“Interesting.”
The address we had been given turned us into a parking lot of what looked like—
“Is this a sex store? Oh my god! Is one of them Lust?” The squeal that came from my girlfriend’s mouth as she realized this made the pit in my stomach drop so hard I struggled to breathe. She was practically bouncing in her seat as I parked and stopped the car.
“Finally! One that makes fucking sense! Oh, please don’t tell me he’s doing something absolutely disgusting.” She frowned. I tilted my head in confusion. Her eyes darkened. “You know, with minors and stuff.” She kept her voice low.
“Oh God,no. At least, I doubt it. We’re deplorable vampires,sure, but I don’t think any of us are interested in that. I wouldn’t take you somewhere like that.” I assured her,and she let out a large exhaleand thenresumed her excitement.
“Good. Okay, let’s go. I want to meet Lust.”
“Can you please stop saying that?” I swallowed my jealousy as I got out of the car and joined her in walking toward the door. The shop was a large square building with giant neon signs all over. The biggest one was on the roof. It saidNight Work. The name of the shop itself didn’t scream sex-toy shop, but the blowup in the front and all the signs that listed what they were selling told us exactly what we were going to expect upon going inside.
I walked in,shaking my head at how painfully obnoxious this was,even for Toulouse. Scout grabbed my hand and pulled me in, as I was slightly reluctant. House music was playing at an oddly comfortable level,and I blinked at how harsh the lighting was here.
A bloodshed vampire woman greeted us from behind the large counter. She smiled kindly. “Hello. Welcome to Night Work. Is there anything specific you’re looking for today?”
I saw Scout open her mouth, and I quickly clamped my hand over it. She nipped me, her fangs piercing the palm of my hand just enough for me to jerk away. “No. Just looking around, thanks.”
“Okay, well,if you need any help,my name is Sharon, and I’ll be happy to help you. Clothes and the dressing room are over there.” She pointed to the left. We turned and saw she was correct. “Anal play and vibrators are in that room, along with all the lubes, lotions, oils, bondage,and all leather geararein the second. Movies and magazines are on the wall over here.” She quickly rattled off everything,and I realized I was starting to get a little embarrassed. Scout giggling like she was a teenager beside me wasn’t helping.
“What do you want to look at first?” My immortal girlfriend asked me. I scowled.
“Nothing. We’re not here for that.”
“Oh, come on. Some of this can be fun.” She thrust out her lower lip and pulled me toward the room that was clearly labeled TOYS.
“I don’t know,” I said, feeling kind of stupid. It wasn’t like either of us was innocent or celibate during our thirty years apart. We’d discussed our past.
“You know, sex gets way better when you realize that toys are your teammates, not your enemy.”
We both turned quickly to see a tall vampire leaning against a rack of robes and smirking at us.
Toulouse.
Despite myself, I grinned and hurried to greet him. He hadn’t changed even a little. He uncrossed his arms and pulled me in for a bear hug. “It’s been too long, baby brother. You look good!” he exclaimed, patting me on the back.
I laughed,and when we parted, stepped back, I looked at him. It was like stepping through time. He wore a baseballcap backward, his blonde hair peeking out the front hole. He had a faded green plaid button-shirt over his white t-shirt, and his jeans were acid-washed. He was even wearing the same yellow converse.
“Holy shit. It’s like seeing a ghost.” I blinked.
He snickered.“I don’t need the fancy duds like Arsenio and Elvie. You, uh, done shopping?” He glanced behind me at Scout. Instantly I straightened. I had forgotten about her for a moment. “Because I can bring you guys on back and over to my place.”
“You live next door?” I reached for Scout’s hand and started off with Tully.
“Yeah. It’s connected to the shop. Actually, you guys might want to go get your stuff. Then I’ll take you down.” He stopped short and turned. Scout bumped into my shoulder,and it caused him to look at her. He grinned and extended his hand.
“I’m Tully.”
“Scout. You’re Lust?” She blurted. I wanted to stomp on her shoe. Tully blinked and shot a look at me. I sighed and shook my head in annoyance.
“Uh, yeah. Nice to meet you,Scout. We’ve all been anxious to see the vampire that’s changed the rules for us.”
“Oh?” Scout cocked her head,and it made me squeeze her hand tighter. Didn’t I warn her enough?
“Go, get your bags,and I’ll take you down.” He flicked his attention back to me. I nodded and started out, pulling Scout behind me. She tugged against me, causing me to pause. I turned and eyed her with caution.
“Aren’t you coming with me?”
