The Accidental Vampire(86)

or someone else. By then, those who knew us they have moved, or aged, or died, or

simply do not remember us and we are safe for another ten years before we must

move again."

"How awful," Elvi said with real sympathy. "I can't imagine having to live like that."

"Ah, but you don't have to," he pointed out. "You have the good setup here. Your

people, they love you, and protect you from needing to do this."

"Yes," Elvi agreed quietly. While her life wasn't perfect, she did have a home she didn't

have to leave and didn't have to constantly worry about hiding what she was, which

allowed her to enjoy the love and support of her friends and neighbors.

"There you are!" Edward said with annoyance when they came around the corner into

the kitchen. "We've been waiting—"

"But you are surely worth every minute of the wait," Harper interrupted gallantly,

crossing the room to take her hand and press a kiss to the back of her fingers.

Flushing with embarrassment, Elvi glanced over his bowed head to Victor. He leaned

against the low wall, his expression unreadable. She wasn't sure how he felt about

Harper's gallant greeting, but he wasn't making an effort to approach her himself.

"Your chariot awaits, my lady." Harper settled her hand on his arm and urged her to

the door leading out onto the deck.

Elvi had thought they'd have to drive to the nearest airport where his helicopter would

be waiting. She'd thought wrong. With the other men following, Harper escorted her

across the deck and down the sidewalk to the driveway, but then continued past the

cars parked there.

"What—" Elvi began with confusion, only to pause as she spotted the helicopter in the

school yard across the street.

"My pilot is one of the best," Harper informed her with pride. "He can land this

contraption anywhere."

"So I see," Elvi said with a laugh as they started across the street.

"Have you ever been in a helicopter before?" he asked, eyes shining. When Elvi shook

her head, he grinned. "Then this shall be a treat."

Elvi didn't know about a treat, but it certainly was an experience. One she wasn't

entirely sure she enjoyed. It was quick, though, quicker than driving would have been,

and it wasn't long before they were setting down on a helipad on the rooftop of a

building in downtown Toronto.

"What did you think?" Harper asked expectantly as they rode down to ground level in

a rather luxurious elevator.

"I think I need a drink," Elvi said honestly. The men all laughed as if she was joking, but

Elvi was pretty sure she'd left her stomach behind in the school yard.

"The Night Club is several blocks from here. Will you be able to manage in those

shoes?" Victor asked, speaking for the first time since her arrival in the kitchen.

"I think so," Elvi said, and was sure it was true. Part of her outfit each night at the

restaurant included high‐heeled black shoes. She was quite used to walking and

standing in the items.

Victor nodded, and immediately returned to his previous silence, even stepping back

for Harper to escort her as the elevator doors opened. She felt like a football passed

off to the other man in a game and couldn't help resenting it. Where had his interest

gone? The other night he was claiming she was his lifemate and now he seemed to be

staying as far away from her as possible.

Hurt, Elvi felt her lip tremble, then bit it viciously and raised her chin as Harper

escorted her out of the building. If he wasn't interested anymore, fine. She had three

other suitors to take his place. Her heart cried out that none of those three men were

Victor, but Elvi's pride insisted it would have to be enough.



Slipping off her shoes under the table, Elvi peered around the Night Club. She wasn't at

all sure what she'd expected, but this wasn't it. With its loud music, flashing lights, and

tables crowded around a dance floor, it could have been any mortal nightclub in any

city in the world. Not that she'd thought there would be coffins for tables or upside‐

down crosses on the walls, but really, had she wandered in here by mistake, she was

sure there was no way she would know it wasn't a mortal nightclub. "What can I get

you folks?"

Elvi glanced to their waitress. Short, blond, and cute, the girl was no more than

twenty‐two or twenty‐three. Obviously a university student earning her way through

school—Elvi barely finished the thought when the woman burst out laughing.

"You must be a newbie. Honey, I haven't seen twenty‐three for over a century," the

waitress said, obviously having read her mind. Softening her words with a smile, she

added, "The first drinks are on the house for newbies. And it's a Virgin Mary."