“Well,” she tapped her chin in thought. “When I need a distraction, I always pick up a book. Diving into another world, another story, is the best way to keep your mind off your own.”
I dropped my hands to my side, glancing at her face. Though her expression was still tense, she was staring at me hopefully.
“That’s… that’s a great idea, actually. I love reading.”
Her eyebrows shot to her hairline. “You do?”
I scoffed. “Don’t look so surprised. I’m offended.”
She waved her hand. “No, no, I just didn’t expect it. You’re such a big, burly, gruff vampire, I can’t imagine you curled up on a comfy cushion with a book in your hand and a cup of tea beside you.”
“What do you think I do in my spare time? Smash rocks?”
“Honestly, yes. Something like that.”
I shot her a glare, surprised to find that she was gently smiling, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Very funny. I have quite the collection of books back home in Sunhaven.”
Fiella leaned her hip against the counter, crossing her arms in front of her. “What kind of books do you like to read, mister sophisticated literature man?”
I rolled my eyes. “Mysteries, mostly. Anything with adventure and suspense. I like to see how mysteries unfold, and how they’re solved.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, that seems like you.”
“And how about you? Where do your book tastes fall?”
She barked out a laugh, her cheeks reddening slightly. “Romance, mostly. Anything with a love story.”
I nodded sagely. “The raunchy stuff or the family-friendly stuff?”
She laughed again, the sound more endearing this time. “Raunchy, of course. Though I’ll pick up anything if it’s got love in it. I’m a hopeless romantic.”
“I think I remember seeing a box of newer books that had survived the collapse, where did we put those? Think there are any romantic mysteries in there?”
“Of course, who do you think I am? I keep only the best in my inventory.” She fumbled around for a bit before triumphantly lifting a box from the ground.
The books in the box had survived the collapse relatively unscathed, only earning a few bends and scratches. We situated ourselves on the chairs in the sitting area, prepared to read the evening away and pass the time. I ended up withMurder on the Mountain Pass, while Fiella selectedThe Siren and the Sorcerer, which depicted a kissing couple on the cover.
The tale was surprisingly riveting, and it ensnared my attention quickly. I would have to purchase this one.
Sometime later, when I noticed Fiella nodding off while sitting upright, I decided we could at least try to get some sleep. She was too stubborn to make that call herself.
Or at leastshecould get some sleep. There was no way I was going to be able to get any significant rest while my throat was shredding itself apart.
We pulled the cushions from the comfy chairs, laid them flat, and gathered a few throw blankets to cover up with.
It was lucky that this shop seemed to have every item under the suns, even after most of it had been destroyed.
Fiella extinguished the lantern and darkness descended upon us. The silence was tense and awkward–every rustle of fabric a disturbance and every breath deafening.
“Goodnight, Fiella,” I murmured, just a few feet away from her in the darkness.
“Goodnight, stranger,” She mumbled back sleepily.
I couldn’t help the pained smile that tugged at my mouth. Luckily, she wouldn’t be able to see it with her eyes closed.
As her breaths evened out and she eventually drifted off to sleep, I braced myself for hours of misery. My thoughts were beginning to slow, feeling strangely heavy. And my fangshurt.
I caught myself wondering where in the realms that cat had wandered off to–I could have sworn she was here a few hours ago.
