Real Vampires Get Lucky by Gerry Bartlett Read Free Book Online

tomorrow night. Be careful, Gloriana."
    "Thanks for the concern. See you tomorrow." I snapped the phone shut and stepped outside, stopping to clip on Valdez's leash. Hmm. Shop lights on. I could see people inside, several gathered in front of the vampire mural Flo had painted on one wall. I know, but my roomie's not into subtle. She's studied under , if you get my drift, a lot of famous artists. So the mural was cool. I pushed open the shop door and looked around for the hired help. Lacy, the were-kitty, was one of them. A student, Melissa, was another. I knew I was late, but at least one of them should have greeted me when I came in. Customer Relations 101.
    "I'm the owner here. What's going on?" I tied the bag closed and dropped it by the door. No need to start a freak-out over a bloodstained coat.
    "She's hurt, but she won't let us call the paramedics." A brunette in faded jeans ran up to me. "She says someone attacked her right here in the shop."
    "Who's hurt?" I surged forward, Valdez at my side. Lacy sat in one of the overstuffed armchairs a friend had consigned. She was pale as a ghost and I could see a bloody bandage wrapped around her neck.
    "My God! What happened?" I looked around. No sign of Melissa. Had she taken off before or after Lacy had been attacked?
    After and she was so fired.
    "I'm okay, Glory. Just after Melissa left, I was in the shop alone. Someone"-she looked significantly at the small crowd of interested mortals-"came in and put a, um, knife to my throat. I guess he wanted to rob us, but two more customers came in just then and the guy panicked and took off."
    "That was us!" A blond college-student type, her boyfriend hugging her like he'd never let her go, seemed thrilled to have been so close to death.
    "Let's close the shop." I turned and smiled at the group. "Sorry, folks, but obviously Lacy needs medical attention. Come back in about an hour and say, 'I helped Lacy,' and I'll give you twenty-five percent off anything in the store."
    "Good deal." College girl dragged her boyfriend to the door. "We can get a snack at Mugs and Muffins next door, sweetie. Check our e-mail on your laptop." She patted him on his stuffed backpack. "We'll be back."
    "I told Barbie she didn't need to be hangin' out in a place called Vamps with a vampire painting on the wall." A middle-aged man in jeans, a plaid shirt and a sleeveless down vest elbowed his friend, who was dressed in similar fashion. Like they'd interrupted a hunting trip to check us out. "You see where she was hurt? Neck wound, Earl."
    "Don't mean nothin', Leroy. And you can't tell a teenager where to shop, how to dress or who to date. She'll just start sneakin'
    around. I figure she'll get over the black lipstick soon enough if you leave her be." Earl hitched up his pants. "Lady wants us to leave. Coffee sounds good. Got to admit though, that painting's pretty creepy."
    "Told ya." Leroy and Earl headed out the door.
    They weren't the first worried parents to check us out. Usually we passed with flying colors. Too bad they'd picked tonight to drop by.
    Finally I turned the lock and got a good look at Lacy. She was pale and getting paler. I reached for the makeshift bandage.
    "Not here. Let's go in the back." She got to her feet. Lacy wobbled and made a face. Once we were both in the back room, I helped her to a chair.
    "What did he look like, kitty girl? Did you at least scratch his eyes out?" Valdez was right beside me.
    "He was butt ugly. And he caught me by surprise. I got in a few good swipes, but I never thought another vamp would come right here in the shop and attack one of us when a customer could have shown up at any time." Lacy put her hand to her throat.
    "Ugly and dumb as dirt if he thought he could get away with this." Valdez sniffed. "Security cameras, Glory. We need them in here. I'm talkin' to Blade about them when he gets back. What do you bet this guy was lookin' for you? It's your shop."
    "Valdez, I don't want to make this all about me."