Dead Moon Rising

Chapter Nine

Belle sat in the living room, admiring her work. She had polished off the dusty shelves and added cheap trinkets she had thrifted. Little knick-knacks like cherubs and duck figurines overtook the overused candles, and she couldn't be happier. Although the room initially had a witchy vibe, Belle felt it wasn't her style, so she replaced the old decor with her more cheerful ceramic pieces.

She checked her phone: 8:45 p.m. She had been dressed for an hour, waiting for the others to arrive. A Beatles T-shirt from Walmart and a pair of new jeans from Goodwill were good enough for her. She had pulled her hair into a ponytail and wore her signature Birkenstocks. Belle didn't see this meeting as anything fancy; she didn't want to spend time putting together a vampy but modest outfit.

A knock at the door drew her from the couch. When she opened it, she was greeted by Reggie and Marsha, both of whom were dressed far more formally than she was. Reggie, who usually wore a white tank top, T-shirt, or hoodie, was now in a blue pinstriped button-down and dark wash jeans. His black cowboy boots were the only part of his usual look. His hair was slicked back with gel, revealing a healing scar across his forehead. Marsha wore a simple black dress and heels, her flame-colored hair pulled into a knot on top of her head. She looked like she was going to a funeral, which Belle found fitting.

"You all look... sharp," Belle said, examining their outfits. They smiled and stepped inside.

"We figured we should look nice; we are going to a bar after all," Marsha said warmly. Belle returned the smile and stepped aside to let them in. A gust of wind followed their entrance, making a speedy dash to the armchair facing the hallway. Edmund grinned widely. His hair was slicked back, and he wore a red velvet suit jacket with a white button-down shirt. He looked every bit vampire tonight. Belle wasn't worried about her own attire; she viewed this event as business rather than pleasure and saw no need to stun anyone at Fangtasia. She chuckled at the name—Fangtasia seemed like a silly name for a vampire bar, and she couldn't get over how seriously everyone said it.

She took a seat next to Marsha, pressing her thighs against hers and giving her a look. She watched as red flushed Marsha's ivory cheeks and smiled to herself.

"So, do we have a game plan?" she asked, looking around the room. The men glanced at each other and then back at Belle.

"We talk to the sheriff about her meeting with Maisie?" Reggie suggested.

"What do we say?"

"I don't know—questions about what they talked about and how she looked." Belle rolled her eyes and glared at Reggie.

"So, I guess I'll take the lead again?" she said staring hard at the handsome man before her. Reggie smirked, returning her look.

"Again?" Reggie chuckled.

"Yes, again. You were too much of a hothead talking to Edmund and I don't doubt you'll be the same at the bar." she was stern speaking as evenly as possible but holding her ground making sure he knew she was serious. Reggie nodded in agreement but didn't back down, taking a few steps toward Belle.

"I'll keep my cool," he said pressing his thumb into his chest then pointing the index finger on the same hand at Belle with hard eyes, "You didn't even know Maisie." Before Belle could respond she felt Marsha shift in her seat at the comment. She sat up and met Reggie's eyes.

"And you did?" Marsha and Edmund spoke in unison, and the room fell silent. Reggie's eyes nearly bulged as he tried to hold in his anger. Belle considered her conversation with Alexander. Reggie's short fuse was getting shorter and she wasn't sure if he could even handle a meeting with Vampires in the first place. She drew in a breath and released it slowly before attempting to wrangle the situation.