This had to be the fates… right?
Strangely, just knowing that someone had read my worries and cared enough to respond lightened my heavy spirit, just a bit. It was amazing how much of a difference that small dose of companionship made. I never felt heard or understood by anyone other than Kizzi, but this stranger had read my rambling worries, and instead of simply tossing the letter into flame, they took the time to respond.
I had plenty of friends and neighbors, sure, but I kept it surface-level with pretty much everyone. If I let them peek under the hood of my thoughts, I was sure they would run screaming, so I kept most things to myself.
Maybe I didn’t have to do that anymore.
I took a sip of my minty earl gray, feeling a bit lighter, and carefully folded the letter and tucked it into my pocket.
I caught myself feeling the beginnings of hope during my walk back to the shop.
Even knowing I had to see that annoying, rude vampire again wasn’t enough to squash the kernel of light that had bloomed in my chest.
Aforementioned vampire was carefully lifting a massive stone bowl from the rubble when I strolled in the front door. I hardly paid him any mind–my thoughts still wrapped up in the mysterious letter. I heard the thud when he set it onto the exposed stone floor.
I plopped the letter, along with the other contents of my pockets onto my newly-designated worktable–pastry wrappers, a handful of clovers, a pinecone, and a tie for my hair. The table was more like a stool, a small square of wood supported by three legs, but it was a place to set my things and that was all that mattered.
I dove back into cleaning. Sookie would probably knock the clovers I had picked onto the floor, but I would just clean them up and pick more at the park tomorrow. One could never find too many good luck charms.
I don’t even know if Redd noticed I was back–he was buried elbow-deep in wreckage–until his voice called out.
“You should really quit leaving the shop in the care of a stranger.” He glanced at the hand-painted plates in his hand. “What if I was a thief who was after unnecessarily decorated plates?”
I crossed my arms, donned my most fearsome facial expression, and marched over to him. Well, march might not have been the right term because I had to climb over multiple piles on the way, but I gave it a strong effort.
I got into his space and glowered at him.
“I could take you down in an instant,” I declared.
He set down the plates he was carrying and straightened to his full height. Gods damned, I was not used to anyone being able to tower over me. I kept forgetting I wasn’t the tallest one in the room anymore.
“You think so, little vampire?”
He chuckled under his breath and turned around, mumbling something about feisty creatures.
How dare he! I lunged at his back, prepared to press my teeth into his jugular to prove my point that I was an intimidating woman who could take downanycreature. I wasn’t actually going to bite him, but I was definitely going to scare him.
He must’ve expected the move, because he whirled and snatched me by the shoulders, freezing me in place. Gods damn it, I thought I had him.
He held me still, just inches from his face. His breath brushed over me, smelling like peppermint and sugar, before it ceased entirely.
“Down, girl. Be good,” he whispered. I shivered. I should’ve been infuriated by him speaking down to me like I was a wild animal but for some reason… It affected me differently.
After I remembered how to breathe, I yanked my shoulders from his grip and twirled in the opposite direction.
“I was trying to prove a point!” I said, flustered.
“And did you?” he answered drily.
“Um. Yes. Well. I was just trying to–I... I need to go next door and see if they have any extra brooms,” I stammered.I need to get out of here.
I didn’t wait for his response before hustling out the door.
Strangely, I felt no trepidation about leaving Redd alone in my shop once again. If he was going to take advantage of the situation, he surely would’ve done so by now.
CHAPTER 12
Fiella
