-
Clair McIntyre
Excerpt from Predator's Prey
Book One of Royal House of Galadin
Falcon passed through the double doors of the big box store and looked around as he mentally went over the floor plan of the store in his head. He hadn't told Luna, but in true assassin form he had 'acquired' the store floor plan and made note of exits, aisles, washrooms, duct work and any other potential escape routes that could be taken if necessary. Not that he planned to use any of them but it was something that was ingrained in him to do so. After all, any assassin worth their salt never walked into a room without having an exit strategy.
His next secret move was to use his Vampyr powers to listen to the store employees chatter on his walk up from the parking lot. He wasn't truly eavesdropping for he could care less about store gossip, he was really looking for signs of anyone out of the ordinary who wasn't a true employee. Though he had also hacked the employee database for today's roster of employees to check too for Falcon wasn't taking any chances with anything. After all today was one big step for Luna, to put her mind at ease.
“Oh good cereal is on sale, ” Luna said drawing Falcon's attention back on her.
Falcon smiled as he placed one hand on the cart and lay the other hand on Luna's side and looked over the flyer in her hand.
“Looks like those faux waffles are on sale too. Great! I want to try those, as well as those corn dog thingies on a stick,” Falcon said.
Luna looked up at him wrinkled her nose at him as she replied, “Those aren't my favourite, I prefer homemade ones because flash frozen just isn't the same. Though I don't have a fryer anymore to make homemade corn dogs, it went missing after dad died. I keep meaning to replace it but I forgot all about it. Besides fried foods aren't the healthiest anyway.”
Falcon flipped the page in the flyer and pointed out, “Well looks like we're in luck because fryers are on sale too. Now where do we start shopping? Electronics, food, clothing, kitchen...”
“I like to leave food for last if that's okay, especially if we're planning to be here for a while because I don't want any of the frozen stuff to melt.”
“Agreed, how about we start with the appliances. Then we can get the all-important fryer, not mention a lot of other things I want. Oh and I forgot to mention, I get to set the ground rules today,” Falcon declared.
“Oh? So what are the ground rules?” Luna asked.
“First off I get to buy everything and not that it truly matters but I could buy everything in the store I wouldn't break the bank. I mean that in all honesty for my family has a massive collective wealth that my aunt manages. So no worrying about buying too much, or something is too expensive because I want to be super indulgent, and buy things that will make my family members crazy jealous. Seriously it's half the fun,” Falcon stated.
“I know I'm going to regret it but okay, I will abide all your rules because you've abided by all mine before. Are they're any other ground rules?”
“Yes, next no worrying for I can see it in your eyes. Today is going to be fun, Luna and we're both in dire need of it.”
“I'll definitely try though it's just being out in public is difficult but I trust you Falcon to keep me safe,” Luna said as she snuggled closer to his side.
Falcon hugged her tightly to him before he said, “Oh... and I want to push the buggy by the way because it's biggest buggy I've ever seen in my life. Truly in Britain and Japan, buggies are like half the size.”
“This is necessary,” Luna defended the buggy as she walked along side of Falcon.
“Is it?”
“Yes, because these type of stores aren't designed to buy one thing, they want you to buy as much as you can and you don't want to end up carrying a million things in your arms, it's awkward. Honestly I have yet to buy less than seven things at this store. Normally it's what I came for, a whole bunch of stuff that caught my eye and the staples.”
“The staples?” Falcon asked curiously.
“Promise you won't laugh?” Luna asked.
“Absolutely love,” Falcon said solemnly.
“Well my staples consist of a pack of gum, a chocolate bar, a tabloid magazine and... romance paperback.”
“Why would I laugh at that, my staples normal consist of knives and knickers for you can never have too much of either.”
Luna snorted before she bit her lip and said, “Sorry, sorry, that was wrong of me.”
“Nah love, I said it to make you laugh though it's true enough because I have way too many pairs for a man who only wears them on jobs.”
“Falcon!” Luna squeaked out as she blushed solid red.
“What why else would I carry a pair of knives if I wasn't on a job silly?” Falcon asked innocently.
“Oh bother, that wasn't what I thought you meant.”
“I know, dirty minded wench, although I don’t wear those like 90% percent of the time because sometimes I just need space,” Falcon grinned.
Luna blushed as she complained, “Ah Falcon, why did you have to tell me that? Now I'm going to be wondering all day if you’re wearing them.”
Luna gasped as she covered her mouth with both hands though Falcon looked at Luna for a long moment before he moved in and whispered, “Well, tit for a tat love for I've been wondering what's what your lovely assets look like too from the get go. After all, I am a man, and though most accuse me of having ice in my veins, I'm just as red blooded as all others, though there is still one major difference.”
Unable to stop herself, Luna asked, “What's that?”
“My blood races for only one person Luna love and you're it,” Falcon stated before he turned away.
Luna stopped dead for a moment as she wondered if he was joking again but Luna knew that he was dead serious. Then she realized that far from being repelled by that, she was entranced.