Page 68 of The Vampire and the Barista

“Sweetheart, who is this demon to you?” Raz asked softly.

Thiago looked up at Raz, his eyes sad. “My father,” he whispered.

“He is not you; his actions are on him, not you,” Raz told him.

Thiago lifted his head, and Raz happily kissed him. He slowly pulled back. “Thank you, Raz.”

“Thiago looked sad,” Gabe commented.

“He did, but Raz will help him, and so will we,” Mathis told him.

“Maybe he knew the demon,” Jamie suggested.

“Maybe,” Gabe said. “I’m more interested in you at the moment, Jamie.”

Jamie turned around in the front seat and looked at Gabe. “Me?”

“You.”

“Is that because of my inner Halliwell?”

“Inner Halliwell?” Ivan queried.

Jamie looked at Ivan. “Yeah. I was trapped in that place, the bubble thing. I thought about the ladies from Charmed and how they made up spells. I did the same and was suddenly free.”

“So you’re a witch?” Ivan asked.

“Unfortunately not,” Gabe said.

Jamie swung back around, looking at Gabe. “Really?”

Gabe nodded. “Very sorry, but you look to have some psychic abilities as you did see that ghost.”

“So, how did I get out of that barrier place?”

“I think the demon let you go. For a moment, it felt like the demon magic had vanished, probably long enough for us to get out. I bet if we went back, the demon magic would once again be in place,” Gabe explained.

“Damn, there goes my dream of cackling about a cauldron,” Jamie muttered.

“We really don’t use cauldrons,” Gabe told him, grinning.

“Another myth busted,” Jamie said, shaking his head.

“Just add it to the list,” Mathis suggested.

Jamie grinned. “I will, that list is getting longer. Hey Gabe, has Dave told you we have a support group going for humans that mate with vampires and only get vampire hickeys? I know you’re a witch, but you got jipped as well. You should join.”

The others laughed.

“Once all the crap we’re dealing with has been sorted, I’ll happily join.”

“Can I do anything to help?” Jamie asked.

Gabe shook his head. “No, but thanks for the offer.”

“Looks like we’re stopping here to eat,” Ivan said, following Seth’s car into a pub carpark.

“I’ll text Raz,” Mathis said as he pulled out his phone and messaged his brother.

They all parked up, and everyone got out of the cars, walking inside.

Mathis and Gabe stayed outside by the car; the next minute, Raz and Thiago arrived.

Gabe pulled Thiago into a hug. “Are you okay?”

Thiago hugged him back before pulling away. “I’m okay,” he said softly.

Gabe put his hands on Thiago’s shoulders. “If I can do anything and I do mean anything to help, just call.”

“Thanks, I will.”

Mathis pulled him into a hug next. “Whatever you need.”

Thiago patted his back and smiled as he pulled away. “Thanks. Shall we go in? I'm starving.”