Page 52 of My Big Fat Vampire Wedding

“It’s the perfect storm, isn’t it?” Lucy asked. “Victor knows about the fake-marriage scheme. And Elias knows about the you-and-your-whole-family-being-vampires thing. What could possibly go wrong?”

“Don’t remind me.”

“What’s his deal? Like, what is he getting out of this?”

“That’s what I asked,” Pandora said. “But he didn’t really have an answer for me. Maybe I can get Dante to get some answers out of Mum. She’s not going to tell me, but maybe he can at least figure out what is in it for Elias.”

“Do you think he’s going to keep on … tagging along?”

“Honestly? Yeah.”

“Maybe you can hook him up with that bratty cousin of yours.”

“I wish. I think Bellatrix ruined the chances of that when she sang last night. Would you hate me forever if I took a little walk with Victor? He’s playing it cool, but I think he’s a little insecure about Elias being here.”

“Go on. If you come back to me sweeping up a pile of dust, just know … I really enjoyed staking that guy through the heart.”

“Victor, want to take a little walk with me?” Pandora asked when she went back to the table to find both men eyeing each other up.

“Absolutely,” he said, getting to his feet and grabbing his jacket. “Can I leave my things here?” He waved toward the backpack with his books, notebook, and laptop.

“Lucy will keep an eye on it, right, Luce?”

“Of course,” Lucy said, coming out from behind the counter to snatch the backpack, casting a suspicious glance at Elias in the process.

Pandora was pretty sure, as she walked through the door, that Lucy whacked Elias around the head with the backpack before making her way behind the counter.

15

“Figured you might want a break from Elias,” Pandora said as she handed Victor the umbrella to open.

The rain had slowed to a slight drizzle, the kind that shimmered under the glow of the street lamps and left a light sheen on the pavement under their feet.

The air was cool, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and wet leaves, mingling with the distant aroma of woodsmoke.

London felt hushed, the rain and cold sending people indoors.

Pandora watched a couple at a window seat in a restaur­ant, sitting close and looking into each other’s eyes lovingly.

She felt a stab of longing in her chest as she glanced up at Victor, wishing he could look at her like that. Just once.

Sensing her inspection, he glanced down.

“What were you and Elias discussing?” Pandora asked.

“He was mostly talking business and your family.”

“Did he say how he knew my family? He’s kind of skirting around every question I ask.”

“He wasn’t specific. He just said he’s known your mother for a long time.”

“Maybe he sold her something once,” Pandora said.

It just didn’t make any sense. Her mother had been trying to hook her up with eligible – yet completely un­desirable – vampires for ages. Why, if she had someone that was as handsome, charming, and successful as Elias in her back pocket, would she wait so long to introduce them?

It didn’t make sense.

She was still trying to mull that over when she saw a flash out of her peripheral vision, making her stiffen and stare off into the distance.