Tabbystepped up to the table and set two mugs and two pieces of rhubarb pie in frontof us. She had broken out the good shit for the occasion. I gave her a gratefullook. "You looked like you all just saw a ghost. Figured you needed it.There's a bitta Marge Magic in that coffee, too. So, drink it slow."
Wewere both staring at her in shock.
"MargeMagic. That means whiskey." She blushed.
"Weknow. How'd you know we'd seen a ghost?" Chief gulped.
"It'san expression? Wait! You actually saw a ghost?" She plopped downinto the booth next to him, turning her head back and forth waiting for someoneto spill the story.
Chiefpleaded to me with his eyes.
"Tab?Give us a minute. I'll tell you all about it later. I promise."
Sheopened her mouth to protest, saw the look on Chief's face, and understandingoutweighed curiosity. "Oh. Yep. No worries. Holler if you need more pie."
"Trustme when I say we will." I nodded to drive the point home.
Shesmiled, rubbed Chief's shoulder, and headed back toward the counter. I forked abit of my pie into my mouth, let the flavor seep into my buds, and washed itdown with a little bit of whiskey splashed with coffee for flavor. It was nosmall wonder why Tabby was a waitress and not a bartender.
Chieftook a bit of pie, too. Then, the worried expression etched itself back on hisface. "We've got to do something."
"Well,I've gone to Nana and Mother for the ghost issue before. They weren't much help.If you want to go back, I can try."
"No.Not tonight. I don't think I can deal with it right this moment. Mind if I stayat your place?"
"Ifyou don't mind the crowd, you can stay as long as you want or need." Ismiled at the thought.
"Well,if I get to be a bother, let me know. I can bunk with the Jimmy."
"TheJimmy?"
Chiefsmiled for the first time since we'd run out of his house in a panic. "Slipof the tongue, but fitting."
"Heis definitely the Jimmy. Just like you're the Chief." I forked the bit ofpie into my mouth and grinned at him. Until I felt the storm behind me. Norain, no clouds, no thunder, just a heap of 'oh shit' brewing outside. Droppingthe fork, I turned in the booth to see the storm front move inside the door ofthe diner. Three vamps were standing inside the door looking for someone whilethe remainder of the kiss waited outside. A moment later, their eyes met mineand relief and fear washed over them like a wet blanket. Apparently, I was thesomeone they were looking for.
"LadyBlackwell." The three of them paused to place their hands over theirhearts and bow. "You are needed."
Myfirst thought was of Yuki. In a panic, I stood. Chief did, too, and wasrewarded with a brief but firm hiss from the three of them. "It's okay.Let me see what's going on." I put my hand over his arm, hopefully in acalming manner. Yuki? I didn't shout, I just wanted tomake sure she was okay, even though I would have been the first one to know ifshe wasn't.
Ican feel it. I'm on my way. Master? Don't do anything until I get there.
Noddingat the three vampires, I motioned toward the door.
"Everythingokay, Dot?" Tabby called from across the diner.
Sighing,I nodded. It wasn't busy, but I had hoped to escape without being noticed byany of the other customers at all. Never knew which one was working for thepaper and which ones weren't. "Yep. Just some friends of mine."
"Ourapologies, Lady Blackwell," one of the vamps mumbled as he held the dooropen for me.
"Notyour fault. I'll give you my cell phone number for emergencies," Ianswered as he shut the door behind me. "So? What's up?" I wanted toget to the root of the situation as quickly as possible while I was still inChief's line of sight. He might have let me go, but that didn't mean he washappy about it.
"Sorryto bother you." The most powerful feeling one in my head bowed again. "Weneed your judgement."
"Oh.Well, I don't know if I can give you any advice that would be helpful…" Istopped talking when the ones closest started snickering. "What?"
"Weare not seeking…advice. One of ours has committed a digression. We leave him toyou to be judged."
"Oh.Oh! Wait a minute. I'm hardly–"
"Thelord of our clan?"
Yuki.Hurry.
Almost… "Here," she finished asshe suddenly appeared before a blast of wind nearly bowled me over.
"PrincessYukina," they said reverently and bowed to her. I smiled. It kind of mademe feel like her mother. Or big sister. I found the latter thought morecomforting.
Shestared at them for a moment, tilted her head, and frowned. I don't know whatshe was sensing that I wasn't, but she didn't like it. "What?"
"Can'tyou feel it?"
Myvamp powers weren't…engaged. I couldn't feel, sense, or smell shit. But as Iwas staring at them, it made more than a few of them more than uncomfortable.It was just enough for that tiny sliver of fear to make my mouth start watering.Then, I felt it. One of them had killed a human.
"Fuck."The paranormal population of Cedar Falls had enough trouble brewing without thevampires turning the residents into Big Gulps. "Why? You guys don't haveto pay for blood anymore. Why the fuck would one of you kill a human?"
Thefear wafting from the little group was enough to bring out my fangs and an evilsounding hiss at the end of my rant. They dropped to the ground and writhed,afraid for their lives. Yuki put a calming hand onmy back.
"Maybewe should question the accused, Master."
"Getup," I told them, trying for a calm soothing voice.
Chiefstepped outside. "Everything okay?"
"No.But come with me. This involves you, too."
"Youwould alert the human authorities?" Alpha vamp sneered, but was looking atChief, not me.
Yukitried, but failed, to stop me from grabbing a fistful of his leather jacket anddragging his face to within an inch of mine. "Somebody has to let thehuman's family know they won't be going home again. Ever. He is also my mine. You will show him respect."
"Yes,Lady Blackwell!" He was all piss and vinegar, the fear coming from him wastwice as strong as any of
