“I know you think I am just some stupid little girl who tricked Devon into turning me but I’m not. I am a straight-A student, I was going to go to Harvard on a full scholarship. I am disciplined. A dancer. Co-captain of the cheerleading squad. I am highly organized, and I have worked summer jobs in similar roles, not quite so grand, obviously.”
Grand?
“It will help me stay focused. I know I can do this. I know I can be responsible and organize your…”
I glare at her through narrowed eyes, hands on my hips as she trails off. My what?
“Week,” she says.
Humph. I will let her off. So, Harvard, eh? My old alma mater. Or at least one of them.
“A dancer?” I query.
“Ballet,” she says, and I am mildly impressed. “I will miss that the most, I think.”
Oh, now I know Devon has been telling stories about me as she tries to hide the hopeful look on her face. It becomes clear that this offer has come from Devon, and why. He wants her attentions focused anywhere but on him. They must have discussed it today before she fell asleep. He has given her all the ammo she needs to break through to me, as he knows exactly which buttons to push.
And, well, in all fairness, it hadn’t even occurred to me yet to replace Scott. Probably because Scott hasn’t told me to do it. Devon knows what I’m like and knows what I need. I clearly do need someone to organize me. Maybe this is a better idea than trying to convince her right off the bat to go find someone else to play with.
“It won’t be easy with your…limitation,” I tell her.
“I know. It is a challenge and I’m ready for it. I will prove to you that I’m good enough to be a part of your family,” she says boldly.
I am now a bit more than just mildly impressed with her confidence. That is, until she lowers her eyes and steps back a bit, hands in front of her. I know it is because CK has entered the room. It pisses me off. Where the Hell is the fear of me? No one seems to take any notice that I can incinerate them with my bare hands. So, I don’t actually know if I can do that as I haven’t been able to test it (obviously), but it is a working theory I have based on the collar I burnt to ash. Incinerate them with my t
rusty sword then, I amend to myself. But in swoops my sire, all intimidating and commandery and everyone starts to quake in their boots. I will have to ask him to teach me some of that. Although, I am sure I will be met with the response of him not knowing what I’m talking about.
“My sweet? Are you going to offer the girl the job or not?” he asks, kissing me chastely in front of her.
I turn back to her. “One week trial,” I say. “I don’t tolerate mistakes so if you make one you are out. And I think it goes without saying that everything you see, hear, read, learn, notice, glean, suspect, or otherwise, is to be dealt with in the strictest confidence. You say nothing to nobody, not even Devon. If anything gets leaked, I will know it is you.”
“Of course,” she says quickly, catching onto to my unsaid threat.
I smile and say, “Good.” I pull my sire down for a lingering kiss that he responds to with ease. I look back at her and she stares back at me innocently.
“I didn’t see anything,” she says.
I smile a genuine smile now. “Good girl. Go and get my iPad from Scott. He will fill you in.”
“Thank you, Mrs. O’Dell. I won’t let you down,” she says before she moves with Vampire speed to the door, desperate to be let out, but CK reaches out and grabs her, pulling her to a halt.
“Not so fast,” he says. She looks like she would rather be staked than stand there under his steely gaze. “I also think it goes without saying that if you do anything to jeopardize the safety and security of Liv, or any of us in any way, you will deal with me,” he says it quietly and matter-of-factly but she is petrified and nods stiffly. He grips her tighter.
“Yes, sir,” she stammers. He relaxes his grip but doesn’t let her go.
“I will escort you next door. There are too many humans between here and there.”
As in a whole world full, I frown at myself. Silly me. I should have remembered my own rule that I placed on her. See? I am useless. I need someone to help me. I’m going to miss Scott. Maybe I should rethink giving him my job.
“I don’t think that is necessary, my love,” CK says to me with a chuckle. “I am sure the girl will meet your needs adequately.”
Adequately? She had better bloody do better than that. I take his hand and he leads us out of the room. I close the door with the book lever and with a last lingering glance at the pool, I say to CK, “We didn’t get to talk. I told my husb…” I trail off and shake my head. “I told Cole I was coming here to speak to you.” My brain feels a bit muffled and I frown again, rubbing in between my eyes roughly. CK is peering at me curiously as I open my eyes again. He quickly drops his shutters back in place though. “What was I saying?” I ask him.
“Are you okay, my love?” he asks in concern.
“Yes, I think so. I must be tired. I need to feed. It’s been a while.” Too long, I add to myself. “Take me home, please,” I ask, not wanting to use up the additional energy to Astral myself.
“Of course,” he says and takes my hand again. HeTeleports the three of us into my den at home.