Other Places 1: Shortcuts Read Online Free PDF Page B

enough, since it wouldn't be locked, people needing to get in all the time. It was only about eight-twenty when he walked in, but Lenore was already there, working away industriously. She was cleaning the whole place it looked like.
    That was a good idea, so after he got the door unlocked he headed to the back, threw his coat on a chair in the big back room, which was empty, except for a binding circle around the node. That was silver and looked complex, glowing with power. He didn't know what it was meant to keep out, but when he stepped over it on a whim it became clear that it didn't have any effect on him at all. That was good, because it meant he could use the thing, if that was allowed at all. For a few minutes he just stared at it, changing his position a little every few seconds to see the different locations it was linked to. There had to be thousands of them. Maybe more than that. Millions. It was lovely and entrancing.
    Shaking his head a bit Zack decided to not get fired on his second day and hung up his jacket in the supply closet, then grabbed a roll of paper towel and window cleaner. He started on the outside of the glass and worked on every surface that might shine until nine, when he opened the door. Then he dusted and swept the whole place several times, until he wasn't collecting up anything.
    No one came in, or called at all, not even Lisa to see if Zack had actually bothered to show up on time. Just as he decided to risk mopping again the door opened, showing a cute Vampire girl holding a plastic tray with six small yoghurts on it.
    "Hi Zack! I brought some things for you to test for me. This is my Christmas collection. I think these are the tastiest, but if you'd give me your opinion? We need the best three. If they're no good, tell me. I can take it." She held the back of her left hand against her forehead dramatically as if she really couldn't. It was funny.
    Looking at the clock he nodded, figuring that he was supposed to get a break every now and then. It might be a little early, but if he turned down free food he was insane.
    Which he was, but not that level of crazy. Mirror Him spoke from the reflection in the top glass of the front counter, next to the register.
    "Damn. You know what it means when a chick feeds you right? She's looking for a little hot Zack action." After a few seconds he kept going. "Of course, in her case that action might just involve you and a straw, so be careful. She could just be fattening you up."
    It wasn't lost on him that an alternatively living person of her sort might just be doing that. He still needed the food.
    "Gladly. Thank you. I'm starving."
    She didn't comment on that part of things, handing the first container over.
    "Rum fruit cake. Spiced rum. I turned it into a syrup for the topping." It was a stunning design, the alcohol drizzled over the top. It wasn't strong, but it was clearly real and not rum flavoring. The spices contrasted nicely with the very tiny bits of minced candied fruit. There was no cake to it that he could find, just a blend of gram cracker crumbs and brown sugar.
    He pointed at it with the long handled spoon.
    "This, is amazing." He took several bites and then shook his head. "Also illegal. Unless you have a liquor license. If Lisa came in right now she'll have to fire me for drinking at work."
    The Vampire made a face.
    "Stupid laws. When I was a girl we could drink whatever we wanted. It might seem strange, but not everyone became an alcoholic or anything." She stopped moving for a few seconds, then pretended that he hadn't noticed her saying it. Like it was something he'd have missed, that her childhood had been at a different time than his own? "This one then. Nothing but candy and sugar, with cookies in it."
    It was eggnog flavored, but not the real kind and the sugar cookies were whole and tasted fresh. After a few bites he nodded at it.
    "This one, definitely. Unless one of the others cures cancer or something, I doubt you can beat