Page 42 of Help Wanted, Vampires Inquire Within

“How do you know Sopek?”

“He came to our land once with Santel. Santel was the hobgoblin that taught us about weaving,” she explained. She’d been about ten at the time but had been enamored by Sopek’s wingback chair. “I think he came to talk to Mom and Dad about old apothecary books, but then he and I talked about thePhantom Tollboothby Norton Juster. I’d just finished reading it and felt special that he found my interpretation of it interesting. It’s one of my fondest memories.”

Jack shook his head. “Most of us go our entire lifetimes without ever meeting a single hobgoblin, but not nymphs.”

“I don’t understand why everyone is so afraid of hobgoblins,” Skyler said with a frown. “They’re sweethearts!”

“Oh yes, very sweet,” Jack snorted. “Until they disappear you into the void.”

Skyler rolled her eyes. “They almost never do that. And Sopek wouldn’t do that to any of us book lovers!”

A wave of affection and amusement came through the bond from Jack. “Yes, book lovers are sacrosanct,” he agreed, obviously fighting a smile.

She relaxed against Mason and stuck her tongue out at Jack. “Don’t make fun. Books are the best.”

He raised an eyebrow at her. “The best?”

She pretended to think it over. “Well, you and Mason are fun too. But I’ve traveled through time and space in books. I’ve saved worlds and fallen in love many times. How could either of you compete with that?”

“I guess we’ll have to try harder,” Jack purred.

“What’s hard?” Mason asked, half-rousing from his light slumber. Before she could answer, his head fell back against the headrest, and he was out again.

She, Jack, and all the wolves burst out laughing. Pure happiness filled the car and Skyler’s heart. No book she’d ever read ended as happily as her reality.