Page 32

I clear my throat. “How can I help you, Bonnie? You wanted a pie?”

“Yes. I was hoping to take home a pecan, but you’ve just sold your last one. So, since I know you have plenty of apple left, can I buy one of those?”

“Of course.”

To my surprise, Vincent presses a quick peck to my cheek before pulling his arm back. “I’ll go get it for her, pumpkin. Here.” He plops the candy bowl on the counter. “You got candy duty until I’m back.”

Since I’m still stunned speechless that Vincent just about marked me as his territory by kissing my cheek in front of the witch, I just nod my head as he disappears through the swinging door, going for the apple pie.

I’m still uncharacteristically silent as he comes back with the pie box. I ring her up and hand it over, one hundred percent sure I’m bright pink where Vincent kissed me. Bonnie takes the pie box, but before she leaves, she gives me a curious look.

However, she keeps her questions to herself as she nods at me. “Happy Halloween, Kate.”

And then she leaves.

I wait until the door shuts behind her to turn to Vincent. “So… was I supposed to tell her that I know she’s a witch? Because I think she knows that I know that she’s a witch.”

Vincent shrugs. “She knows. But it’s fine.”

“Isn’t it some big secret? That magic is real and witches and warlocks exist?”

And vampires, I remember. Last night, he mentioned something about vampires⁠—

“From humans?” Vincent asks. “Yes. We do our best to make sure they don’t find out. It’s easier that way.”

I lower my voice instinctively. “But I’m human.”

“Yes. You are.”

“And you told me.”

“Of course. You’re my mate, pumpkin.”

And… there it is again. Only this time, he doesn’t say it like he’s trying to convince me. He says it like he might tell me that the sky is blue or I own a pie shop. It’s a fact. An undeniable fact. Something so completely settled in his mind, he’s slightly surprised I mentioned it in the first place.

Vincent reaches into the pumpkin, pulling out a miniature candy bar. He blinks and the wrapper vanishes. While I goggle at the casual display of magic, he pops it into his mouth and chews.

Once he swallows, he says, “The supernatural world stays separate from the human one as much as possible. Most of us live in supe-only towns, like sanctuaries and vamp-run Fang Cities. Witches use magic to shield their covens. Shifter packs stay out of sight of humans when they can. It’s just that Shadowvale makes keeping our secret a little more complicated because there are more of us than usual living in a mortal town, but humans still aren’t supposed to know unless there’s a reason.”

“And let me guess: being your fated mate is a reason.”

He grins. “You got it, pumpkin.”

I arch my eyebrows at him. “Even if I’m not a witch?”

He shrugs again. “I never wanted you to be a witch. I just… something the witch who cursed me said made me think you might be. Trust me, I’m thrilled that my fated mate is a piemaker whose treats are so delicious, you’d think she did use magic to bake them.”

My heart feels like it’s being squeezed. “Really?”

“Really. I mean it. You don’t have to be a witch, Kate.” His gaze suddenly bores into mine. “You just have to be mine.”

My mouth opens. I’m not so sure what I’m going to say. I mean, at the very least, I should probably remind him that human women generally expect to be asked before some gorgeous lunatic decides they belong to him forever.

But the old clock I have hanging on the wall for ‘aesthetic’ reasons begins to chime.

Once.

Twice.