“Not to worry. No fangs, no ball. You and I will not be attending.”
His posture relaxed. “I don’t want to keep you from the fun.”
“I prefer your company over that of a bunch of crusty, old vampires any day.”
“Good to know. Whoa.” His eyes widened as he took in the environment. The “sky” appeared as midnight, complete with a crescent moon and twinkling stars, and artificial lights illuminated the streets and the quaint buildings surrounding them.
“First time in The Underworld?”
“Yeah. I know you said it was a village now, but I was expecting at least a little fire and brimstone.”
“That’s reserved for Hell these days. The damned still get to enjoy the heat.” She led him through the center of town and hung a left toward the portal. “This will lead us to Romania. Are you ready?”
Spencer eyed the glittering black abyss that would take them to their destination…with a little help from Lilith’s magic, of course. “Is it safe? I’m not going to end up melded with the castle wall, am I?”
“This isn’t the Philadelphia Experiment. I’ve been using portals for millennia.”
He leaned away from the gateway.
She pursed her lips and released his hand. “You don’t trust me yet. I understand.” And why should he? He’d only known her a week, and she wasn’t allowed to tell him he was her soulmate yet. “I will take you back to the bar, and you can see if you can catch a flight.”
“Actually…” He took her hand again. “I do trust you. It’s a feeling I’m not used to, but I do.”
Her blood seemed to fizz in her veins, and she smiled. “Good. Percival?” Her crow swooped down and landed on her shoulder. “Shall we?”
He inhaled deeply, looking from her to the portal. “Let’s do it.”
“You’ll feel a little tickle.” She tugged him through, the magic of the portal vibrating across her skin a moment before they landed on Andrei’s doorstep.
Spencer panted, and his mouth hung open in a most adorable way. He clutched his arms, his legs, the top of his head before muttering, “Holy shit.”
“It wasn’t so bad, was it?” She set her suitcase and Andrei’s gift at her feet.
“That was incredible!” He peered up at the massive castle doors, then turned in a circle, taking in his surroundings. “We’re in Romania? Just like that?”
She laughed. “Just like that.”
“Is this how you found me in Costa Rica? You walked through a portal, and there I was?” The light in his eyes reminded her of a child the first time he saw the ocean, and her chest gave a squeeze. Everything about him was endearing.
“Venus found you for me, but yes, this is exactly how I showed up on your ghost hunt.” She chuckled. “I might have scared the daylights out of your friends at first.”
“I can imagine the looks on their faces when you suddenly appeared. I…” He moistened his lips, and that little swipe of tongue made heat pool below her navel. Oh, the places she’d let him lick…
He gazed into her eyes, and she looked back at him, and it felt like they were different poles of a magnet being drawn together by an invisible force that was impossible to resist. This soulmate bind didn’t mess around. Hell, she’d have sworn Spencer had glamour magic because the rest of the world seemed to dissolve away until he and she were the only things left in the universe.
She’d never felt like this with Adam. Not once. Not even close. Why in all of Lucifer’s realm would her creator force them together yet deny them this bond that she now felt with Spencer? Why would fate make her wait thousands of years to experience what so many already had?
A spark of anger ignited in her chest, and she closed her eyes. The bitterness she’d lived with for millennia expanded in her chest, fanning the flame, but when she looked into Spencer’s eyes once more, it was like a firehose blasted in her chest, washing away the resentment. She was with him now, and that was what mattered. Please, universe, don’t let this be a cruel joke.
The thunk of the lock disengaging drew her back to the present, and one of the massive double doors swung open. Andrei stood in the entry, his posture perfectly straight, his hands clasped behind his back. He wore black pants with a deep purple button-up, and his wavy, dark brown hair reached down to his shoulders.
“Welcome.” He gestured for them to enter, and Lilith tucked his gift beneath her arm. Spencer picked up her suitcase and carried it into the foyer behind her.
Percival took flight, circling the entry of the castle, which was as big as Lilith’s entire house, and he perched on the rail of a grand stone staircase. A chandelier with a million crystals sparkled from above, bathing the room in white light.
Andrei cocked his head, an amused grin spreading across his face. “I expected a thank you gift, but you’ve outdone yourself, dear friend.” He raked his gaze over Spencer, who bristled. “I prefer my main course to be meatier, but he’ll make a nice appetizer at our feast tonight.”
Lilith laughed and kissed him on both cheeks. “Sorry to disappoint, but this one isn’t on the menu. He’s the camera operator for the show I told you about.”
