Evangeline Rose hid her most wicked secrets within the petals of her flowers.

After she had tended to the poor little bat's wounded wing, she moseyed over to her bookshelf brimming with an assortment of spellbooks dedicated to plant magic and herbology. She tilted two novel spines downward until the enchanted lock gave away with a click and swung the bookshelf open for her to step inside.

It revealed her cozy little nook that nobody else knew about. Her special spellbooks were kept inside a blue oakwood bookcase with glass doors enchanted never to shatter and should only open for the magic on her fingertips. Tracing her fingers over the carvings and runes etched into the wood, she scanned the shelves to make sure everything remained undisturbed.

At the forefront held her shimmering potions, mostly pain remedies and elixirs to rid one of nightmares. She'd recently brewed bottles of luminescent green, an earthy blend of herbs, moss, and crushed grasshoppers, because it was her most popular one. While an odd concoction, it was commonly used for health purposes, and Evangeline knew she could never have too little of it.

Further back on the shelf lay her deadly poisons, ranging from silvery liquids to powders, all created from her plant magic. Each one was labeled properly with cryptic names like Frog Spit and Rat Tongue just in case anyone happened to ever stumble upon the room. Evangeline had only ever used such poisons twice in her life, and she hoped she never had to use one again.

Evangeline prepared to head back into her shop when she heard a loud crash. Nerves fluttered in the pit of her chest as she drew her wand and stepped precariously close to the secret door before taking a peek out into her shop.

Morning sunlight shone in from the windows and illuminated her flowers, but she couldn't detect anything wicked inside her shop. Evangeline carefully stepped out of her hidden office and closed the bookshelf behind her, tensing at the sound of a male groan.

The basket with the bat no longer sat atop her table, but instead rested on the floor near her bouquets of roses. With quiet mouse-like steps, she approached the table and prepared to hex the bastard who dared to break into her shop.

A frazzled man sat stark naked amid her roses, all scattered across the ground, and his eyes glowed as bright as the red petals themselves. Pointy tipped ears poked out from his thick and wavy, shoulder-length honey blond hair.

Evangeline wasn't sure what held her back from cursing him to death as she took in his manly form, from his mountain of muscles and patchwork of scars, down to his manhood.

"What in the devil's name are you doing?" Evangeline shrieked, averting her eyes from the pervert sprawled on the ground.

"I didn't mean to frighten you like this, I'm sorry!" The man jumped to his feet, which did not make matters any better. He reached around and plucked a rose petal from his behind, tossing it on the ground. "You helped me last night... when I was still in bat form. I had hoped to escape without you noticing."

"Why are you naked?" Evangeline struggled to maintain direct eye-contact when his manhood poked out so proudly to see her. She blushed at such a sight so bright and early in the morning.

"Um, I lost my clothes." He shifted awkwardly on his feet as he tried to cover himself with his hands. "You don't have any spare robes I could borrow, do you? That might make things less weird here."

Evangeline frowned then sighed. "Yes, I believe I do. Come with me." The naked vampire followed close behind her as she led him into the back of the shop to her personal little art studio.

Vines of wisteria hung over the entry like guards, shuffling with unease as they let them pass. Her finest paintings were hung on the limerick green walls. A small table held her collection of used paint brushes, soaking in murky water from her latest creation mounted on her easel. It wasn't even halfway completed, but the inspiration had struck so suddenly the previous night, she couldn't help but paint the hours away.

"Put this on." Evangeline tossed him one of her old robes with a small tear in the side.

"Thank you." The vampire slipped the robe on, fitting a little snug around his muscular chest. "I see you're an artist." He gestured to her painting, Lighthouse of Lost Souls, tucked away in the back corner. It depicted a towering lighthouse perched on jagged rocks with its light casting eerie shadows over the sea, illuminating ghostly figures drifting out in the waves. "A lady of many trades, huh?"

"Yes, I suppose." Evangeline nodded.

Evangeline did not fancy the vampire gazing upon her most personal paintings. However, it was where she kept her old robes, and she'd rather not let him stay inside the shop naked. It would be her rotten luck that someone would see him from the windows and rumors of her perverse affairs would flood the streets of Raven's Cove.

