Survivor - By Kaye Draper Page 0,30

vampire feeding right in front of me. The people seemed to be enjoying it, so who was I to interfere.

Peter took my hand, probably sensing my elevated pulse. “You’re safe here,” he whispered in my ear. “Leah made sure of that when she brought you in.” And Peter had made sure when he said I was his. No sharing. Good grief.

I was surprised when I found myself actually enjoying the evening. Peter’s vampire friends were a lot like him. They were mostly kind and easygoing. I suppose that’s not so much of a surprise. If they were sharing everything, and living closely together as they seemed to do, then a coven would be made up of people who got along well. I hid a smile, thinking that it was like a big family. I had to remind myself that the people around me weren’t really people- they were predators. It was just so hard to remember that when they were joking, and laughing, and eating bright pink birthday cake.

About halfway through the night, Peter’s cell phone chirped insistently. He glanced at the screen and sighed. “It’s my boss,” he said apologetically. “The firm is working on a really sensitive case. I need to take this.”

I smiled to let him know it was okay, and he made his way out to the porch where it was quiet. I sipped my little glass of champagne, feeling like a teenager. Technically, I wasn’t supposed to drink, but I really doubted one glass was going to kill me. I started guiltily when Leah sidled up beside me. She slid onto a bench next to me, two little paper plates with cake on them balanced in her hands. She handed me one and I set my drink aside to take the proffered treat.

“Did Peter abandon you?” She asked playfully, taking a bite of her cake.

I shrugged. “He had to take a phone call.”

Leah nodded. “Work?” She guessed.

I took a bite of my cake, letting the sugary frosting melt in my mouth. “Yeah. He seems like a really loyal employee.” Though I was guessing it wasn’t human business at this hour.

She considered this for a moment, running the plastic fork over her teeth with a clicking sound. I didn’t know whether to laugh or call for help at the casual display of fangs. “Peter is really devoted to everything he does, when he chooses to be,” she said at last. “He always seems serious and straight laced, but….”

I nodded. “But he’s not,” I finished for her.

She sighed. “It’s all a front. In actuality, he’s a rebel.” She grinned and whispered in a conspiring tone. “He’s a hippie.” She shook her fist dramatically. “Down with the man!”

I laughed aloud, and a couple of people across the way shot a surprised glance at me. Leah chuckled. “You know what I mean,” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “He doesn’t like to follow the rules, he only does so because he has to- and then only so far as absolutely necessary.” She sighed. “His biggest fear is responsibility.”

I frowned, not agreeing at all. “He’s the most responsible person I know,” I said truthfully. “He’s a hard worker, he always keeps his promises, and he does everything he can to help others.”

The pretty blonde regarded me skeptically. “Mmm…” she said, noncommittal. “But he shirks he responsibilities to the coven- to his race.” I got the sense that she was fishing to see how much Peter had told me, or how well I knew him.

I bristled at her words, rising to the bait. “Of course someone wouldn’t want to be forced to do something like that.” Sure, I didn’t get why he didn’t just do it and get everyone off his back, but it was still his decision.

I expected her to be upset that I was disagreeing with her, but Leah just shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong,” she said lightly. “I understand his hesitation. But this is about more than contributing to the population.” She gave me a direct blue look. “He is selling himself short. His fear and lack of confidence will keep him from growing and developing.” She sighed wistfully. “He will make a wonderful master someday.”

On that note, she stood and gracefully made her way to a group that was chatting by the refreshment table. I rubbed my forehead, wondering just what the heck was going on. She had such a calming presence, but something in the way she had looked at me just now set off little