Page 14 of Vampire's Vixen

“Be careful what you wish for,” I said, but I grinned. “To be honest, I’m curious, too. I don’t know if I’ve ever met one—I mean, how do we know, unless they reveal their nature? All I know is that I’m planning to be really careful to avoid making him feel uncomfortable.”

“Him?” Alexa raised her eyebrows. “You have a male vampire who’s looking for love? I don’t know why, but that surprises me.”

“Maybe it’s the stereotype? They’re always seen as playboy types—” I paused as the professor entered the room. “Okay, here we go. Good luck on the test.”

“Class, for this test, I’m asking you to space yourselves a chair apart. Quickly, now.” Professor Themasa tapped her wand on her desk.

Everybody scrambled to spread out. The professor was daunting, and nobody wanted to be on her bad side. She was fair but strict, and the first night, she’d shown us a video of her performing an exorcism to banish a Haunt—a ghost who was angry and able to manipulate physical objects. She packed so much power that it made the entire class take a step back. But I had to admit, she was a good teacher and I had already learned a lot in the three weeks that I’d been coming to class.

Alexa moved a chair away, and I stayed where I was. As the professor handed out our quiz papers, I set my bag on the floor next to me and readied my pen, hoping I’d managed to study enough.

CHAPTER SEVEN

After handing in my paper, and chatting a little more with Alexa, I headed home, relieved to be done for the day. It had been a long one, and I was worried about the test. I thought I’d passed, but I wouldn’t know until next week.

Astra was on her stationary bike when I unlocked the door and slipped inside. She was watching a TV show called A Study of Natural Beauty.

“What’s the episode about this week?” I asked, tossing my book bag on the sofa and shrugging off my jacket. I sat in the rocking chair and slipped my hands under my shirt, unhooking my bra and sliding it off through the armholes. “Oh man, that feels good. Underwire is my friend, but around this time of day, it becomes my enemy.”

Astra snorted and paused the program. “I hear that. That’s why I wear a sports bra to work out. This week they’re visiting the Painted Desert. It’s gorgeous, but I’m not sure I’d be comfortable there. The desert is wide open and windswept in a way that no other place is.”

“True that,” I said, yawning and leaning back. “I totally forgot to eat dinner.”

“We’re out of leftovers, so either you order pizza or other takeout, or cook fresh,” she said. “I just made some ramen for dinner.”

“That sounds good,” I said, perking up. I loved ramen. “I think I’ll do the same.”

“We have plenty of things to add to it?—”

“Nope. You know I’m a purist. I want my ramen with broth, and nothing else in it. But I’ll find something on the side.” I headed in the kitchen. “How long do you have left?”

“Ten minutes,” she said as I passed by. “I’ve managed twenty minutes so far, and in ten, I’ll have done five miles.”

I poured a cup and a half of water in a pan and set it to boil. I liked my broth reduced and saltier. Then, pulling out a package of ham-flavored ramen, I gave it a couple whacks before opening, to break up the noodles. We had ham, so while the water was coming to a boil, I cut a thick slice off of it, setting it on a bread and butter plate. I lowered the heat and used a fork to help break up the noodles before adding the seasoning packet, then poured it all into a wide bowl and carried it out to the dining table.

Astra had finished her biking by then. She wiped her forehead with a towel and yawned. “I needed that. The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to keep as mobile as I can. How did class go?”

“We had a quiz. I’m not expecting an ‘A’ given how little study I managed to put in, but we’ll see.” I began eating my soup, suddenly feeling the weight of the day on my shoulders. “I’m tired, Auntie. I’m feeling better than this morning, emotionally, but I just feel tired.”

“Last night’s vision quest had to be exhausting, plus everything else you’ve been dealing with lately. What did Nightshade have to say?”

“Oh, that’s right,” I said, remembering. “She wants me to wear some sort of ritual gear for Saturday night. I’m going to be initiated into the Dark Moon Society then, and she said you could help me find something to wear.” I paused, then added, “Saturday night, Crystal goes through her initiation.”

“She should do fine,” Astra said. “Please don’t worry about her.”

I nodded. “That’s essentially what Nightshade told me. What should I wear?”

“Do you have time tomorrow? We can go shopping.”

“The only thing on my schedule for tomorrow is Zandre, tomorrow night at nine. So, yeah, I can. I’ll take the afternoon off. Is there a place in town that will have the appropriate regalia that I’ll need?” It wasn’t exactly standard to find ritual dress in most department stores, not even in a shadow town.

“There are several magical shops around that carry regalia. We’ll go there. But you’d be surprised what you can find in the right stores, even if they’re mainstream.” Astra yawned. “I think I’ll turn in. You ready for bed, or are you going to stay up for a while?”

I finished my soup. “Nope, I’m definitely ready for bed.” I carried my dishes into the kitchen, then gave Astra a kiss. “Night, Auntie.”

“Night, sweet girl. Sleep well.” With Dahlia at her heels, she shut the door behind her as I headed into my bedroom.

Miss P. was there already, sprawled out on my bed. I stripped and pulled on my nightshirt, then sprawled across the bed with her.

---