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“Yes,” Alice responded.

Sylvia removed her sunglasses. She tilted her head, staring at the object Hugo held in his hand. “I’m flattered you’d bring a stake to a sit-down. Are we that big of a threat to you?”

“Consider it protection,” Hugo said.

“We had our protection too, and you sent them away.” Sylvia brought her hands up to her chest as if feigning being the victim. “As a sign of good faith, we’d expect you to return the gesture.”

Alice glanced over toward Hugo. He gripped the wooden stake with both hands. His eyes focused on Sylvia and Sebastian.

She turned her attention back to the Savinos. “We offer to stash it behind this counter,” she said, tapping the side panel. “Your men outside. Our wooden stake here. That’s the best offer.”

“Deal,” Sylvia said without hesitation.

Alice nodded to Hugo. He went the long way around the counter, avoiding getting close to the Savinos. He placed the wooden stake on a shelf.

“Satisfied?” Alice asked.

“Tremendously,” Sylvia said with a wicked grin.

“Are we to conduct business here in the entryway or do you have someplace more comfortable for your guests?” Sebastian asked.

“I’ll take you there,” Hugo said as he marched off into the store.

“After you.” Alice gestured with her hands.

“I’m loving the hospitality,” Sylvia said. “So welcoming.”

“Sowelcoming,” Sebastian said as he removed his sunglasses.

They followed Hugo with Alice following behind, keeping an eye on the Savinos.

Hugo led them through the store and past the empty shelves of the wine section. Alice and Hugo had set up a folding table in front of The Neighborhood Witch display. Hugo and Alice took chairs, so the Savinos had to stare directly at the display.

“Sold out of wine?” Sebastian asked.

“Or are you having problems stocking it in?” Sylvia added.

Alice and Hugo didn’t answer. Their faces remained solemn and focused on the Savinos. Alice’s blood boiled at their comments. Adrenaline pulsated through her veins. She wanted to lay into the Savinos, but used every fiber of her arcane being to hold herself back.

“Please, sit.” Alice pointed to the chairs.

The Savinos joined Hugo and Alice at the table. Sylvia tilted her head to the side. Her wavy, strawberry blonde hair cascaded down her side. She crossed her legs and placed her hands on her knee. Sebastian placed his elbows on the table and interlocked his hands.

Hugo remained motionless, focused on their every move. Alice constantly scanned around the store, waiting for some trick, some ambush they had planned for them. There was nothing. It was quiet. No one said a word.

Time stood still. It could have been minutes or hours or only a few seconds. She didn’t know. The silence was unbearable. The only sound was the reverberating noise in Alice’s head of her breathing in and out. Her stomach churned.

“This is the part where the first to speak loses, right?” Hugo asked. “So, why don’t we cut to the chase and stop wasting everyone’s time?”

Sylvia leaned back in her chair. “You’re no fun.” She winked at him.

“So, what do you have to offer us?” Sebastian asked.

“We want you to leave the Raskins alone. Restore all of their inventory and lay off their employees,” Alice commanded. “This town is under the protection of the Coven of the Moon. Any furtheraction taken against this town will be in direct violation of the Vampire-Witch Accords.”

Sylvia and Sebastian beheld each other with shocked, knowing expressions. They smirked at each other.

“We aren’t in any direct violation of any accords,” Sylvia said. “I’m sure they explained fully to you what occurred.”