Page 69 of Top Secret Vampire

“Then she’s finally at peace,” he said, tipping my chin up to give me a sweet kiss. “We fulfilled her final wish.”

A text came through on my phone, making it buzz.

Would you like to go to lunch tomorrow?my aunt asked.

With you and mom?I replied.

A long pause followed.I was thinking just you and me. If that’s alright.I could almost hear the hesitancy in her voice.

First steps were always the hardest, but they were the most meaningful. And when I moved back to Mystic Harbor, I’d taken a baby step that had turned into a joyful run. Might as well keep going.

I smiled. It came out bittersweet but true and sent a reply.I’d love to join you for lunch.

Lovely. Noon at Kraken’s Keep? My treat!

I can’t wait.Teary-eyed, I tucked my phone into my pocket and told Wolf, who hugged me.

We sat like that as the sun slowly started to sink in the sky, until a cool breeze skipped through town, carrying with it the rich scent of the sea.

Rising and holding hands, and despite the drizzling rain, we strolled down Main Street, stopping at Creature Cones for ice cream and to chat with Melly before entering Monsters, PI to see if Wolfram was needed in the next day or two.

Blake sat at his desk. He rose as we approached, giving us an easy grin. “There you are.”

“Were you looking for me?” Wolfram swished his cape back so he could reach his back pocket and retrieve his phone. He scrolled in and frowned. “I don’t see a message.”

“Not a problem,” Blake said. “I hadn’t called, but I’d thought of doing it. Almost the same thing, don’t you think? Someone else will handle the new case.”

“What new case?” Wolf asked.

“Mine,” a woman said from behind us.

I turned to find a woman approaching the desk. She wore a cape that looked suspiciously like the one the witch had worn when they came to collect Charmaine.

“I’m Ellie Landish.” Her gaze focused on Blake. “I’ve got an appointment?”

“Yes, yes, you do.” Blake sat and clicked into his computer. “Our detective is expecting you.”

The woman gave me a polite nod, and I took in her long black hair and deep blue eyes. She was pretty, with a tiny dimple in her chin and a lush frame, and she stood about my height. “I specifically asked for someone with magical abilities.” Her attention turned to Wolfram. “Such as his.”

Wolf grunted. “I’d be happy to help with—”

“That won’t be necessary.” Blake rose from his chair. “As I said, someone else is going to handle this one.” His brown eyes landed on Ellie. “He’s anogre.”

As if that explained it all.

Her face froze before smoothing. “I don’t . . . Alright. I can deal with this if I must. Can you direct me to his office?”

“No need to.” Blake’s gaze shot to the hall where Thain walked toward us.

Crouton, Thain's black and white pug mix scampered around his owner and raced toward Ellie. When he leaped against her legs, she stooped down to give him pats.

Thain and I might be history but that didn't extend to his pet.

“Crouton, how you been?” she asked as he whimpered and wiggled, jumping up to lick her chin.

“He's fine,” Thain said.

Ellie straightened. “You.” Her hand lifting, she backed away, bumping into Blake’s desk.

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