Page 29 of The Vampire and the Barista

“But you will when you’re ready, so you can still join.” Dave looked at the time. “Now I have time to fill you in on everything that’s happened since I met my David.”

Mathis and Gabriel, after leaving the vampires the night before, had spent the night at the witches' coven. Gabe wanted to check all was well there and talk to Rafe.

They walked into the kitchen and saw Rafe, Sheldon, Brian, Stan and Danny sat chatting, their empty breakfast things in front of them.

“Morning,” Gabe and Mathis said, smiling at them.

“Morning,” everyone replied.

“Are you back for long?” Sheldon asked them.

Gabe shook his head. “Unfortunately, not. Oswald’s whole office is filled with everything needed to take down this organisation. They seriously documented everything, even their meetings.” As he talked, he prepared breakfast for the two of them.

“You’re joking?” Stan asked, looking shocked.

“He’s not,” Mathis replied, making drinks. “We’re all going through everything as there are very few people we currently trust in the council offices.”

“Thankfully, it looks like the highest-ranking official was Quintus,” Gabe said, carrying two plates to the table and sitting down.

Mathis carried the drinks over and sat next to him.

“Do you want us three to come and help?” Brian offered.

“No, but thank you for the offer. I’m hoping you three, plus Rafe, can finish going through Leonard’s secret office,” Gabe asked.

“We can do that,” Rafe agreed.

“I can help as well,” Sheldon offered. “It will keep my mind off things.”

“Sorry, Sheldon. I should have asked how you’re doing,” Gabe said. “Have you sorted out a date for Penny’s funeral?”

Gabe still couldn’t believe members of his coven had been killed by Kay and his lemmings.

“I’m as well as can be expected and yes, her funeral is on Thursday, at 11,” Sheldon told him.

“We’ll be back for that,” Mathis said, finishing his breakfast.

“Thank you.”

“I’ve had the unidentified bodies buried. I’m still hopeful we can find names for them, and they can be written on headstones,” Rafe said. “I took photos of their faces, hopefully we can do something for them.”

“Send me the pictures, and I can run them through different databases,” Mathis offered.

Rafe nodded. “I will, thanks. Also, Jeremy James’ funeral is on Thursday afternoon. Marianna West’s family came and collected her body; her funeral is today. The family doesn’t want anyone from our coven to attend.”

“That’s sad, but understandable. Let me know the total expenses you had to shell out for the unknown bodies, and I’ll pay you back. Same for you, Sheldon, the coven will cover the cost of Penny’s funeral. Roberto can pay for everything,” Gabe added. He muttered a spell. “The five of you will now be able to access Leonard’s room. While you’re working in there, keep the main bedroom door shut, and no one else can enter.”

“We’ll find out everything we can for you,” Brian said.

“Thanks,” Gabe said, drinking his coffee.

Just then, Mathis’ phone pinged. He pulled it out, had a look and frowned.

“What’s wrong?” Gabe asked.

“Gavin urgently needs us,” he replied, jumping up.

Gabe stood up, waved his hand at their dirty crockery, which vanished and opened a portal. “Sorry, folks, gotta go.” And they both ran through the portal.