"So, do you have a name?" Evangeline asked curiously.

"Vesryn." He fiddled with his hands, where she saw three of his fingers were missing. As if he noticed her staring, he explained, "Gambled them away."

"Pardon?"

"My fingers." Vesryn held up his hand. "I kept losing. My money, my clothes. These were the next best things."

Evangeline's eyes widened at the revelation. "Vampires can regenerate their limbs, can't they?"

"Yes." Vesryn nodded.

"So, how did you injure your wing?" Evangeline asked.

"Must have whacked into something." He shrugged.

Evangeline hadn't expected him to be honest and frowned at his response. "You were struck with black magic. Not really something you can just whack into."

"Guess I was lucky to have landed right outside your flower shop then." Vesryn smirked, exposing his sharp fangs.

Evangeline's heartbeat quickened as she cleared her voice. "Well, I suppose so. I'm sure you'll be on your way now. You should go before I open. I'd rather you not frighten my customers away. "

"Did you even sleep last night?" Vesryn raised a brow. "You were here awfully late and now you're about to open?"

"I don't see how that's any of your concern." Evangeline crossed her arms over her chest.

Vesryn cautioned a step closer. "You look tired, as if you haven't slept in moons. That's dangerous for mortals. Even vampires know when they need their proper rest."

"I don't need a lecture about my sleeping habits. I'll have you know, I'm perfectly fine." Evangeline raised her head high, despite the weariness that weighed heavily on her tired eyes.

"Do florists and artists tend to hang out in sketchy alleyways so late at night?" Vesryn asked, crimson eyes slanting in suspicion.

"Do vampires tend to hang out in the dumpsters at night?" Evangeline countered.

"Touche." Vesryn bit back a grin tugging at the corners of his reddish lips. "Guess we all have our secrets."

"Secrets? If you must know, I had to throw away some trash last night. I spent more hours painting than I should have on this piece." She gestured to her easel.

"You are a very fascinating witch." Vesryn ambled around the room, gazing upon all of her paintings. He neared one of her favorites she had created of a fantastical forest full of magical winged animals, squinting his eyes as he seemed to take in every detail. "Evangeline? What a beautiful name."

Evangeline rocked on her feet. "Thank you. Is there anything else you need?"

"I'm sure you want me out of your hair now, so I'll be on my way. I appreciate the help and the robe," Vesryn said. "I'll be sure to bring it back to you."

Evangeline shook her head. "No, please keep it. I have no use for it anymore."

A bushy black and white tail curled around Vesryn's ankles so suddenly, he jolted back with a yelp and nearly landed back on his behind. Her fluffy skunk released the glamor magic that kept her hidden, gently nudging at Vesryn's legs like she wanted to climb them.

"What in the hells is that furry demon?"

"Azalea is my familiar." At the sound of her name, the skunk forgot all about the new vampire and padded over to her. Evangeline leaned over to scoop her up in her arms.

"Has it been here the whole time?" Vesryn asked in disbelief.

"Yes, she likes to turn invisible while she sleeps." Evangeline scratched her furry head.

"Doesn't she stink up your shop?"

Azalea squirmed in her arms, just enough to turn her head in Vesryn's direction and hiss. Many familiars understood more than most people knew was possible.

"Of course not. Familiar skunks are very different from those in the wild. She only sprays someone if she believes I'm in danger," Evangeline explained. "Their skunk spray is far more potent as well. It would easily knock a grown man on their feet for a few hours. Including vampires."

Vesryn cautioned a step back, awkwardly rubbing at the back of his neck. "Fangs, my bad. Tell her I won't hurt you or insult her again. I don't want to be sprayed." He cringed. "I'll get locked out of my home."

Evangeline chuckled. "She hasn't sprayed you yet, and her judgment has never been wrong, so you must not pose any harm to me."

"Right." Vesryn drew out the word. "Guess I should be on my way. Thanks again for everything."

"You're welcome. Try not to fall into anymore dumpsters, Vesryn."