Page 30 of Ouch! My Vampire Doms Don't Sparkle
“I don’t know what happened, not all of it.”
“Tell me more about her,” I say.“Why is she important?”
“Oh.She’s…I guess she’s to me like Xander is to you?She’s my very best friend.We’ve been close since before college.No one else was deemed appropriate by my stepfather, and people thought I was a snob because I was rich and shy.”
I frown.She sounds lonely.
She continues, “But Clarissa was always there, always by my side.She didn’t gawk at my big fancy house or act weird when Dale’s driver had to chauffeur me around in high school.And I thought she really got me, and understood about Dale being, I don’t know, at the time I just thought he was a cold, shitty stepdad.”
By now I know the real story, the rest of it, what she’s told me.So I simply take her hand.Hold her gently while she talks.
“Anyway,” she says with an awkward laugh, “I don’t know when they started dating, or how.Did he, like—did he pursue her?Is he using her to get to me?She wouldn’t allow that.She couldn’t.”
She could, though.In my nearly two centuries of time on this planet, I’ve seen worse.Humankind is capable of devious manipulations and machinations.Those who are innocent are often the most gullible.Those who crave love are the most vulnerable.
Autumn seems to be waiting for my response.I say, “It’s possible she fell for him.If he’s charismatic—”
“He is.”
“Then he has some sway over how he’s perceived.Or he could blackmail her, or bribe her.”
“She couldn’t be bribed,” Autumn says.
She truly seems to believe it.I will allow her to think the best of her friend.In my experience, however, I’ve seen the depressing truth.Greed corrupts.
“Is there anything you’d like to do about their relationship?”I ask.
She lifts a shoulder in a half-shrug.“I don’t know, honestly.If I were home, I’d talk to her about it.I’d convince her that Dale is a snake.But I’m not sure it would be smart, you know?”
“Yeah.”I scoot up taller against the headboard, thinking.“Too dangerous, you’re saying?”
“Yeah.”
“I agree.You shouldn’t speak to her in person.”
“I know.”She touches her phone.“Xander said no calls, either.I’ll have to do this over email.”
“I’ll fix you a snack,” I say, getting up to head to the kitchen.She won’t let me distract her from the problem with more orgasms and dominance.Failing that, food.I can provide nourishment at the very least.“Let me know if you need anything else, love.”
Frowning at her phone, she nods, deep in thought.
I wonder if she’ll be able to resolve the issue over something as simple as an email.Would that I could do the same with Xander.
Will
A couple of nights later, Autumn still hasn’t heard back from her friend.The two of us have been wrapped up in each other, ignoring the rest of the world.I’ve been in my study for the past hour, browsing book auction sites while Autumn watches a show calledAcademy of Ghosts.
Xander hasn’t been back.I have checked in with him to make sure Gaius's lackeys didn’t attack again and leave him lying in the street.All is well, apparently.Except he’s just as stubborn as ever.
Frustrated with the turn of my thoughts, I get up.It’s time for my favorite little distraction.
I head into the living room.The television is off, and Autumn is curled up on the couch.Acha-clicksound comes from her phone.It’s pointed at me.
“Did you just take my photograph?”I ask.
“Maaaaybe.”She draws out the word, still looking at her phone.Her wide mouth turns upward in an amused grin.
Suspicious, I stalk toward her.“What’s so funny?”
