“I designed it myself,” Stark said.
“I love it,” I said, holding onto his arm as two men in black shirts opened the restaurant doors for us.
On the inside, the dining room was filled with white tablecloths, candles, and oddly dressed vampires sitting in front of empty plates. Well, mostly. One guy was sniffing a ravioli. Another gal was petting a slice of chocolate cake like it was a tiny puppy.
Now, that’s just sad.But Stark had once told me that he also enjoyed ordering food he couldn’t eat—something about the aroma bringing backmemories. He even baked cookies every once in a while just to fill his house with cookie goodness.
“I’m guessing the patrons aren’t drinking red wine,” I said, looking around at their glasses.
“Correct. This blood comes from humans who eat from a select menu of black truffles, wagyu beef, and organic blueberries.” He pulled out a chair for me at a table set for two. “Later in the week we are serving Taco Bell blood. It is a new vampire delicacy, but let us discuss curated blood trends another day. Tonight, we are here to celebrate.”
“Sounds like a good idea.” Because my stomach had just turned green.Taco Bell-flavored blood? Bleh!I wondered if it made them fart.
I sat, and Stark took his place across from me. Meanwhile, the fifty or so vampires in the room kept staring and whispering.
“Is it just my imagination,” I said, “or are your friends all waitin’ on you for something?”
“I cannot get anything past you, Masie. Tonight is the first step in the process of a formal vampire union.”
I clamped my mouth shut into a hard line. Had it ever occurred to him to tell me these things ahead of time? “Mind sharin’ the ingredients of this process?”
A waiter came up to the table with a bottle of chilled champagne and two glasses. He popped the cork and poured some for us both.
“Well?” I pushed.
“Well, first I toast to my beautiful wife-to-be.” Stark got to his feet and raised his champagne flute in the air. “Everyone, thank you for attending night one ofPowoli Trac Erekcje. As you know, I have chosen Masie Kicklighter to be my eternal companion, after which, my power will become hers. Hers will become mine. Together, we will be an undefeatable force to represent, defend, and grow our coven’s prosperity.” He raised his glass higher in the air. “To fear!”
“To fear!” the room called out in unison.
I slid my hand away from my glass. I was not about to toast to something like that. Good health, yes. Longevity, okey dokey. I’d even toast to getting your monthly bill on time. (Condom scare for my friend Ashley, who worked at the Rooster.) But toasting to fear? Just didn’t seem right.
Stark was quick to notice my lack of toasting. “Masie,” he growled quietly, “do not embarrass me. You must drink.”
“No,” I whispered.
“Masie…” he warned, “these are my friends, my family, my allies. You cannot disrespect them.”
“Then maybe you should’ve told me that our marriage’s purpose will be world domination through fear.”
“It is merely tradition to say such things, no different than the Vikings, the Romans, the…UFC.”
I arched a brow. “You watch that stuff?”
“Vampires love bloodysports. It is akin to watching porn.” He cracked a wide smile, exposing his two rarely seen dimples.
I couldn’t help smiling back. He was just too dang charming. When he wanted to be.
“Fine.” I took my flute, sipped, and set it back on the table. “To fear.”
The room of vampires applauded, and Stark took his seat.
Meanwhile, I was trying hard to stay irritated, but the adoring way he kept looking at me made it difficult.
“So, what’s next?” I asked.
“You drink. We dance. Then you mingle with the guests.”
“In other words, they’re going to grill me.”
