Page 19 of Vampire's Cupcake
Eli stared at him for several seconds."I close at half past five to be sure I make it to the bank before they close at six.Weekends they're closed, both the shop and the bank."
"Great.I'll get you then.Do you have a car?"
A slow shake of his head."No, no car."
"I'll ask Romeo if..."Thano didn't drive.Romeo often allowed them to borrow his car, but only a few had learned how to drive.Thano had never seen the point."I'll ask Romeo if we can borrow his car, and if Conal or Tuur can drive."
Eli opened his mouth but no words came for several long seconds."Where...eh...where are we going?"
"To The Moonlight Ranch.I want you to look at something."
Eli nodded, and Thano got up.It was time to head back.He wanted to stay, but it was getting late, and Eli had work in the morning.
"What...eh...is it?"Eli rubbed his neck, a look of uncertainty stealing over his face.
"Forbidden things."Thano grinned at him.
"Are you insane?What if we're caught?"
Thano didn't understand the fear.Romeo was the same way.They'd be at the ranch, Thano was the leader there."Who's gonna punish you?"
"Eh...the sheriff or I guess the board now when there isn't a sheriff."
Thano waved a hand."Not off the paved road.They suggested someone for the position."
"A sheriff?"
Thano walked to the door and put his hand on the door handle."Yeah, I can't remember his name now, maybe they'll say it again tomorrow."
Eli nodded, and when Thano stepped out on the doorstep, he followed.
"See you at six."Then he gathered shadows around him and grinned at Eli's gasp.Slowly, he reached out with one hand while clutching the door handle with his other.Normally, Thano would step away or shadow walk out of reach, but he remained where he was.Eli's fingertips brushed against his chest, and he gasped before yanking his hand away.Thano chuckled but held on to the shadows.
"Have a lovely evening, Eli."Then he left.
* * * *
Chapter 5
The next day, Eli was shaky.When Joshua Fagan walked in through the back door, he shrieked.They hadn't agreed on him coming in today and seeing someone come from the wrong side of the shop messed with his mind.
"Sorry.Didn't mean to scare you.I came from the dock and the back door was closer."Joshua smiled.
Eli waved him off."I'm a little jumpy, is all."
Narrowing his eyes, Joshua watched him for a little too long."What's going on?"
"Vampires keep popping up."
At Joshua's surprised expression, he chuckled."It's not a problem, but Thano, the vampire leader, has had some questions."
"About?"
Eli told him about the toll discussion, and how Thano had said the others would resign from the board.
"Shit."Joshua rubbed his neck."That's not good."
Nope, it wasn't.Eli grimaced and shrugged.There wasn't much they could do about it.
