“Only to me.” His thumb traces circles on the back of my hand, sending shivers of the best kind through my body. “But you already survived meeting your father once. This is just the second wave. And if anyone can navigate the stormy waters of family reunions, it’s you.”
“Maybe,” I say, leaning closer to him. “Although if you keep touching me like that, I’m going to want to navigate us back to our suite instead.”
His thumb pauses, pressing against my pulse, his eyes twinkling wickedly. “Is that motivation, or a threat? Because either way, I accept.”
“Call it incentive,” I murmur, a playful challenge in my gaze. “The faster we finish this, the sooner we can continue cementing our membership to the Vampire Skyscraper Palace Club.”
He leans in, brushing his lips to mine—just enough to leave me craving more—before stepping back as the elevator’s ding signals our arrival.
The doors slide open, revealing a sprawling apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of Central Park. And standing in the center of the room, tall and imposing, is my father.
Damien Fairmont, the vampire king of New York, has blond hair that’s a bit darker than mine, and the same blue eyes I see in the mirror every morning. He’s dressed in an impeccable suit that probably costs more than most people make in a month, his posture radiating the kind of authority that comes from centuries of power.
He glances at Riven, then settles his gaze on me.
I shift slightly, unsure what to say. How am I supposed to speak to someone who’s supposed to be so close to me, but has been forced to be a stranger?
Luckily, he speaks first.
“The others are all here. Come in and allow me to make the introductions,” he says, and with that, he leads us through the penthouse to a spacious dining room where three others are standing around a sleek glass table, motioning to a girl with dark hair and striking turquoise eyes. “This is Ruby Grace, chosen by Luna, the moon goddess. Like you, she thought she was human until being star touched. From there… well, I’m sure you’ll get the details another time.”
Ruby looks about my age, dressed in jeans and a fitted t-shirt that’s seen better days. There’s something refreshingly normal about her in this world of supernatural perfection.
“College student one day, star touched wolf shifter the next,” she says with a shrug that doesn’t quite hide her lingering disbelief.
The tall, broad-shouldered man beside her steps forward, his presence commanding in a way that’s completely different from Riven’s cold authority. He has a solid, earthy strength—like an ancient oak tree that’s weathered countless storms.
“Connor Ward,” he introduces himself with a respectful nod. “Alpha of the Pine Valley pack.”
Riven’s quiet assessment buzzes through the bond as he sizes Connor up. But there’s no hostility in it—just the natural caution of powerful beings meeting for the first time.
Damien breaks the tension by gesturing to the blonde woman standing nearest to him, who’s around the same age as me and Ruby.
“This is Amber,” he says, his voice softening when he says her name. “My wife.”
Amber gives me a hesitant smile as I try and fail at wrapping my mind around the fact that she’s technically mystepmother.From the way she watches me, I have a feeling she’s working through the same exact thing.
Immortality certainly complicates family dynamics.
Amber was star touched by Sunneva, the sun goddess. From what I know so far, she and Damien got off on a rocky start. I’m sure I’ll get the details later… but hopefully notallthe details, given the family relation.
“It’s a shock, isn’t it?” Amber finally says. “Learning there’s a whole other world hiding in plain sight.”
“A shock is putting it lightly.” Ruby laughs softly. “It’s been over a year, and I’m still getting used to it.”
“I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it,” I say, which earns me an understanding smile from both of them.
Maybe it’s too early to say, but I like them already.
Damien gestures to the table, approval in his eyes. “Please, sit,” he says, the introductions apparently complete. “We have much to discuss.”
As we settle around the table, I sneak glances at Ruby and Amber, my magic humming beneath my skin as I do. It’s like it recognizes them and feels safe with them, as if the three of us being in this room together was written in the stars.
“So, what do moon and sun magic do?” I ask them, hoping that bringing up the big thing we have in common—being star touched—will ease some of the tension between us.
Ruby holds out her palm and gives me a knowing smile. “Illusions,” she says, and a miniature forest appears in her hand, complete with wolves running between the trees. “I can make people see things that aren’t there… ornotsee things that are.”
With that, she disappears. Full blown disappears—there one second and gone the next, although she shimmers back into sight a moment later.
