Page 17

When we reach the square, she pauses, scanning the open area while Minna bumps my leg.

“Have I not been paying enough attention to you?” I ask as I shift the basket into my other hand so I can stroke her head. She leans her body all the way into my leg, tongue lulling out. When I look up, Cordelya has a perplexed expression, her head tilted at an angle, assessing me.

“She likes you.” She says simply.

“That’s a good thing, right?”

“It is. I trust her judgment better than my own. It’s just she’s never done that with anyone but me.”

I look at Minna and smile. “Shall we continue?”

“After you,” she says, waving her hand. “I have no idea where to start. There are so many.”

I look around the area and find the least crowded path. One thing I noticed on the walk over is that she gets nervous in crowds. We skipped a few tables on Main because the more pressed in we got with townsfolk gathering to get their prizes, the more nervous she got.

“This way,” I said, taking the lead. We hit a few of the farm stands, collecting fresh preserves and seasonings before the scent hits me. I pause, taking a deep breath.

Cordelya halts her steps, concern written all over her lovely features as she looks at me.

“Are you okay?” She asks as Minna comes and leans against me once again.

I set one of the baskets down and reach into my pocket to retrieve the menthol gel. After rubbing a generous amount under my nose, I pocket the tube and pick up the basket.

“I’ll be fine,” I say with false conviction. “We’re almost at the butcher’s stand. I can smell the blood,” I say as we resume walking.

Cordelya’s face pinches in the most adorable way, like she’s trying to work out a problem. “Forgive me if this is rude,” she starts as we pause to collect the freebies from an all-natural skin and body producer. “But is that a bad thing? The blood, I mean?”

I crack my neck as I choose my words. “For me, yes. Normal vampires, no.”

“Oh,” she says simply as we reach the butcher.

“Hey, Count. If you give me a second, I’ll grab your order. Brought it with me in case you dropped by. Hello, Miss.” Corbin, the butcher, says.

“Thanks, Corbin. This is Cordelya and her dog Minna. They’re new to town.”

Cordelya waves while Minna’s nose sniffs a mile a minute.

“Can she have a bully braid?” Corbin asks Cordelya.

“What’s that?”

“Three strips of jerky braided together. We make them for the were pups to chew on when they’re teething. All natural meats and vegetables.”

Minna barks as if agreeing to Corbin's sales pitch, making Cordelya laugh.

“Well, Minna is sold, so yes, she can have one.”

“I’ll grab one. Give me one minute.” He steps back and rummages through the massive ice chest behind him, retrieving a bag with my name before grabbing a bully braid and returning to us. He drops the braid into Minna’s basket, adds the freebies to the others, and finally hands me my order.

“Triple bagged and vacuum sealed.”

It takes great effort not to contort my face in disgust. Even the thought of consuming this later has me feeling ill.

“Thank you,” I say as politely as possible through tight lips. Corbin nods, understanding shining in his eyes. We step away from the butcher and continue walking. I can tell Cordelya has questions by the way she glances at me from the corner of her eye, but she doesn’t press.

We continue in silence as the crowd gets thicker around us. Cordelya’s breathing picks up as her eyes dart around for an exit. When I see an opening, I place my hand on the small of her back and guide her through the crowd and back into a less crowded area. She exhales a shaky breath just as I hear my name.

“Augustus!”