Page 100 of The Vampire and the Barista

The portal brought them out in the manager’s office, courtesy of David. It wasn’t a large room, so it was a bit of a squeeze, but thankfully, no one was in there to witness the sudden appearance of a shiny portal.

“Let’s check on Jamie,” Ivan said, opening the door and quickly walking out.

Jamie was wiping a table down when he saw Max walking over.

“Are you off to get spruced up?” Jamie asked him, smiling.

Max blushed a little. “I am. Penny’s closing up tonight,” he frowned, “Are you here until late?”

Jamie shook his head. “No, Sarah’s bus never turned up, she’ll be in as soon as she can be, then I’m off. Have a good time tonight, and remember Bert is just a man.”

Max nodded. “I know. I really am looking forward to spending time with him.”

Jamie pulled him into a hug. “I’m on the afternoon shift tomorrow, and will want to hear all about your evening when I come in.”

Max laughed and blushed, pulling away. “Okay. And now I’m off, see you tomorrow.”

“You will,” Jamie replied and watched Max leave with a smile. He was glad he had managed to help Max overcome his fears of the paranormal world.

Jamie finished clearing the empty tables and walked back behind his counter, hoping that Ivan and the others found the missing vampires, and more importantly, Derrick. Ivan had made him promise he would phone Owen to come and pick him up when Sarah arrived, if Ivan wasn’t back. Yeah, he didn’t fancy going anywhere alone after yesterday, especially with Derrick and potentially his dad out there somewhere.

He sighed and leant against the counter. His feelings surrounding Derrick were confusing. On the one hand, Derrick was nuts and gave him the creeps, but on the other hand, Derrick had saved his life. Jamie couldn’t figure out why Derrick had helped him; he also wondered if his father was still alive. Not that he cared one way or another, but if Derrick had killed him, he didn’t want any of his new family questioned by the police.

“I'm here.”

Jamie jumped and laughed. “Hey, Sarah.”

“Didn’t mean to make you jump,” she said, rushing behind the counter. “Stupid bus.”

Jamie shrugged. “These things happen,” he replied, taking off his apron and picking his bag up. “But now I’m away.”

“Thanks again, Jamie.”

“No probs. See you in a few days,” Jamie said, walking around the counter and pulling his phone out of his pocket and texted Owen.

He got a message straight back saying he would be at the library in ten minutes and to stay inside, somewhere safe.

After replying, Jamie slowed down. There was no need to rush; it didn’t take ten minutes to get to the front of the library. He would have to ask Owen if he minded stopping at his old place to pick up his last few boxes. He couldn’t believe he was now living in a mansion with his brother and sister, with vampires. How crazy was his life? And even though they hadn’t been there long, both Karl and Kitty were already looking better.

He needed to remember to ask Ivan about paying rent and helping with the bills.

As he waited, Jamie leant against the library notice board and scrolled through his phone, looking at everything he had missed lately. He smiled at people who came through the library doors, not really paying them any attention, when he felt someone standing next to him.

Jamie looked up and gasped in shock as Derrick stood there, not the handsome man that he had seen that first day, but an ageing older man.

“Surprised to see me?” Derrick said.

“Truthfully, yes and no, but also you’ve aged.”

Derrick took a step back. “I’m immortal, I can’t age.”

Jamie snorted. “You need to look in the mirror and see how wrong you are about that. But before you do, thank you for your help yesterday.”

“I’m glad I was there. I must say, playing with your father was so much fun. I can still hear his begging and screaming. Like all bullies, he couldn’t take what I dished out.”

Jamie swallowed. “Is he dead?”

Derrick grinned. “Well and truly dead, I’m pleased to say. I might even eat him later.”

Jamie’s mouth dropped open, and he paled. “E..e..eat him?” he stammered out in horror.

Derrick shrugged. “It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve eaten someone. I doubt it will be the last.”

Jamie shuddered. “What did you do to the missing vampires?” he asked, hoping he hadn’t killed and eaten them.

“They were good, I’ll give them that. It was only by chance that I caught them. They are happy residents of my rental establishment. Or they were until Ivan and the others turned up. Chances are they’ve been rescued by now. Ivan, however, well, it remains to be seen if he survives.”

Jamie took an angry step forward. “What did you do to him?”

Instead of answering, Derrick stopped and tilted his head, like he was listening to something.

“Time to go,” Derrick said, grabbing Jamie and rushed off.