31. A walk on the beach

Nikolai

Ava invited the vampires to stay the night, but they politely declined, informing her that they had rented a hotel in the nearby human town. I knew she was worried, but I told her to let them be. More than being worried about them, I knew she was worried about the humans, but all of them clearly had their own slaves. When you were a high ranker, having slaves was more like a status symbol than a necessity.

I took Ava down to the beach after that. We had lots to discuss.

"Take off your sandals," I told her as I removed my own. She smiled widely as she quickly did as I said. I placed them on a rock before holding her hand. We took off for a walk along the shore.

"Let's talk about you first. I know we haven't done that much since you shifted," I told her. "How do you feel, Love?"

"I feel... alive." She looked up at me with a sweet smile.

It was true. I could feel the strength flowing through her now. Her eyes glowed with more happiness than I had ever seen and there was just