Staring at her computer screen as Ezra was in the other room making a call, Kayla didn’t know what to do. She had written down all the vampire facts Ezra had told her when they were having breakfast – like how silver was poisonous to them and how only old and powerful vampires had their own ‘lines’ – and had even started on an article on how she met a real life creature of the night.

Ezra had already promised to take her to a very special bar – one that only vampires and their donors frequented, donors being humans that had been vetted to serve as companions and snacks. If she could sneak her phone in there she could get some pictures, maybe even video that would make her claims not sound like the ramblings of a crazy person…

But all of it felt wrong. Not only did exposing such a secret have enormous consequences, probably causing mass hysteria… She couldn’t bring herself to go behind Ezra’s back like that. Despite his usually flippant attitude and occasional cockiness, he had really helped her through a difficult time, and been so kind in the process…

And then there was last night.

Kayla’s skin was still humming from his touch, and she knew what they shared together went beyond sex. There was a real connection between them, and the way Ezra was not shying away from it, and spending even more time with her now that he’d gotten her into bed told her he had to be feeling the same way.

He wants to introduce me to his Maker, after all.

But there was a nagging part in the back of her brain that kept telling her this was just a part of selling her as his betrothed, and despite what they had shared, this was all still fake, just a ploy to get Stephen off Ezra’s back.

Yet there was a stronger part of her that made her square her shoulders and straighten her spine. She had spent too much of her life second-guessing herself and playing it safe. Now, she had stepped out of her comfort zone, with a bite mark on her neck to prove it.

She wasn’t about to let doubt ruin how much fun she was having with Ezra. Besides, she saw the way he looked at her. That wasn’t fake. And if the butterflies in her stomach were anything to go by, she was starting to fall for him, hard.

That’s insane, she told herself, but that didn’t stop her from feeling how she was feeling – on cloud nine, and not ready to come down any time soon.

Kayla was about to delete her budding article altogether, when she heard Ezra call out for her just outside her door. Slamming the cover of her laptop shut, she hurried out of her room.

“What’s up?” she asked, slightly out of breath.

Ezra quirked a brow at her flustered appearance, but didn’t comment.

“I’ve cleared it with the bar – as my betrothed, you can go wherever I go. I’ve reserved us a table for tonight,” he said, pulling her close and planting a kiss on her cheek.

“Can’t wait,” she replied, resting her face on his chest.

* * *

Clad in a black bodycon dress she hadn’t worn in ages, Kayla resisted the urge to fidget as Ezra lead her inside what looked like a regular old office building. It should have been closed, it being a Saturday night and all, but a burly-looking man standing near the door had let them in.

She didn’t even know why she’d worn the dress in the first place, but for some reason, she had felt like dressing up. And having Ezra’s eyes glued to her curves, now on full display, was just a bonus.

Her arm in Ezra’s, she took a deep breath as they headed for an elevator, also manned by a similarly scary-looking dude. He and Ezra nodded at each other as the elevator opened, before she and Ezra stepped inside.

He pressed the button for the basement, and the doors slid closed in front of them.

“Don’t worry. This is completely safe. The royal families keep a tight leash on these establishments. Some are shadier than others, of course, but all have a basic standard of security guaranteed for the humans involved. No human has been harmed in a vampire bar in over a hundred years,” Ezra explained, as the elevator sank lower, taking Kayla’s stomach with it.

“I believe you,” Kayla nodded. “It’s just the unknown.”

“You look drop-dead sexy, by the way,” he grinned at her.

“Yeah, you’ve mentioned that a couple of times already,” she smiled. “You’re not so bad yourself,” she added, her gaze running over his powerful frame, clad in an expertly tailored navy suit.

Looking at him, her nerves calmed. She had complete trust that Ezra wouldn’t put her in danger, and her anxiety was starting to be replaced by curiosity. As the doors finally opened, her eyes immediately started darting around as she wanted to take in as much as possible, as quickly as possible.

The place had very high ceilings for a basement, with muted lighting that she guessed was set to a level that would be comfortable for humans and vampires alike. Near the back wall was a little raised area that looked like a modest stage, and a bar was tucked away in the right corner.

The people milling around were of all ages, but most looked to be either in their late twenties or early thirties. To her surprise, she didn’t find separating the humans from the vampires that hard. After living with Ezra, she had picked up on some of his mannerisms that she now observed here, as well.

There was this silent grace, a smoothness of movement to the undead that no mere mortal could possess. Every gesture was measured, executed with a poise she found beautiful. The humans looked right at ease, walking around or chatting with others with drinks in their hands.

Knowing that vampires had excellent hearing, Kayla kept her voice low as she and Ezra walked over to a sitting area, a small couch and some armchairs, with a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket sitting on the table in the middle.

“All these people know vampires exist,” she shook her head. “I’m surprised no one has leaked anything,” she said, recalling the way she hadn’t even been searched as they arrived.

“Who would believe them?” Ezra chuckled, gesturing for her to sit on the couch. “Besides, these humans know very well what would happen to them if they betrayed us.

“Believe me, there have been those who didn’t know when to keep their mouths shut, and they were made an example of. No one wants to share their fate,” he said, and Kayla didn’t even want to imagine what happened to the poor souls who didn’t follow the rules.

Suddenly, she was very glad she had decided to bury her idea of turning any of her experiences with vampires into an article.

“Why even do this, then? Be someone’s food,” she commented, as Ezra opened the bottle of champagne and poured out two glasses.

“For the thrill of being in on the secret, I suppose,” he mused. “And then of course there are those who hope to catch some vampire’s eye, maybe get turned someday… And the biting part isn’t exactly unpleasant,” he raised a brow at her, and she couldn’t help but blush.

Ezra sat down beside her, shoulder to shoulder, and handed her a glass.

“But what about me?” Kayla asked, suddenly realizing the implications. “You’re not actually going to turn me, and we’re not actually getting married. How am I even allowed to see all this?”

“When I claimed you, it was as if I vouched for you. I didn’t think you were going to go running to whomever would listen, rambling on about vampires,” he laughed. “And now that I know you better, I know that you can be trusted with all this.”

He grew more serious as he said that, getting lost in thought for a moment. When he looked back at her, there was an emotion on his face Kayla couldn’t quite place. All she knew was, her heart suddenly started beating faster.

“I may have been reckless, getting you involved in all this. But if there’s one thing I don’t regret, it’s claiming you as mine. I thought having as much fun as possible would keep my very long life from becoming dull, but now I see, it was a true companion that I needed,” he said, taking her hands in his.

“What are you saying?” Kayla asked.

“I don’t want this to be fake anymore. I want it to be real,” Ezra replied, stunning her into silence.