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But he was glad Charlotte had convinced Laria to come. She got ready shockingly fast, too, as if she’d only been waiting for their push. They grabbed their coats, mostly for appearances’ sake, the temperature not affecting them as it would a human, and walked down the street toward The Vault. The streets were quiet on a Tuesday. Early November was apparently a rare downtime in Stone Haven. According to Charlotte, the holiday celebrations and festivals would ramp up near the end of the month and the town would be busier than ever.

Even so, the bar was packed every night, and aside from a few minor kinks, all had gone smoothly.

No word from the Walsh family. Or from Tyler. They felt cautiously optimistic that the Walsh problem would, perhaps, resolve itself.

Rowan, so far, had stayed away.

The unknown Cheld Alessandra had sensed a few weeks back was still a mystery, one they all feared might come calling again.

“Why so broody?” Charlotte reached for the door just as he did. She gave him a look that said, I got this.

“No reason.”

He could tell she didn’t buy it, but she let it drop. For now. When they walked in, everyone was already at the bar.

Including Drake.

His sister, predictably, sat as far away from him as possible.

“Finally,” Toni said, pushing a round of shots their way. “We were waiting for you.”

She and Lawrence stood behind the bar, beaming.

Torr took the glass and lifted it at once. “I’d like to propose a toast.”

He looked at Lawrence, former chief of Clan Karyn and one of the greatest warriors Scotland ever knew. Fearless on the battlefield, he’d taken up his father and brother Alec’s legacy reluctantly but with great honor and pride.

It was time for him to do the same. He’d prepared his speech all day but still couldn’t believe what he was about to say.

And yet, it was time. It was past time.

“For centuries Lawrence wanted only to settle down. To stay in one place, open a bar . . .” He looked around. “Be normal, or as normal as possible, once again.”

He leaned down, staring straight at Kenton, and continued. “He’s been a bigger man than I have these last few months, refusing to carry a grudge that serves nothing but our own pride. So let’s drink a toast to more than just The Vault.

“I propose a truce of sorts between our two families. Our fight over land and titles has continued throughout the ages, and it will never truly end as long as you and your brother”—he looked at Drake—“continue to hunt my brother’s bloodline.”

Before Drake could respond, he rushed on. “But it need not continue here in this bar. Or in Stone Haven. Here we are, if not friends, companions in peace. For the sake of the brightest soul I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet,” he said, nodding to Toni, “and the strongest Cheld who’s probably ever lived.”

And then, turning to Charlotte, he finished, “And for the sake of our newest family member, the love of my life and the woman who saved me from myself. To the women of Stone Haven, to The Vault, and to peace.”

Lifting his glass, he caught his brother’s eye. Although Lawrence would probably deny it, he thought he could see a tear.

His brother deserved this.

They all did.

“Sláinte.”

“Sláinte agad-sa,” his brother responded.

A murmur of cheers and even a “salute” from Alessandra rose up around him. Torr drank and was rewarded for his speech with a kiss from his favorite vampire.

“That was perfect,” she whispered.

“You are perfect.”

A hand on his shoulder from behind interrupted their moment.