Page 29 of The Vampire in the Potting Shed

“I have more questions. More every minute.” I let Sloane tug me to my feet. “I don’t want to walk out that door and lose my one chance at getting answers.”

“I would like to spend the rest of my life with you, which is a lot, I know, but that means you’ve got all the time in the world to ask me anything you can think of. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll find someone who does.” He hesitated. “I won’t make you beg or bargain or buy the truth from me. Ever. That’s not who I am, and it’s not what I want for us.”

Too good to be true. No one was this transparent. This open. There had to be a catch.

“What if I decide I don’t want there to be anus?”

“Then there won’t be anus.” He massaged the base of his neck. “But I’m hoping I can convince you that I have more than a pair of stupidly long legs to offer you.” He inclined his head. “Sweet dreams.”

“Are you sure her father can’t breach the town?”

“Sartori can’t get in, but no one is getting out either. Cell towers and internet are blocked too. We notified residents who will be affected by the outage to expect a disruption in services. They’ll be compensated for the inconvenience, and we’ve gently encouraged human residents to spend a few days out of town until the matter is resolved.”

“No one notified me.”

“A strategic decision, for your safety and ours.”

Well, I had wanted to stay in Brentwood. It looked like I was getting my wish, just not on my terms.

“From one cage to another,” I murmured, ignoring his flinch. “Let’s go, Sloane.”

Life might be a dumpster fire, but at least I had a friend willing to brave the flames with me.

eleven

Early-morning sunlight heatedthe golden planks as I padded into the living room in search of Sloane. I found her standing at the window overlooking the street in front of the house wearing a peculiar smile. I squirmed to find her beneath the silver cascade of delicate chains most people mistook for a windchime, but she didn’t spare it, or its peculiar design, a second glance.

“What put that look on your face?”

A laugh huffed out of her as she turned, holding the curtain back to give me a view of the sidewalk.

“See for yourself.”

The invitation was too good to ignore, since it meant I could pretend yesterday didn’t happen for a while longer. Happy for the distraction, I swept my gaze down the row of very short people lined up in front of my house until I hit a small lemonade-like stand made of cardboard boxes on my doorstep.

A small girl with flame-red hair stood behind the counter, accepting candy, toys, and cash for…

“What is she selling?” I couldn’t see a product. “And why is she peddling it at my house?”

“Tickets.” Sloane bit her bottom lip to hold in a laugh. “I was her first customer.”

The rectangular paper Sloane offered me wasn’t some crayon scrawl but must have been generated by an app. That, or the girl, who was around eight or nine, was a graphic design prodigy I might hire to refresh my old logo.

“Be the first to meet my sister,” I read aloud. “For an extra dollar, watch her shift into a real, live wolf.”

For a second, I thought she meant Sloane, but nope. There was a photo of me. A candid shot taken from about her height at some point last night, based on the bloody clothes and the shell-shocked expression I wore. I looked feral. I could see why the other kids believed I could wolf out with my lip snarled like that. The kid must not realize I was a latent. That the Walshes weren’t advertising it offered some relief.

“I hope her parents know where she is and what she’s doing, and that they’re standing by with refunds.” I had no siblings. I couldn’t shift. I couldn’t deliver on either of her promises. “And I hope you didn’t pay extra to see the wolf, unless you’re planning to supply it the fur and the fangs.”

“I’m surprised your man let me keep my charm—token—whatever.”

“He’s not my man.” I rested my shoulder against the door. “He’s a very tall, very delusional man.” I let my head rest against it too. “Whatever this is, I’m sorry I dragged you into it with me.”

“I chose to come with you, not just to protect you but support you.” She resumed her people-watching. “You’re safe here.” She shook her head. “Otherwise, these kids would be on lockdown and not outside.”

“But areyou?” I shoved off and padded into the kitchen. “I don’t care how safe I am if you’re at risk.”

“He let me keep my charm,” she said again. “He’s allowing me the means to protect you, and myself, if it comes down to it.” She followed me to the stove. “Do you need any help?”

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