How to Fake-Date a Vampire (Charming Cove, #2)

by Linsey Hall

There were a lot of things to like about being a witch, but it was the small things I found comfort in.

“Your familiar is a skunk.” “Penelope is amazing.” “Penelope the skunk.” Lily clapped, and I wanted to deck her. “It’s perfect for you.”

“I apologize, Penelope.” Penelope and I both smiled at her, though Penelope’s baring of teeth looked more like a growl. I let it slide because I’d been telling the truth when I’d said I couldn’t control her. We were partners, not boss and subordinate.

“I tried for two years to get permission to host there. I even promised them unlimited spells, and they still said no.” “Would you believe it if I said my charms?” I asked. “No,” Lily said, her tone short.

“I’m dating the duke,” I said, when I could think of absolutely nothing else. There was another eruption of surprise. “Since when?” Lily demanded. “It’s new. But he was nice enough to agree to let me use the estate for the ball.” A sick feeling slithered through me as I lied to my coven. I looked at each of them, wanting desperately to confess to the truth.

“You’ve both offered incredible locations for the ball,” Hazel began. “And we hate to tell either of you no. But the winner is Emma.” My head began to hum. I’d been chosen. I’d been chosen! Holy Hecate, I couldn’t believe it. I’d known it was likely, but it had been hard to imagine actually being here.

“And it had better be good enough. We’re counting on you.”

Clearly, she wanted her grandson to settle down. I climbed out of the car and waved at her, narrowly avoiding Milo’s slobbering tongue as he lunged for my face.

I was lucky this was just an act. “Darling.” His smile was broad as he stopped in front of me and gently gripped my shoulders, then pressed a kiss to my cheek. It was chaste—not even a second long—but time seemed to slow when his lips made contact with my skin. They were soft and perfect, brushing so faintly against me that the lack of contact made me long for more. His sandalwood and pine scent wrapped around me, and I leaned into him, unable to help myself. When he pulled back, I caught sight of his grandmother looking at us with delight. “Are you about to break into applause, Granny?” Alaric asked.

“Absolutely not.” She gave him a disapproving look. “I only applaud kisses on the lips.” She gave us a hard stare. “Go on, then.”

“Why don’t you sell it?” He shot me an astounded look. “Sell it?” “Yes. No one needs a house this big.” Was this really the first conversation I was having with him? I was going after him about his house and my problems with the nobility? Sure, I wasn’t getting into the details, but my tone was making it clear how I felt about dukes. “Not impressed by the title, are you?”

“That’s really something.” He nodded. “Planted over two hundred years ago.” Rose bushes bordered the box hedges, blooming profusely in different shades of pink. “It will be so perfect for the party. The guests will love it,” I said. “I’ll have to think of ways to hide surprises inside for them.”

“I would never assume you are.” “You just did.” I arched a brow. “No, I was worried for you.” Worried for me. Sure.

What’s causing that? Penelope asked. “Don’t you see it? There’s a golden light.” No. She scrambled up the leg of my jeans, little claws digging in. “Hey!” I pulled her off of me and held her to my chest. “Ask if you want to be picked up.” I just needed a better vantage point. I harrumphed. “Well? Do you see it now?” I see a golden light. Sparkles of magic. But I couldn’t see them until you held me. “The duke couldn’t see them, either.” I

It’s got to be your magic. She sounded pleased. It’s because I’m here. You’re able to do more. “You’re probably right.”

Before I could plan the party, I needed to figure out what in Hecate’s name was going wrong with the garden.

The Enchanted Garden had been a fixture in Charming Cove life for decades. Once owned by an eccentric old man called Lionel Sparrow, it had been handed over to a witch named Aria. She’d recently returned to town after a long absence, and I didn’t know her well.

Aria was outside, painting the trim of one of the windows in a beautiful pale green.

“Blackthorn Hall.” Aria’s brows rose, and excitement flashed in her eyes. “Really?” I nodded, unable to help the wide grin that stretched across my face. “We’re hosting the Beltane Ball there.” “Nice! I heard that Lily lost the bid to host the ball, and I can see why now. I’ve been dying to see the gardens at the estate ever since I was a kid. You’re going to have the entire town there.” “I hope so.”

A badger lumbered around from the side of the house, dark eyes twinkling as he chewed on something unidentifiable. Aria shot him a look. “What did you get into, Boris?” He looked up at her, and I had to assume that he was speaking to her in the way that Penelope spoke to me. Aria rolled her eyes and looked at me. “He found my sweets again. Damned badger is clever.” Penelope appeared

I looked between the two familiars, unable to get a read on their vibe. Whatever it was, it was intense. “You okay, Penelope?” I asked. Leave me alone, I’ve got this. All right. That was clear enough. I didn’t know if they would fight or make out, but I trusted her to tell me if she needed help.

“So, what was that about him being formal and stiff?” “Right. Um, well, we’re dating.” “No way.” She grinned. “Wild.” “Really?” I looked at her. “Yeah. The duke never dates anyone local. In fact, he’s almost never here. Were you the reason he came back?” “No, definitely not.” “Well, he’s super into you. The way he looked at you!” “Don’t be silly.”

“You don’t sound very enthusiastic about dating a duke.” “Would you be?” I shot her a look. She shrugged. “Callan isn’t that far off.” Oh, of course. I’d forgot that she was with the famous billionaire mage. Though he didn’t have a title, he did have all the other trappings of unspeakable wealth. “Isn’t it difficult, being with someone who’s used to having so much?” I asked. “Isn’t he arrogant?”

If that was really the case, then I did have an idea of who could be responsible. And if he was, then my job was going to be a lot harder.

