Chapter 11 #3
“I’m not much of a latte drinker,” he said as he came toward the register. His walk was slow and graceful, each step outlining his powerful, lean body. The Prime was dressed down today, or at least down for him based on all the pictures I’d idly clicked through a few days ago.
He wore a pair of black, well-tailored slacks, and a charcoal pullover sweater.
Wool or cashmere if I had to guess, based on the fine cut.
A leather belt with a gold buckle broke up the line of his clothing, and shiny, wing-tipped shoes completed his look.
The only jewelry he wore was a thin, age-worn golden ring on his left index finger.
“We have tea, if you like,” I said and followed by rattling off all fourteen we offered.
The Prime blinked, his expression nonplussed. “I must confess, I’m not here for a drink.”
Oh shit. “A pastry, then?”
A smile threatened his handsome face. I hadn’t caught a single picture of him smiling online. Apparently, bumbling idiots amused him.
A few feminine gasps at the sight almost made me laugh out loud. More cell phones went up for pictures.
“I’m looking for someone. Female. Dark curly hair. I’m afraid I can’t tell you much else.” His gaze lingered on my own curly hair a beat too long.
I am not the droid you’re looking for, I chanted in my head.
I stared at him for a long moment. “I’m sorry, sir. You’re describing quite a bit of the population.”
“Hmm. Yes. I suspected this was a long shot. Her scent is heavy around this area. Maybe she’s a frequent customer?”
“Maybe,” I agreed. Inside my head, I was screaming. “Do you have a picture of her? I’m sure any woman the Vampire Prime is looking for would consider herself lucky.”
A small smile. “Perhaps,” he agreed. “Though I don’t know about this one.” He shook his head. “I’m afraid I don’t have a picture. She was on the shorter side, a couple of inches past five feet.” Again, that intense probing look.
“We have numerous people coming in every day,” I said, hoping my tone sounded apologetic enough. “With the conference here recently, those numbers went way up. Maybe she was with them?”
“You’re probably right.” He nodded and dug into his pocket, before tossing a twenty-dollar bill onto the counter. Hey big spender. That would buy me a few lattes this week.
“I’ll return another day, then,” he said. “She might be assisting with the admin side of the conference or working for one of the attendees, but I suspect she’s a local.”
Not good. I lifted my hands to the register and smiled. “If any dark-haired girls mention the Vampire Prime, I’ll make a note.”
He dipped his head in acknowledgment. “Thank you…” his voice trailed off as his eyes dipped to my chest. “Alex. You’ve been helpful.” Alric lifted his hand in farewell and turned to go.
Addy’s scent charm had worked. A rapid heartbeat was easily explained away. Everyone who had a lick of sense knew enough to be frightened when the Prime showed up. But scent never lied.
My hands were slick with sweat. I lifted my hand, snagging the side of my knuckle on the jagged edge of the metal register.
I’d asked Addy a hundred times to replace the stupid thing, but she kept saying as long as the register worked, maybe I should tape the side up so I’d stop cutting myself on it.
A tiny bead of blood welled at the tip of the small wound. Alric’s hand froze as he reached to open the door.
Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Oh fuck.
He turned, standing just outside the entrance, his gaze burning with a brilliant green glow.
Our eyes locked. I pressed my other hand to the wound and squeezed, cutting off the blood flow, but it was too late.
Alric knew who I was. But after a terrible moment of silence, he simply dipped his head. “I will see you soon, Alex.”
Fear burned in my veins. Alric disappeared in a gust of silver wind, magic ripping through the shop as he left.
“Oooh, shiiiiiit,” Quinn trilled from behind her hiding spot. “You are in trouble.”
I gave her a withering glare, but the pixie was right.
I was so screwed.
Finishing my shift was a chore, but when the clock struck five, I took off my apron and snuck out the back using a Hideaway charm I borrowed from Addy.
Hedgewitch magic was handy for many small things, but few things could beat one of my boss’s charms. I tugged the leather cord over my head and shivered as I disappeared.
Logically, I knew my body was still there, but not being able to see myself made me feel disjointed. Addy opened the back door, and I slipped out, keeping a close eye out for Alric or Beckett.
My boss was still processing her feelings about Alric showing up at Three Little Beans. Social media had blown up from the few customers inside the shop at the time. Several had managed to snap pictures and upload them, causing a mass influx of customers right before my shift ended.
I could almost see the dollar signs dancing in Addy’s eyes when she handed me the charm. “Don’t forget to call Cora,” she’d said right before my shift ended.
The parking lot was full. No sign of Alric or any vampires or shifters. Still, I kept the charm activated as I hurried to the car. Once I was inside, I took another sweep of the parking lot before I pulled away toward home.
Alric’s threat of seeing me again rang in my ears all the way there.