Page 75 of Vampire so Virtuous

Through the realms unseen, let the energies align;

A man of interest for Cally, by this spell, divine.”

Eve was last, her line blessedly short. “Cally, feel the energy, and so mote it be!”

“So mote it be,” came the echo.

“Now, we each define an attribute of Cally’s perfect man,” Zara said. “Cally, you can start.”

Oh, great. More humiliation.“Uh, handsome? I guess?”

A chilly silence seemed to greet this unenthusiastic contribution, though with her eyes closed at least she didn’t have to see Zara’s expression. “Thank you, Cally,” Zara said at last, her tone cool. “We will go around the circle. Priya?”

Silence descended again, stretching out before Priya spoke, and Cally wondered if she was going to. But then she did, her words strange, lacking her usual timidity. “He will be of darkness.”

To her right, Lily responded immediately, her tone also different than usual. “He will be strong.”

Zara spoke without hesitation. “He will be a warrior.”

Eve added, “He will be forever youthful.”

Cally was feeling more uncomfortable with each new contribution, not liking the coincidence of the Coven’s choices. “He will be kind,” she said, with determination.And fuck you, Antoine. You’re off the list now, asshole.

She opened her eyes. The spell should’ve been done, but Priya went again. “He will have enemies.” Cally snapped her eyes shut again, but notbefore she’d seen the rose quartz they all held, touching in the center of the circle. Glowing.No, not glowing. Quartz can’t glow. Just reflecting the candlelight.She didn’t want to look and make sure.

“He will fear the tomb.”

Who doesn’t?

“He will have the thirst.”

Okay, this is freaking me out now.

“He will drink of power,” Eve added, and Cally realized it was her turn again.

“So mote it be.”Time to put a stop to this.

“So mote it be,” they all echoed, and then they were all giggling and exclaiming. Cally opened her eyes, focusing first on her quartz, which was as it always had been, mocking her in its dormancy.

“That was fun!” Lily said.

“Oh, he sounds delicious!” Priya added. “I do so hope you get to meet him one day.”

Cally stared at her in disbelief. Priya had said he’d have enemies, and she thought he was delicious? “Lily, what did you mean by ‘He will fear the tomb’?”

Lily looked at her with confusion. “What? I didn’t say that.”

“Oh, um. Sorry.” Cally chewed her lip. “I guess I misheard.”

“Well, ladies, now we’ve sorted out Cally’s love-life,” Zara said smugly.

No. No you most certainly have not.

Cally forced a smile—or her best imitation of one—as her thoughts raced.

And now I have no choice but to go and see that bastard.

Nineteen – Antoine