Misery turned shoving her hair falling out of her tie out of her eyes and faced the vampires. They were staring at her she closed her switch blade and pocketed it.

  “That pink die should last a while if he’s and issue.” Misery offered, walking up. “You need help getting Mr. Blonde-and-Fierce inside?” She asked hands in pockets. Koa glanced at the other vampire, whose eyes were blades on her, he was breathing heavily and shaking.

  What about her was enough to have him lunging forward she couldn’t pinpoint. Koa swore and gripped the back of his shirt being more dragged along. Misery reached into the first pocket he hand reached pulling out an ring that was too big to fit on a finger but to small to fit on a wrist and pushed it at the vampire before he got fully to her. His hand inches from her.

  It was from the pocket of things that had no theories for its effects. Not ideal to use but it stopped him in his tracks as it flickered white and grew swirling around his arm and disappearing.

  He stared at her.

  She motioned toward the mini mart to hide the thump in her chest to a close call.

  “Well. Now that we’re all calmed down let’s head inside and handle whatever is going on with you and handle the situation.” Misery commanded as she retrieved her sketch book.

  Back at the mini mart they found Julissa with the door closed and locked.

  “What happened out there.” She hissed out looking over Koa. “Why the hell is a Maintainer here and bloodied.” She shot out no longer bright and cheery shooting question after question at Koa.

  Misery walked them to the back provided a first aid kit then ducked out front. Julissa stopped her.

  “What happened?” she asked looking terrified. Misery dropped her bitchiness for a moment.

  “Some idiots drove up caused some problems. There’s currently a truck on fire across the street and if I don’t call the police, it will look more suspicious. I’m going to lock the door. There’s a bat and these round metal balls grab them. I’m going to lock the doors and make some calls.” She assured. Julissa let out a shakey chuckled and went.

  Misery sucked in a breath locking the door turned and slid down the glass slowly dialing Vid.

  “Misery. Please tell me you did not get into more trouble.” He sighed seconds after the call went through.

  “There is a burning truck across the street. It’s related to the unprovoked attack of two vampires I was with. I set the attackers truck on fire to get them to stop their attack. I locked up the mini mart. It’s me three vampires and I am prepared to blow up more shit if they come back.” Misery told him decisively and without pause.

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  The line was silent for a moment and she waved away the tremor in her hand.

  “I’m on my way. Misery, stay inside.” He commanded and she heard the fear in his voice. Misery caught the concerned look from Julissa who came over as she called Darren who advised her to shut the stores lights and stay in the back.

  Julissa helped her.

  Then they ducked into the back. The two troublesome vampires looked at her.

  “I called the police about your unprovoked attack.” Misery offered to them phrasing it exactly how it should be stated. Gosh when Theo heard about his complaints on policy working their way into her actions she was never going to hear the end of it.

  She recognized the look that crossed over Koa’s face but she was not in the mood to be scolded.

  “No. You’re going to listen to exactly what I say.” She hissed out not an inch of amusement and he paused. He shut his mouth and she went on. “I told them before I gave you my number, they still think that. You all went hiking and you thought maybe you would follow up about that number and instead of calling like a normal fucking person you dropped in and asked if you could talk with me. I agreed. I’m dark to dark and twisty enough that they’ll believe that. My bad again. She watched the register. He was in the dune buggy which you will report as stolen. While out there we were attacked they were set on only the two of you like they knew you were vampires. I panicked trying to figure out how to help ended up setting the fucking truck on fire because of course I did.” Misery hissed out.

  Misery closed her eyes and ran through more in her head.

  “After that you leave. I’ll tell the Sheriff in a week that I had dinner with the hot vampire. You found me annoying and I found you boring and I’d rather never see you again if I can manage it and you all leave me the fuck alone.” Misery informed. Koa pierced hips lips and glanced at the blonde vampire who had his hand together against his lips looking dark.

  Misery stared them down daring them to argue with her. To her surprise they didn’t. Koa sighed and nodded.

  “Let’s focus on the Sheriff and then we’ll talk through the rest.” He breathed holding her gaze appealing to something. Misery huffed but nodded sitting down in a chair.

  When Vid showed up he came with a standard officer. Vid sat with her while they all gave their accounts fitting her mostly true narrative. None of them faltered.

  Misery didn’t play a terrified child. No one would believe that but she admitted to Vid.

  “It was so intense I couldn’t be afraid.” She breathed out. Vid’s arm went around her and like she’d seen with his daughter he pulled her over and kissed her temple.

  “Shit Misery.” He breathed forgetting his insistence on calling her Ree.

  “What?” The blonde vampire voiced. The chief raised his brows and she was glad the police officer had gone across the street. “What did you call her?” He pushed. Misery laughed and rolled her eyes.

  “Guess with everything I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Misery Grove.” She shared her legally changed name. His eyes flashed with something before he looked away again.

  Grove hugged her and she accepted the affection hugging him back.

  “You always pick the worse men.” He voiced and she laughed.

  When finally, she could leave they stood outside.

  “Would you mind giving us a ride?” The blonde vampire asked. Misery paused and sighed.

  “You are paying me for gas.” She told him. He pulled out his wallet and handed her money without question. She took it.

  “Where am I heading.”