Page 25 of Vampire's Cupcake
Thano frowned."Why?"
Eli looked around."People will talk if they see you with me."
He didn't care what the people in Last Hope talked about."There is no one around other than Byrd."Thano gestured at the crow on the nearest lamppost and got a caw in response.It most likely meant there were more crows around.They didn't fly into Last Hope on their own.
Eli tilted his head to look at Byrd, then he raised his hand in an awkward wave.
They walked in silence until they reached Eli's house."Do you want to come inside?"Eli looked between them.Thano was about to tell him to run in and leave the rings when Tuur stepped onto the short walkway leading up to the stairs.
Hurrying forward, the keys in Eli's hand jingled.There was a small tremor as he unlocked the door and gestured for Tuur and Thano to enter.
"I...eh..."Eli scurried across the living room or whatever humans called it and through an open door in the small corridor beyond it.
Tuur slipped into Eli's kitchen and stared at the jug on the counter with all the utensils."He has a skimmer."He pointed at one similar to the one he clutched in his hand.
"Yes.I think it's a tool many humans have."
Eli walked into the kitchen with a thicker sweater on and without the rings."Let me get you something to carry your things in."His voice was a little shaky, not at all how he talked to the customers in his shop.
He opened a floor-to-ceiling cupboard, and Tuur instantly stepped closer, looking inside over Eli's shoulder.
"Cleaning closet."Eli gave him a wary glance."I keep bags here."He pulled out one of two drawers at the bottom of the closet and inside were folded fabric bags in different patterns.He picked one and held it out to Thano.
He accepted it and put in the tubers and the strawberry slicer."Do you have strawberries?"Thano didn't think Romeo grew strawberries.
"No, they're not ripe yet."
"But you have strawberry bushes?"
"Plants.They don't grow on bushes."
Oh, maybe Thano confused them with the other red berries."I was thinking about the others.You have plants?"
"The others?"Eli looked confused.
"Currants."Were they called currants?Romeo had several bushes already, so he didn't need those.
Eli nodded."I only have a few strawberry plants.I can't spare the space.My growing area is small since I have the chickens and the rabbits."He gestured to the side of the garden where he kept the crates."I prioritized protein, keeps you full longer than greens."
"Right.Does Romeo's chicken come from here?"
"No.I get the live ones from Fisherman's Lake.Joshua will bring some tomorrow.It's not something I have all the time."
"You don't sell the animals you have here?"
Eli squirmed, and it almost made Thano grin.It reminded him of Humbert.
"I'm not a farmer.I'm not allowed to sell them."
It wasn't the same as not selling them.Thano kept looking at him.Eli's gaze jumped around the room for a moment before landing on Thano again."Sometimes I sell them, but off the books.Only to people I trust.I can't get caught."
Thano smiled, and Eli's eyes widened.It made him smile wider.Eli was an interesting human."I won't tell."Thano all but purred the words.
"Let's...eh..."Eli gestured toward the front door, but Tuur grabbed the jug with utensils and held it up to Eli.
"What do they do?"
"All of them?"Eli looked a little dazed as if Thano had messed with his memories.He hadn't.
