Page 10 of Coven of Corpses

“You want more?”

Jugs put his hands on his hips. “No, I deserve more.” He snorted. “How the hell does Demetrius put up with you?”

“He gets a lot of fringe benefits you don’t.”

“Gross.”

“Hey, you started this. What more do you want? I just apologized.”

“How about a genuine thank you for getting you this job.”

“Actually, I got myself this job with the in-person interview.”

“Bonker… ”

“Fine. Jesus Christ, you’re becoming more of a baby the older we get, you know that?”

“Still haven’t heard the magic words.” Jugs put a hand behind his ear.

“Fuck you.”

“Almost there, but not quite.”

“Go to hell.”

“So close, but we’re getting off track. Good energy and intention behind it though, so keep that.”

Cody made a face. “Fine. Thank you. For getting me this job.”

Jugs dropped his hand and flashed a big, bright smile. “There it is. You’re welcome, Bonker. Now, was that so hard?”

“How does Agatha live with you?”

“Who do you think I learned this from?”

Cody turned and took a few steps away from Jugs. He unlocked his phone, but before he could open his contacts list, it buzzed in his hand. Demmy’s picture displayed on the screen, a recent favorite. He’d taken it when Demmy had been laughing with Dave, Cody’s younger brother. That had been months ago, during happier times. The photo made him smile, but then he frowned. This was a call, not a text. Demmy didn’t usually call him when he was at work.

“Demmy’s calling,” he said over his shoulder. Before Jugs could respond, Cody accepted the call and resumed walking toward the other end of the aisle.

“Hey. Was just thinking about you.”

“Good thoughts, I hope.” Demmy’s voice sounded a touch strange. Like he might be faking the casual tone. Hearing it made Cody’s defenses go back up… hard.

“Depends what this call is about.”

“Well…” Demmy paused, and Cody’s brain spun quick and terrible scenarios as he waited for him to speak again. They were never sure they’d found all the vampires in the weeks after Halloween. Had one now returned to extract revenge? Or maybe a new werewolf had popped up after all these years. Or something even more terrifying had suddenly made an appearance. Something like Heath who looked and smelled like a living, breathing prop from a well-funded haunted house.

“It’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

“Son of a sideshow huckster,” Cody muttered.

Demmy laughed. “That’s a new one.”

“I’ve been asked more than twice not to swear on the sales floor.”

“How’s that going?”

“Just a few minutes ago I told Jugs to fuck off and go to hell, so about average.” Cody had reached the end of the aisle and stopped. He looked both ways, but the front aisle was empty. No sign of Tracey or Heath. A touch of shame went through him when he realized he felt relieved. “I have some news to report as well.”