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CHAPTER THREE

“Vampires are friends,” I said, reading the headline of the pamphlet in disbelief. “Where did you get this?”

“Right outside,” Vena said. “Keep reading.”

“Werewolves are the killers and the real threat to humanity,” I said, reading for the group. “You’ve been fed a lie. Don’t believe it? Watch the video and decide for yourself.”

I looked from the QR code to Vena. “Did you watch the video?”

“No. I scanned the rest of the pamphlet and ran back in here.”

As she answered, Cross used his phone to scan the QR code. It opened a video recording that looked like it was from a security camera inside someone’s well-lit house.

I watched the door to the home burst open and a group of men rush in. The people who’d been relaxing on the couch bolted to their feet.

Everyone moved so fast. But for some, not fast enough. Shouting, screaming, and growls rang out from Cross’ phone as the men inside the home had their hearts ripped out within seconds.

My stomach twisted at the sight.

“They were newly turned,” Cross said.

One wolf turned toward something off camera view. He disappeared from the frame only to return a second later, dragging a woman younger than me by her arm. She was sobbing and begging him not to kill her.

I squeezed my eyes shut before she screamed then went quiet.

Vena pulled me into a comforting hug as she said, “It looks like the vampires are trying to make werewolves into the bad guys. That video makes a convincing argument. Keep reading, Cross. But maybe to yourself.”

“They’re recruiting through Night Club meetings,” Cross said after a few moments.

I opened my eyes when Vena handed me over to Cross. “I apologize for not turning off the video.”

“It’s okay. We need to know what they’re doing.” Yet I knew the image of that man dragging the young woman into the room would haunt my dreams for weeks.

Shepard was watching the video on his phone—silently this time. His visible weariness had doubled.

“Is this Orphia making good on her promise?” I asked, recalling the threats she’d made during our meeting with Hugh, Queen Effora, and King Curran.

“Likely,” Cross said.

“We need to stop her before this escalates,” Vena said. “Everly and I should go to a Night Club meeting. It’s the best lead we have to find her.”

Anchor drew Vena into the cage of his arms, hugging her as much as confining her. “It’s also the most dangerous.”

“She’s obviously trying to replenish her numbers with this propaganda,” Vena said.

“It’s an effective tactic,” Cross said. “She’ll gain sympathy with that video. More people are likely to attend the meeting simply to learn about the aggressive side of your kind, Shepard. We need to inform Hugh.”

“We need to do more than that,” I said. "She’s luring innocent people. How many small towns does she need to take over before the public is told what’s really happening?

“While I don’t always agree with Vena, she’s right this time. We need to find and stop Orphia. So many people are in danger because of her.” I thought of my family and how their vacation wouldn’t keep them away from the danger forever.

“We’re on the same page?” Vena asked excitedly.

“Maybe. I think you’re right that the Night Club meetings are the best way to find Orphia and stop this quicker.

“I’m not suggesting some loose cannon escapade like we’ve poorly executed in the past.” I shot Vena a pointed look. “I’m suggesting a coordinated effort involving all of us. Send Vena and me to the meeting since we’re human while you guys tail us.”

There was a chorus of “No,” with one excited, “Hell yes!”

I saw the fear lurking in both Shepard and Cross’ gazes and tried to get them to see reason.

“Orphia has attempted to use me several times already to force the both of you to give up your rings. Now that we know why she’s doing it and what’s at stake, isn’t it better to find her before she finds me?”

“You’re not going in there,” Shepard said. “Either of you. You could get compelled or thralled and turned.”

“Think of what we’ve already been through, Shepard,” I said. “Even with you and Cross right there protecting us, I still got hurt last night. I’m not blaming you. I just don’t want to extend how long I have to live with the threat of Orphia or her people doing something else to me to get to you. The faster we stop her, the sooner we can move on. I’m ready to focus on what comes next in life.”

I knew I had him when his eyes flickered with gold. His sweet wolf-heart was desperate for our future together.

He glanced at Cross.

“They’ve had more close calls than I would care to remember,” Cross said. “While we both know things could go wrong, Everly’s right. This is our best chance to find Orphia. Even with my contacts on the inside, I’ve learned nothing of Orphia’s whereabouts.”

“We have her number,” I said. “Or at least her assistant’s. The other option is to call and ask for an in-person meeting like she wanted.”

