Page 72 of Blood and Bonbons

When Cross reemerged, he walked beside the stocker as he returned to where they’d started then shook the guy’s hand.

“Do you see any blood on the guy?” I asked.

“None. But I doubt Cross would go for the neck. He probably went for a place no one can see. I heard the groin is a great place for blood flow.”

I cringed at the picture that formed and Vena smirked.

With a smile, Cross came toward us.

“Are you good now?” I asked.

“I am.”

“And you got some insight into our world?” Vena asked. “This babysitting stuff is getting old.”

“I will still require assistance, especially for the pawn shop.”

As soon as we were out of the store, Vena asked, “How did you get him to agree to a little sucky-sucky so quickly?”

I winced at the word choice but waited for Cross’ answer. That guy had agreed rather quickly, especially for someone who had no money or anything to barter.

“I can be convincing when necessary,” Cross said.

“Just how convincing?” Vena pressed.

“Enough to allow willing people to be flattered by my attention.”

Vena frowned as we got back in the car. I thought that was the end of our conversation until she asked, “Seriously, how are you in the daylight? You should be an ash pile right now.”

Cross shot me a look like I often gave Vena when someone was being too much, and I felt a connection with him. Not magic or anything out of the ordinary. Simply two people who knew Vena was a dog with a bone about him walking in daylight.

He smiled slightly, and I could see how easily someone might be charmed by him. Was that what had swayed the stock person? Simple charm?

Ignoring his silent plea for intervention because I was curious too, I pulled out of the parking lot and headed to the pawn shop.

“There must be something that keeps you from frying in the sun,” Vena continued. “A charm? Vampire sunscreen? Blood of a fairy?”

“Must she persist?” Cross asked dryly.

“She will continue until she gets an answer,” Vena said.

As she kept naming outlandish reasons why a vampire could walk in sunlight, I parked down the block from the pawn shop and glanced at the time.

“We’ll need to walk fast.”

“Not too fast,” Vena said. “We don’t want to seem eager. Cross, did you learn anything about pawn shops with the blood you sucked down?”

He exhaled like my mom did after grandma answered with one of her “that’s what she said” comebacks she loved.

“Hints,” he said. “The man knew of their existence, but I doubt he ever frequented one.”

“Okay. Then here are the cliff notes. Never say yes to the first offer. And if I have to step in and negotiate, I’m asking for a cut.”

“How much of a cut?” he asked.

I saw the treasure-hunting dollar signs light up Vena’s eyes. She was on the hunt again.

She gave Cross a thoughtful look, her gaze dipping to his hands where the ring graced his pointer finger. I knew right where her thoughts were headed, and I wanted to groan when she gave him a slight smile. She was going to make this visit all about gaining the ring.

---