There was a weedy-looking guy in black standing at the corner, watching her with burning dark eyes. He looked familiar, but she couldnt think whysomebody from class, maybe? Scary, anyway. She wondered why he was staring at her. There were other girls on the street. Prettier ones.
Claire walked faster. When she looked back, he wasnt there anymore. Was that better, or way creepier?
Walking even faster seemed like a great idea suddenly.
As Claire passed Common Grounds, the coffee shop, she glanced inside and saw someone she thought she recognizedbut what the hell would Shanes dad be doing here? In the middle of the day? He didnt exactly blend in with the college crowd, and every cop in town was shaking the trees for him, right?
But there he was. Granted, shed gotten only a quick look, but how many Frank Collins look-alikes could there be in Morganville?
I should get the hell out of here, she thought, but then she wondered. If she could find out what he was doing, maybe that would help Michael and Shane with planning what to do next. Besides, it was the middle of the day, broad daylight, and it wasnt like Mr. Collins didnt know where to find her if he wantedhe knew where she lived, after all.
So Claire opened the door and slipped inside, hiding behind a couple of big jocks with bulky laptop-laden backpacks who were having some earnest conversation about whether baseball stats were legitimate during the steroid years, or had to be thrown out. Yes, that was Shanes dad, and he was sitting in the corner of the coffee bar, sipping from a cup. Plain as day.
What the hell?
She caught her breath as Oliver slipped into the seat opposite him. Oliver was a lanky guy, tall and a bit stooped, with long curling hair that was sprinkled and shot through with gray. Not very threatening, Oliver, until you saw the fangs and the real personality lurking underneath what he put on for the public. Oliver was terrifying, and she had no desire at all to get into any position where shed have to deal with him again.
Claire turned to go, and ran into a broad chest clad in a soft gray T-shirt. She looked up, and saw a guy she didnt recognizea little older than Shane, maybe, but not much. He had soft, short red hair, and he was fair-skinned and freckled. Big blue eyes, the kind of blue that made her think of clear skies or deep oceans. He was justpretty. And kind of peaceful.
Big and solid, and wearingof all things, in this Texas late-summer heat wavean old, worn brown leather jacket. No backpack, but he looked like a student.
He smiled down at her. She expected him to step out of the way, but he didnt; instead, he reached down, took her hand, and said, Hello, Claire. Im Sam. Lets talk.
His fingers felt cool, like clay. And he was, under the freckles, a little too pale. And there was something fey and sad in his eyes, too.
Oh, crap. Vampire.
Chapter Ten
Claire tried to pull free. He held on effortlessly. He could break bones if he wanted toshe sensed itbut he used just enough strength to keep her from getting loose. Dont, Sam said. I need to talk to you. Please, I promise not to hurt you. Lets sit down, okay?
But Claire looked around, alarmed. The two jocks were moving away, heading for the bar to get drinks. The place was busy, and there were students everywherechatting, laughing, playing games, tapping away on laptops, talking on cell phones. And, of course, nobody was paying attention to her. She could make a scene and probably get away, but that would draw the attention of Oliver, not to mention Shanes dad, and she didnt want that. Low-pro was the order of the day.
Claire swallowed and let the vampire pull her to a secluded table near the window. He sat far from the hard white line of sunshine that had crept in across the wooden floor. The canopy outside screened most of it, but there was a tiny little area of risk left, she supposed.
Sam kept hold of her hand. She sat down, tried to make her voice strong and steady, and said, Would you mind letting go now? Since Im sitting?
What? Oh. Sure. He released her, and gave her a smile that even her biased, suspicious (verging on paranoid) mind interpreted assweet. Sorry. Youre just so warm. It feels good.
He sounded wistful. She couldnt afford to feel sorry for him, no way in hell. Couldnt. How do you know my name? she asked.
His blue eyes narrowed when he smiled. Youre kidding. Everybody knows your name. You, Shane, Eve, Michael. The Founder put out a Directive. First time in, oh, I guess about thirty years, maybe forty. Pretty dramatic stuff. Were all on our best behavior around you, dont worry. His gaze flicked around, touched on Oliver, and came back to her. Well, except for people who dont really have a best behavior.
People, Claire said, and crossed her arms. She hoped it made her look tough and strong, but she really did it because she was feeling cold. Youre not people.
Sam looked a bit hurt. Harsh, Claire. Of course were people. Were justdifferent.
No, you kill people. Youreparasites! And she had no idea why she was getting into a debate about it with a total stranger. A vampire, at that. At least he hadnt done that thing to her like Brandon had done, that mesmerizing thing. Oh, and she wasnt supposed to be looking him in the eye. Crap. Shed forgotten. Sam seemed kind of, well, normal. And he did have lovely eyes.
Sam was thinking over what shed said, as if it was a serious argument. Food chain, he offered.
What?
Well, humans are parasites and mass murderers, from the point of view of vegetables.
Thatalmost made some kind of weird sense. Almost. Im not a carrot. What do you want from me? Besides the obvious, I mean. She mimed fangs in the neck.
He looked a little ashamed. I need to ask you a favor. Can you give something to Eve for me?
She couldnt imagine anything Eve would want less than a gift from a vampire. No, she said. Is that it? Can I go?
Wait! Its nothing bad, I swear. Its just that I always thought she was a lot of fun. Im going to miss her coming in here. She always brightened up the place. He reached in his pocket and took out a small black box, which he handed over. Claire frowned and fidgeted with it for a second, then snapped the cover open. Not that it was any of her business, but