Page 31 of Vampire's Vixen

“So, what is it you wanted to tell me?” Astra said, bringing the kettle to a simmer.

“This afternoon—shortly before we left for the ritual—I got a call from Zandre. I think it was around five-thirty.”

“Has he let go of the dead girl yet?”

I sighed. “Yeah, I think he has. But in the process, he’s decided he wants to take me out to dinner.”

Astra froze, whisk in hand. “What?”

“Yeah, that was my reaction, too. I told him I’d have to talk to him tomorrow, but Auntie, what do I do? I don’t want to date a vampire. I’m not interested in dating a vampire. And given how obsessive Zandre gets, I don’t want him fixated on me.” It was always better to fly under the radar when it came to vamps.

Astra poured the cocoa into our mugs and carried them over to the table. “So, do you think he’ll be reasonable when you tell him you don’t want to go out with him?”

“I’m not sure,” I said. “He was so obsessed over Denise. Maybe I should just tell him that there’s a rule among matchmakers, that we are not allowed to date our clients. He’s smart, I don’t know if he would believe me, but I suppose I can give it a try.”

“Is that actually an industry standard? Can he look it up to find out if you’re lying? I only ask because he seems like an extremely intelligent person. He has to be in order to be the city’s representative to the Northwest Vampire Collective. And if he found out you were lying, how would he react?”

“I’m not certain, to tell you the truth, in terms of how he would react. As to whether it’s an industry rule, not exactly. It’s not against any law, but ethically? Matchmakers don’t look highly on other matchmakers who feed from the pool, so to speak. It wouldn’t be good for business. I suppose I should just tell him the truth, and hope he accepts it. After all, what can he do to me?” I paused, then added, “Don’t answer that.”

We drank our cocoa and went to bed. That night, I dreamed about shadows in the dark, following me, and glowing red eyes from the hidden corners of the room.

Morning came and I dressed for the woods, then called Crystal as I headed downstairs.

She answered mid-yawn. “Hey, Maisy, how did initiation go?”

“Good, actually. I was surprised by how formal it was. And you? How did your quest go?”

“I think I did well,” she said, a smile in her voice. “I should know later today whether I got in. I think…I learned a lot about myself last night,” she added. “I’m glad I went through it, regardless of Nightshade’s decision.”

“That’s the way I felt,” I said. “I’m pretty sure it’s going to take a few months for both the quest and the initiation to settle in. My subconscious processes on its own schedule and I can’t rush it.”

“What are you up to today?”

I glanced at the clock. “I have to meet my cryptozoology class in about an hour. We’re going on a field trip to Hollow Hill.”

“What the hell are you going to do out on Hollow Hill? I wouldn’t go there if you paid me to.” Crystal let out a sigh. “Don’t go, Maisy.”

“I have no idea why we’re going, but I assume we’re going to look for…I have no clue, to be honest.” With both Astra and Crystal reacting so strongly to the idea, I was starting to question my decision.

“Better you than me. What about the rest of the day?”

“Tonight I’m having dinner with Ginger Lily. What do you say about meeting for coffee this afternoon?”

“I’d like that,” Crystal said. “Two-thirty? My place will be swarmed, so what say we meet at Café Galleta? It’s a new coffee shop that went in at Linden Park Mall?”

Linden Park Mall was a mall in name only. Oh, there were a collection of about ten shops under one roof, but most of them weren’t a big pull for customers. If I remembered right, Chamber’s UnderTakings was there—a mortuary—as well as a thrift shop, a butcher’s shop, a florist’s, and a used bookstore. Linden Park also had a gun shop, a tavern, and an army recruiting station lined up next to each other—not exactly the best grouping, in my opinion.

“Sure, why not? At least they’re guaranteed customers who want to sober up, or who need to think before finalizing funeral plans.”

“Don’t forget the bookshop—readers love to browse with a coffee in hand.” Crystal laughed. “All right, I’ll see you there at two-thirty.”

“Later, then!” As I padded into the kitchen, I felt tired, but my mind was racing. It felt like the ritual had supercharged my thoughts.

Astra wasn’t up yet, so I fed Dahlia and Miss P., both of whom were prancing around my feet, then I made myself some coffee and toasted an English muffin. When it was hot, I buttered it, laid a piece of cheese on both sides, then added a pre-cooked sausage patty, and popped the sandwich in the microwave for a few seconds. As I pulled it out—wrapping it with a napkin—I scribbled a note for Astra and propped it on the table, and slung my purse and tote bag over my shoulder. Coffee and muffin in hand, I headed for my car.

Hollow Hill was more of a cliff overlooking the area where the water from the strait filtered into both Puget Sound and the beginnings of the Salish Sea. There was a narrow drive that led to a camping ground right below the crest, then a hike to the top, where a thicket spread over part of stony top. I had no idea why it was called Hollow Hill. If I’d learned when I was younger, I’d forgotten the info during the intervening years.

I’d thought about the field trip, given both my aunt and best friend were dead set against the idea, but I saw things through and when I promised to be there, I showed up. But I promised myself that—if something seemed off—I’d leave.

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