Always the Vampire

“Maggie, the vampires aren’t a problem. The danger is one of the girls letting it slip to Neil that you and Jessica—”

“Danced with vampires and enjoyed it. And with her carrying twins. Damn. I didn’t mention our partners to Neil when I called home last night. Did you tell Saber?”

“Yes, but I swore him to secrecy.”

“Good. Except for you, Neil doesn’t trust vamps. No point in upsetting him.” She bit her lip, her expression pleadingly hopeful. “How about this? You enthrall the girls and wipe that part of their collective memories.”

“How about you go be with your friends and I’ll think about it.”

I hustled Maggie out, shaking my head. Me enthrall and wipe memories? That was like asking a slasher to do brain surgery.





A few hours of beach time were followed by a few hours of rest, and then we met in the hotel lobby to hit a seafood restaurant that had been highly recommended. The conversation flowed easily, more lazily than it had on Friday. I chalked up the calmer energy to spending the afternoon in the sun. Whatever the cause, I figured we’d have a quiet night. Perhaps talking in Maggie’s suite.

I figured wrong, and at nine o’clock we were back at the Painted Lady. Ken and David were there before us and immediately whisked most of the party to the dance floor. If either vampire had heard from Candy Crushman, neither gave any indication.

Or they didn’t until the ladies decided to call it a night, and David and Ken again escorted us to our SUVs. While the women loaded themselves into the cars, the males politely pulled me aside.

“Princess,” Ken said, his tone even, his expression serious. He seemed to choose his words carefully. “We understand you checked up on us, and we understand why.”

I fingered my silver necklace and tried not to gulp.

“Candy talked with you?”

David nodded. “Scuttlebutt has it you know what made our former master ill and that you’re on a mission to stop it from killing the rest of us.”

I searched their faces. “Are either of you sick?”

“We’re healthy. We just aim to thank you.”

I shook my head. “Guys, I’m only one of a number of people trying to stop the infection.”

“Still, ma’am, we appreciate it. You need anything, you call.”

I had to smile. “Call in the Marines?”

“Ooh-rah,” David said.

Ken nodded and handed me a business card. “Semper Fi, ma’am.”

Ken and David’s cell numbers were neatly printed on the back.





Thanks to a special late checkout time, I got to sleep until three Sunday afternoon. Maggie wasn’t in a tearing hurry to get home, so with the amulet tucked safely in the back pocket of my jean shorts, we hit a dozen garage sales en route and rolled into her driveway shortly after six.

When I offered to help her tackle any wedding RSVPs that had come in, she waved me away. Maybe because Neil had stepped onto the wide wrap-around porch. Talk about a pheromone spike.

“We’ve heard from most people,” she said. “Let’s put it off a day or two.”

I laughed. “Fine. Have fun with your hunk of burnin’ love.”

“You, too,” she said with a wink.

But Saber wasn’t in the cottage.

I propped my little pink bag against the kitchen door frame, but my cell rang before I could pluck the note I spied off the fridge.

“Hey, Princesca,” Saber murmured. “I missed you.”

“So why aren’t you here to show me how much?” I murmured back as I sank into a retro kitchen chair. Ouch. The amulet bit into my butt as it hadn’t in the plush seats of Neil’s car, and I dug it out of my pocket.

“Because Cosmil asked if Lia could stay at my place. She’ll be landing about four tomorrow afternoon.”

“Ah, and you’re cleaning the house.” Which shouldn’t take long, I mused as I spun the amulet on the kitchen table. He kept a neater house than I did—and he hadn’t been living at his place for over a week. “I’m surprised Cosmil isn’t going for safety in numbers. He could always conjure up a bedroom and bath addition to the shanty.”

“I’d love to see that, but Cosmil seems to think Lia will want her privacy.”

“Or maybe Pandora has a jealous streak and doesn’t want another female shacking up with her wizard.”

“Lame joke, Cesca.”

“Long weekend, Saber. Are you about finished cleaning?”

“Yeah, but I found a problem with the hot tub. I want to fix it now, so I’ll be here awhile.”

“Want me to come over and help?”

“Thanks, but no. I need to run out to Cosmil’s when I finish, so I’ll pick up something to eat before I come back to your place.”

“Get more food and litter for Snowball, too.”

“Got it.”

“By the way, what’s Lia going to do for transportation? Will we be shuttling her around?”

“Not a clue, honey. I figure Cosmil has something up his sleeve.”

“So long as it’s not my SSR.”