Page 112 of Vampire so Virtuous

The assembly began to break up. Some vampires went straight for the door, while Minh and those in his alliance headed for a far corner of the room.

Belle rose from the table, glancing his way, but Leonard engaged her in conversation.

“I think that’s my cue,” Antoine said to Gabe. “I’ll leave you to do themingling—you’re much better at it than I am.”

“Perhaps this is an opportunity for you to practice those skills.”

“Thanks, but I’ll pass,” Antoine said. “I’m feeling the urge to recruit more thralls.”

“Very well.” He clasped Antoine’s arm. “Stay in the shadows.”

“You too.”

Twenty-seven – Cally

Cally awoke to the smell of coffee, and Eve sitting on the edge of her bed.

“You’re cute when you sleep.”

“You’re weird for watching me.”

Eve grinned. “No I’m not. Anyone would.”

They both froze, the banter landing wrong in light of where they were. Cally pulled the duvet up beneath her chin.

“Sorry,” Eve said. “Mouth ran away from brain. But I’m sure he hasn’t been in here.”

“Yeah? What makes you so certain?”

“Well… don’t you need to invite him across a threshold?”

“First, he’s fine with garlic, silver, crosses, UV light and wandering around in daylight, so why would a doorframe make a difference? Second, it’s his damn house, and he’s already inside it.”

“Not my fault. Brain doesn’t work before I’ve finished my first cup.” Eve was holding two, and offered the other to Cally.

She sat up in the bed and accepted it. “What time is it?” There were no clocks in the room, and her phone battery had died.

“About ten to seven.”

Cally blinked. Eve was already dressed—in yesterday’s clothes. “Why up so early?”

“Unlike you, sweetheart, some of us have to actually work.”

“I work,” Cally protested, taking a sip of coffee.

“You workfrom home, and we both know you finish everything in about a third of the time they give you.” She frowned. “And I’ve known you for fifteen years, and still don’t know what you do.”

“‘Course you do.” Another sip of coffee; it was helping.

“I really don’t. ‘Computers’ isn’t an answer, you know.”

“Yes you do,” Cally said patiently. “Remember when I had to go to Chicago last year?”

“Oh. For the bank thing?”

“Yes. They got hacked, right?”

“Oh yeah. Security stuff, right?”