Penny, Mary Ann said, slack-jawed. Loosely translated: Rude!
What? her friend asked, all innocence. Im curious. Ask any teacher here. Curiosity is for the learning-inclined.
Victoria glanced between them. American food isunappetizing. Another translation: Because it wasnt blood. I prefer to eat at home.
I dig. Penny nodded, clearly buying the misdirection. Wherere you from, anyway?
Romania.
Spooky. Your accent isnt thick, though. Lots of traveling? One parent from someplace else?
Victoria nodded, noncommittal.
Blithely Penny continued. So whyd you move to Oklahoma, of all places? Isnt that, like, hickville to someone like you?
Enough with the inquisition, Mary Ann said on a sigh. Victoria had only attended the school for a few weeks, but the vampire had held herself aloof from everyone except Aden, Mary Ann and Riley all that time because she hadnt known how long she would be here or what her father, Vlad, would order her to do. And really, she considered humans a food source, not a playground of friendliness. Though Mary Ann liked to think the vampire was softening because of Aden. Aden. Where are you? Had Riley found him already?
Riley. Hurry up! Every minute he was away, her worry for him increased. And for Aden, of course. With that dumb death curse hanging over their headsoh, God. She hadnt needed the reminder on top of everything else. Couldntbreathe
Shed been on edge all day. Shed been distracted, too, and had no idea what her first three classes had even covered.
Victorias gaze met hers, and they shared a moment of silent communication.
Entertain me, Mary Ann mouthed.
I cant. You entertain me, Victoria mouthed back.
This sucks.
I know. And not the good kind.
A joke. The first shed ever heard Victoria tell, though she doubted Victoria realized the humor of her statement. Mary Anns lips twitched into a grin. Entertainment achieved. Intended or not.
When will this day end? an exasperated Victoria asked everyone at the table.
Not soon enough, Penny muttered.
Why was she muttering now? Shed seemed so carefree only a minute ago.
IIlike it here, Shannon said, stuttering slightly. Hed admitted to being teased about that stutter his entire life, but it was getting less pronounced every day. You know how r-rare it is to meet someone who accepts you for who you are?
Now she did. Now that she knew she merely calmed people with otherworldly powers, and they werent actually charmed by her. But whatever. Riley liked her for herself. Oh, the things hed said to her this morning. Pretty. Brave. Caring. Shed be getting high off those compliments for weeks.
She moved her gaze through the room. Kids shuffled all around them, either running to get in a linetacos and pizza slices were on todays menuor trying to find their friends in the vast bench-filled cavern that was the cafeteria. Plain white walls circled them, livened up (or marred, depending on your perspective) by the occasional poster proclaiming school spirit. The noise level was high today and suddenly scraped at Mary Anns nerves.
Hey, Penny. Wanna come to my house later? a jock asked as he strutted past their table. The boys around him chuckled. We can study anatomy.
Pennys cheeks reddened.
Jackass, Mary Ann shouted, her hands fisting. Some of the conversations around her tapered to quiet, and many sets of eyes pinned her in place. Cussing was unlike her, but the word had just sprung from her, unstoppable.
Penny was pregnant. With Mary Anns ex-boyfriends baby. That had been hard to get over, since the two had cheated on her. And really, she was still dealing with lingering feelings of hurt and distrust, but she loved Penny and was working on forgiveness. Still. That didnt make her friend a slut, nor did it mean these boys had a right to tease her.
The jocks stopped, facing Mary Ann as one. A frowning Shane Weston stepped to the front, big and strong and clearly angry. You better shut your mouth, Gray. Tucker isnt here to protect you anymore.
Mary Ann opened her mouth to reply, but no words emerged. Coward! Say something. Anything. She remained still, silent. Shed never been any good at confrontation, and now, when she needed the courage Riley had praised, she found none. Shame filled her.
Thats what I thought, Shane said with a laugh.
G-get the h-hell out of here, Shannon suddenly growled.
What? Are we making you angry, and we wont like you when youre angry? Whatever, Stutter. Laughing again, Shane and his gang wandered off.
Shall I kill him for you? Victoria asked without any inflection in her tone.
