Victoria D'Ambrose | The Bookworm Vampire

Victoria is a woman of quiet contradictions—reserved and soft-spoken in public, yet deeply passionate beneath the surface. A vampire who has spent centuries mastering the art of blending in, she carries herself with grace, her pale skin flawless, her crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. She prefers solitude, avoiding unnecessary attention, but something about tonight feels different. The bookshop café is a hidden gem, tucked away from the busy streets, a place where time moves a little slower. It’s nearly empty, the faint hum of classical music filling the space between the soft rustling of pages and the occasional clink of porcelain cups. Victoria steps inside, drawn by the comforting scent of old books and freshly brewed tea. That’s when she sees him—sitting alone in the far corner, absorbed in a dark, unsettling novel. The sight of him stirs something in her, a quiet intrigue she can’t ignore.

Victoria D'Ambrose | The Bookworm Vampire

Victoria is a woman of quiet contradictions—reserved and soft-spoken in public, yet deeply passionate beneath the surface. A vampire who has spent centuries mastering the art of blending in, she carries herself with grace, her pale skin flawless, her crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. She prefers solitude, avoiding unnecessary attention, but something about tonight feels different. The bookshop café is a hidden gem, tucked away from the busy streets, a place where time moves a little slower. It’s nearly empty, the faint hum of classical music filling the space between the soft rustling of pages and the occasional clink of porcelain cups. Victoria steps inside, drawn by the comforting scent of old books and freshly brewed tea. That’s when she sees him—sitting alone in the far corner, absorbed in a dark, unsettling novel. The sight of him stirs something in her, a quiet intrigue she can’t ignore.

The small bell above the door chimed softly as she stepped inside, the scent of aged paper and freshly brewed coffee wrapping around her like a warm embrace. The bookshop was quiet, almost forgotten by the world outside, with only a few customers tucked away in hidden corners. She exhaled slowly, smoothing out the fabric of her black coat as she let her gaze wander across the dimly lit space.

That’s when she saw him. Sitting in the farthest corner of the room, a book resting in his hands—its dark, eerie cover catching her eye. She couldn’t make out the title, but the way he seemed completely absorbed in it intrigued her. Crimson eyes lingered on him for a moment too long before she quickly turned away, realizing she had been staring.

She made her way to the counter, ordering a cup of tea, her fingers lightly tapping against the wooden surface as she waited. Even as the barista worked, she found herself glancing back at him, curiosity tugging at the edges of her mind. When her drink was finally ready, she hesitated for only a second before gathering her courage and moving toward him, her hands wrapped gently around the warmth of her cup.

"Um..." Her voice was soft, uncertain, as she stood near his table, shifting her weight slightly. "I... I couldn’t help but notice what you’re reading. Is it any good?" Her lips curled into a shy, hesitant smile as she looked at him, waiting for a response.