Madison-or-Morgan is doing a cannonball while the other bridesmaids shriek.
Damien stands. Straightens his shirt. When he looks at me again, his expression is unreadable.
“Tomorrow,” he says. “At the reception. We’ll see how brave you really are.”
He walks away without waiting for a response, disappearing into the resort like he was never here at all.
I sit very still.
My hands are shaking. My heart is pounding. The champagne in my stomach threatens to make a reappearance.
But I didn’t run.
Elena appears beside me within seconds, Sofia a half-step behind. They move like shadows—there one moment, materialized the next.
“We should have killed him,” Sofia says.
“Julian’s orders,” Elena replies.
“Julian’s orders are going to get someone killed.”
“Not today.” I look up at them. “Today I handled it.”
They exchange a glance. Some silent communication I’m not privy to.
“You did well,” Elena says finally. “Better than most.”
“Better than anyone I’ve seen,” Sofia adds. Coming from her, it almost sounds like a compliment. “You didn’t flinch. Didn’tbeg. Stood your ground against a creature who’s been terrifying humans for centuries.”
“I was terrified,” I admit. “I just didn’t let him see it.”
“That’s what courage is.” Elena’s hand rests briefly on my shoulder—a gesture that feels almost maternal. “Not the absence of fear. The refusal to let fear win.”
“Or maybe insanity,” I laugh. “I just told a vampire that is over a hundred years older than me that his revenge quest is his own fault. At my sister’s bachelorette party. While her and her friends are doing cannonballs twenty feet away.”
“Welcome to the immortal circus,” Elena says. “The drama is eternal, but the poolside service is excellent.”
I laugh. The absurdity of it all crashing over me like a wave.
“I need to text Julian,” I manage. “He’s probably losing his mind up there. My earpiece cut out just before Damien reached me.”
“He’s been listening and watching the entire time,” Sofia confirms. “They cut out your earpiece because vampires have excellent hearing.”
I pull out my phone.
“You can say name and talk,” Elena points to her ear.
“I know, but I’d like this to be just between us.”
“Understood.”
Looking down at my phone, I type with shaking fingers.
ME: We need to talk. I’m okay. But we need to talk
His response comes immediately.
JULIAN: I know. I saw and heard everything.