“No,” Cross said firmly. “With forewarning, she has time to prepare, which would give her an advantage we cannot afford. There’s a reason I ran from her a century ago. She’s hungry for power and will kill as many people as needed to gain it. If you think the towns she converted are troubling, you are unprepared for the number she killed in the past when there were fewer people to notice.”

“Seriously?” Vena asked.

“There were fewer plagues than your human history claims,” he said.

“Damn,” Vena said as I silently agreed.

“Okay,” I said. “So the best option is the Night Club meetings. Unless someone has something else?”

Shepard didn’t look happy as he shook his head.

Vena giddily cheered as she pulled out her phone. Then she shushed everyone as she dialed the number on the pamphlet and placed the call on speaker.

A chipper man answered, “Thanks for calling the Night Club hotline. Would you like to donate to the cause or attend a meeting?”

“Both, actually,” Vena said. “My friend and I just watched the video. It’s disgusting what the wolves are doing.”

“I couldn’t agree more. And you’re not alone. We’ve had thousands of calls already this morning. Our new member onboarding is booked out for a few days, so we’re placing people on a waiting list. Is this the best number at which to reach you?”

“It is,” Vena said.

“Excellent. Can I have your first name?”

“Aneva,” Vena said without missing a beat.

I rolled my eyes at her. It was a name she’d always referred to as her stripper name. It was also the name she’d give any guy she wasn’t interested in when we went out for drinks.

“We will call you back in a few days with the meeting time and location, Aneva. Thanks for calling.”

“Thanks for sending people out with the pamphlets. Without them, I would have never known.”

She disconnected the call and pouted. “Days? That’s bullshit.”

“No,” I said. “It’s scary. Thousands have called. How many people are they going to convert or kill before we can stop them?”

I hoped he’d exaggerated the number, but either way, people were going to die.

“Which is why we need to get in there faster,” Vena said.

“How? You heard him. He’ll call in a few days.”

Vena frowned. “I can’t sit here and do nothing.” She patted Anchor’s arm. “Let’s go scry. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear from them.”

I let out a breath as soon as she was gone.

As Shepard and Cross began talking about moving wolves from one area to another, I slipped from the study.

With nothing else to do, I checked my phone to see the status of my grocery order. It would arrive in an hour, which was perfect. That gave me plenty of time to explore the spacious kitchen and prep for some therapy baking.

I peeked into the kitchen cupboards to find new dishes and cooking accessories. However, stickers still clung to most of them, so I began pulling things out for a wash. I loved everything Cross had selected and was thankful for his understanding of my love of baking. He’d made his kitchen an oasis for me.

Cross and Shepard appeared as I was peeling off a label from a shiny sauce pot.

I saw the concerned look they shared. They knew me well enough to recognize my stress cleaning for what it was.

“If you have things you need to do, do them,” I said. “I’m going to prep the kitchen for baking. The groceries should be here in an hour.”

Both settled at the counter island.

“I can work from here for now,” Shepard said as he pulled out his phone.

“I’m free to sit and watch you,” Cross teased.

I smiled at him. “If you’re so free, start brainstorming marketing ideas.”

Cross frowned in contemplation. “Well, the bakery is supposed to be a place for all races. But with the vampires vilifying the wolves, I wonder if we need to change it.”

“We need more inclusive places now more than ever. While I hate what is happening, I believe not all vampires are bad. Just like the wolves aren’t the monsters that Orphia is painting them to be.”

Shepard tensed when I said monsters. I flashed him a smile to show I didn’t mean I thought of them like that.

“What about the cookie class idea we had?” I asked, finding the cutest ramekins in a drawer. “These are adorable.”

“I thought you might like them,” Cross said. “As for the cookie class, is that the one where women make cookies and wolves smell them to see if they can find a possible mate?”

“Yes, that one.”

“Would any women show up?” Shepard asked.

“Yes. The Other House has been gaining fans and fueling fantasies for years. Plus, there will always be those who don’t believe Orphia’s propaganda. You have allies, Shepard.”

His disbelieving look made me more determined to create the class.

Our phones dinged at the same time. Cross and Shepard looked at theirs.

“Is it Vena?” I asked.

“Miles,” Cross said. “He verified all the locations in the book and map are in Europe and is asking if there are any known locations in the States.” He glanced at Shepard. “Do you know of any? As soon as I arrived here, I went into hibernation.”

Shepard shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Cross sent a text back to the group.

Moments later, my phone dinged with a different group message from Vena to Piper and Robyn, our college friends currently summering in Europe.

Vena: Hey, Piper and Robyn. Haven’t seen you in forever. How’s Europe so far? Where have you been?

