Page 19 of Dead & Breakfast
“So you think another paranormal did this?”
Arthur frowned. “I’d rather not narrow the search that way, if it’s all the same to you.”
“Of course. There wouldn’t be much to separate us from Sheriff McMartin if we did. I’m sure that would be uncomfortable for you as well, investigating your friends.”
“I’m not friends with all the paranormals in Trident Falls.” Arthur’s gaze drifted to the floor. It wasn’t exactly untrue; it just wasn’tthe more pathetic whole truth. Arthur wasn’t really friends withanyonein Trident Falls. Making friends as an adult was much harder than anyone had led him to believe, and making friends as an immortal being was even harder.
It seemed to Arthur that the minute he finally took the time to connect with someone, their mortality would inevitably catch up to them and he’d have to start over again. Perhaps it was just an unfortunate trend, or perhaps it had something to do with Arthur’s penchant for befriending the elderly. After all, he was of an advanced age himself, despite appearances, and found he had much more in common with people of his own generation. Sal had assured Arthur he would eventually fall into the rhythm of immortality, transcending such trivial things as age, but Arthur didn’t find that comforting. Sal seemed content to see mortals flit in and out of his life as time dictated, but Arthur wasn’t such a fan of change. He wanted the slow life that being undead afforded him, but not everyone had the benefit of the same languid pace of eternity, not even mortal paranormals.
Nora, who seemed unperturbed by Arthur’s lack of social graces, leaned forward, curiosity sparking in her eyes. “Okay, what about enemies? Do you have any of them?”
“Enemiesis a strong term.” Arthur’s gaze snuck over to the barista behind the counter. He’d had only a few run-ins with Theodore Park, Trident Falls’ resident werewolf, but it was enough to keep Arthur away from the coffee shop whenever he could manage it. “I’m not a fan of that one,” he said by way of explanation.
“Oh!” Nora cocked her head. “I think I’m actually surprised by that…and I’m surprised that I’m surprised!”
“Why’s that?”
“Well, I know vampires and werewolves famously don’t get along, but I just thought you weren’t so…stereotypical.”
“It’s true we have a centuries-old rivalry, but we have treaties now. I assure you, my disdain for Ted has nothing to do with his particular brand of paranormalcy and more to do with him being a jerk.”
“Theoseemed perfectly agreeable when I ordered our drinks,” Nora said. “And not bad-looking either.”
Her eyes flitted over to the counter, where Theodore, a six-foot-tall Korean American man with black hair pulled into a bun and a scruffy beard, was pulling espresso shots. His biceps rippled beneath the cuffed sleeves of his T-shirt, which readHungry Like the Wolf, onlyhungrywas crossed out and replaced with the wordthirsty. What a joke. A very handsome joke.
“That’s how he gets you.” Arthur sighed and let his eyes roam over the dining area.
One wall was dominated by a large community announcement board, which had prominent advertisements for such things as open mic night, a drop-in D&D campaign, and Celestine Coven products. The teenagers were still there. With a jolt of surprise, Arthur realized he recognized many of them. The veterinarian’s daughter, the middle school principal’s twin children, the dentist’s son. He still didn’t think of himself as really part of this community, but familiarity had snuck up on him somehow. Or maybe he just had a good memory for faces.
“It’s all this wolf-themed branding, the crescent, half-, and gibbous moon cup sizes, being closed on the full moon…He gets away with it somehow. No one will even step over the threshold of our inn, knowing two vampires run it, but Ted flaunts his paranormal status and this place is overrun with patrons just because he wears vintage denim and can grow a beard.”
A laugh rippled through Nora as she clapped her hands together. “You’re jealous!”
“I simply don’t think it’s wise or helpful for him to be so open about it in a town like this and—”
“Oh, honey, no.” Nora gave him a pitying look. “It’s no good thinking like that. You decide what’s safe and comfortable for you, but you can’t make that decision for other people.”
Arthur narrowed his eyes, cold cinching around his chest. Her words rang true, but he didn’t have to like it. “Youwouldside with him, I suppose.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Just that I heard what you said before about promoting paranormal tourism.” Arthur stiffened. “We’re not just fodder for your economic machine, you know.”
“Oh god, Arthur. Of course you’re not!” Nora shook her head, smile faltering. “What I said to the mayor and Quinn, that was political posturing. My proposals for changing Trident Falls are about making it a more hospitable and welcoming place for paranormals, full stop. The fact that doing so may have an economic benefit to the entire town is very much not the point. Not to me, at least.”
Arthur let out a noncommittal grunt.
“If that’s what it takes to win over people like Mayor Roth, I’ll talk the talk, but really this is about Trident Falls becoming what it should be—a town that fully embraces its paranormal residents as a community. Would that be so bad?”
Yes!Arthur wanted to say. He’d seen how people treated the werewolf’s shop and he had no intention of baiting the same bigots. But then…in the Trident Falls Nora imagined, those bigots would be the ones on the outside. Maybe it would be more welcoming. Or maybe it would just be more isolating.
Arthur shrugged. “I want to fit in. That’s all.”
“I can understand that—though I think Sal might have something to say in defense of standing out.”
At the mention of Sal, the tension left Arthur’s shoulders—at least until he remembered where his fabulous husband was at the moment. She was right, of course, but maybe not about everything. He turned to his notebook and wrote the nameTheodore Parkat the top of his suspects list in retaliation.
“Really?” Nora eyed the paper with skepticism.
