By now, the vamps had either regained consciousness and left or called for backup. She'd lost the element of surprise.
"We'll come back tomorrow," Brandon said.
"Hmm. I guess." She turned away.
"This is good. One solid week without an episode." He lowered the iPad. Two years older than her, he, too, was a Natural, one capable of mind control and also under the tutelage of Xander, the vamp who married their cousin Jessi several years before.
Ashley ignored him. As strong and fast as she was, her skill often came at a price, one she didn't want to be reminded of after her successful night battling vamps and rescuing people.
But she did dwell on the necklace. It was simple and inexpensive, a gold letter A on a thin chain. It had been one of the last gifts her mother gave her before the car accident that killed both her parents and placed her and Brandon under the care of their cousin, Jessi, who had adopted them.
"Dammit. I wish I hadn't lost it."
"Daylight. After classes we'll go find it," Brandon promised her. "Was I right? Four vamps, three humans?"
"Yep. Right again," she replied.
He smiled, pleased. "My Natural gift is getting stronger."
"And freakier," she added. "Being around Xander is bad enough. You having mind manipulation skills isn't quite right."
"Yeah, it kinda sucks sometimes," he said with a frown. "Especially on the dating front."
"At least you have dates!"
"If you weren't obsessed with vamps, you would, too. But I'm glad you prefer vamps to guys. I don't know what Xander or I would do if you ever brought home a serious date."
She'd imagined every scenario possible if that were to happen, and the results were always the same: her date got eaten by the resident vamp living with her cousin or had his mind erased by Brandon. Not that she was interested in guys really anyway. Not since Jonny. She hadn't been able to consider dating after how he'd twisted her up inside and nearly destroyed her life.
Turnabout is fair play, she told herself content to know she'd beaten up a few of his vamps. The cool ocean breeze rolled off the bay and swept past her, cooling her down after her exercise. She breathed it in deeply and started to relax.
"Got another phone," she said and dug it out of her pocket to pass it off to Brandon.
"Awesome." He accepted it. "Not a burner. Even better. Might be able to get some real information off this one."
"Just tell me where to go to beat up vamps," she replied.