Ivy: Daughter of Alice by J.A. Armitage & Zara Quentin

Author:J.A. Armitage & Zara Quentin [Armitage, J.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Enchanted Quill Press
Published: 2021-08-11T22:00:00+00:00

I bounced into Chesh’s workshop on my way home, arriving so early that I arrived before the shop was open. Chesh eyes widened in surprise, then I noticed him quickly run his gaze over me. I was smiling broadly—I’d been grinning since I’d left Raven’s house to make my way across the city towards home. When I’d rounded the corner and seen the Emporium, I’d made an impulse decision to stop by and see my friend.

“You wore those clothes yesterday,” Chesh remarked. For once, he wasn’t smiling. “Are you alright?”

I laughed loudly, smiling so hard that my cheeks started to hurt. “I’m wonderful. This day is wonderful. Everything is wonderful—wouldn’t you agree?”

Chesh’s frown deepened, and he looked me over again. “Are you drunk?”

I put my hands on my hips and good-naturedly rolled my eyes at him. “Of course, not. I’m just happy. And why shouldn’t I be?” I clasped my hands together and looked up at my oldest friend from underneath my eyelashes. “I think I’m in love.”

He froze, staring at me with wide eyes. A hopeful expression passed over his face.

“Ivy, I—”

“I know, it’s too soon,” I went on. “We’ve only known each other for a week. We’ve barely spent any time together…”

Chesh’s expression darkened. He turned back and slammed one of his tools down on the workbench.

“But he understands me,” I continued, barely noticing Chesh’s behavior. “He understands how I feel about the aesthetic—”

“Spades!” Chesh spun around. “Ivy, listen to yourself! Your sister is recovering from a dreadful attack, the city is in crisis, and your mother is stressed and upset. Yet, you’ve been out all night with a man, and now, you think you’re in love?”

I blinked, surprised by Chesh’s reaction. The smile slipped from my face as his words brought back the events of the previous day. I started to shake my head when he crossed his arms over his chest and glared at me. “You’ve never spoken of this man before. Are you keeping secrets from me now? I believed I meant more to you than that?”

My mouth fell open. “I have told you about him. Mr. Cappello, the owner of Cappello’s Finest Hats. I told you—”

“A vampire?” Chesh’s mouth fell open. He ran a hand through his hair, making the tight curls stand up on end like the mane of a lion. “You’re not serious?” Chesh’s expression softened, and he laughed. “You’re joking.”

I gritted my teeth. “What’s so funny?”

“You’re not joking.” Chesh’s face fell again. “What are you thinking? You can’t really be considering a relationship with a vampire. To say nothing of the scandal it would cause for your mother and your sister, but the danger you put yourself in…”

“Mr. Cappello is not dangerous,” I whispered.

“He’s a vampire. He drinks blood—human blood.” Chesh turned his back to me again, shaking his head in anger and exasperation. “You told me yesterday that you’ve discovered a problem with the blood banks withholding blood from the vampire population. Where is he getting his blood from?”

I shook my head, pressing my mouth into a thin line.

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