Page 89 of Vampire's Cupcake
Byrd looked into her basket.“This."He held up a bunch of keys.
“I can't give you my keys."
Eli almost laughed.“She needs those to get into her house."
“Oh..."Byrd looked disappointed.“What about the ring?"
Eli looked at Rosie's fingers, but she wore no ring.“The key ring?"
“Yes, she can keep the keys, and I get the ring."
Eli shrugged and looked at Rosie.There were two keys in her key ring, but maybe she could use something else to keep them together.
“You want the ring?This?"She ran a finger over the gleaming metal, and Eli chuckled.Shiny.
“Yes, I get the ring.You get the stick."Byrd held up the knitting needle."
“Deal."She started to remove the key when there was a squawk, and a crow landed on the table only to then jump down on the ground and shift into a naked Lark.“What did you get?"
“A shiny."Byrd puffed his chest, traded the needle for the ring, and held it up for Lark to see.Thano chuckled near Eli's ear, and Elijah, who stood closest widened his eyes, most likely having figured out who else was there.
He reached into his pocket.“This is what I can spare today."He held out his money.“Can I have some potatoes and flour?I brought a container."He held up a pink rectangular plastic lunch box with a see-through lid.Eli grabbed it and placed it on the scale he'd brought from the shop, then measured the flour, weighed the potatoes, and threw in a handful of sugar snaps as a bonus.
The others bought a few things too, but either didn't have money or they hadn't known what to expect and hadn't brought more than a little.
“Will you be back?"Mrs.Martin handed over her money before Eli could give her the total.
“Back in Last Hope or back here by the market stand?"
“Here.Is this a one-time thing or will you sell things from here now?"
He handed back a few coins in change.“I'll be here every Tuesday."
“Me too."Feathers washed over Byrd before they melted away as if the thought was too exciting to contain.
She smiled.“All right.How much for the rhubarb, dear?"
Byrd cocked his head in a bird-like gesture.“What kind of shiny do you have?"
She gave him a confused look.
“I got this from Rosie."He held up the key ring.
“Oh, you don't want money?"
He shrugged.“If it's shiny I might take money, but most money isn't."
Mrs.Martin sent a pleading look Eli's way before focusing on Byrd again.“I'm not sure I have anything shiny, sorry."
“Don't worry.Next week you can bring something shiny, and we'll see if I have something you want to trade."
She nodded at them both before heading back together with the group.
“That went well."Thano materialized next to him.
“We'll stay.Word might travel now when they get back."
Thano looked like he wanted to object but went up on tiptoe and kissed him instead.“Whatever you want."
