"Maybe somebody died," Agnes offered.

Flo rolled her eyes and pulled a spiky branch up to cover her face. "I hope not, since they're all laughing."
Agnes's round face folded into a frown. "In some cultures, death is celebrated."

"While I realize being a vampire could be considered another culture…I doubt any of Vlad's victims or their families would celebrate death by fang." Flo ducked, pulling the branch with her, as the goth version of a night manager skimmed a look her way. Regrettably, her movement totally exposed her fellow stalker.

Agnes gulped loudly as Vladwick Newsome fixed his black, deadly gaze on her, clearly miffed. "He saw me, Flo."

Another man approached Vlad and, unbelievably, the usually unfriendly night manager offered the tall, tough-looking man his hand. They shook vigorously and Vlad actually leaned close, whispering something to the other man that made him smile.

“What the?” Agnes stood up, glaring across the street until Vlad turned her way. Then he said something to his new friend and started toward them, his dark eyes flashing with anger.

Flo grabbed her friend's hand. "Come on. It's still daylight. His powers are weaker when the sun's up."

Snorting, Agnes let herself be dragged toward the street. "I almost wish he really was a vampire so that would be true."

Flo sighed. "Me too." They hurried across the street and headed toward home. "I think we just witnessed Vlad's attempt to foil our plans."

Agnes shrugged. "To tell you the truth, I'm okay with that. I really don't want to be a weekend manager."

"Why not?" Flo asked. "I'll admit the pay's not great but it would be nice to have a little extra income, wouldn't it?" Agnes didn't actually have any income at the moment. She was able to live at Silver Hills because of an inheritance from her parents, which was just enough to pay for her apartment there and not much else.

Her friend shrugged. "It's just..."

"Hey!" The snotty, strident voice assaulted them from across the street.

Flo grabbed Agnes' hand, pulling her into a faster walk. "Don't look back."

"We can't just ignore him," Agnes said as she began to turn.

Flo jerked her around. "Don't! He's just going to threaten you and Tolstoy with eviction again."

"Flo, you know he's going to do that anyway. He's going to be mad if I put my name in the hat for the manager's position."

"But if you get the job he won't be able to threaten you with that ever again," Flo reminded her.

She saw the moment the realization hit. Agnes' round, expressive face brightened in a smile. "You're right." To Flo's horror, Agnes stopped and turned as Vlad hurried closer. "What up, vamp?"

The cranky night manager curled his lip and oozed to a stop deep inside their comfort zone.

Flo took a step backward, glaring at him. "Vlad."

He gave her a smug grimace. "Annoying woman from the second floor."

Flo fought irritation. The man knew perfectly well who she was. He just liked to pretend she was so unimportant he couldn't remember her name. She clamped her lips down on the desire to give it to him again. It wouldn't make any difference and would allow him a win.

She was all about not giving Vlad Newsome a win.

He turned a piercing, nearly black gaze toward Agnes. Flo saw her friend twitch, her eyes widening as if she couldn't look away.

"He can't compel you with his gaze, Agnes."

Agnes chewed on her bottom lip. "Are you sure? I'm feeling kind of woozy."

"That's because you stopped breathing." Flo touched her friend's thick wrist. "Drop your eyes and breathe, fool."

Agnes didn't blink. Her eyes were so big Flo was afraid they might be stuck. "Agnes, a bug's going to fly into your eyes if you don't blink."

Agnes' mouth opened into a horrified "O". She hated when that happened. "I can't Flo, he's got me."

Vlad chuckled darkly, clearly enjoying Agnes' hysteria.

Flo reached out and punched him in the arm.

"Ow!" His smile died as he rubbed his skinny arm. "That hurt."

Fortunately, when he looked away, Agnes broke the spell she'd put on herself. She glared at him. "You won't stop me with your vampire ways," she told him angrily.

He shook his head. "You people are idiots. There is no such thing as vampires."

"That's exactly what a vampire would say when it was about to be outed," Agnes told him smugly.