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“Hopefully,” she says, her gaze sharpening on mine as she adds, “But don’t you dare go over there alone to check out the damage. If someone broke in, that’s a crime scene. And whoever did it might still be lurking in the swamp.” She shudders. “It’s so scary out there. I have no idea why Baron insists on living in the most dangerous part of Nightfall.”
“I think he feels it’s all he deserves,” I say softly.
She cocks her head. “Really? Did he tell you that? He’s so closed off; I didn’t think he talked to anyone. At least not about his emotions.”
“No, he didn’t say anything. It’s just a feeling I have. I’m pretty good at reading people. One of the blessings of having five sisters with wildly different personalities.”
“Six sisters now,” she reminds me.
My lips curve. “Yes. But you’re a book nerd like me. I think we would have always been able to read each other.”
“I’m not so sure,” Sophie says, a twinkle in her eyes. “You’re pretty good at keeping secrets. You do know it’s very rare for a wyvern just coming into her power to have a vision about a complete stranger, right? Our earliest visions almost always involve people we know and love.”
“Really?” I ask, feigning innocence as my fingers tighten on the spine of the book.
I’m so eager to dive into Baron’s story, it’s taking all my self-control not to dash for the door and run all the way back to the house. But Sophie’s twin sense is strong. I have to play it cool and hopefully throw her off the scent about my vision while I’m at it.
I shrug. “Maybe it’s because he saved my life when I got lost in the swamp during the snowstorm. Maybe my wyvern powers thought we should return the favor.”
Her brows lift as she nods, seemingly buying the excuse. “I didn’t think of that, but you could be right. A life debt is serious magic.” She pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose as she glances at the clock on the wall. “Speaking of serious things, I have twenty kindergarten kids due at nine a.m. Miss Bisbee is bringing them for story and craft time.” She turns back to me. “I need to get home and dressed so I have time to prep the clay. Are Baron and Laura okay down there? Do they need anything? Blood? Bear treats? A litter box? Baron’s welcome to use the restroom on the main floor, of course, but I don’t think Laura would fit through the door to the lady’s. One of the hazards of eighteenth-century buildings. All the doors are very, very small.”
Lips pressing together, I hum beneath my breath. “Well, they’ve clearly slept down there before without anyone being the wiser. They’ll probably be fine, but a litter box and a few provisions might not be a bad idea. I’m headed home. I could ask Darcy if he minds sharing some of the blood he has stored in our—”
“Don’t bother,” Sophie says, moving toward the front door. “I have some leftover in the office fridge from vampire book club. And I’ll grab apples from my house for Laura. I’ll get everything down to them before the class arrives and touch base with you later. Are we still going to grab a drink at the Pug and Crone tonight?”
“Maybe,” I say, though I fully intend to cancel. I adore my sister, but I only have one week to banish Baron’s fears and I’m going to need every single second to change my stubborn soul mate’s point of view. “Can I get back to you later? If Baron and the other Blackmores are going to view the crime scene tonight, I might try to tag along. The sooner we can get those books on the road to recovery, the better.”
“Agreed,” she says, opening the door. She lifts a hand, squinting in the bright morning light. As we step out onto the steps, she lifts her nose, scenting the air. “Wow, I think I can smell it, a whiff of nearly-nuked vampire. Baron really owes you one.” She casts a devious look my way. “If Little Women made it through the break-in, he should donate it to the library in your honor. You know we’d take very good care of it.”
Grinning, I lean in to press a quick kiss to her cheek. “You’re a shameless, greedy little bookworm, and I love it.”
She laughs. “Love you, too.” She glances down before adding in a whisper, “But you might want to zip up your coat. I don’t mind a flashing first thing in the morning from my nearest and dearest, but it might be too much for the little old ladies out for their morning walk.”
I glance down, my cheeks going lava hot as I see just how transparent my gown is in the early light. “Oh my God,” I breathe, clutching whoever’s coat I grabbed on the way out and tugging it across my chest. “I’m so embarrassed.”
Sophie giggles. “Why?”
“I’ve never flashed anyone before,” I moan, sinking deeper into my coat. “But there were already tons of people awake this morning when I ran through town. I passed Sally in line at the bakery and a group of teen boys on their way to the docks.” I smack my forehead with my palm. “No wonder they were so friendly all of a sudden.”
“Oh, it’s fine,” Sophie says, wrapping her arm around my shoulders and giving me a tight squeeze. “You were busy saving a man’s life. People will cut you some slack. And you’ve got a great rack, woman! Am I crazy or have you gone up a cup size since you moved to town?”
“Um, I…I don’t know,” I say, clearing my throat as I start down the steps, refusing to think about my swollen breasts or how sensitive they were when Baron was kissing them through my nightgown. Sophie doesn’t have telepathic powers, but twin-sense is real, and I can’t have her catching on to my secret yet.
Not until I win Baron over and share the news with him first.
“Maybe,” I finally add. “We’re eating a lot better than we did before. Money was tight for a while after I lost my job at my old library and before we heard we were inheriting the house.”
Sophie’s smile fades. “Libraries closing makes me sad. Nearly as sad as people destroying books.”
“Same,” I say, giving her hand a quick squeeze. “I’ll be in touch. Good luck with story time.”
“Thanks,” she says. “Oh, and if you want to put off your catacomb training until next week, we can. I can still put you on salary starting today, since you’ll be busy rescuing and acquiring priceless volumes for our collection and all.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not going to bully Baron out of his collection.”
“It’s not bullying if it’s done out of a love for literature,” she says as she backs away. “And he owes you one, sis. Don’t be afraid to cash that chip.”
I head for home, but her words linger in my thoughts as I hurry down the snow-dusted street.
