When Dominic had settled down at the back of the room to observe the changeling, he hadn’t expected to end up eavesdropping on a conversation about himself.
The vampire had indicated they’d met before, but he didn’t recognize him. Then again, he’d met a lot of vampires in his life. Some memorable. Others not so much. Clearly, this bloodsucker fell into the latter category.
He had, however, been accurate in his description, respectful if not complimentary. Dominic had been called worse.
More interesting, to him anyway, had been Sammy’s reaction.
The changeling had been eager, his expressive eyes wide and his head slightly tilted as he drank in every word. He hadn’t recoiled or curled his lip. He hadn’t cursed Dominic to the darkest depths of the Underworld.
Instead, his response to each new detail had been subtle but positive, fascinated rather than terrified or disgusted. When the conversation had ended abruptly, there had been disappointment etched across his brow, but he hadn’t pressed the nightwalker for more.
The interaction had been telling, not to mention entertaining, and by its conclusion, Dominic had seen enough.
His intention hadn’t been to alarm or intimidate when he’d approached the counter. He damn sure hadn’t meant to growl at the guy. The reaction had been purely involuntary, and it kind of pissed him off that he’d lost control like that, even for a moment.
The scent was subtle, masked by the aroma of coffee, baked goods, and the acrid stench of anxiety, but that hadn’t made it any less potent. Crisp and clean, but also kind of earthy, it brought to mind fresh snow across a moonlit meadow.
It hadn’t been the scent itself that had triggered his response, but the familiarity in it, the primal recognition. Instincts surged, his world tilted, and in the span of a single heartbeat, everything changed.
And Sammy didn’t even know it yet.
“Where is everyone?” The changeling’s gaze slid past him to the seating area.
“They’re not hurt.”
He had simply deposited them outside with the urgent sense that they should return home. The suggestion would wear off in a couple of hours, leaving the recipients mildly confused but without any lingering effects.
“But where are they?” he insisted.
He hugged the back counter, his eyes wide and mildly panicked. Though clearly unnerved, he pushed back and demanded answers. Not many would be so bold.
Dominic liked that.
“Your customers suddenly had an overwhelming desire to leave.”
“Why?”
“So we wouldn’t be interrupted.” He thought that had been obvious.
The male gave a soft snort, and some of the tension bled out of his shoulders. “You could have just asked.”
Not the reaction he had expected, but he’d take a little sass over the startled rabbit look any day.
“Youcalledme,” Dominic reminded him.
“To help me find someone!” Sammy gestured jerkily at the empty bakery. “Not chase away all my customers.”
“Who is it you’re trying to find?” If he was looking for an apology, he wouldn’t get one, and Dominic saw no reason to pretend otherwise.
Sammy looked taken aback for a second. Then he sighed, the remaining tension draining from his body with the breath.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“Excuse me?”
“Coffee,” he repeated, reaching for a couple of teal mugs on the back counter. “Do you want some?”
“No.” He wanted answers. Clarity. Not refreshments.