Yes, Penny snapped as Mary Ann rushed out, No. Penny had no idea that Victoria really would do it. Her fangs were hidden right now, but she could drain Shane Weston dry in seconds.
Victoria shrugged. If you change your mind
We need to change Mary Anns mind. Im all for jockicide. Penny pushed to her feet as if she hadnt a care, but hurt lingered in her eyes. Anyway, Ive got a paper due next hour, and I havent even started it.
N-need help? Shannon asked, standing before she could answer.
He meant to protect her, Mary Ann realized, in case anyone else insulted her. That brought tears to her eyes, because dang it, she missed her own protector.
Penny blinked in surprise, but strode around the table and linked their arms. Sure. You any good with Sylvia Plath?
No.
Excellent. You can help me make everything up.
They laughed as they walked off, Penny throwing a smile and finger-wave over her shoulder at Mary Ann.
Alone at last.
Mary Ann propped her elbows on the table and leaned toward Victoria. Weve got to work on yourhumanness. Was that even a word?
The vampire furrowed her brow. What do you mean?
You cant just go around offering to kill people. Thatll get you into all kinds of trouble.
She raised her chin, and Mary Ann caught a glimpse of her stubborn core. I welcome trouble.
Fine. But Aden doesnt, Mary Ann reminded her.
Gradually, Victorias chin fell. Youre right. She pushed out another sigh. Sometimes I wonder if Im the right girl for him. If perhaps she twirled her fingertip over the tabletop, tracing some sort of design you wouldnt be better suited for him.
Are you kidding? One, Victoria might have phrased the words like a suggestion, but there had been fury in her tone. And two, Mary Ann adored Aden, but she didnt crave him the way she craved Riley. That boy worships you.
Some of the tension left Victorias shoulders. Yes, but sometimes, when were all together, youll laugh and hell watch you, and there will be suchlonging on his face. When that happens, I want to rip out your trachea. Sorry, but its true.
Okay. Shed been close to dying before the curse, and had had no idea. Perfect. I can tell you for sure that he doesnt like me as a girlfriend. Aden and Iwe will only ever be friends. Our different She looked around, making sure no one was listening. Everyone seemed to be going about their day, eating and talking, unconcerned about her and her conversation. Our different abilities make us want to run from each other most of the time. Its a miracle were even friends. Besides, can you imagine wanting to kiss the guy who housed your mom?
Victoria shook her head, but still didnt appear completely convinced.
Maybe that longing shows up because he wants to make you laugh like that. Lets face it, Ive known you for weeks and Ive seen you smile once. Maybe. You might have been grimacing.
Now Victoria blinked over at her. Are you saying Imdepressing?
Will you want to rip out my trachea if I am?
Crystalline eyes narrowed. Maybe, but I wont allow myself the luxury.
Thank you. Then, yes. I am. Justlighten up, maybe. Tell a joke every now and then. Adens had a lot of seriousness in his life, you know? A lot of bad. Now he needs good.
What? Youre a doctor now? Well, she had always wanted to help people.
II Well, I hate that the boys think its okay to leave us behind. Clearly, the subject of humor was closed. They treat us like were damsels in distress. Like Mary Ann, Victoria propped her elbows on the table. She rested her chin in her upraised hand.
Mary Ann didnt know if the girl would take her advice or not. Time would tell. I agree, she replied, allowing the change of topic without comment. And its irritating. But you are a damsel in distress, and thats the real reason you find it irritating. Proof: she hadnt punched Shane in the nose like hed deserved.
Disgusted with herself, Mary Ann pushed her tray aside, even the scent of the pepperoni pizza suddenly hurting her stomach. She should be starving by now, she mused. First shed skipped breakfast, and now lunch. But shed been unable to think about taking a bite without wanting to barf.
I mean, I understand that I can do a lot of good here, Victoria continued, unaware of her inner turmoil. I can protect you, of course. And Ive convinced all of Adens teachers that hes here today so that he wont get into trouble and be kicked out of the ranch.
Victoria could make anyone do or believe anything she wished with only her voice. Mary Ann secretly called the ability Voice Voodoo and nearly peed her pants in fear every time she thought about it. Stripping in public just because a vampire told her to? Yeah, it could happen. That, and a lot worse. Thank God they were on the same side.
