"Oh."Interest shone in Samir's eyes."What kind of books?"
Thano watched him for a second or two.He wouldn't try to steal their books, would he?Maybe it had been stupid to tell him.They didn't have the wolves anymore, he wasn't sure if Samir was aware, but they were greatly weakened should there be an attack.
"Different kinds.Some are factual and some are stories.Romeo reads from the story books once a week, and the crows want to show their appreciation."
Samir stared at him."He reads, out loud?"
"Yes.He sits on his terrace and everyone who wants gathers around, and he reads a chapter.The book he's reading now is about a witch who owns a bakery, and she's baking cupcakes.The crows want to bake cupcakes."
"Witch?"
"Human with magic, they aren't real.It's make-believe."
Nodding, Samir looked around the dark forest.There was no one Thano could see around.
"And you need baking powder?"
"I was asking Eli for help since I don't know what cupcakes are.He's the shopkeeper in Last Hope, and while he's been trying to help, he doesn't have any baking powder."
"You want permission to come into my territory to get baking powder for your crows?"
"Yes."He hadn't set foot in the Grave Ville territory since before Samir had taken over.
"I'll cut you a deal."
Thano didn't want to cut any deals but held on to a blank expression."What deal?"
"I'll fix some baking powder, and you let me come to story night."
"Alone."
"With two of my people.Have to think about my safety after all."A bit of fang showed when he smiled.
Thano breathed in deeply."If you stay in the shadows and down wind.I'll warn the vampires you're there, but the others don't have to know."He didn't think they'd appreciate the visit.Ciar would want his throat for bringing attention to Romeo.Thano couldn't say he blamed him.None of the Moonlight vampires would bite Romeo since he was part of The Moonlight Ranch, but The Big Oak Ranch vampires were something else.
"Deal."Samir gave a curt nod."When is the next story night, and do you need the baking powder right away?"
"Right away, and story night is on Tuesdays."Unease slithered in Thano's gut.He'd agreed to let three vampires from another territory come to The Moonlight Ranch.Fuck."No one can know you're there, and it's only this once."
Samir nodded."Fair.Wait here."He disappeared, and Thano remained.He waited for a good half hour.The wolf came to watch him about five minutes into the wait but stayed at a distance.
When the air flickered, it wasn't Samir who appeared but a red-haired female with skin so pale it shone in the night and a smallish man with curly chestnut hair and startling green eyes.
"Baking powder."The female held out a bag.It looked heavy.Thano accepted it and glanced inside.There were two fifteen pound packs, which he believed was way more than they needed.
"Thank you."
"It will be the two of us who accompany Samir to the ranch."
Thano nodded."On Tuesday, but stay in the shadows."
Both of them nodded, and Thano turned and began the travel home.
* * * *
Chapter 8
The next morning, Eli slowed his steps as he neared the shop and took in the murder of crows wandering around outside the front door.Were they ordinary birds who'd found something to peck on or were they crows who could turn into human-like shapes?
