Wednesday has come around again and I’m happy to present this week’s flash fiction.
“Something’s wrong with this thing.” Lola bellowed.
Nerezza let out an exasperated breath and straightening from the cauldron. “What now?”
“I don’t know. Does it taste right to you?” Lola spun extending a squirming baby and advancing astonishingly fast.
Quick steps backward prevented an arm from being shoved in Nerezza’s mouth. “I do not know how kids should taste.” The words felt unreal. Had she actually uttered those words?
Lola, pouted but stopped advancing. “But you deal with children by trade.”
“I scare them by trade!”
“What kind of bogyman are you? I’d find that mortals consider being eaten terrifying.” Her lips curled upward slowly. “Or did you beg for my assistance because you’re a failure?”
Nerezza clenched her hands stiffly at her sides. She never begged. “Your kind devour mortals. Not mine.”
Lola shrugged. “I’ve no use for their squalling.” She twisted the child to face. “Thankfully, this one’s mostly quiet or burbles.”
Next time Nerezza recruiting a banshee and not a vampire. “Just deal with the child so I can…” her nose wrinkled as she caught a whiff. She knew that scent. “Change the child’s diaper.”
Lola opened her mouth to protest, but her teeth snapped audibly together as Nerezza glowered. “Fine, I’ll change the brat.”
Nerezza turned away forcing her breathing slower. Just one more. One more ransom and she’d be free leaving the humans Lola vampire to focus on while she slipped into the shadows. Ciaran would never find her again.
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