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“Yes, I owe her some stuff and she always gets her bread for free. Did she send you over…wait.” Friendly eyes narrowed. “Did you just come from her place?”
“Yes.”
Maddox stiffened, used to what was coming next. To his surprise, another smile followed Abby’s recognition.
“You are the new resident working part-time for her. The vampire.”
“Half-vampire,” he corrected, biting his tongue from the habit of mentioning his half-human roots to these people.
“Right. Ruby brought you with her. She pleaded for your immunity and your stay here.”
“That’s right.”
“Didn’t she align herself with pirates who ended up exploiting her? Were you one of her victims, too? Or were you also a pirate?”
No, Ruby was kidnapped. No, I’m not her victim, but I’m among those who saved her life. No, I wasn’t a pirate, but I stayed on a ship with good pirates for a few months.
The answers were ready in his head, but it didn’t feel right to say them out loud to a stranger. He shrugged.
“I’m not a pirate. And I think it’s better if you ask her about the rest.”
“I should. Where is Ruby, anyway?”
Avoiding me like the plague ever since James Magoo has been watching me like a hawk. She is kind of allergic to authority.
The bell tinkled before he could reply. Almost immediately, a distinct energy pulsed through the bakery, smothering the heavenly aroma. His hair stood on end, but Maddox continued facing Abby until a figure stood beside him.
“Abby, get me your freshest loaf.”
“Good morning, Mr. Newton. We are out of the regular loaves today, but we have those fancy oval loaves of bread newly baked.”
Distaste formed on Ollie Newton’s features, which wasn’t much considering the tall man often looked disapproving. He sighed.
“It’s not a favorite, but I suppose I can tolerate non-favorites. Get me a bag, then.”
Abby got to moving and Maddox wondered if he could just turn around and leave. Then he remembered his basket.
“Are you sure I don’t need to pay for this, Abby?”
“There’s no need!” Abby called out. “As I said, Helga and I have a deal, so it’s all good.”
Magic sparked as the witch warmed the oval loaves of bread even more before packing them. The energy that had pulsed in the air earlier became heavier just as Maddox was halfway through the door.
“I didn’t realize you also tolerated strange people in your place.”
“Strange? It’s…oh.” To Abby’s credit, she barely lost her stride. “We are all strange, I’m sure.”
“Not as strange as creatures who could corner you when you are alone and take your blood. I heard they lure you with their friendliness and betray you the moment you turn around.”
Maddox stilled when the energy poked his shoulder. When it pricked other parts of him, he whirled and wasn’t surprised to find the man already inches away from him.
“So, I suggest you don’t turn your back when strange people are around, Abby. I don’t want to see you torn to pieces just because you chose to let the trash in instead of out.”
A smirk formed, dislike brimming in the man’s eyes. Maddox absorbed the insult, then exhaled quietly.
“He is right, Abby.”
Surprise formed on Abby’s face. “He is?”
