Page 58 of Vampire's Cupcake
"Aren't we doing anything?"
Thano shrugged."Are we going to do something?"He looked around, but no one met his gaze.
Conal grimaced."What about Elijah?"
Who?"What about him?"
"I...eh...when I went to see him about the telephone, I got the feeling no one is looking out for him.The board members don't like him, not after all those weeks wasted on arguing about the phone."
Thano assumed the same held true for many people, like the woman Eli had mentioned, for example.
"I wanted to go to the market on Wednesday."Byrd looked disheartened.
"No birds in Last Hope."Thano wasn't sure how to deal with this.Last time, the humans had attacked them on their land, but this time they kept to Last Hope.Should they interfere or should they leave them be?"Meeting tonight?"He spoke low and directed the question to Conal, but he was sure most of the people around them heard him.
"Yes."
Thano turned toward the trees."Meeting tonight."He looked at the humans on the terrace."Let's make it here, so the humans can participate."
There was a murmur, then the crows dispersed.
Romeo sighed."You think it'll be a long-term thing?"
"I don't know.I guess it depends on whether we'll do something or not."
Nodding, Romeo turned to walk back to his house.
* * * *
Chapter 13
Eli looked at the car and blew out a long breath.This was insane.There wasn't an inch of free space.He and Alice had caught all the chickens and rabbits and shoved them into wooden boxes.He had packed his clothes and a few precious items.
Alice had brought more clothes for her and Lorenzo, along with seeds, some plants, and a bag.
Right before he was to get in, he remembered."I have chickens in the shop too.I can't leave them to die of thirst."
Alice, who already was seated in the driver's seat, turned to look at their cargo."They won't fit."
"I can't let them die."They were destined to die, but not die without food or water.It was cruel, and they did not deserve a cruel death.
Alice looked between him and the road leading away from the town center."Do we dare chance going to the shop?If they see us in a packed car, will they allow us to leave?Will they allowyouto leave?I'm no one, but you..."
Eli drummed his thumb against the roof of the car."I'll walk, and you wait a few minutes before you come to pick me up.If you see someone outside the shop, keep driving.Go to the ranch."
"What about you?I can't leave you here.Thano will kill me."
"I doubt it."
She huffed, but there was a smile tugging at her lips."He will be displeased."
"I'm sure he'll understand."Maybe he would be displeased.Warmth filled Eli's heart."I'll walk.If you're not outside the shop when I emerge with the chickens, I'll give them to Elijah.Or maybe not Elijah since the sheriff is staying at the hotel.I'll give them to someone, and then I'll walk to the ranch.I can walk six miles."If he could find the way.He believed it was mostly straight ahead, then the road split in two, but he should be fine if he stuck to the right.Maybe.
"No.If I'm not outside the shop, you come back here.If I can't wait outside the shop, I'll wait here.There is no reason for anyone to come here."
"Unless they're hunting birds or believe others will show up on the street where Romeo Moonlight's family lives."
She grimaced."Right.I'll wait here anyway, so hurry."
