a good sign." She smiled at me. "My old boyfriend has the claw marks to prove the B-man doesn't take to just anyone."
"Doesn't matter in this case. We're going to escort Josh out to the hall and you're going to give him the suggestion that you dumped him. Remember?" I pulled Josh to his feet, dislodging the cat in the process. "Sorry, fur face, but the mortal has got to go."
"I don't remember agreeing to that. I told you, I want to keep Josh. As a boyfriend. Or a pet. This guy was into me, Glory. Surely I can figure things out so that I can keep him." Penny kept glancing back at Jenny, who hadn't opened her eyes yet. "I'm worried about Jenny. She's not the fainting type."
"It's only been a few minutes. But we need to hurry. We can discuss Josh's fate later." I steered him toward the door. "Mortals as pets would be damned complicated and I, for one, have never had the patience to even try it. Stick to synthetics. It's a better option."
"But some vampires do keep pets? Like those women at Damian's." Penny waited for my reluctant nod. "I knew it! There are too many Goths desperate to join the vamp fan club." Penny looked Josh over speculatively, obviously picturing him in leather and a choke collar, with AB negative on tap.
"Stop thinking, Penny, and start getting this mess untangled." I'd been watching her sister and saw her eyelids flicker. "For now, go out there, look him in the eyes and tell him you two did a little necking but you called a halt because you don't fall into bed on what was your first decent date. If he's got even a tenth of your gray matter, he'll realize that fiasco where you ended up abandoned on a hilltop didn't count. Am I right?"
Penny shrugged, obviously not happy.
"You know I am. Then tell him to wake up, kiss him good night and send him on his way. Got it?"
"Okay, I can do that." Penny got a sly look on her face like maybe she'd add a suggestion or two of her own.
"I've got vamp hearing, Penny. I'll be listening to everything you say. You screw this up and I'll take care of Josh my way later. I'm sure I can find him." I grabbed her arm. "And I'll be in here with your sister. Don't forget that."
"You wouldn't hurt Jenny, would you?" Penny's eyes narrowed.
"Not without provocation." I kept my thoughts blocked, determined to get the upper hand in this mentor relationship early. No need for Penny to realize I was far from the badass I was pretending to be. "I didn't survive four hundred years by letting some upstart newbie endanger me with her bloodlust or her libido. Keep that in mind."
"Fine." She ran into the kitchen and washed her face and hands. "Am I clean?"
"Yes. Lipstick's gone, but after your make-out session that's to be expected." I nodded toward Josh.
"I just look into his eyes and tell him what I want him to remember, right?" After I nodded, Penny dragged Josh to the door and out into the hall. I heard her tell him he'd had a wonderful time with her and all the rest we'd agreed upon. Then there was silence, which I figured was her getting the kind of kiss she wanted.
"Whoa, I have to come up for air. For some reason, I'm dizzy." Josh laughed. "Don't tell my frat brothers, they'll think I'm a wuss."
"Your secret's safe with me." Penny laughed. "You okay to drive? Maybe it's low blood sugar. I could get you some juice." She sounded anxious. "If I had some. Darn it, I've got to get to the store."
"That's okay. I'm fine, seriously." More silence. "See? Not dizzy this time. Thanks, Penny. I'll call you." Josh sounded like he meant it. Then I heard him walk away.
Penny stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "Happy now?"
"You did fine. Now let's see about your sister." I gestured toward Jenny, who was struggling to sit up.
"Jenny, are you all right?" Penny sat beside her and brushed back her hair.
"What happened? And who is this woman?" Jenny's eyes widened and latched on to me. "I saw something. The strangest thing. The two of you . . ." She went silent when Penny stared at her and obviously put her into a trance.
"We have to erase her memory, don't we?" Penny looked up at me, her eyes swimming with tears.