Page 32 of Shadows of Eternity

“I’ll hold you to it, see if I don’t.”

“Oh, I have no doubt of that,” Leia muttered.

It was near dark when they returned home. “I’ll be over as soon as the kids go to bed,” Janae said as she pulled up in front of Leia’s apartment.

Leia nodded as she stepped out of the car, wishing she had never said anything. What if Janae believed her? What if she didn’t?

Leia sighed when the doorbell rang. She had hoped Janae would forget about coming over, or that her husband would have made plans or the boys wouldn’t go to bed. No such luck.

“All right,” Janae said. Sweeping past Leia into the living room, she sat down on the sofa as if she intended to stay a while. “Let’s hear it.”

“I don’t know where to start. It’s so fantastically unbelievable.” Leia paused, wondering how to begin.

“Well, what’s the big secret?” Janae asked impatiently. “Is he from Planet Krypton or something?”

“Worse. He’s a vampire.”

“Uh-huh. Sure he is. And I’m Wonder Woman.”

“It’s true,” Leia insisted, and wondered again what Rohan had done to her to keep her from freaking out when he’d told her. “I saw the proof with my own eyes.”

“If you’re making this up, I’ll never forgive you,” Janae declared. And then she grunted with satisfaction. “I told you from the start there was something off about him. And I was right.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry, I just can’t believe it.”

“Janae … ”

“Why don’t we hear anything about it on the news? I haven’t heard any reports of bodies drained of blood being found in the streets, or anywhere else.”

Leia set out a sigh. She never should have said anything.

“So, where is he now?”

“I told you, he went to Arizona.”

“Good riddance, vampire or not,” Janae murmured.

“You can’t tell anyone,” Leia said, leaning forward. “Promise me.”

“Don’t worry. No one would believe me.”

“Promise me.”

“I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

“That includes Trent.”

“Don’t worry, he’s the last person I’d tell. He’d never believe it.”

“Just forget I told you, all right?”

“I’d be glad to.” Janae shook her head. “Vampires, indeed.”

Leia made a face at her.” Stop looking at me like I’m insane.”

“Right now, I’m not sure you aren’t.”

“It’s not funny, girlfriend. I was this close to falling in love with him.”

“Well, let’s hope you’ve seen the last of him. That is what you’re hoping, right?”

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