“Holy crap!” he swore, pixy dust sifting from him to make sunbeams at my feet. “Rynn Cormel? You gotta be pissing on my daisies! Rache!” he exclaimed, flying an erratic path between us. “It’s Rynn Cormel!” Then he stopped as if he’d been nailed to the air. “I’m giving you fair warning, Mr. Cormel. If you bespell Rachel, I’ll open up your head for the sunshine to come in.”

I cringed, but the dignified man clasped his surprisingly ugly hands before him and gave Jenks a respectful nod. “Not at all. I want to talk to Ms. Morgan. That’s all.” He hesitated, and I flushed when his gaze dropped to my stocking feet. “Is there a more comfortable place…”

Oh, God. I hate it when this happens. “Um,” I hedged, then winced. “Would you mind coming around the back, Mr. President? We have two unsanctified rooms for our undead clients. I’m really sorry for asking you to come in the back door, but the majority of our clients are living.”

“It’s just Rynn,” he said, smiling as if he were Father Christmas. “I was never sworn in, actually.” He rocked back and glanced at his bodyguard. “I’d be happy to join you in back. Is it just that way?” he asked, leaning to his right.

I nodded, glad Ivy and I had put in a slate walk, then wondered if we had gotten the trash out this week. Crap, I hoped so. “Jenks, if it’s warm enough, could you escort Mr. Cormel?”

A flash of dust slipped from him, and he darted outside. “You bet.” He flew down the stairs and then back up. “This way, please.”

His tiny voice was sarcastic, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Jenks took the opportunity to threaten him again. He had no respect for titles, law, or anything but a pixy sword, and he took his job of keeping my ass above the grass seriously.

Giving me a smile that would have twitterpated Genghis Khan, the vampire took the stairs. I watched his confident pace as he made his way to the sidewalk, shoes clicking smartly, listening to everything, seeing everything. A master vampire. The master of this city. What did he want with me if it wasn’t…blood?

I ducked inside and shut the door, relieved that Cormel had motioned for his bodyguard and driver to stay put. I didn’t want them in my church even if Jenks was with me. Three vampires opened the door for a lot of misunderstandings.