Page 93 of My Big Fat Vampire Wedding

“Oh, hey,” Pandora said, stiffening.

Things hadn’t exactly softened between the two ofthem since the night of the in-laws’ meeting. She couldn’t help but blame Ambrosia for giving Bellatrix the idea to glamour Victor.

“Hello,” Ambrosia said, looking over Pandora, then Victor as he found his phone on the table.

She saw her great-great-grandmother zero in on the pendant hanging from Victor’s chest. Pandora could tell by the way Ambrosia stared at it, brows slightly lifted, that she knew exactly what it was.

“It’s good to catch you two,” she said, making a strange shiver move down Pandora’s spine.

“Why’s that?” she asked, moving closer to Victor.

“I never got a chance to give you your engagement present.”

“That’s not necessary,” Victor said before Pandora could think of anything to say.

“Of course it is,” Ambrosia said. “Traditions are important.”

“Do you need to go get it?” Pandora asked.

“It isn’t a gift so much as an … experience,” she said.

“What kind of experience?” Pandora asked, back going even straighter.

“Oh, just a little … lovers’ getaway,” Ambrosia said.

Why did Pandora get the feeling that there was some sort of catch?

24

“Why are you looking a gift horse in the mouth?” Lucy asked the following night when Pandora showed up for work to request the next three shifts off so she could go on this getaway that Ambrosia was insisting on.

“There has to be a catch,” Pandora said.

“Why? This is your family. Even if they might not love your choice of a significant other, they loveyouand want you to be happy, right?”

“I guess,” Pandora said, but she still couldn’t shake the feeling.

“You’re just getting paranoid as the day approaches … Oh, God, did someone lift the lid on your crypt again?” Lucy asked, looking past Pandora toward the door. “Because I’ve got some industrial-strength duct tape, if needed.”

Pandora knew it was Elias before she even turned.

“Sweet as ever, pup,” Elias said with a charming smile.

“What are you even doing here? Your job, as pathetic as it was to begin with, is over.”

“I want to be there for the wedding. Sounds like it will be a hell of a time,” Elias said. “You must be the life of the party. So long as no one brings a vacuum out.”

Despite herself, Pandora let out a little snort.

“Traitor,” Lucy said under her breath, even though her eyes were dancing a bit. “Isn’t there anywhere else you could be? A support group for men who peaked in the Victorian era, perhaps?”

“Alas, I find myself without my private jet at the moment,” Elias said. “I hear it is being borrowed so you and your fiancé can take a trip.”

“Where is the trip?” Pandora asked a little desperately.

“I’m forbidden from telling you.”

“I need to know if it is some sort of trap.”