Isidoro takes a sip from his glass with what must be blood. “Then perhaps I can share some stories? It has been quite a while since I reminisced about the past.” He peeks at me, letting his lips curve into a smile. “I always wanted to share them with you, and now, finally, I can.”
“Yes, please! And then maybe we can do a bit of brainstorming about your coronation. I’ve never been to one. We are invited, right? Have you decided where you are going to hold it? And is there an actual crown? Do I get toput it on your head since I am the keeper of the ruby? That would be sooo sick.”
Tommy barrages Isidoro with questions that my vampire friend doesn’t seem to mind at all. My heart flutters, full of joy at how well my best friend and my person get along.
After we’ve had some food, Tommy unceremoniously hands Isidoro the ruby, thus making him officially the vampire king. The official ceremony will be in a few months, where they will repeat the ritual publicly, but for now this will do. My sweet gremlin passes out on the fluffy couch afterwards, tiredness, food and the events of tonight finally catching up to him. I sit on the armchair across and watch him sleep for a while, tingling all over. He’s so precious, my little devil. The cutest, smartest and craziest man I have ever met. He’s my world and he’s made it abundantly clear that I am his.
I press my hand to my chest, feeling like a thousand butterflies live there. I’ve never felt so giddy and I honestly don’t know what to do with it. It’s too much in the best way. Chuckling at myself, I go out to the patio for some air. Isidoro is already there, leaning forward on the railing and looking at the sky.
“Part of me still can’t believe vampires exist,” I say, bumping him on the shoulder.
“Ah, don’t pay it no mind. It will be as normal as a morning coffee in another month or two.”
I wonder if that’s right. And while it’s a little concerning and scary that vampires lurk in the world without us, humans, even noticing, it’s also exciting. It gets my blood pumping like I am about to jump off a plane. This changes so many things, and yet so few people seem to know about it. And I am one of those lucky few.
“By the way,” Isidoro says, smoothing out his shirt. “If you are interested, I am on the lookout for a new ally in Eastern Europe. Someone with skill, integrity and an open mind, who can help me grow my influence and eliminate a couple of fragmented pockets of former underworld factions. In case this tickles your fancy. You had a good run as a mercenary hotshot.”
I… I hadn’t really thought about the future other than tying a few loose ends here in the States before settling down in Greece permanently and enjoying the beautiful mansion Isidoro has gifted me and Tommy. He’s already wired us enough money to last us multiple lifetimes too, so figuring out work wasn’t a priority. But now that he’s brought it up, a twinge of nostalgia bubbles up inside me.
I loved my job. The money too, but it would be a lie to say I didn’t like the power it came with, the adrenaline.
Isidoro smiles knowingly, his red eyes glowing a little. “I see I might have intrigued you.” He pats my shoulder. “We will talk more once you’ve settled down. Now, go wake up your Tommy and get going, or you might miss your flight.”
Epilogue
Two months later
TOMMY
ThescorchingJulysunaccompanies me as I make my way from the shaded patio to the small private beach right in front of our mansion. Just like the ten acres of land surrounding the beautiful white marble house we call home, it belongs to the Stavros Group, a new subdivision of Isidoro’s organization that we manage here in Europe.
Niko, who’s already wearing a frown while he nurses an ice-cold cocktail under a flimsy straw umbrella, sits up in his sun chair, noticing me approach immediately. He places down the report he was reading, and in an instant his glower transforms into the most radiant smile.
“You’re back,” he says, patting his chair. “How was shooting?”
I prop the sniper rifle I had hoisted on my back against the chair’s leg and inhale the pleasantly briny scent of the sea. “I beat Jimmy’s ass by two points again. He’s driving over his Lamborghini next week, as per our agreement.”
Niko sighs, shaking his head. “Another car, Tommy? Really? I’ll need to call my guys for another garage extension.”He holds up four fingers. “You already have enough cars.”
I raise my shoulders, then plop down between his legs. “It’s not my fault the guy is a gambling addict with a car hobby.”
Jimmy is the closest thing to a best friend that I have. Other than Isidoro, though I don’t get to see the vampire as often since he lives in the States. But he visits enough so our friendship grew exponentially over the past two months. Sadly, he’s not made much progress with his investigation into where Andras is hiding. The threat still hangs over his head, even with the ruby already in his possession and the official coronation happening soon.
Speaking of that, I’m super excited about it. Me and Niko will be flying to the States the day before and we’ll be staying at this posh five-star hotel, courtesy of Isidoro. I’ve never been to a five-star hotel. I bet the food will be amazing.
I’m just getting settled and contemplating how to fess up my little secret, when my phone rings. It’s Isidoro.
“Heey, Isi! What’s up?” I answer and put the device on speaker.
“Hello, Tommy. I trust Niko is there with you?” he says in his singsong voice.
“Yep. All toasty and sunburned because he forgot to put on sunscreen again.” I snort, pressing on a red spot on Niko’s thigh.
“Ah, that is no good, friend. You must take care of yourself, or your Tommy might run off to some younger man. Or did you reconsider my offer to join the vampire world?”
Isidoro offered us the gift too, but we decided not to rush with it. Both Niko and I want to enjoy being normal humans for a few years before we make the leap.
“Still thinking about it,” Niko laughs, shaking his head. “So, did you need something? Don’t tell me you are nervous about the coronation. It’s so not like you.”
