“I have to get a coffee pot for my grandfather’s place. His tea doesn’t cut it, and I can’t drink this every morning.” He sighed and forced down another drink. “So, what are you doing this morning, other than almost getting another coffee bath?”
“I was returning Winston’s jacket from last night.”
“Oh. He’s… not well liked, is he?”
“No, he’s not. The people in this neighborhood are like a family. We look out for one another, and he likes to act like he’s better than everyone else. That doesn’t go over well.”
“And he dumped Tulip,” he added.
“True. He did do that.”
“Did he at least thank you for returning his jacket? He looked like he was picky about his clothing, so I can’t imagine he was thrilled about leaving it.”
“He wasn’t there. I left it with his assistant.”
Declan paused in front of the pub and looked up at me. “You were right about the coffee. I’ll be sure and go back to the café next time.”
“You’ll be glad you did.”
We stood there for a minute before I realized he was waiting on me to go inside.
“I’m not headed home yet. I’m going to pop into the Nook and see if Winston’s there.”
“Oh, okay. Sorry, I assumed you were headed back to the pub.”
His cheeks darkened a little, and the blush only added to his adorableness. Such a simple mistake making him blush like that made me wonder what else would make his cheeks flush. I gave my head a little shake to clear my thoughts. Declan Hawthorne was not a mouse for me to play with, no matter how fun that sounded. He was one of my oldest friend’s grandsons, and he was here to visit, not to stay. We walked on, but when we reached the entrance to his grandfather’s shop, he didn’t stop; instead, he grinned at me.
“I thought I would tag along. I remember when that place was a gift shop. I used to go in there and bother Mister X all the time. I’ve only been here one day, and there’s been so much banging and hammering I’m dying to see what they’re doing with it.”
Declan being with me meant my chat with Winston would have to wait, but I didn’t have the heart to tell him no. If he was there, I’d tell him he needed to call Janis and ask her when a good time would be for us to talk.
I checked the door of the shop, and it was unlocked. Declan stepped inside, and I was right behind him, but the second I stepped inside, I knew something was wrong. I inhaled deeply to make sure, then grabbed for Declan, pulling him behind me as the ancient smell of decay and acrid stench of panic sweat filled my senses.
“What is it?” Declan asked, leaning around me to take a look.
“I don’t know yet. You should go back to your grandfather’s shop.”
“I don’t think so. I’m not leaving you here alone.”
It was ridiculous to think that a dire wolf needed a human to accompany him to keep him safe, but I couldn’t tell him that.
“Fine, but stay behind me.”
I looked around the room, which was in complete disarray, with supplies lined up along the wall, and partially constructed scaffolding scattered around. No wonder it was taking so long to make any repairs. I followed my nose through the building, all the way from the front to the back where the smell was the strongest.
We rounded the corner, and Declan gasped behind me. I turned and looked at him to see him standing there, eyes wide, mouth gaping, staring at something off to our left. Winston. He was lying there deathly still, arms and legs splayed out, with a large crystal point sticking out of his chest. I didn’t like the guy, but he didn’t deserve to die like that.
“Is he—” Declan started.
“Dead? Yeah, I’m afraid so. Call Elwood and ask him to get over here.”
“Shouldn’t we call nine-one-one or the police or something?”
“We will, Declan, but first I need you to go get Elwood.”
Chapter Five
Magic is real, and vampires can die
