Page 26 of Vampire's Cupcake
"Yes.What does this do?"Tuur held up a whisk.
"It's a whisk.You use it to whisk things."Eli glanced at Thano again, and he shrugged in reply.He believed the bears were familiar with basic kitchen tools, but maybe not.Tuur most likely hadn't been in contact with many humans.
Thano waited while Eli went through every single thing in the jug, then they finally could leave.
* * * *
Eli had no idea what he'd gotten himself into.He was in a car heading off the paved road, and the sun was setting more quickly than he was comfortable with.It was still daylight, but only for another hour or so.
"That is Romeo and Ciar's home."Thano gestured at the cabin-like house coming into view ahead.There was a sign declaring they'd reached The Moonlight Ranch.There were six smaller cabins, but they looked uninhabitable.Shattered windows and missing doors.
The car came to a stop, and Romeo stepped out of the front door.His eyes widened when Eli exited the car."Eli?"
"Hi.Sorry to turn up unannounced."
Romeo waved his hand, but Eli noted a small crease between Thano's eyebrows.
"Nonsense.Come on in."He gestured for Eli to follow, and he did since he didn't know where he was supposed to go.If he was here to see Romeo's house or Thano's--if Thano had a house.He gave the cabins another quick once-over.No, no one could live there.
They all headed in through the front door, and Eli couldn't help but gape as he looked around.There were paintings on the wall.Only two, but he'd never seen a painting in real life.Without thinking he went up to the closest one, which was of a lake surrounded by forest, and on the shoreline, a deer was drinking from the water.He couldn't breathe.It was amazing.
"Don't ask me where it's from.It was here when I moved in."
"It's amazing."
Romeo smiled."Come on.Would you like a cup of tea?"
Eli sought Thano's gaze, still unsure if the plan was to visit Romeo or not.Thano gave him a small head-dip which he took to mean it was Romeo they were visiting.
"Sounds lovely."
Romeo ushered him toward the kitchen."Sit."
Eli did, but Thano and Tuur remained standing.
"What made you come all the way out here?"Moving past him, Romeo grabbed a pot from a cupboard and poured water into it before placing it on the stove.Eli noted how Tuur watched his every move.Maybe he was as interested in pots as he'd been in kitchen utensils.He was still clutching his skimmer.
"I have no idea."He gave Romeo a wide-eyed look and shrugged.It was met by a huge grin.
"Did Thano or Tuur lure you here?"
"Thano."Eli looked at him, and the blank expression was back in place.Romeo focused on Thano too.
"Did you only want to show him the ranch or is there a meaning to the visit?"
Thano turned his dark eyes onto Romeo, and Eli almost shivered at the intensity in them."I wanted Eli to have a look at the non-fiction box if that's okay?"
Romeo glanced at Eli then at Thano."Why?"
"It's a surprise.I'm working with the crows on something, and I asked Eli for help, but...there is some information missing."
Romeo looked ready to burst into laughter."You're working with the crows?"
"I'm helping them."
"And it's a surprise?"There was a chuckle clinging to Romeo's words.It made Eli relax.If Romeo could laugh, then there most likely wasn't about to be a blood bath in his kitchen.
"Yes.Can we look in the box?I can trade--"
