nsl

just run into, I take a deep breath. “Shit,”

s glowing amber eyes disturbing. But he’s not smil

is guy was there earlier, and he’d seemed rela

en hoping for, though. Wher

e running into a vampire over nearly nothing. Maybe I’d prefer this to getting my

the largest of all of them. That one who just walked away was tall and wiry. The other one, the one that had ac

se

cted to the jackass that had made me drop my bread originates

upor, the same way that Lenny often does. I can’t see my fri

ould add “sir” onto the end of that question

gue there about these rules?” His bushy, dark eyebrows n

ecide we want to start a farm, you know. Hell, we can’t even have a vegetable garden outside of our house. Forget about having livestock or anything

cratches his chin,

the two of you should check with the king when you get back to Castle Shadowmanor, assumin

lashes that smile at me, and I find myself sighin

way Mom is always telling me not to do because it l

extending his hand to me in a g

all a sick joke. Why is he bothering to

kno

town, so if they forgot and asked around about where to deliver the basket, whether they asked Mr. Laslo Black the baker or his brother, Mr. Bart Black, the butcher, or eve

indow right now and hope she at least avoided witne

oulder, out of curiosity,

ogant bastard.” He waves a hand like it doesn’t ma

hat guy. He had a reputation for being ruthless. And I

out the economy here. Why couldn’t you afford to buy bread? Bread should be, like, four

ill me if they wanted to. “Uhm, no. There are three

at?” Zeke

the middle of the neighborhood. People are probably listening. But when Zeke wags

r?” He laughs, and I roll

is their cousin, so he goes along with it.” I’ve said too much. “I should go.” I believe I smell meat cook

ain. “How much do you

escapes me. “Fo

The handler should get something, b

mayor,” I explain. “

does a loaf of

five vlads,”

There’s no way you’re only getting one loaf

e cheapest one, is seventy-five vlads. Hell, ask your guy who bought all the food. Thank you, by the way.” I am now wondering what Zeke’s office is if he hangs out with that other guy, His Majesty, whatever that means. I’m thinking through the r

t ask Zeke any questions bec

desp

se, Zeke calls out,

ng the light from the few rays of sunlight and glinting. It’s one o

n march up the porch,

st as fast as a vampire. “Ainslee

before I say, “How many times

s find out you just told all their business to th

oyal. I’m not sure which one, but he does. I couldn’t lie to him. Besid

n they go in. They erase all the prices really quickly and act like they’re having a s

already dislike me. If they hear of this, they will find a way to punish me, though I’m not sure how. Thank the Goddes

e hell ou

uck do I think

ing different if I had known. Didn’t Zeke deserve to know? Maybe he can do something about it. Especially if what he said was true

igerator. Your family should come and help us eat the meat and cheese.” We can save the bread and some of the f

y family. Thanks, Ainslee.” He scurries

wonder if she’s burned it. I think I see a longer piece of wood sticking up. Bile rises in the back o

food.” Mom smiles at me. “I’m not sure how this all hap

bably because she’s had some of the food already, that and she’s just so happy. The littles are munching on

oesn’t mean this isn’t a problem. I might’ve made things a whole lot worse for myself. And if I have a problem, so does

son. They can basically

door to door and invite our neighbors to come and enjoy some food. They are all ecstatic at the news, es