She’d wanted more. I wanted to give her more. No. It was a terrible idea. This was temporary, and I couldn’t afford another relationship. Not after the last one had left me in this situation. Still, I couldn’t stop thinking of her.

“You don’t like it?” I asked. “Oh, no. It’s lovely.” “Liar.” I smiled, oddly pleased. “Fine, I hate it.” “Don’t let my grandmother hear you say that.”

“But because there is no one here except for my grandmother and me, that makes no sense.” “It’s not her?” “No. She dislikes the attention, too, but she loves me more. As long as she thinks you’re my girlfriend, she’ll want whatever makes you happy. And right now, she thinks that hosting the party will do that.” “She’s right.”

“Never.” “So I need to figure out who the heck is doing this and get rid of him. Or her.” She frowned. “Is there anyone associated with the estate who might have died with unfinished business?” I stilled. My mother. My father, too, perhaps, but unfinished business implied that he cared about anything other than himself.

Vampires weren’t affected by crosses and holy water like humans thought, but they also generally weren’t religious. Most supernaturals weren’t, since it was often the church leading the charge when it came to witch burning and vampire hunting. She blew out a breath. “Your family really is old and posh, huh?”

Alaric led me out of the family wing, and it was obvious when we entered the public part of the house. I felt like I’d been transported into a Jane Austen novel.

I bit my lip. I found that I wanted to know more about him. Like, desperately. But I didn’t dare ask. This was all meant to be a ruse. I couldn’t go falling for him. Finally, we reached the maze.

“The ghost we’re looking for won’t show himself, but what if another would? Aren’t spirits easier to see?” he asked. “Oh, I like where you’re going with this. Spirits aren’t as strong as ghosts, but they can usually see each other.

“It sounds like we have a plan.” “We have a plan.” I grinned, feeling a sense of camaraderie with him that lit me up inside. I tried to banish it. Falling for him was just plain risky. Problem was, I seemed unable to help myself.

Alaric and I parted ways after developing our plan, and I headed straight to the coven’s shop on Foxglove Lane.

Fortunately, it was Elle’s day to run the front of the shop. I didn’t think I could handle seeing Lily. I waved at her as I hurried to the stairs that led to our second-floor workshop. “How’s it going with the duke?” she called out as I put my foot on the first stair. “Um, good.” I turned and smiled at her. She gave a dreamy sigh. “You’re dating, like, the wealthiest and handsomest man in the entire county. The entire country!” Not really, but I couldn’t tell her that.

Elle was already being nicer to me. She’d never been mean, of course. Not like Lily. But she was friendlier now that I was fake dating the duke, and I didn’t like it. Actually, that wasn’t true. I believe in being brutally honest with myself—I wanted friends and I wanted to fit in. But not like this. I wanted it to be honest. I blew out a breath and banished the thoughts as I reached the top of the stairs. I had work to do, and it was vital that I focus.

laid them out and began to cut abraca root and ferria leaf. As I worked, it was impossible to get the duke out of my head. He was a mystery to me, and it was driving me mad.

Lily is a jerk because she’s got her own issues. We all do. They have nothing to do with you—you’re just her outlet. As long as she’s not going behind your back to make you look bad, you shouldn’t worry about it. “Hmm.” I stared at her, rolling her words around in her head. “Maybe you’ve got a point.

She fluffed the little bow at her neck and preened. So you’re going to stop worrying about Lily? “Yeah, I’ll work on it. Thanks, friend. And therapist.” Anytime. I turned back to the spell I was working on and put the finishing touches on the bundle of herbs that I’d bound together with string and sap from a young pine.

An hour later, I had my next task. “Penelope, wake up. We’re going to count the joy batteries. We need to make sure we have enough.”

I don’t think it was a person. Penelope’s voice sounded from a far corner, and I squinted to see back into the gloom. “What do you mean?” Come look at this.

“Wait, what?” I stared stunned. “Moles did this?” Yep. “You’re telling me that furry little creatures came in here and destroyed all of this?” Looks like it. She pointed to the disturbed

By the time Penelope and I had finished cleaning up the broken joy batteries, it was nearly dark.

Say yes. Dukes have good food. “How would you know?”

They’re rich. “That’s true.” I looked up at him. “My familiar is very interested in coming to dinner. She says that dukes have good food. Is this true?” He smiled down at her. “Sometimes, it’s true. I’ll endeavor to do my best.” “Your best?” I asked, surprised. “I’ll be cooking.” I felt my brows rise. “Really?”

I slipped inside, and Penelope hopped in after me, climbing onto my lap. “Oi, watch the claws.” I picked her up and sat her on the seat next to me before buckling in.

“Penelope would like to know what’s for dinner.” “Curry. A specialty of mine.” “I wouldn’t have guessed you could cook.” “You don’t know me.” He smiled. “But hopefully, I’ll convince you I’m not a bad one.”

“Good point. We don’t want to be caught out by awkward questions.” Too late. Penelope scampered over my lap, claws digging into my legs, and pressed her nose against the passenger window. When I turned to see what she was looking at, I saw the dowager duchess standing in the open door, waving wildly as her dog stood at her side.

I smiled and walked toward her. Alaric kept ahold of my hand, and though I knew it was all for show, I couldn’t help the warmth that bloomed in my belly.

“Sounds good to me.” “Her martinis will kill you,” he murmured. “I can handle it.” Ten minutes later, after I’d taken my first sip of martini, I realized that I’d probably been wrong. “Do you like it?” the dowager duchess said, leaning forward in her seat at the kitchen table. “Love it.”