“No, just my birthday celebration. I’m hoping he’ll just call instead.” I shrugged and went to the fridge. Instead of scarce leftovers, I found it full of food. “Oh, you went shopping, thank you.”
He laughed. “You weren’t going to do it.”
The doorbell rang, and Merick nodded to me before he shifted into a cat. He sat on the countertop, and I grabbed the glass of wine he’d had. I walked to the door to see Levi and Mario standing outside.
I smiled at the fact that Merick’s anti-vampire spell still kept them from popping in the house. “Good evening.”
“Abigail.” Levi nodded and walked in. Mario followed.
“Where’s your nighttime guard?”
“They’re around,” I promised and sipped the wine. “Mario said you wanted to talk to me about my birthday celebration?”
Levi nodded, and we all walked into the living room. I sat on one end of the couch, Mario sat at the other end, and Levi took the chair.
“I was hoping we could get together the weekend of your birthday.” Levi met my gaze. “For a party.”
I raised a brow. “For a party?” Levi didn’t throw me parties. He had problems keeping human holidays straight, which was why he typically assigned things like that to Clarissa. “You don’t have to throw me a party.”
“The council would like to throw you a party,” Mario corrected.
I glanced at him and then to Levi. “I’m not a vampire.”
“No, but you are technically the princess, and they think it right to throw you a proper celebration.” Levi crossed his arms.
I pressed my lips together. “There’s no getting out of this is there?”
Mario laughed. “I told you she wasn’t going to like the idea.”
I glared at him. “I’m not used to my birthday being a big deal. Growing up, I was always shooed out of the house when there was a vampire party, so excuse me if I’m not warming up to the idea right away.”
Levi nodded. “It would be rude for you to not show up.”
“Can Simon come?”
Levi smiled. “Yes, Simon can come. Liz, too, if you’d like. It is your party, after all.”
“Okay, then, yes.” I leaned back on the couch with my glass of wine. “Now I have a question. You aren’t trying to mess with my job at PIB are you?”
Mario raised a brow and looked to Levi.
“No, I’m not. Why?”
“Because Agent O’Donald pulled me off the field and put me on desk duty.”
Levi sat there, silent for a moment. “O’Donald refuses to work with me on any matter. Unlike Cornelius.”
Cornelius had been Boss Man. I sighed. “Okay, well, I’ll be off the field for a little bit.”
“Liz didn’t fight it?”
I shrugged. “We both tried. I have Stephanie to thank for it. Her headlines are getting out of control.”
Levi shrugged. “They are, but there’s not much I can do about it.” He stood. “Mario and I will take our leave. Thank you for meeting with us tonight.”
I felt like there was something they were hiding, but I didn’t want to push right now. All I wanted to do was enjoy the glass of wine and wait for Simon to get here with pizza. “Of course.”
Mario disappeared, but Levi stayed for a moment. “Abigail, there’s been some news of Samuel traveling. By vampire law, he must tell me when he comes into town.”
I swallowed. “But we know that not everyone follows the law. Have you heard anything more from him?”
“Not since my meeting with him a few months ago. Just please be careful. Let Catalina know if you’re planning on leaving tonight.”
“I’m not going anywhere. Simon’s bringing pizza over, and we’re going to watch movies.” I smiled.
“I’m glad you and Simon are becoming more serious.” Levi laughed. “He’s around more often than not now.”
I rolled my eyes. “Just what you wanted.”
“Good night, Abigail.” Levi disappeared without another word.
An hour later, Simon showed up with pizza. I opened the door and smiled at him. “Hey.”
He pecked me on the cheek and walked in. “Off early tonight?”
I shrugged. “Something like that.”
“Not enough black magic going on to keep you busy?” He guessed again, and I snorted.
“No, they moved me to desk work for a little bit.”
“You pissed off the new boss man, didn’t you?” He walked into the kitchen and set the box down on the breakfast bar.
I followed him and tried not to roll my eyes. “I don’t know what I did to make him dislike me so much. No, Stephanie posted a stupid headline.”
“Oh, yeah, I saw that. I wasn’t going to mention anything.” He went and got plates.
Merick wandered into the kitchen. “I’m just going to grab a slice and head upstairs. Since your other bodyguard is here, I’m going to eat and go to bed early.” He grabbed a plate and picked up a piece of pizza before heading up the stairs.
I glanced at Simon. “He’s giving us alone time.”
“It’s sweet, really.” Simon laughed. “Because we’re never alone at the pack grounds, and Levi doesn’t like you at my house because of lack of security.”
I shrugged. “We could up the security at your house.”
He seemed to think about it for a moment, but then went back to dishing up the pizza. I grabbed my plate and went into the living room, and he followed.
“How’s Travis doing with the pups?”
Simon grinned. “He’s really taken to them. He’s rough on them, but we haven’t had one step out of line at all, so I think it’s going to work out with him up there and me down here.”
I nodded. “Good, I rather like having you down here.”
“So does Levi. Apparently being allied to him has some perks, but the downfall is—”
“The meetings.” I cut him off.
“So many
