Page 67 of Top Secret Vampire

“That doll.” The words burst out of me, my voice rising in pitch. It was late-afternoon, and Wolfram and I sat on the sofa, making out. We did that a lot lately. We’d nearly lost each other and there was no getting over that.

Wolfie leaned back from me, one eyebrow lifting. “Has the thrill waned, my love?”

I pursed my lips. “What do you mean by that?”

“My kisses aren’t distracting you enough. I will admit, I’m slightly offended that you’re thinking of that doll when I’m touching you.”

If his eyes weren’t sparkling with joy, I’d be worried. Instead, I laughed. “Oh, you’re an amazing distraction. But that doll!”

He sighed. “What about that doll?”

“Remember how Margaret said it’s not worth as much because someone did a repair on the back?”

“I can’t see where this detail is more exciting than my kisses.”

My lips twitched with humor. “What if it wasn’t torn?”

His fingers paused on my nape that he’d been stroking. Highly distracting. If the idea hadn’t occurred to me, I’d betugging off his shirt by now. His pants. My own clothing. “You’re suggesting it was purposefully cut?”

“Thain said the doll was a message from Jolene.”

“To her daughter. Do you believe the repair could be a clue?”

“There’s only one way to find out.”

He mistified from the room and I shook my head, wishing I could do that. Imagine being able to visit a tropical location with a blink of my eyes. Tuscany. Dinner in Boston before returning home without having to drive.

He reappeared with the doll in his hands and laid her, face down, on the coffee table. If he’d put her on my lap, I would’ve freaked.

However, to explore my idea, I’d have to touch her.

“Scissors,” I said, rising and grabbing them from my office desk drawer. I peeled back the doll’s dress and carefully snipped the fine stitches closing the “tear”. After laying the scissors on the table, I widened the slight gap. My sigh bled out, and I sagged back into the sofa cushions. “There’s nothing but cloth inside.”

“Look further,” he said, his eyes alight with excitement. “Meissen dolls were stuffed with sawdust, cotton, or horsehair. Not cloth.”

“How do you know something like that?”

“I read. I study details. I forgetnothing.”

I rolled my eyes. “And you’re quite conceited at times.”

“Such is the life of an ancient vampire,” he said with a pretend sigh.

I poked around inside the back of the doll, gently tugging out a large piece of cloth that had been carefully folded and pinned together with delicate stitches. A few snips cut the threads, and I spread the cloth out on the coffee table, gaping at the cursive note written on the smooth surface.

Wolfram read it aloud.

My Dearest Love,

Happy Fourth Birthday! If you’ve found this note, then we’ve celebrated, and I’ve gifted this doll to you as I planned. Even better, your clever eyes have uncovered a little secret I left just for you. Read it with an open heart. I’m sure there will be plenty of time to laugh and share such things once we’ve escaped this wretched town. I have a plan in place. The house will be sold soon, and we’ll drive from here, not looking back. Never to return.

But life has a way of stealing those we love away, so I’m leaving this for you to find—just in case.

You were brought into this world through a love so deep and true that words will never capture the fullness of it. Your father and I cherished every moment we had together, and though the world may not always tell such stories aloud, never doubt that you were conceived in that same, beautiful love. You were our secret, our joy.

I dream about your future every day, my sweet girl –oursweet girl. I hope you're happy. I hope you find laughter wherever life allows, and even when it’s hardest, I hope you continue to rise with grace. I can see you grown now, so strong, so intelligent, thriving, and shining like the brightest star. Never stop chasing your dreams, dearest. You deserve everything wonderful life has to offer.

More than anything, I long to be with you for every step of your journey, to hold your hand and watch you face the world with that fierce, brave heart of yours, with kindness always at your side. But should that not come to pass, should circumstances keep us apart, always know that my love surrounds you, no matter the distance—in this life or beyond.

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