Page 10 of Vampire's Vixen

“Hello,” she said, her voice so lyrical she sounded like she was singing. “Isn’t it a beautiful day?”

I hadn’t been thinking that it was so pretty, but the moment she said it, I looked around and yes, it did seem like a lovely day—rainclouds and all.

“I guess it is,” I said.

She leaned against the railing. “I come here a lot. I love walking through the trails.”

“It is peaceful. I haven’t been here in years,” I said, my shoulders relaxing for the first time in a while. “I’m Maisy…Maisy Tripwater.”

“Well, hello, Maisy Tripwater,” she said. “I’m Ginger Lily.” She looked at me, then reached in her pocket and pulled out an orange. “Walking out here always makes me hungry. Would you like to share my orange?” She began peeling it, tossing the peels out in the middle of the marsh. “Food for the animals,” she added.

I smiled. Her enthusiasm was infectious. “Well…thank you. I wouldn’t mind a slice.” My stomach rumbled. “I guess I’m hungry, too.”

She handed me half of the orange. “Please, take it.”

I accepted, watching as she bit into her half. I took a bite and closed my eyes. It was one of the sweetest, tastiest oranges I’d had in years. “This is so good. Where did you get it?”

Ginger winked. “The store. So, you’re one of the few to brave the weather for a walk here.”

“I’ve had a lot to think about lately,” I said, suddenly feeling like I could open up to her. I didn’t talk about my private life much, and certainly not with strangers, but she didn’t feel like a stranger at all. “I just opened a business and it’s not doing as well as I hoped.”

“I’m sorry you’re disappointed. How long since you opened it?”

“A month…well, three weeks. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I’m impatient, I guess.” I paused, then added, “You don’t need to hear me whining. I’m sorry. You’re right, it’s a beautiful day, so we should enjoy it.”

Ginger paused, then said, “You have to feel what you feel. That’s the only way you can work through it.”

I suddenly realized that I was telling a stranger my personal business. I blushed. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to dump my worries on you.”

She smiled. “I’m used to it. I’m Fae, and I’m what’s known as a listener. We draw out strong emotions from others just by our proximity.”

I froze. She was one of the Fae? I scrambled, trying to remember if I’d said “Thank you” to her—a massive mistake both humans and Otherkin alike made.

Ginger must have seen the fear in my eyes because she placed a light hand on my arm, then withdrew it. “Don’t worry. You didn’t thank me for the orange. Besides, since I live among humans, I’ve taken an oath to not hold those who thank me to debt.”

The Fae considered a thanks as a binding contract, indicating that you owed them a debt because they had done something kind for you. To live among society, the government required the Fae to swear to an oath that they would never hold anyone to a contract simply for a “thank you.” A very few accepted those terms, like Bealissa, who was a member of the city council, a liaison between the Fae and the people of Midnight Point.

Relaxing, I gave her a hesitant smile. “I’ve never met a member of the Fae until last month, when I met Bealissa.” I paused, stopping myself before I asked if Ginger knew her. It was just rude to assume that all members of a minority group knew each other.

“We don’t usually interact with society, but I like being on the forefront of things, and eventually, we’re all going to have to work together. Since I’m a nontraditionalist within my people, I decided to take the first step and help pave the way.” She shrugged, still smiling. “I like you. I can feel emotions, and I can see auras.”

“I can feel emotions, too. I’m a priestess of Aphrodite, and it’s really exacerbated that ability. I’m a matchmaker.” I told her about my business. “That’s why I’ve been so down in the dumps. I’ve had a lot of readings, but only one client so far. She found her match because of me, but it was in an offhand way. Not through my efforts at all. I do have another client coming in tomorrow night, but…”

Ginger clapped her hands. She was incredibly perky, but I didn’t find it annoying. She seemed genuinely happy. “Oh, don’t quit. Don’t be upset. It takes time to build the business you want. And businesses have to grow and evolve, like children. If you just wanted to make money fast, you wouldn’t be helping the people who need your help. They need to find their way to you. And a priestess of Aphrodite? That’s perfect!”

I made a snap decision right there. “Would you like to get a cup of coffee and some lunch? I’m hungry.”

She glanced at the sky. “I think that would be lovely. Where do you want to meet?”

“What kind of food do you like?” I had no idea if she was vegetarian, a health-food nut, or what. I didn’t want to offend her by suggesting a place that might go against her grain.

She thought for a moment. “How about Chicken Jim’s?”

Chicken Jim’s was a local chicken joint. They had an eat-in area and made the best fried chicken in town. I had been there once or twice since I returned to Midnight Point, and I hadn’t been disappointed. They made crap coffee, though.

“I’m going to stop at an espresso stand first, but yes. How about we meet there in twenty minutes?” I asked.

She nodded. “True, their coffee sucks. All right. I’ll see you there in twenty minutes or so.”

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