The Dead Girls Dance Page 0,57

relaxing just a little as she sat down at a table. She ached all over with exhaustion and the tension shed run through her body at Amelies.

Miles to go before you sleep, Oliver said, as he stirred the cocoa. Here. Steamed milk and spiced cocoa. Hot peppers. It does have an amazing effect.

He brought it to the table and handed it off to her, put Hesss coffee down, and retrieved his own brewing teacup before sitting. All very normal-life casual.

Youre here about the boy, I would suppose, Oliver said. He dunked his tea bag and watched the results critically. I really must get a new supplier. This tea is pathetic. America just doesnt understand tea at all.

Hes not the boy. His name is Shane, Claire said. And hes not guilty. Even Amelie knows that.

Does she? Oliver raised his gaze to fix it on hers. How interesting, because I, in fact, dont. Brandon was hideously and cruelly tortured, then murdered. He might have had his flaws

What, like molesting children?

but he was born into a different time, and some of his habits were difficult to change. He had his bright side, Claire, as do we all. And now thats gone, along with any harm he might have done. Oliver wouldnt let her look away. Hundreds of years of memory and experience, poured out like water. Wasted. Do you think its so simple to forget such a thing for me? For any of us? When we look at Brandons body, we see ourselves at the mercy of humans. At your mercy, Claire. He glanced at Detective Hess. Or yours, Joe. And you must admit, thats a terrifying prospect.

So youll just kill anyone who frightens you. Who could hurt you.

Wellyes. Oliver took the tea bag out of his cup and set it aside on the saucer, then sipped. A habit we learned from you, really. Humans are all too ready to slaughter the innocent with the guilty, and if you were older, Claire, you would know this. Joe, Im sure, is not so naive.

Hess smiled thinly and sipped coffee. Dont talk to me. Im just the driver.

Ah, Oliver said. How generous of you. They exchanged some kind of a look that Claire didnt know how to interpret. Was that anger? Amusement? A willingness to get up and beat the crap out of each other at a moments notice? She couldnt even figure out what Shane and Michael were thinking, and she knew them. Is she then aware of the price of your services?

Hes trying to get you rattled, Claire. Theres no price.

How interesting. And what a departure. Oliver dismissed Hess and got back to Claire, who hastily took a sip of her cocoa. Ohhhhhhit just kind of exploded in her mouth, rich cocoa, warm milk, and a spicy edge that she didnt expect. Wow. She blinked and took another sip, carefully. I see you like the cocoa.

Umyeah. Yes, sir. Because somehow, when Oliver was being civilized, she felt compelled to still call him sir. Mom and Dad had a lot to answer for, she decided. She couldnt even be rude to evil vampires whod caged her boyfriend and were preparing to roast him alive. What about Shane?

Oliver leaned back, and his eyelids drifted down to half-mast. Weve covered this subject, Claire. Quite thoroughly. I believe you might even have the bruises to remind you of my opinion.

He didnt do it.

Let us deal in facts. Fact, the boy came back to Morganville with the clear intention of disrupting the peace, at the very least, and more likely killing vampires, which is an automatic death sentence. Fact, he concealed himself from us, along with his intentions. Fact, he communicated with his father and his fathers friends both before they came to Morganville and after. Fact, he was at the scene of the crime. Fact, he has offered little in his own defense. Need I go on?

But

Claire. Oliver sounded sad and wounded. He leaned forward, braced his elbows on the table, and placed his chin on top of his folded hands. Youre young. I understand that you have feelings for him, but dont be a fool. Hell drag you down with him. If you force me to it, Im sure I could uncover evidence that you knew about the presence of Shanes father in Morganville, and you had knowledge of their agenda. And that, my dear girl, would mean the end of your precious Protection, and put you in a cage alongside your boyfriend. Is that