Page 75 of Plug and Claim

“Nice to meet you, Felix.”

“Pleased to meet you,” he said with a brief smile. “Vic, you know I hate rosemary.”

“You also hate cooking,” Victoria retorted.

“Yes, but I begged you not to.” He looked at Kira, clearly asking for her support. “I on-my-knees begged her. And she said she wouldn’t add any.”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t add rosemary. I merely suggested that you beg.”

“Bah.” Felix kissed her on the cheek and began wiping the bench down, which in Kira’s opinion was already clean.

All vampires were neat freaks.

Kira frowned as she recognised a familiar mellow scent. “Is that…garlic?”

“Secret ingredient,” Victoria winked.

“But…” Kira looked between Felix and Victoria.

Understanding crossed Victoria’s face and she laughed, rolling her eyes as she flicked her dark fringe aside. “Oh, Kira-Kira-Kira…” She tipped the wedges into a bowl and steered Kira towards the fireplace. “Have a seat, have a chip, and let me tell you a few things about vampires…”

Victoria perched herself onto a poofy ottoman, whilst Kira sank into a deep armchair, which was so comfortable that it was almost as if the cushion moved to accommodate her.

She gave a small yelp when the carved wooden armrests unfurled and wrapped themselves across her midriff, pulling her deeper so the cushion engulfed her.

“Ugh, don’t mind those,” Victoria said, leaning forward and slapping the armrests, which creaked in protest as they rapidly withdrew. “Rude.”

“Magic chair?” Kira asked weakly, unsure whether to stay seated or leap up.

“Magic pain in the ass. Don’t worry, it should behave now. They just get a touchy-feely with strangers.”

Kira rapped her knuckles on the armrests tentatively. Solid wood.

Felix sat on the stone hearth and indicated Kira’s armchair. “That’s Nathaniel’s seat.”

Kira made to rise, but Victoria held out her hand. “Stay,” she commanded. “I insist. Besides, our revered prince isn’t here, so who cares?”

Kira resisted the urge to ask where he was. Instead, she turned to Victoria. “You were going to tell me about vampires…?”

“Just a sec,” the vampiress replied, indicating Felix who was pouring a golden-coloured liquor into three ornate crystal glasses.

Kira accepted hers cautiously.

“A toast,” Victoria said, eyes agleam as she raised her glass, “to Kira.”

“To me?”

“Baby, you’re one of us now,” Victoria smiled.

“You mean I’m a vampire?” Kira asked wryly, unsure whether she was flattered to be likened to her enemy.

“Not quite, but you know what I mean. You don’t need anyone’s permission to come to our dorm. Call it a perk of being claimed by one of us.” She leant close and clinked her glass against Kira’s and Felix’s. “Cheers!”

“Cheers,” Kira responded. Following the vampires’ example, she sipped at hers. The alcohol had a slight fruity taste, but it was so strong that it stung her eyes and burnt the back of her throat, leaving her coughing.

Felix chuckled. “It’s the good stuff.”

“Sure is,” Kira said, unable to help herself from laughing as she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.