prize.
“You’re welcome, you ungrateful little wretch,” I called after him.
The only response I got was a muffled burp from inside the wall. Little buggers never said thank you.
I shook my head and finished my muffin. Some houses have mice – mine has imps. Imps are the vermin of the supe world, notorious thieves and the devil to catch. For a while I couldn’t leave anything of value lying around or it would disappear – until last fall that is when one of the little beasts got caught in an old mouse trap in the storeroom. I freed him and fixed him up even though he tried to bite me in the process. Remy said I was nuts but I can’t stand to see a creature in pain. I guess one good turn does deserve another because nothing had gone missing since that day. Of course, the imps aren’t any friendlier, but what can you expect from six inch tall kleptomaniac demons with sharp teeth.
I forced myself to do homework for an hour before I finally gave in and went to my laptop to check my email. Nervous excitement twisted my stomach when I saw a message requesting a chat. I clicked Okay and Wulfman responded immediately.
Wulfman: Have something. Not sure it’s what you want.
PixieGirl: What is it?
Wulfman: One of my sources lost a friend when you lost yours. Same M.O.
PixieGirl: And he thinks it was vampires?
Wulfman: He’s sure of it. He knows a lot.
PixieGirl: So what now?
Wulfman: He wants to talk to you. But it has to be in person. You up for that.
PixieGirl: You trust him?
Wulfman: 100%
PixieGirl: Ok but it has to be very public.
My cell phone vibrated where it lay on the desk. The corner of my mouth lifted when I saw the text message from Roland. Fri night?
PixieGirl: I think I know of a place. Have him ping me and we’ll talk.
Wulfman: Will do. Let me know how it goes.
PixieGirl: Thanks, I will.
I leaned back in my chair. Was I insane to agree to meet a total stranger even if he might know something about my dad? I’d heard enough stories about girls disappearing after going to meet someone they met online. But then this wouldn’t be the first time I’d made contact with someone this way. It was how I met Malloy the first time and there were several others I’d dealt with before him. I was always careful and it wasn’t like I’d be alone with the guy.
And it might be my only chance to learn the truth about what happened to my dad. After all these years, there was no way I could pass up this opportunity. I was willing to take a few risks to finally get the answers I sought.
My mind made up, I picked up my phone. I’m in.
Chapter 4
By the time Delilah’s Crush began pelting out their last set, my temples were pounding and I wished I could heal myself. Roland was right – Dylan’s new band was great – but I like my music more rock and less metal. I didn’t think Delilah’s Crush knew exactly what type of music they wanted to play so they went somewhere in between. Roland and Peter were having a great time, cheering and moving with the rest of the crowd. My sigh was drowned out by the music. Maybe it was me; I just didn’t know how to enjoy myself like a normal teenager.
The truth was that I was disappointed and more than a little annoyed that my reason for coming here tonight had not shown up. NightWatcher, the guy I’d talked to online this week, was supposed to be here at ten o’clock and it was almost eleven with no sign of him. We had agreed that I would wear a silver cross in plain sight where he could see it, I guess because vampires can’t touch silver. My fingers went to the cross to make sure it was still hanging outside my shirt and I almost smiled at the idea of anyone mistaking me for a vampire. It looked like that didn’t matter now since he hadn’t even bothered to show, or if he had, he was not approaching me for some reason.
I scanned the room again and this time my gaze fell on a dark haired man who looked more out of place here than I felt.
“You’re welcome, you ungrateful little wretch,” I called after him.
The only response I got was a muffled burp from inside the wall. Little buggers never said thank you.
I shook my head and finished my muffin. Some houses have mice – mine has imps. Imps are the vermin of the supe world, notorious thieves and the devil to catch. For a while I couldn’t leave anything of value lying around or it would disappear – until last fall that is when one of the little beasts got caught in an old mouse trap in the storeroom. I freed him and fixed him up even though he tried to bite me in the process. Remy said I was nuts but I can’t stand to see a creature in pain. I guess one good turn does deserve another because nothing had gone missing since that day. Of course, the imps aren’t any friendlier, but what can you expect from six inch tall kleptomaniac demons with sharp teeth.
I forced myself to do homework for an hour before I finally gave in and went to my laptop to check my email. Nervous excitement twisted my stomach when I saw a message requesting a chat. I clicked Okay and Wulfman responded immediately.
Wulfman: Have something. Not sure it’s what you want.
PixieGirl: What is it?
Wulfman: One of my sources lost a friend when you lost yours. Same M.O.
PixieGirl: And he thinks it was vampires?
Wulfman: He’s sure of it. He knows a lot.
PixieGirl: So what now?
Wulfman: He wants to talk to you. But it has to be in person. You up for that.
PixieGirl: You trust him?
Wulfman: 100%
PixieGirl: Ok but it has to be very public.
My cell phone vibrated where it lay on the desk. The corner of my mouth lifted when I saw the text message from Roland. Fri night?
PixieGirl: I think I know of a place. Have him ping me and we’ll talk.
Wulfman: Will do. Let me know how it goes.
PixieGirl: Thanks, I will.
I leaned back in my chair. Was I insane to agree to meet a total stranger even if he might know something about my dad? I’d heard enough stories about girls disappearing after going to meet someone they met online. But then this wouldn’t be the first time I’d made contact with someone this way. It was how I met Malloy the first time and there were several others I’d dealt with before him. I was always careful and it wasn’t like I’d be alone with the guy.
And it might be my only chance to learn the truth about what happened to my dad. After all these years, there was no way I could pass up this opportunity. I was willing to take a few risks to finally get the answers I sought.
My mind made up, I picked up my phone. I’m in.
Chapter 4
By the time Delilah’s Crush began pelting out their last set, my temples were pounding and I wished I could heal myself. Roland was right – Dylan’s new band was great – but I like my music more rock and less metal. I didn’t think Delilah’s Crush knew exactly what type of music they wanted to play so they went somewhere in between. Roland and Peter were having a great time, cheering and moving with the rest of the crowd. My sigh was drowned out by the music. Maybe it was me; I just didn’t know how to enjoy myself like a normal teenager.
The truth was that I was disappointed and more than a little annoyed that my reason for coming here tonight had not shown up. NightWatcher, the guy I’d talked to online this week, was supposed to be here at ten o’clock and it was almost eleven with no sign of him. We had agreed that I would wear a silver cross in plain sight where he could see it, I guess because vampires can’t touch silver. My fingers went to the cross to make sure it was still hanging outside my shirt and I almost smiled at the idea of anyone mistaking me for a vampire. It looked like that didn’t matter now since he hadn’t even bothered to show, or if he had, he was not approaching me for some reason.
I scanned the room again and this time my gaze fell on a dark haired man who looked more out of place here than I felt.
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