Page 35 of Death and Donuts

“You’re getting a luck charm for your next birthday. I promise.”

I heard a slight hitch in her breathing. “I’m serious, Ev.”

“I know, but remember they’re in Dwarf Mountain, not missing. The mountain is one of the safest places they can be right now.”

“Then why send a plea for help?”

“Technically, Miles didn’t ask for help. He just asked Shepard and Cross to get to the mountain. Don’t forget…Miles is a bookworm. He might have found information that pertains to the vampires and what they are after. Either way, we’ll find out. I promise. Until then, remember where your family is and who they’re with. Do you really think a mountain brimming with dwarves will allow anything bad to happen?”

“Um, something already did happen, Ev. The prince died.”

“Yes, but we don’t know how or why. For all we know, he could have had a weak heart. All I’m saying is to wait for information. Let’s meet at the house and figure out a plan.”

“Fine.” Vena disconnected.

My phone exploded with group texts from Vena to Miles demanding answers.

Me: Text Miles separately until he answers back, Shepard is dealing with another issue right now.

My phone went silent.

“Everything okay? Or is something else going on?” Shepard asked.

“Vena’s worried. After Miles sent that text asking for you and Cross to go to the mountain, he hasn’t responded.”

Shepard reached out to take my hand. “Once I handle my situation, I’ll address the one with Miles. Don’t worry.”

Cross was already at my house when we arrived and opened the door for us.

“He still hasn’t answered,” Vena said as I entered. “Neither are Mom and Dad.”

“I heard the dwarves were making plans for the funeral,” Cross said as he moved a pair of chairs from the dining table to the living room so we could all sit.

Anchor and Vena sat on the couch with me. Cross sat on a chair while Shepard remained standing, his hands resting on the back of a chair.

“I heard the same,” Shepard said to Cross before looking at me. “I’ll reach out to my contact and find out if he can tell me why Miles might be requesting our presence. Until then, you and Vena should both stay here with Cross and Anchor. Anchor, you can then take them to Blur for their shift later.”

“Work?” Vena asked. “How can I work when I have no idea what’s happening to my family?”

CHAPTER NINE

“I get that you’re worried,”I said. “But sitting here, doing nothing isn’t going to get you answers any faster than going to work and casually asking questions.”

“You have a point,” Vena mumbled.

“So, while Shepard does his thing, you do yours.”

“Fine,” she said.

Shepard straightened and looked at me. “I’ll make today up to you, Everly. I promise.” With one last glance at me, he headed out.

I retreated to the kitchen with Cross, leaving Vena and Anchor to cuddle on the couch.

“What are the chances that Vena’s family is in trouble?” I asked Cross quietly as I picked up my recipe notebook from the counter.

“If it were anyone else, I would say very little. However, you, Vena, and Miles seem to have an uncanny knack for finding trouble.”

“Personally, I believe trouble has a knack for finding us, but whatever.”

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