Page 62 of Grimoires & Glamoury

I couldn’t help my snort of laughter that followed. “Yeah okay. I walked right into that.”

“Actually, I did spend a fair bit of time crouching in the branches of your neighbor’s trees today watching over you as you worked in the yard.” She pointed over to Kathleen’s yard and her huge Florida maple.

“Please be careful,” I said. “My neighbor is a retired police officer. He is habitually armed.”

Nadia smiled. “It’s very kind that you are worried for my safety, Magistra. But a bullet wouldn’t kill me.”

“Am I to assume that you’re going to be with me all the time? Even at the bookstore?”

“Yes, but don’t worry. I will be discreet.”

“What will I tell my employees, and my friends Kate and Circe?” I wondered out loud.

Nadia nodded. “I find the simple truth often works best.”

“Then I suppose I’ll tell them that you are our new store security.” I blew out a long breath. “Damn it.”

“If it helps, think of me as an insurance policy for your friends and employees. I won’t allow anything to happen to you—or to them.”

Her voice was quiet and sincere. If the Olarescus had sent her to me, then there was likely a good reason for it. And if it kept the ones I loved safe, then all the better.

“Thank you, Nadia,” I said.

She nodded. “You are welcome, Magistra.”

“We can go inside if you need to,” I said. “Because if you’re going to be here at the house, you might at least be comfortable.” Deliberately I glanced out over into the sunny yard. “Will the direct sunlight cause you any problems?”

“I’m only sixty years old,” Nadia explained. “Sunlight is mildly uncomfortable for me. The long sleeves and sunglasses help.”

“Okay,” I said. Then I scowled as she helped herself to the last of my fries.

“Problem?” she asked.

“Um, well yeah, you just snitched the last of my fries.”

“I only ate three.”

I laughed. “I need a bath. I’m sweaty.”

“Yes, you are,” Nadia agreed.

I stood and gathered the remnants of my lunch. “You’re more than welcome to come inside and sit in the living room if you want.”

“Lovely.” Nadia smiled. “Wait here for a moment please.” Then she moved so quickly that she basically disappeared. A few seconds later she was back, standing at my door and holding it open for me. “All clear, Magistra,” she announced.

“Thank you, Nadia,” I said as I walked inside. “And please, call me Lorna.”

“Very well, Lorna.” Nadia inclined her head and shut and then locked the door behind us both. With that, my new bodyguard sauntered into my living room, sat on the couch, and made herself comfortable.

***

I returned to New Moon Books the next day and Nadia came along, staying discreetly in the background. Kathleen accepted the explanation of security, but Kate, Circe, and Dex, however, took one look at Nadia and immediately knew what her Supe status was.

Hooray for friends that are Witches and post-cog psychics.

While Kathleen was busy booting up the computer’s point of sales program for the day and well out of earshot, Circe eyeballed the Vampire. Nadia sat in a reading chair across the sales floor and was currently flipping through a glossy coffee-table style book on gardening.

“Well, there’s something you don’t see everyday,” Circe whispered. “A Vampire reading a book about cottage garden flowers.”