Spencer chuckled. “Yeah, you did. Give us a minute to get dressed, and we’ll meet you at the gate.”
Alan blinked, regaining his composure. “All right. Thanks.”
Spencer pressed End and lowered the phone to his lap. “Is it wrong that I wish they’d missed their flight?”
She rested her hand on his chest, and his stomach tensed. “Perhaps, after you get the footage you need, you could come to The Underworld for a bit. I could give you the grand tour, and you could meet Esther.”
“I’d like that.” He brushed his lips to hers before sliding out of bed. “Where is Percival? I haven’t seen him since we flew last night.”
She reached out with her mind to connect with her crow and found him pecking at an ear of corn on a nearby farm. Typical. “He’s out having breakfast.”
“I feel bad for locking him out all day.” Spencer bent over to retrieve his clothes, and Lilith’s stomach fluttered at the sight of his backside. His build was slim yet defined. Not overly muscley, but just toned enough to make her insides burn.
She caught a glimpse of his dick before he pulled on his underwear, and she ran her tongue over her lip at the memory of the way he tasted, how he felt inside her, filling her fully. She would have him again before the night was through and every night for the rest of her existence if she had her way.
“He’s fine. Percival appreciates his freedom.” She rolled out of bed and dressed, pushing thoughts of all the things she wanted to do with Spencer to the back of her mind for now. They had work to do.
She laced her arm around Spencer’s bicep and walked by his side down the stairs. Andrei met them in the foyer, and he inhaled deeply, his brow lifting in surprise. “Can this be?”
Spencer stiffened, and Lilith patted his shoulder. “Can what be, old friend?” she asked.
“The Queen of the Night has found a soulmate in a shifter after all?” He lifted a finger. “Don’t try to deny it. I can smell your bond.”
“Indeed, I have. Be a dear and help Spencer’s friends with their equipment. They are waiting outside the gate.”
“Stefan.” Andrei waved over one of his human servants. “Take Daniel and retrieve the visitors.”
“I better go too.” Spencer followed the men out the door, but Lilith hung behind with Andrei.
“How did this happen?” Andrei eyed her, an amused grin curving his lips.
“Speed dating of all things.”
“I assume you’ll be turning him soon. Or are you still enjoying the taste of his mortal blood?”
Lilith ground her teeth. “He doesn’t want to be turned.”
“Oh, dear. That is quite the conundrum, isn’t it?”
“We’ll figure it out. I’m going to help them.” She strode out the door and jogged to catch up with Spencer. Thinking about their “conundrum” now would only drag her mind into a dark place. A place she needed to avoid until Esther recovered. Besides, fate wouldn’t bless her with this much happiness unless there was a solution to their predicament. She would figure out what it was.
Spencer caught her hand, and Percival cawed from a nearby tree. She lifted her free hand, and he swooped down to perch on her fingers. “I trust you had a pleasant day.”
He cawed in response and took to the sky once more.
As they reached the gate, Stefan punched in the code to open it. They gathered the gear and returned to the castle to find Andrei standing in the doorway. Rebecca hoisted her camera onto her shoulder, and Alan stopped, turning on his television smile to narrate their journey.
“We finally get to meet the mysterious man whom all the locals believe to be a vampire, Andrei Lupu, the fourth.” Alan gestured with his head, and Rebecca panned the scene before focusing on the door.
“I bid you welcome.” Andrei bowed formally, and though he spoke perfect English, he thickened his Romanian accent for the show. He’d even donned a regal black cape identical to the one he wore back when Lilith first turned him, and he threw it back with a flourish before turning on his heel and gliding into the castle.
“That was awesome.” Rebecca turned off her camera before entering the vampire’s home.
Lilith rolled her eyes. Andrei always had a flair for the dramatic, and it seemed it hadn’t lessened with time. “You two must be exhausted from travel. Do you want to head up to your rooms and rest, and we can continue tomorrow?” Because the bedroom was exactly where she wanted Spencer.
“Are you kidding?” Alan clasped his hands behind his back and peered at one of Andrei’s old suits of armor. “I’m way too wired to sleep. Are you up for an interview, Mr. Lupu?”
“Always. And please, call me Andrei.” He gestured to a doorway. “You may set up your cameras in my library.”
