Page 90 of Homecoming

The narrow passage into the store is lined on either side with shelves, each one filled with a vast array of musty-smelling leather-bound books. The four wolves move further inside and he now notices the dark cavern-like room is filled with even more similar type books; gathered in piles on the floor and stacked on the various pieces of antique furniture, the room is crammed to bursting with books.

“Urgh…” Zak places his hand to his nose and moans, “this is so gross. Please remind me again why the hell we’re here? You do know that new bookstore down the street has a coffee shop and seats and… even a novel thing called lighting? This place is like some kind of forgotten goblin's hole.”

“Yeah, but that new store won’t have what I’m looking for.” Kat smiles, watching as the pair sneer in disapproval.

“What exactly are you looking for in here?” Digby frowns as he continues to hold his nose. Picking up one of the books, it appears as though it’s been sitting in the same place for a hundred years. It’s crumbling with dust and as a spider crawls across it, he hurriedly drops it with a thud.

“Digby, be careful. Some of these books are extremely rare.”

“Hm… yeah, they look like they came from the age of dragons. Andfour hundred bucks… this book is four hundred bucks! What the hell?”

“I told you, some are really rare. And I’ve paid much more for some of mine.”

“Seriously?” he hitches his brow. “What, you don’t have something better to spend money on than a crusty old book that's seen better days?”

“But don’t you think they smell beautiful? There’s nothing like the scent of old books. They should bottle that perfume and sell it.”

“Yeah right, cuz that would be like a best seller—not. You know what, can we just go now?”

“Diggs, we only just got here. I told you not to come.”

“Yeah well, I wanted to be with you so… I guess we can hang around a while longer.” He watches as Kat admires the books on the shelves, her fingers trailing slowly over the old hand-worn spines.

The store is dimly lit, and Digby is alerted to a noise at the back of the room—the cough of an old man with a mottled pale complexion now appears in the doorway behind the antique glass-front counter. His small round glasses are balanced precariously on the tip of his nose.

“Is there something I can help you with?” He frowns as he watches them and taking a linen handkerchief from his pocket he sniffs and wipes his nose. “I am not sure I will have what you are looking for?”

“Yeah, but you don’t know what…” Zak turns around and as he does, he stumbles backward onto a pile of books stacked high on the floor. “Oh merry hell…” He swallows nervously as the man glares at him. “This… this isthatplace—that place I told you not to come to.” He looks at QT, who shrugs a nod. “This is that store... the vamp store, the one I told you to stay away from. Digby, what the hell are we doin’ here?”

“Yeah Kat, what exactly is this place?”

“It’s a bookstore, and it’s the only place I could think to find what I’m looking for. The book I want is exceptionally rare, and this place sources rare books. Digby, don’t worry, I’ve been here numerous times. Hey there…” she now offers a smile to the store’s owner. “Do you remember me?”

“Of course. How could one forget a wolf with such verdant eyes? It is most certainly not an everyday occurrence.” The tall skinny man has a clean, clear English accent. “I am very pleased to see you again, but may I ask if those alphas are with you? I would not normally allow them inside the store… but the omega is welcome to stay.”

“Oh uh… it’s okay, they’re with me and I swear, you won’t get any trouble from them. Please, they’ll be fine.”

“Hm… very well, but please do not let them touch any of the books. It can take weeks to get rid of the alpha wolf musk smell from leather bindings.”

“Trust me, I know them, and I won’t be letting them touch any of the books,” she smiles.

“Is there something in particular you were looking for? Maybe I could be of assistance?”

“I’m looking for a book that I started reading when I was… when I was traveling overseas. I can’t for the life of me recall the title, but I’ll know it when I see it. It’s a really thick book with gold inscription in relief on the front. It… well, it covers the lore’s… you know what I mean? I’m mostly interested in vampire lore. If you don’t have that specific book, do you have any other books similar to that?”

The man studies her carefully without saying a word and it’s only noticeable he’s still alive by the twitch in one of his eyes. “I am very sorry, but I am unable to help you with that. We do not have any such books. Actually, I have just remembered I need to close early today. Maybe you could try another store? There is a selection of independent book retailers that are more suited to your kind.”

“Wait… I just want to browse the books. You said that was okay when I arrived. What changed?”

“I know what I said, but now I remember I have an appointment. Besides, having male alpha wolves in my store puts the other customers off.”

“Hey asshole…” Digby growls with a sneer, “I don’t see any other damn customers, do you? Now, my mate, she wants to take a look around, so she’ll take a look around. Are we clear?” Digby’s growl deepens as he steps up close to the counter and his blue eyes focus on the reddening violet pupils of the man in front of him. He sniffs. “I know what you are, but you don’t scare me. I’ve seen worse and dealt with things much stronger than a puny human vamp like you.”

“Digby, stop it.” Kat places her hand on his arm. “Look, why don’t you take Zak and go wait outside? I’m sure this is just a misunderstanding, right? We’ve been here before, you know us. Hell, I’ve spent enough money in here.”

“I was informed you were an acquaintance of a vampire wolf of some notoriety. If I had known he was just a mere alpha, I would not have been so accommodating. But the omega can stay if he wants.” The vamp grins with a salacious lick of his lips.

“I’m not stupid enough to leave QT here alone with you. Look please, I just want to know if you have any books on… on vampire… children.”

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