Page 36 of Grimoires & Glamoury

“Your presence is required, Magistra,” she said in a low voice.

“In what way is it required?” I asked very politely, accepting the envelope.

Her lips shifted into a full smile. “You are hereby summoned to the Olarescu House this evening.”

“Summoned?” Charles asked her.

The Vampire slanted amused eyes over to him. “If it helps, Mr. Montgomery, think of this as a very firm invitation.” She then produced a second scarlet envelope and passed it to Charles. “And for you.”

He took it with a sort of half laugh.

Placing my hand on Charles’ arm to keep him from saying anything to offend the messenger, I inclined my head to the Vampire. “We understand.”

“Wonderful,” she said. “I’ll let them know. We’ll send a car to your home for you at nine tonight, Magistra.”

“I’ll be ready,” I told her.

She dropped her sunglasses back into place and turned away, making her long skirt billow out. In a blink she was across the sales floor and at the threshold again. The Vampire pushed the door open, stuck her umbrella through and gave it a little shake. With a snap it popped open, and she stepped outside, ducking under its shade.

“Well, that was different,” I murmured to Charles as we both watched her walk down the sidewalk. “I wonder why she didn’t offer to send a car for you?”

“Probably because we live in the same building,” he said, tucking the envelope in his slacks’ pocket. “The Olarescus have the West Penthouse.”

I stared at him in silence for a long ten seconds before I spoke. “They’re your neighbors? You neglected to mention that last night.”

He raised a single brow at me. “Just as you did not mention that you astral traveled a couple of weeks ago to Sawyer’s house to see what you could learn.”

I narrowed my eyes at that. “Have you been spying on me, Montgomery?”

“Watching out for you,” he said. “I noticed the crystals that were left out on the sideboard in the living room, the evening I brought you pizza. That and the big circles that were under your eyes. It wasn’t hard to figure out why you were so drained that night.”

Torn between anger and embarrassment that he’d read me so easily, I pulled in a deep breath through my nose and prayed to the gods for serenity.

“I’m worried for your safety, Lorna.”

“I can handle myself,” I said firmly.

“Daddy, look at my books!” Chloe’s delighted voice carried over to where we stood.

She raced over to her father and was jumping up and down in excitement, showing all of the titles to him. Taking advantage of the ruckus, I slipped away to help another customer who had moved up to the checkout counter.

Charles bought all of the books Chloe had chosen and also ended up purchasing that new bestseller that he’d asked me about. With Kathleen chatting to Chloe, I did my best to ring up Charles and his daughter, treating them with friendly politeness, exactly like I would with any other customer.

“See you tonight,” he said as he ushered his daughter out.

I simply nodded in reply, that scarlet envelope weighing heavily in my pocket.

“What’s that all about?” Kathleen nudged me with her elbow. “The whole ‘I’ll see you tonight’ thing. You going on a date?”

“No,” I said. “It’s a community thing. A meeting.”

“That’s a very nice-looking man,” Kathleen said. “He’s a good father too. You can tell by how he interacts with his daughter.”

“I suppose.”

Kathleen elbow nudged me. “What are you blind? That man is yummy.”

I would not laugh. Even if it was an accurate description. Instead, I changed the subject and asked, “You up for helping me re-work the front window display?”