The Dead Girls' Dance (The Morganville Vampires 2)

He was talking about Claire.

Im not a kid, Mr. Collins, Claire said, and clambered to her feet. She felt awkward, all strings and wires, nothing working right. Her heart was hammering so hard, it hurt to breathe. I live here. My name is Claire Danvers. Im a student at the university.

Are you. He didnt make it a question. You look a little young.

Advanced placement, sir. Im sixteen.

Sweet sixteen. Mr. Collins smiled again, or tried tothe scar pulled the right side of his mouth down. Never been kissed, Ill bet.

She felt her face go red. Couldnt stop it, or keep herself from looking at Shane. Shanes jaw was set tight, muscles fluttering. He wasnt looking at anything in particular.

Oho! So its like that. Well, you watch yourself around the jailbait, my boy. Still, Shanes dad looked weirdly pleased. My names Frank Collins. Guess you figured out that Im this ones father, eh? Used to live in Morganville. Ive been gone a few years now.

Since the fire, Claire said, and swallowed hard. Since Alyssa died. AndShanes mom? Because Shane had never said a word about her.

Molly died later, Mr. Collins said. After we left. Murdered by the vamps.

Chapter Two

Eve spoke for the first timea soft, tentative voice. How did you remember? About Morganville, after you left town? I thought nobody did, once they left.

Molly remembered, Mr. Collins replied. Little bit at a time. She couldnt forget Lyssa, and that opened the door, inch by inch, until it was all there. So we knew what we had to do. We had to bring it down. Bring it all down. Right, boy?

Shane nodded. It didnt look like agreement so much as a wish not to get smacked for disagreeing.

So we spent time preparing, and then I sent Shane here back to Morganville to map the town for us, identify targets, do all the stuff we wouldnt have time to do once we rolled in. Couldnt wait any longer once he yelled for help, though. Came running.

Shane looked sick. He wouldnt look at Eve, or Claire, or Michaels body. Or his father. He juststared. There were tear tracks on his cheeks, but Claire couldnt remember seeing him cry, really.

What are you going to do? Claire asked faintly.

First thing, I guess we bury that, Mr. Collins said, and nodded toward Michaels shrouded body. Shane, best you stay out of the way

No! No, dont you touch him! I want to do it!

Mr. Collins gave him a long frowning look. You know what were going to have to dohe glanced at Eve and Claireto make sure he doesnt come back.

Thats folklore, Dad. You dont have to

Thats the way were going to do things. The right way. I dont want your friend coming back at me next time the sun goes down.

What is he talking about? Claire whispered to Eve. Sometime in the last few minutes, Eve had gotten up to stand next to her, and their hands were clasped. Claires fingers felt cold, but Eves were like ice.

Hes going to put a stake in his heart, Eve said numbly. Right?

And garlic in his mouth? And

You dont need all the details, Mr. Collins interrupted. Lets get this done, then. And once were finished, Shanes going to draw us a map of where to find the high-rolling vampires of Morganville.

Dont you know? Claire asked. You lived here.

Doesnt work like that, little girl. Vamps dont trust us. They move aroundthey have all kinds of Protection to keep themselves safe from retribution. But my boys found a way. Right, Shane?

Right, Shane said. His voice sounded absolutely flat. Lets get this done.

ButShane, you cant

Eve, shut up. Dont you get it? Theres nothing we can do for Michael now. And if hes dead, it wont matter what we do to him. Right?

You cant! Eve yelled it. He isnt dead!

Well, Mr. Collins said, I guess thatll be his problem when we plant a stake in him and chop off his head.

Eve screamed into her clenched fists, and collapsed to her knees. Claire tried to hold her up, but she was more solid than she looked. Shane instantly whirled and crouched next to her, hovering protectively and glaring at his father and the two motorcycle dudes standing guard over Michaels body.

Youre a bastard, he said flatly. I told you, Michael was no threat to you before, and hes no threat now. You killed him already. Let it go.

For answer, Shanes father nodded to his two friendsaccomplices?who then reached down, seized hold of Michaels body, and dragged him out and around the corner to the kitchen door. Shane bolted back to his feet.

His father stepped into his path and backhanded him across the face, hard enough to stagger him. Shane put up his palmsdefense, not offense. Claires heart sank.

Dont, Shane panted. Dont, Dad. Please dont.

His father lowered the fist hed raised for a second blow, looked down at his son, and turned away. Shane stood there, shaking, eyes cast down, until his fathers footsteps moved away, toward the kitchen.

Then Shane spun around, lunged forward, and grabbed Claire and Eve by the arms. Come on! he hissed, and towed them both stumbling toward the stairs. Move!

But, Claire protested. She looked over her shoulder. Shanes father had gone to look out the window, presumably at whatever they were doing in the backyard (oh God) to Michaels body. Shane

Upstairs, he said. He didnt leave them much choice; Shane was a big guy, and this time he was using his muscle. By the time Claire got herself together, they were upstairs, in the hallway, and Shane was shoving open the door to Eves room. Inside, girls. Lock the door. I mean it. Dont open it for anybody but me.

ButShane!

He turned to Claire, took hold of both of her shoulders in those big hands, and leaned forward to plant a warm kiss on her forehead. You dont know these guys, he said. Youre not safe. Juststay in there until I get back.

Eve, looking dazed, murmured, You have to stop them. You cant let them hurt Michael!

Shane locked eyes with Claire, and she saw the grim sadness. Yeah, he said. Well, thats pretty much done. JustI have to look out for you now. Its what Michael wants.

Before Claire could summon up anything else in protest, he pushed her back over the threshold and slammed the door. He banged on it once with his fist. Lock it!

She reached up and flipped the dead bolt, then turned the old-fashioned key, as well. She stayed where she was, because she could feel, somehow, that Shane hadnt moved away.

Shane? Claire pressed herself against the door, listening. She thought she could hear his uneven breathing. Shane, dont let him hurt you again. Dont.

She heard a breathless sound that was more like a sob than a laugh. Yeah, Shane agreed faintly. Right.

And then she heard his footsteps moving away, down the hall to the stairs.

Eve was sitting on her bed, staring into space. The room smelled like a fireplace, thanks to the fire that had raged next door, in Claires room, but there was only some smoke damage, nothing really serious. And besides, with all the black Goth stuff everywhere, you couldnt even really tell.