The Dead Girls' Dance (The Morganville Vampires 2)

Fifty years. She was talking to an at-least-seventy-year-old man, with skin finer than hers. With a gorgeous, unlined face, and eyes that had seenwellmore than she ever would, most likely. Fifty years? How old are you? she blurted, because it was seriously freaking her out.

Seventy-two. Im the youngest, he said.

In town?

In the world. He fiddled with the sugar container on the table. Vampires are dying out, you know. Thats why were here, in Morganville. We were being slaughtered out there, in the world. But even here, Amelies only made two new vampires in the last hundred and fifty years. He looked up slowly and met her eyes, and this time, she felt an echo of that thing Brandon did, that compulsion that held her in place. I know how it looks to you, because Ive been there. I was born in Morganville; I grew up Protected. I know it sucks to be you around here. Youre slaves. Just because you dont wear chains and get branded doesnt make you any less slaves.

She flashed on an image of Shanes mother, dead in the bathtub. And if we run, you kill us, she whispered. She would have expected him to flinch, or have some kind of reaction to that, but Sams expression didnt change at all.

Sometimes, he said. But Claire, it isnt like we want to. Were trying to survive, thats all. You understand?

Claire could almost see him standing there, looking down at Shanes mom as she bled to death. Hed have that same gentle, sad look in his eyes. Molly Collins would have been just a pet he had to put down, that was all, and it wouldnt matter to him enough to make him lose a nights sleep. If vampires slept. Which she was starting to doubt.

She stood up so fast, her chair hit the wall with a clatter. Sam leaned back, surprised, as she grabbed up her backpack. Oh, I understand, Claire said through gritted teeth. I cant trust any of you. You want to know how Amelie is? Go ask. Theres probably a good reason why she wont talk to you!

Claire!

She stiff-armed open the door and escaped into the day. She looked back to see Sam standing there at the edge of the strip of sunlight inside Common Grounds, staring after her with an expression on his face like hed lost his besthis onlyfriend.

Dammit, she was not any vampires friend. She couldnt be. And she wasnt going to be, ever.

Chapter Eleven

Claire decided on the way home that maybe it wouldnt be a good idea to blurt all of it out to Shanenot about Monica, or his dad, or the vampire Sam. Instead, she made dinner (tacos) and waited for Michael to rejoin the world. Which he did, as soon as the sun was safely under the horizon, and looked just as normal and angelic as ever.

She somehow got the message across to him that she needed to talk in private, which resulted in Michael drying dishes in the kitchen while she washed up. How that happened, she wasnt sureit wasnt her turnbut the warm water and smooth suds were kind of soothing.

Did you tell Shane about Monica? Michael asked when she was done relating the days events. He didnt seem bothered, but then, it took a lot to faze Michael. He might have been wiping the plates a little too thoroughly, though.

No, she said. He gets a little, you know, about her.

Yeah, he does. Okay, you need to be careful, you know that,right? Id ask Shane to go with you to class, but

But thats probably what she wants, Claire finished, and handed him another plate. To get us both together so she can use us against each other. Right?

Michael nodded, eyebrows going up. All she has to do is grab you and shes got him. So be careful. Imnot much use, outside of here. Or any use, actually.

She felt bad for the flash of anger in his eyesit wasnt directed at her but at himself. He hated this. Hated being trapped here while his friends needed him.

Ill be fine, she said. I got a new cell phone. Mom and Dad sent it.

Good. Youve got us all on speed dial?

One, two, and three. And 911 on four.

Sweet. Michael hip-bumped her. How are classes?

Okay. She couldnt work up any enthusiasm for them right at the moment. Were not talking about Shanes dad?

Nothing to talk about, he said. You stay out of Common Grounds, and stay away from Oliver. If Shanes dad was in there, he was probably just taking a look around. Oliver might have sent him on his way. He does a good regular-guy act. Michael ought to know, Claire reflected. Oliver had done a good enough regular-guy act to charm his way into the house, where hed killed Michael, trying to make him a vampire. The house had saved Michaelpartly. A kind of supernatural apology for having failed to protect him in the first place. The house did things like that. It was creepy, and occasionally flat-out scary, but it was at least mostly loyal to whoever was in residence.

Oliver, thoughOliver was loyal to Oliver. And that was about it.

So we do nothing? Claire asked.

We do the best nothing youve ever seen. Michael put the last plate away and tossed the towel over his shoulder like a bartender going on break. Meaning, you do nothing, Claire. Thats an order.

She gave him a cockeyed mock salute. Yes, sir, sorry, sir.

He sighed. I liked you better when you were this timid little kid. What happened?

I started living with you guys.

Oh, right.

He fluffed her hair, smiled, and ambled off toward the living room. Its game night, he said. I made Shane swear, no video games tonight. I think hes blowing the dust off of Monopoly. I wouldnt let him have Risk. He gets crazy with Risk.

Didnt they all?

So, I got a new job, Eve said brightly as they sat on the floor around the Monopoly board. Shane was kicking ass, but Michael had the railroads; Eve and Claire were just mostly watching their money stacks dwindle. No wonder people like this game, Claire thought. Its just like life.

You got a job already? Shane asked as Michael rattled the dice in his hand and then tossed them out on the faded, warped board. Jeez, Eve, throw the brakes on full employment. Youre making me look bad.

Shane Collins, permanent slacker. If youd book more than one interview a month, and actually, you know, show up to them, you might get a job, too.

Oh, so now youre a career counselor?

Bite me. Youre not even going to ask me where?

Sure, Michael said as he moved his cannon across four squares. Where?Oh, crap.

Thatll be five hundred, my man. And extra for clean towels in the hotel. Shane held out his palm.

I got hired at the university, Eve said, watching Michael count out cash and hand it over to Shane. In the student union coffee shop. I even got a raise.

Congratulations! Claire said. And youre not working for an evil vampire. Bonus.

Bosswise, a definite step up. I mean, hes a slack-jawed loser with bad breath and a drinking problem, but that pretty much describes most of the male population of Morganville.

Hey! both Shane and Michael chorused, and Eve gave them both a brilliant grin.