Page 2 of Blood and Bonbons

I paused in handing over the harness and shot her a suspicious look. “Voluntary outdoor activity? Why?”

“Because, if your skin was any pastier, people will start thinking you’re a vampire.”

The clerk made a choking noise.

“Don’t even joke about that, Vena.” I turned my exasperated look to the guy behind the counter. “It’s the middle of the day. I’m obviously not a vampire.”

He nodded and busied himself with straightening the harnesses while I dragged Vena out the door into the early summer sun to scold her.

“It’s not funny when you do that. You might be comfortable tossing out that kind of stuff in a conversational tone, but not everyone is.”

Three generations hadn’t been enough time to erase the old fears regarding the existence of otherworldly creatures like vampires. It was barely enough to make werewolves socially acceptable. Granted, it helped that werewolves didn’t crave human blood like I craved desserts.

“People need to relax more. Fearing something won’t make it go away,” Vena said, walking beside me through the parking lot.

As if her smart remark summoned it, a small splash of blue flew in front of my face, startling me. Stumbling back a step, I batted a hand at the tiny creature and squealed.

“It’s already gone, Everly. And stop with the swatting. Neither of us can afford the five-hundred-dollar fine if you hurt one.”

I shuddered. “I hate fairies. How are they endangered if they’re flying around in the city like this?”

“You need to overcome your fear,” Vena said. “It’s been five years.”

“Fairies are my snakes. I don’t tell you to get over your fear.”

“That’s different. It’s natural to fear something that has fangs and wants to kill you.”

“Fairies have sharp teeth.”

“They’re not out to kill a person. They’re nothing more than trash diggers and thieves.”

“Tell that to the one that tried to electrocute me,” I said.

She snorted. “It wasn’t trying to kill you. It wanted the curling iron. And Miles tossed the fairy out of the bathroom before anything happened.”

Lies. Something had definitely happened that fateful day at her family’s home. Her brother, in full-on hero mode, had burst into the bathroom and witnessed my naked flailing in the shower. I’d been traumatized twice that day and wasn’t sure I’d ever get over my fairy grudge.

“Whatever. I’m not a fan. Let’s focus on what’s important. You owe me bakery,” I said as we headed to the car.

“You got it,” Vena said too cheerfully for my comfort. “We’ll have just enough time before Miles gets to our place.”

“Why is Miles coming over?” I asked suspiciously.

“Can’t a brother come and visit his only sister?”

“Sure, but the only time he seems to come over is when he has . . .”

Miles was an avid researcher of one particular thing: Treasure. And not just any treasure. Supernatural treasure.

“No. Absolutely not!”

“He’s coming over to visit. That’s all.”

She was acting way too innocent.

“Spill it, or you’re going to owe me so much bakery that I won’t be able to squeeze into the rock climbing harness anymore.”

She gave the slightest guilty shrug and quickly said, “Miles found a lead, and it’s a solid one.”

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