Something sounded suspicious. “What do you expect will happen?”
“Oh, probably nothin’. We just need to be here in case y’all need to be invited back in again.”
“Are you saying you might have sealed me out of my own building?”
Gwyneth shrugged.
Morgaine blew out the candle and said, “We don’t know the vampire’s name, so Gwyneth decided to seal it against all vampires who don’t live here. But sometimes the powers-that-be can be very literal. And since you’re not alive…”
Sly finished her thought in his head. “Got it. So, what happens if I can’t get back in? Is there anything special you’ll have to do?”
“Nope. We just invite you in again.”
“Are you sure nothing else will happen? I mean, I won’t burst into flames if I try to walk through your barrier or anything?”
“Heaven’s no!” Gwyneth chuckled. “We’re not fire bugs.”
“But you said you bought something called Vampire Slayer powder.”
“I didn’t use that on the door, silly. Y’all have to come and go. I’m saving that for your maker, if and when we can find him.”
“I thought you already found him.”
“We think so, but one of us,” she glared at Morgaine, “has to go and look at the place in person.”
“We agreed I’d astral project and Gwyneth would walk over there during the day. We can corroborate what we find later.”
“So, are you gonna get over the willies or what, Sly? Go outside and come back in again. Morgaine, I’ll deal with you tomorrow.”
“Deal with me?” Morgaine’s eyes grew a little larger and Sly figured it was time to distract them, quickly.
“Okay, here I go.” He yanked open the door and stepped outside, letting the door shut. Then he reached into his pocket, pulled out his key, and unlocked the door. “So far, so good.”
Sly took a giant step and slammed into an invisible barrier. “Ouch!”
Both women covered their mouths.
“Oops,” Gwyneth said. “Sorry ‘bout that.”
“Well at least we know it works,” Sly muttered.
“Please come in, Sly.” Morgaine stretched out her hand.
He grasped it and slowly stepped into the building with no more trouble than a human would have. “Whew.”
“I did it, Morgaine!” Gwyneth was so pleased with herself she hugged her cousin. And he could tell Morgaine was genuinely thrilled.
“Yes, you did. Did you have any doubts?”
“A little one, maybe. I was sure he wouldn't catch afire, but I was a bit worried he'd maybe get singed.”
“'Now you tell me? Forget it, I’m fine, and you’ve redeemed yourself,” Sly said. Her face fell and he was immediately sorry he’d put it that way. He didn’t want to hurt either one of them. He’d have to remember how powerful these women were—and that one of them had something called Vampire Slayer Powder!
Morgaine crossed the hall to Gwyneth’s apartment. Before she knocked on the door, she said a small incantation. It was more of a prayer to the Goddess for help and direction. Then she knocked and waited.
Gwyneth opened the door looking well rested and refreshed. Good. She hoped her cousin would be in a receptive mood.
“Mornin’ Morgaine. Would you like to come in?”
