Always the Vampire

“Like what?” he asked cautiously.

“Like mention that a wizard killed three of Vlad’s vampires.”

“You know what they say, oh, Forgiving One. What happens in the nest—”

“Stays in the nest. That’s horse hockey, Jo-Jo.”

“Not entirely. You didn’t ask me for details of my nest life. You only pinned me down about the protection money Vlad and other head vamps were paying to that offshore account. And I didn’t know much about that.” He paused. “You mentioned the wizard. Have you run into him?”

“Not yet. We’re hunting him and something he created.”

“Then the rumors are true.”

“What rumors?” I tensed, fearing that David or Ken had been telling tales, even though my instincts denied they would betray us.

He sighed. “The vampire bloodvine has it that most of the Florida vamps are sick and that you’re tracking what’s infecting them.”

“How do you know about the vamps in Florida?”

“They don’t call, they don’t text, and their friends are worried. I’m not keen about coming back to town for this movie if I’m likely to get sick.”

“You probably won’t. Not if we can help it.”

“Princess, what did you really call about?”

I took a deep breath and took the plunge. “I need to know how to Turn someone.”

“Saber?” Jo-Jo asked anxiously. “Is he mortally injured?”

“No, no. Not yet. I mean, maybe not at all, but he’s begged me to Turn him if there’s no other option.”

“And you don’t know how?”

“I never saw the process, and the other vampires I know well enough to ask either aren’t available right now or are too young to have Turned anyone.”

“I hate to break this to you, but I’ve never Turned a human, either.”

“Jo-Jo, come on,” I cajoled, brushing my still-damp hair out of my face. “You’ve been around since the Middle Ages.”

“Can you see me being responsible for another vampire? I promise you, Your Royalness, I’ve never Turned a soul, and I can’t tell you what I don’t know. Maybe you can find instructions on the Internet. Every other piece of information under the moon and stars is there.”

He had a point, several of them. But trust Saber’s successful Turning to an Internet step-by-step? I wasn’t that desperate.

“Jo-Jo, do you know someone who could help me?”

“I could ask around, but I’m not exactly best buds with any vamps.”

“Ask soon, will you? I need an answer in the next two days.”

“Nothing like performing under pressure. Okay, I’ll see what I can do, but no promises, Princess.”

We disconnected, and I laid my head in my arms with a soft moan. Could I count on Jo-Jo coming through? No. Not that he’d blow me off. He might truly not know a source to ask. I’d already considered broaching the subject with David and Ken, but I doubted they had any expertise in the subject. One, they were relatively young. Two, they’d experienced only nest life. Vlad wouldn’t have allowed his nestlings to go around Turning people. I sure couldn’t imagine the Clarkes Turning anyone. Not with dentures, for heaven’s sake.

In the end, I looked on the Internet. Lo and behold, there were fifty hits that actually looked viable. The problem was that, similar as the instructions were, I doubted their accuracy. Why? Because every site carried a litany of disclaimers and side effects that rivaled the medicines advertised on TV.

I didn’t crawl into bed filled with confidence, but I had to trust that my instincts and my heart would lead me if worse came to worst.





Wednesday. Middle of the workweek. Hump Day. Three days from the wedding. Two days from the rehearsal.

Two days from destiny.

Okay, I was being a bit dramatic but not by much.

I’d awakened at ten thirty, dressed, and played with Snowball while Saber ate his cereal.

“We need to clean out the fridge or take some of your food to your place on Friday.”

“The caterer still plans to use your kitchen?”

“And Daphne will store the cake here.”

“Then we need to take Snowball home, too. You need any help with your maid duties? I’m at loose ends today.”

“You could help me make calls and do the laundry. With all the training and late hours, our workout clothes have piled up.”

“Do you want to clean the house while we’re at it? Have it nice for all the people who’ll be in here Saturday?”

“We might as well. Just in case we don’t, uh, get back to it.”

He rose to rinse his bowl and spoon, then pulled me from the chair. “Come on. No point in dwelling on what might happen or when. Let’s get our chores done, and leave time for a little afternoon loving.”

“I meet with Maggie at four after the housecleaning crew is gone.”

“I’m flexible.”

“Don’t I know it.”

He slapped my butt, and I danced out of reach.