead.” She smiled. “Okay, Khy has to meet her auntie.”

Khytten asked, “Does she have any idea?”

“Nope. Salat, keep me posted if folks come looking for me. Torenne, I bet you look great in a small top and a sarong.”

Torenne smiled. “I will consider it.”

Salat winced. “Now I have to fight that mental image.”

Torenne flipped him a finger.

Vesta looked down at her daughter. “All right, wish me luck.”

Salat nodded. “Good luck, Crimson.”

She winked and said, “Thanks for the emergency childcare. I was not going to wear her into the casino.”

Khytten smiled. “She’s a doll. Anytime. The other kids took turns staring at her.”

Vesta chuckled and stepped away, turned, and walked through her portal, covering Khy’s face against the bright sun where they were going.

She landed on the beach as Pria and Riro came out of the sea, purging water from their gills. Cabree walked over with wide eyes. “Is that a baby?”

Vesta looked down and laughed. “Oh my god, is that what this is?”

Khy’s face was scrunched, so Vesta pulled her little blanket over her face.

Pria ran up and said, “Is that a baby?”

Vesta snorted. “I really hope so. Can we go into the shade so you can meet your niece?”

Pria nodded and covered the little face as they walked toward the shade near the buildings and swaying trees.

“Vesta. You made a person.”

“I really did. Her name is Khymera, but I call her Khy.”

Vesta slid the blanket back and said, “Khy, this is your Aunt Pria. She’s good underwater and a very protective person, but she needs watching because she has shifty eyes, so that is why she found your Uncle Riro. He keeps an eye on her.”

Riro looked at her and grinned. “Hello, little lady.”

“This is your Aunt Cabree and Uncle Denog. She has funny blood, and he drinks it, but Cabree is super excited to meet you. She can practice with you before her baby arrives.”

Cabree grinned. “It is good to meet you, Khy.”

Pria smiled and touched Khy’s cheek. “She’s so tiny. How old is she?”

“Six weeks.”

Riro looked at her and asked, “Can I hold her?”

Vesta handed her baby over to the damp man. He looked down and smiled. “Aren’t you just a pretty little thing?”

Khy looked at him and pursed her mouth, making a little squeak and snuffling sound. Vesta said, “Hold her against your chest. She doesn’t like to be suspended.”

He pulled her in, and the snuffling stopped. He beamed.

Vesta smiled, and Pria ran over, got a towel, and dried off. “Gimme.”

Riro grinned and handed her over carefully. “She’s beautiful.”

“Thanks. I crafted her from tacos and lemonade.”

He laughed. “You are staying here?”

“If you don’t mind. I have found a place to rent. It’s small, but I warned them about Khy, and she’s up for the noise.”

Pria lost the baby to Cabree, and Riro looked over and waved at a woman whose delicate features were echoed in her son.

“Well, my boy, it looks like you will be staying close to home from now on. Oh, a baby! Whose is it?”

Vesta grinned. “It would be mine. Her name is Khy; she’s six weeks old and is about half an hour away from a feeding. Oh, and I am Vesta, I am Pria’s sister, and I have rented a little apartment near the trees.”

The woman’s face was outraged. “They are charging you for that dump? You and the baby will live with me. I am Ysell, by the way. I can show you some tricks for dealing with your little one.”

Denog was looming over Cabree and stroking Khy’s cheek.

Ysell smiled. “You have a lot of confidence in those around you.”