Page 126 of My Big Fat Vampire Wedding

That, unfortunately, was not that much of an exaggeration. Apparently, to bring forth their desire to have the shop be a haven for all supernatural beings, a place where grudges based on species could not exist, they had to bleed for it. Not only them, but one of every kind of creature they wanted in on the sanctuary truce.

That meant weeks of tracking down down-on-their-luck sirens, succubi, shifters, fae, goblins, and, well, every other kind of creature they could think of, and asking them to donate their blood for a fee.

Pandora estimated that nearly half of the money that went into the bookshop went to getting blood from other creatures.

Lucy, luckily, gave hers for free. Well, no. She wanted a nice steak dinner in exchange for it.

“You know, we never really tested out the spell,” Lucy said.

“How were we supposed to test it out?”

“I don’t know … maybe you should try to hit me.”

“I don’t want to hit you.”

“It’s for science.” Lucy lifted her arms in a fighting stance. “Come on. Hit me.”

“Is that invitation for anyone?” a voice called, making Lucy’s eyes widen as she whipped around to find Elias standing in the shop.

“What are you doing here?”

“That’s on me,” Dante said, coming in behind Elias, holding two bouquets of flowers.

“I thought you went back to Transylvania,” Lucy said, getting a snort out of Dante.

“Well, the spell doesn’t seem to work with arguments,” Pandora said, taking the flowers from her brother. “Thank you.”

“Congratulations on your dream coming true,” Dante said as she put the flowers on a table.

“Thanks.”

“Come on, hit me,” Lucy said, making Pandora turn around to see her with her fists up as she circled a bemused Elias.

“That is not going to happen.”

“Fine. I’ll hit you, then,” she said, cocking back, then starting to swing.

It was like an invisible wall shot up between them.

Lucy’s fist froze a few inches from Elias’s face. When she tried again, the same thing happened.

“What does it feel like?”

“Like punching gelatin,” Lucy said. “Really thick gel­atin. Kind of cool, actually.”

“At least we know it works before we open the doors,” Pandora said.

“You have your first customer waiting,” Elias said.

“What do you mean?” Pandora looked out the windows, but saw nothing except the usual foot traffic moving past.

The grand opening was still a few hours away. And as much as she hoped for success, she wasn’t exactly anticipating a crowd. At least not right away.

Elias pointed up, making Pandora’s brows pinch. But, sure enough, when she craned her neck up high enough, there was something on the roof that hadn’t been there when she and Lucy had arrived before sun-up to fuss with some finishing touches.

“What is it?” Lucy asked.

“A gargoyle.”