Page 57 of Vampire's Cupcake
"Where is Alice?"Lorenzo's voice shook.Thano could understand the worry for a mate, so he turned to face him.
"She's with Eli.They're bringing the car back."
"Is it safe?"
"Safer than if she were to stay."A knot formed in his belly.Maybe he shouldn't have left them.What if something happened to Eli?
Raven walked out from the forest, a crow sitting on her shoulder."You called?"Her tone was annoyed.
"No one is allowed to go into Last Hope, but definitely not any birds."He turned to the tree with the most crows in."Not in bird form and not in human form."
The air flickered as Emeric dropped the shadows around him."What about feeding?"
"Stay in the shadows.We can't be seen."
Emeric dipped his head in acceptance, and Thano was sure the word would be spread among the vampires.
"What happened?"Raven stepped closer.
"Alice and I drove into town to pick up Eli, we were supposed to do the surprise."He gestured at Fala who nodded eagerly."To be able to do it, Eli needed a few things from the shop, but since it's Saturday, it's closed.He said he'd go in through the back door to get it while I found someone who could drive us."
A crow landed next to Lark and shifted into Byrd."I flew to Fisherman's Lake to deliver Eli's message to the man who came in through the back door."
Thano wasn't surewhat it had to do with anything, so he gave Byrd a nod and continued."Before Eli reached the shop, there was a gunshot."
Someone hissed, and Thano looked toward the trees where several of the bears and a few of the vampires had gathered.
"Theodore Carner, who is on the board, shot a crow right outside Eli's shop.It's dead.Eli didn't know if it was a natural crow or breed.He hurried home as quickly as he could and waited for Alice and me to arrive."He focused on the crows again."You're sure there isn't a crow missing?"
Fala, Lark, and Byrd all turned to face the tree where the most crows perched.There were hoarse caws, clicks, and weird rattles, but Thano couldn't pick up on any panic.
"No, everyone is here."Fala spoke in a loud voice to make sure everyone heard her, and there was a collective breath of relief.
"The sheriff will reward anyone who shoots a bird within town limits."
"Reward them how?"Byrd looked more curious than afraid.
"I don't know.Eli said a bounty."He turned to Romeo."Did he mean money?"
Romeo nodded."Most likely, yes."
"And as of yesterday, no breed is allowed in town.I don't know if there is a bounty on us too."
Conal walked toward him, his eyes those of his wolf, and his teeth sharper than normal."This is the board's doing."
"I would assume so.I don't think the sheriff can act on his own."He glanced at Romeo again who shook his head in confirmation.
Conal growled."We can't let this continue.We had control, and now we're letting them push us out."
Thano took a deep breath."We had a meeting."
Silence fell and held.
"Does anyone have someone they care about in Last Hope?"Thano looked around."I'm taking Eli to my place.Anyone want to get anyone else out?"
No one replied, but Conal frowned.
"Conal?"
