Page 103 of The Vampire and the Barista

Derrick looked up. “I’ve not seen the demon since I sold him my soul.”

Ivan saw Kevin creeping up behind Derrick and turned away, moving towards Jamie.

Derrick managed to stand up and got ready to throw his knife at Jamie, when Kevin growled and jumped him from behind.

With a cry of pain, Derrick went crashing to the ground, the knife falling out of his hand and sliding over the ground away from him. Kevin howled into his ear, then ripped his throat out.

Jamie slammed his eyes shut and gagged. “I think I’m gonna throw up.”

“Just don’t look, sweetheart,” Ivan said as he untied Jamie and pulled him into a hug, turning them around so Jamie’s back was to the bloody mess.

Jamie kept his eyes closed and wrapped his arms around Ivan and kissed his neck. He felt Ivan drop a kiss on his head.

“Throat ripping?” Gio commented. “You could have used my sword.”

Kevin shifted back. “He messed with my mate, no one does that and gets away with it,” Kevin replied with a growl.

Gabe clicked his fingers, and Derrick vanished, along with any evidence that he had been killed there. He clicked his fingers again and clothed Kevin and Ian.

“Thanks, Gabe,” Kevin said.

“Yep, thanks, witch,” Ian agreed.

“Sweetheart, you can look now; any evidence of Derrick has gone,” Ivan told him, kissing the side of his head.

“Really, because I really will throw up if I have to see that again.”

“I promise, sweetheart.”

“Okay,” Jamie said, pulling away and opening his eyes, pleased to see that the mess and Derrick had actually gone. He looked around. “Thank you all for coming to rescue me.”

Seth walked into view. “Jamie, I didn’t know you could talk that much.”

Jamie grinned. “Neither did I, but once I realised my talking annoyed him, I just carried on.”

“What did you mean about him eating you?” David asked, stepping closer.

“He said he had eaten people before and was planning to eat my dad. Derrick killed him.”

“We found his body, sweetheart. One of the wolves was going to bury his body in an unmarked grave somewhere.”

“Good. Kitty and Karl are safe from him now.”

“Don’t forget you’re now safe as well,” Owen added.

Jamie grinned. “I really am, but can we go? I’m sure this place is lovely, but I need to leave here.”

“We can do that,” David answered for everyone. “Gabe, can you send us all home?”

Gabriel nodded, and swirling his hand, a portal opened.

“Gabe, can you send us home?” Kevin asked.

He nodded and opened another one.

“So cool,” Jamie commented, smiling at Gabe.

Gabe grinned. “Right?”

“Thanks,” Kevin said. “See you all soon.”

“Laters, peeps,” Ian said, walking through the portal. Once Kevin was through, the portal closed.

“Gabe, Mathis, are you joining us for dinner?”

“Not tonight,” Mathis said. “Gabe and I are off out to a little Italian restaurant I know.”

“Really?” Gabe asked, smiling happily.

Mathis nodded. “And before you ask, I had already made the reservation before Troy tried to guilt everyone into taking better care of their mates.”

“Thank you, vampy,” Gabe opened another portal for them. “See you soon.” He held his hand out to Mathis, who happily took it as they both walked through the portal and with a final wave, the portal closed.

“Come on, I need to check on Karl and Kitty, and tell them about dad,” Jamie said, taking Ivan’s hand.

“Then let’s go and see them.”