I rolled my eyes, seeing through the motivation behind Vena’s message. Even if Piper and Robyn had been to the places mentioned in the book, would they even know what a portal looked like or how to find it? No. And even if they did, I wouldn’t put them in danger by asking them to search for something Vena’s grandparents had tried to find.

Annoyed, I sent Vena a private message.

Me: Don’t you dare use our friends to search for clues.

Vena: It’s like you don’t even know me. I would never use my friends like that.

Me: Like when you used a friend to investigate a lead on a fairy hoard under the ruse of a hike?

Vena: I’ve reformed. Did I tell you I love you and have put our name on the waitlist for Enticed?

Me: *eye roll emoji* Why a waitlist?

Vena: They’re booking out a few months. Sorry, bestie. I know you wanted to taste-test sooner for the bakery. But I’m honoring my promise.

I snorted and pocketed my phone. When I looked at the guys, they were both watching me with amused expressions.

“Vena?” Cross asked.

“Yes. We have friends in Europe. She asked them where they’ve been, and I warned her not to use our friends to hunt for clues.”

“Like she used you to search for treasure?” Cross asked.

“Exactly!”

He and Shepard chuckled.

“I remember when you showed up to work with that scratch on your cheek,” Shepard said.

“Same,” I said. “I thought I was in trouble.”

“Never.”

I smiled. “I’ll remind you of that when Vena gets a call back from the Night Club.”

Shepard’s humor faded.

“What are your plans for the rest of the day?” I asked to distract him.

“Spend some time with you in between whatever calls I get.”

“Did you want to go somewhere or do something?” I asked.

He leaned back in his chair. “Actually, it’s nice here. And I enjoy watching you in the kitchen.” He held up his hands quickly. “I’m not being sexist or anything. You just look really happy right now. It’s nice.”

I smiled at him and started wiping down the next emptied cupboard.

“I’m happy because I’m doing something I love…well, not cleaning the cabinets. And serving drinks at Blur was fun and rewarding, but it’s not baking. There’s something gratifying about creating confectionery that makes a person moan as soon as they put it in their mouth.”

Shepard made a choked sound. I turned to see Shepard with a beet-red face. Cross had a hand covering his mouth, but I could see the humor in his gaze.

“I’m glad Vena wasn’t here for that,” I mumbled.

“She’ll delight in the retelling of it, though,” Cross said.

“Or you could keep it to yourself.”

“Perhaps,” he said with his sexy half-smile.

“Don’t look at me,” Shepard said. “I’m not repeating that. But now I know why you like baking so much.”

Focusing on the cupboard I was cleaning, I kept my face hidden until my flush faded.

By the time I finished, the groceries arrived, and the pair helped me put everything away. It was nice spending time together, just the three of us, for a change. Listening to how they teased one another, they sounded like close friends or even brothers. If Shepard enjoyed watching me in the kitchen, I liked watching them as they were then. Laughing, light, and in harmony with each other.

I only managed to finish one batch of coffin scones, one of the creature-themed novelty treats for humans I’d come up with for the bakery, before Shepard got a call that killed the fun mood.

“That was Hugh. The girl in the video was identified by her parents. They want to speak to the wolf who killed their daughter. They don’t believe she was a vampire since she was talking and not attacking him.”

“Not all vampires are bad,” Cross said to Shepard. “However, every newly turned vampire is extremely dangerous. They wake hungry and often don’t care who they feed on.”

“I don’t think that’s going to comfort them.”

“She loved them enough not to go home after she was turned,” Cross said. “That’s what should comfort them.”

Shepard nodded and left me with Cross, who wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

I rested my head back against his chest.

“I didn’t know that,” I said. “How many go back and kill their families?”

“Not many, but it is a concern. To keep ourselves safe and hidden, we guard those we turn, knowing they’d go for the easiest blood source.”

“Have you turned anyone?”

“Never. I would never condemn anyone to this existence.”

“Not even me so we could spend an eternity together?”

He turned me around, his gaze sad. “Especially not you, Everly. Watching everyone you care about age and die is a cruel kind of torture I wouldn’t wish on anyone. The cruelty of an eternal existence is exactly why the first person was cursed with vampirism.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist, worried for Cross. Was he already thinking of how I would age and leave him?

“I think I’ve had enough kitchen time for now. I’m ready to sample something else that will make me moan.”

A network of black veins bloomed around his eyes before his mouth hungrily claimed mine.