Page 40 of Vampire's Cupcake
She nodded.
The crow flapped down on the floor and shifted.Alice made a surprised sound, which made Eli suspect she hadn't seen it when she'd entered.
"Can I also sell plants at the market?I can get a table."Byrd stood naked before them, excitement shining in his eyes.
"No, sorry.You have to be a registered business, and..."His words died away."Unless you're there with Romeo.Romeo can sell things at the market."
Byrd cocked his head as if he was still in crow form."Can't I be there with you?"
Eli shook his head."I don't sell at the market, but Romeo is registered as a farmer.He can bring produce there."
"But if I trade things instead of selling them, I don't need a business, right?We do it all the time."
Eli stared at him then glanced at Alice."I...eh...I'm not sure.You better talk to Thano about it.Or maybe Conal now that he's the one at the board."What would the sheriff do if there were crows at the square trading things?Was it illegal for others to trade things with humans?
"I want to have a business with shinys."He motioned at the box still on the counter with the kitchen utilities.
Eli rubbed his neck."Talk to Thano."
Byrd nodded before shifting back into crow.
Alice looked between them."I...eh..."She held up a few coins."Would like some..."She noticed the fish in the refrigerated display."Are those fresh?"
"Came in this morning.Finn Pretty caught them."
She felt around her pocket and found a small bill."I want for two people.Is it enough?"
He hadn't had time to think about what he'd charge."Yes.Do you have anything to take them in?"Fish were tricky.You didn't want to put them directly in a basket and he had nothing to wrap them in.
"Eh..."
Eli moved in behind the counter and looked around for an old plastic container he had there."I want this back."
"Of course."
Byrd shifted form again.Could they change shape an indefinite number of times?"I can trade you a bucket like that."
Eli froze.Containers were hard to get hold of."Can you?"
"Yes, I need to fly away for a bit, but I know where I can find one."
"And what do you want to trade?"He couldn't trade anything for the store, but he could perhaps buy it from the store and trade it with Byrd in his personal capacity.No one would have to know.
Byrd reached into the box of kitchen utensils."This."He held up a balloon whisk in stainless steel.
Eli held out his hand, and Byrd reluctantly put it on his palm."Deal.I'll buy this with my money and give it to you when you give me a container."
Byrd nodded and ran toward the door, yanked it open, and ran outside without a stitch of clothing.A few seconds later, a crow flew away.
Alice stared out the window."Imagine being able to fly away."There was longing in her eyes, and something stirred in Eli's chest.
"Yeah."He rang up her purchase and gave her another pep talk about registering a business before she left.
* * * *
Chapter 9
Thano spotted Byrd land outside his house a moment before there was a knock on his door.What the hell?
