“I like to get a jump on things and see what I can get done before store hours.” Scott looked around also. “I think we’re nearly there with the glassware.” He pointed to a box. “That’s the last one, and then I can start in on the boxes of quilts and other fabric pieces.” He looked back to me. “How are you?”
I walked over to him and picked up the lid of the candy dish, admiring it before glancing up at him. Scott was an older man, probably mid-sixties, though, he looked older with his spectacles and gray hair.
“I wanted to see how you’re doing after your fall, Scott.”
The man flushed. “I’m so sorry about that. I have no idea what happened.”
I raised both hands. “It’s fine, Scott. It’s not your fault. I should have been here to help you.”
“Well, it’s embarrassing. I’m perfectly healthy. I don’t know what came over me. I was unpacking those exquisite volumes, and then suddenly, I was on the floor.” He glanced toward the bookshelf before looking back at me. “I’m sorry I got that box confused with your private collection. They really are too exquisite for customers. I’m relieved you took them home with you.”
I was relieved too. The moment Sergio and the others had been compelled to leave town, I’d packed up the ancient vampire tomes and taken them home. They were now locked safely in my underground room where no one would find them. Before Sid left the store that day, the witch had put a spell around the books that made it impossible to find them even if someone were looking. I had no idea how magic like that worked, but he assured me the books would be safe as long as I had them.
“I am too,” I said. I cleared my throat, a little uncomfortable with how to approach the fact that I was standing in front of a man who claimed to be a medium. He was watching me closely.
“I have a feeling you have something to ask me, Mr. Lasco,” Scott said. “Go ahead. I’m an open book.” He smiled encouragingly.
“Well, I understand that you talked to the sheriff about how you are a…how do I put it?”
Charlatan? Fraud? Faker?
“A liaison between the living and the dead? Yes, I am.”
“A…liaison…between ghosts?” My glare bore into him as I tried to decipher whether he was taunting me or just being gauche.
“… and the living, yes, but I prefer to call myself someone who is sensitive to beings and creatures who are not human…paranormals in general.”
I straightened. “Paranormals in general? You know about what? Shifters?”
“And vampires, and ghosts, and werewolves, yes.”
I cleared my throat again. “I see. So, you talk to the dead?”
“Mr. Lasco, I don’t mean to be too forward, but I believe it’s clear that I’m talking to you.”
I frowned.
“You are dead, are you not?”
I never liked that term. Honestly, I didn’t exactly think of myself as dead, though, it was true that my heart wasn’t beating anymore.
“Well, dead is a vulgar way of saying it,” I finally settled on.
“Oh.” Scott suddenly frowned. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Lasco. How…er…is there a term you find more palatable?”
“Vampire is fine but please don’t call me the “undead.” That’s a little too Barnabas Collins-y, it’s more than I can stomach.”
Scott suddenly laughed. “Or Boris Karloff-y.”
I grinned, easing into this conversation finally. “Heavens no. I’ve never owned a cape in my life, and I certainly can’t sprout wings. I’ll leave that to the shifters in Prosper Woods, though, I don’t think I’ve met a bird yet.”
“We have a bird.”
My eyes widened. “A bird? What kind?”
Scott leaned forward and lowered his voice to a whisper even though we were the only ones in the store. “He made me promise not to tell.”
“I see. So, it’s a man and…”
Scott held up his hand. “I’ve said too much already.”
I chuckled. I was really beginning to like this guy. I really hoped his abilities—and I still wasn’t sure he was a hundred percent legit—weren’t going to pose any danger to Romeo. That’s the only thing I cared about.
“You are suspect of my abilities, aren’t you?”
“You know I’m vampire which means you understand that I am old. I’ve run across mediums many times.” I lifted my hand as he started to protest. “Liaisons…sorry.”
“That’s fine.”
“In any case, people who do what you do were very popular in the early part of this century. They were nothing more than attractions at carnivals and the like. I hope you don’t hold that against me. It’s only an observation,” I said.
“No, it’s perfectly legitimate. I’m not unaware that many people like me have had terrible reputations, some of them for good reason. I’m not one of those, Mr. Lasco.”
“I’m sorry but please explain the difference,” I said, trying to keep my tone light which wasn’t easy for the warrior in me.
“Well, that’s a legitimate question,” Scott said. “For one thing, I’ve never profited from my abilities. I don’t charge people for readings or sell anything. I don’t collect money for what I do. In fact, I don’t advertise what I am or what I do at all. I’m pretty sure the only reason you know what I am is because your unicorn told you that I spoke to him. Right?”
I nodded. “Yes. He mentioned that you talked.”
“Well, I only told him because I want him to know…I want both of you to know…that I am in your corner. A time may come when I can help you out.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Perhaps you can help me in fact.”
“Anything.”
“Are you aware that there
