Author's Note: Wishing everyone a blessed 2026 year!
When they reached the bakery, the shutter had already been drawn down for the day, though the faint scent of bread still lingered in the air. Ruelle's stomach betrayed her again with the softest protest, a quiet growl that felt far louder than it was and she turned to look in the opposite direction from where Lucian stood. Heat crept up her cheeks.
It seemed like she was getting accustomed to the world of vampires, especially after she had seen such gory sight and her stomach still chose to growl now, Ruelle thought to herself.
"The owner must have closed for the night," she murmured, keeping her voice small. "It is rather late—"
Before she could finish, Lucian stepped forward and rapped his knuckles against the shutter. A brief silence followed before the shutter lifted just enough for a face to appear. The person looked annoyed for a second before it vanished upon seeing who it was.
