Page 56 of Perfectly Perplexing Zombie

Johnny had to take off earlier. Leon was still around and about somewhere. He’d taken over the job of closing up the bar, and when Mr. Moony wasn’t around, he often stayed in the underground apartment. Now that Peaches’s cottage was renovated, Mr. Moony spent nearly every night out at the orchard. I wasn’t sure if Leon planned on moving into the basement apartment permanently or not. Vampires were very particular about their homes, and very few were allowed within them.

As if conjured by my thoughts, Leon slipped through the door. His footfalls were silent, and I wouldn’t have known he was there if not for the squeaky door hinges.

“Lizbeth said you’re almost finished.” Leon’s voice was just as husky and cool as Mr. Moony’s. Nearly every vampire I’d met sounded similar.

“Almost. Just this last bin.” And I was about halfway done with it.

“Good. Thank you for your hard work tonight.” Leon wasn’t skimpy with the praise. He was a bit more animated than Mr. Moony, but just a bit.

“Of course.” I turned and gave him a hinted grin.

I didn’t know Leon like I knew Johnny, but I liked him. He’d never been anything but kind to me. Vampires weren’t necessarily known for their altruistic ways, but Mr. Moony treated his nest differently and cherished the vampires under his care. Only it wasn’t just vampires. Mr. Moony considered Johnny part of that nest. He considered all Dusk employees that way, and just like all leaders, their example filtered down the chain of command.

“I’m going to lock up. The sun should be up in the next couple of hours. I’m not staying here today.”

“Okay.”

Leon probably needed to get going if he wanted to be safely inside when the sun broke the horizon.

“Rest well,” Leon said before pushing off the counter and walking out the door.

I appreciated the sentiment. I didn’t need to sleep. I often did sleep, but I didn’t need it. I did, however, need rest. It was one of those initial lessons Muriel ingrained in me. Rest kept the hunger at bay, and after yesterday, I understood those warning words so much better.

I finished up the dishes, laying the last batch of glasses out to air-dry. I’d put them up when I started my next shift.

Trinket’s tail splashed through the draining water. She probably needed a bath in clean, fresh water. Maybe we could shower together.

“Come on, you.” I held out my arm, and Trinket scurried up, tail wrapping around my bicep as always. “Time to head up to our home.” It was weird thinking of my tiny apartment that way. It was small but felt more like home than anywhere I’d lived since my parents’ deaths.

Trinket cooed her agreement and nestled into the crook of my neck. The bandage I’d placed there was rough around the edges from all her rubbing. It would need to be changed, but since I had to take a shower anyway, that would be necessary regardless.

Stretching my overworked lower back muscles, I pushed my shoulder against the door, swinging it open and landing in the space behind the bar. I’d expected the place to be empty. Instead, a crimson-haired fairy sat on a barstool, casually sipping an amethyst-tinted liquor.

“Ray?” I gasped and felt lightheaded with relief, joy, and trepidation. “What are you doing here?”

ChapterTwenty-One

Hellfire Rayburn

Wendall was appealingly mussed. His shirt was wet, along with wisps of hair that were darkened and damp. Trinket looked worse. Her fur stuck up in odd patches of dampness, and her tail dripped with water. Wendall didn’t seem to mind the constant liquid dripping down his arm.

My intended’s eyes were wide, showing off their brilliant blue. Muriel said the reanimation hadn’t changed Wendall’s eye color, that it was his true blessing. Blue was one of my favorite colors. It reminded me of the soothing, cool feel of water. When I was younger and not in control of my fire, I’d often scorched myself, and my mother had soaked me in a nearby lake as I healed.

“What are you doing here?” Those words rang through my mind. They weren’t said with accusation, but I couldn’t interpret the tone behind them.

I glanced around the empty bar and answered, “I would think that obvious.” There was no one else here. Why else would I be at Dusk?

“I…” Wendall stuttered, and his gaze fell to the floor.

I didn’t like that one bit.

“I just meant…I mean, after yesterday, I wouldn’t have blamed you if you stayed away, and I never…” Wendall’s voice faded at the end.

“Is that so?” I leaned back, contemplating the unsurprising statement. “Muriel advised I should give you time. Otherwise, I would have followed you yesterday. Was the priestess wrong? Or perhaps you require more time?” I cocked my head to the side, my free-flowing crimson hair following suit.

Wendall’s gaze tracked its movement, once more reminding me how much he liked my hair. I was not above manipulating that desire and had left my hair free and loose with purpose.

“Oh.” Wendall clasped his hands together.

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