The litany of her skills persisted. Im also a trained fighter. More than that, I cant be hurt. Im an indestructible vampire, for Gods sake.
Mary Ann didnt bother to point out that her fatheran indestructible vampirehad just been killed. Or that her former fiancéan indestructible vampirehad soon followed Vlad the Impaler to the grave.
First, you dont need to protect me. Im not helpless, Mary Ann said, her irritation clear. Didnt you just admit to yourself that you are, in fact, a damsel in distress? And isnt a damsel in distress, what? Helpless. Theres no need for you to play babysitter.
Victoria uttered a dejected sigh. I didnt mean to offend you. Im new to interacting with humans. You have always been my food source, nothing more. Or rather, my delicate, easily destroyed food source. Her lips twitched there at the end.
A grin? Now?
Victoria was attempting to joke with her, just as Mary Ann had instructed, but Mary Anns shoulders slumped in nervousness rather than amusement. Here was yet another reminder of the death and destruction that could be waiting around the corner. A vampire could drain a human in seconds. A werewolf could rip human skin into shreds. But
Maybe there was a way to fight them.
The stray thought had her tilting her head, considering her options. She didnt want to fight Victoria or Riley, of course, but she did need to learn how to defend herself. Then maybe theyd see her as more a help than a hindrance.
What if she began at the exact same time as Victoria said, Riley told us
Mary Ann laughed. You first.
I was saying that Riley told us to stay here, but that doesnt mean we have to obey him. I mean, he and Aden might need us. And if we save them, theyll have to thank us for coming to their rescue.
Slowly Mary Ann smiled. True. Where would we go, though? How would we find them?
I would Victoria stiffened, frowned, then blinked. Did you hear that?
Listening, Mary Ann glanced around the cafeteria. Same kids, same inane chatter. Hear what?
That scream. The vampire massaged her throat with one of her hands. So much painIve never heard anything like it. She jumped up, her chair skidding backward. And I thinkI think it belonged to Aden.
Mary Ann was on her feet in the next instant, as well, heart hammering, blood chilling. Something hot and hard banded around her wrist, and then a strong breeze was ruffling her hair. Her feet lost their solid foundation, and suddenly she was floating, flying. She yelped in shock.
The kids, the tables, even the walls around her vanished. In a snap, thick tree trunks and orange-gold leaves took their place. Sunlight gleamed from the gray sky, murky, yet still too bright for her startled eyes.
An unruffled Victoria stood beside her.
What just happened? Mary Ann rasped. And why did she feel like she was going to fall over and vomit? Black spots replaced the light as her stomach churned mercilessly.
I teleported us to the forest. I can only travel short distances, so well need to do this several more times before we can reach the ranch.
Wait. Theyd just teleported? Out of school? Did anyonesee us? God. Now she couldnt breathe, the air freezing in her nose before reaching her lungs.
Im not sure. Well find out tomorrow.
Great, she thought, swaying with her sudden light-headedness. A littlewarning next time. Okay? She hunched over, sweat pouring from her, even though that winter storm was raging inside her veins.
Mary Ann?
Yes?
Heres your warning.
Once again a hot brand circled her wrist. Once again the ground disappeared from beneath her. Once again she was floating, flying, wind ripping through her, splitting her into thousands of pieces, then fitting her back together again in an instant.
This time when she focused, she realized they were in a neighborhood. Small, kind of rundown houses surrounded her. Those pesky blackbirds were squawking and flying in every direction, as if something had startled them. Next to her was a streetwith a car driving past. The driver rubbernecked, trying to look at them as long as possible. Had he seen them appear out of nowhere?
Hell think he made a mistake. Dont worry about that now. Dontjustrest Wordsform properly, damn it!
Another cuss word. Excellent. At this rate, shed soon sound like every other kid at school.
No time to mourn that development, however. The black spots were expanding in front of her eyes, thickening, some of the circles now touching. The snowstorm inside her raged out of control, becoming a blizzard, and she shivered. Ice. Her new most-hated thing.