Immortal Hearts(40)

"Funny?" I asked.

"When I was little, he liked to hide my dolls during the day. So when I woke up, I'd have to search every room for them. I'd find them resting under the stairs, poking out from behind an antique vase, or sticking out from my coat pocket. It was a fabulous game." I laughed, imagining Jameson sneaking around their Romanian mansion with dolls under his bony arms.

"He's a half vamp; that's why he can be out all Sn b

"He is?" I asked.

"Yes, you didn't know?" She appeared surprised.

I didn't want to fib, but I also didn't want to appear like I hadn't been "in the know." "Uh..."

"Yes, he's mortal," she continued. "He can be out in day and night but needs a vein like we do to exist." She said it so matter-of-fact that I was almost taken aback. I had to remind myself that I was, after all, sitting with a young vampire. But where Alexander was mysterious and kept much of this identity to himself, Stormy blurted out her information like any other girl without a secret.

"That's why I love his Romanian smoothies," she continued. "His California smoothies are terrible. They don't have blood."

"Blood?" a familiar voice said as someone scooted into the booth with me.

"Blood?" a familiar voice said as someone scooted into the booth with me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked Trevor. Then he gazed at Stormy.

"Ditched Becky for the evening?" Trevor asked.

Dixie returned with our malts and placed them on our table. Trevor grabbed mine before I could and stuck my spoon in it. He took a scoop of my malt and put it in his mouth.

I wasn't about to be bullied in front of Stormy. It was uncomfortable enough for me to experience it without her having to experience it, too.

"That was Raven's," Stormy said forcefully. I was surprised that she was defending me. I was proud of her. She was feisty like I was. But ultimately I didn't want her to be involved in my torment.

"Raven likes to share," he said to her. "I didn't know you had a little sister," he said to me.

"I don't. This is Alexander's sister." I stressed Alexander, hoping that he'd pick up on not picking on her. That Alexander would seek revenge if he did. And that I'd stop him, too, if he tried.

"Oh ... so Monster Girl has a Mini-Monster."

I was ready to dump the malt on his head, but I worried it wasn't the best example of proper behavior in front of Stormy. Instead I slid my hand underneath the table and pinched his leg with all my might.

"Ouch!" he said, putting the malt down.

I let go and gave him a death stare. "You can address her by her real name. Athe Sall ="2em" na. Other than that, any name is a violation."

"A violation?" he chuckled.

"Yes, of Raven's law."

"I see. And if I break it, will you arrest me? Please?" He was as menacing as he was attractive. His blond hair flopped perfectly in place like a model's.

"It's time for you to go," I said. "Before you turn into a pumpkin."

"Fine," he said. "It was nice meeting you, Athena."

She extended her hand. He paused for a moment, surprised by her formality.

Then he shook her hand.

"Wow - you can learn a thing or two about manners from her," he said to me.

"Uh ... so could you."