Page 14 of To Fall for a Dragon

“You can stay. The office doesn’t have windows, and there is a nice sofa bed if you desire. I’ll leave a note for you not to be disturbed. There is a place for you here,” Hakko repeated once more. He curled his fingers and left the room, even though it went against everything Hakko longed to do.

Hakko lay in his bed and stared at the dark ceiling. He strained to hear Poe’s movements as he settled into Hakko’s home. He wished he was brave enough to invite Poe into his sanctuary, but he was sure Poe would reject the idea outright.

The door creaked open and shut. His home went still. Hakko closed his eyes and groaned. He had hoped Poe would become less defensive as time passed. That Poe would agree that Hakko’s home was a safe harbour.

Padding over to his window, he looked toward the museum’s hill where a condemned building had drawn Poe’s attention earlier. He could see a small shape—likely Poe—slipping through a door. When would Poe see that Hakko wasn't an enemy?

In the morning, when the sun was cresting the horizon, Hakko lay awake. He had a terrible night, imagining everything that could go wrong because Poe was in a falling down building with cracks everywhere. How was that safe for a light-sensitive vampire?

His fingers curled and cut his palms as claws threatened. His tail lashed as he thought of every kind of danger threatening the mausoleum. Rising on all fours, he glared out the window and found nothing amiss. The world was rotating as it always did. Birds twittered, and squirrels scurried. He traced the footpath to Poe, and his heart stopped when he found a pale blue halo laying still as a grave.

Hakko rushed to the door before his head caught up with his heart. Of course, Poe wasn't moving. He was essentially dead. His body was doing what vampires did during the day. His instincts could relax, dammit.

Today, the museum was going to get spiritually cleansed so Poe wouldn’t be afraid.

Finding a witch was as easy as Hakko thought it’d be. Ethan had a friend who would pop by for a visit in the afternoon. Ethan only needed to make one phone call.

Ethan took in the two mugs in the sink and discreetly sniffed before saying anything. He set his pastries on the island and pressed his lips together before speaking. “The air smells of blood and decay.”

“I had a guest.” He didn’t owe Ethan an explanation, but this was a safe place for Ethan as well.

“Am I in danger?” Ethan locked his fingers together until they were white and curled his shoulders in, waiting for the blow. “Because I’ve heard things in town. The mayor has a new friend, and he’s dangerous. What if….?”

“Ethan, nothing bad’s going to happen. This gentleman happens to be needing his own safe space. He discovered the museum through an ad in a town newspaper. He wrote some letters,” Hakko soothed. He unpacked the pastries and slid the plate close to Ethan, hoping the kappa would enjoy it.

“Our letters?” Ethan stopped fussing and gave his full attention to Hakko. “Really?”

“Yup, and he’s telling the truth. He wants them back,” Hakko shared, and he remembered Poe had left a small bundle here as well. He itched to read what was there and to discover more about Poe.

“Oh dear. That’s not good. Aren’t they like the, uh, headliner?” Ethan asked. His earlier bristliness gone, and he was more curious and open.

“They are. I’ve explained to Poe that he can see them, but I’d like to keep them,” Hakko said. “And speaking of, we should get busy. The gala is coming up fast, and we need to make sure everything is ready and decorated.”

“Right! The gentleman from the glass company will be here to look at the broken cabinet, and I'm expecting the caterer at lunch to discuss the menu with you. We also have a teacher dropping off the children’s valentines as well. I should get motoring.” Ethan stuffed the last piece of Danish in his mouth before running off. Hakko puffed his chest, pleased at Ethan's progress. He was so much more engaged now, and he was flourishing at the museum.

When the witch came in the later part of the afternoon, Hakko wasn’t ready. He’d been with the glass repairman, who was fussing over how the glass had shattered. The man kept taking furtive glances around and shuddering. He was unfocused and refused to concentrate on fixing the display. It was irritating.

“Hakko? Your guest has arrived.” Ethan came to the wide door and paused. “I can help Gary with the last bits.”

“Good, because he’s trying my patience,” Hakko snarled. He stomped to the lobby of the museum and stopped dead.

He never meant to stereotype, but witches always had an ethereal air to them. Hakko expected mysticism and being one with the natural world. The man peering into the guest book didn't evoke that image to Hakko. He wore khaki pants and a fleece sweater. His hair was the only wild thing about him, with curls going every which way.

“Hello, how may I help you?” Hakko greeted the serious man with fierce suspicion.

“Hey, did you know you have an undead creature down in your mausoleum?” the witch asked as he examined the room.

“I do. My name is Hakko, and this is my museum. I am aware of most things on my property.”

“I agree. It is your museum. My name is Caden. A friend told me your building needed to be looked after? My apologies for arriving so late in the day. I had an unexpected guest.” Caden’s calm acceptance of Hakko being the caretaker to the museum was a balm to his frazzled self. “Anyway, I should have realized the museum would have spirits. It’s old.”

“A friend told me it was originally a house of industry. He said it’s where people went when they had no one left,” Hakko explained. Caden’s eyes zipped to the building where Poe slept.

Caden wrinkled his nose and nodded. “Right. No wonder there’s so many bad emotions twisted up in here. I imagine the house parents weren’t the nicest people either. Well, let’s see what we can do.”

Hakko led him around the museum, showing the hidden areas rather than exhibits he was proud of. He didn’t pause at the room filled with telephone paraphernalia, but he did at a long narrow hallway that gavehimthe shivers every time he passed it. Caden arched an eyebrow at Hakko before stepping into the narrow space. Hakko sucked air through his teeth and waited for Caden to be a ghost whisperer.

“The undead creature? You know about him?” Caden asked as he pressed his hand against the wall and waited. “Is he safe?”

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