it?” she sighed.
“Just a little,” I sighed back.
She chose a comedy. It was inoffensive and I could put up with it.
After a few hours I noticed that Mya had fallen asleep. I went on my phone to conduct some business and waited for her to wake up.
“Hey.”
I turned around. “Hey. How are you feeling?”
Mya stretched. “Though I’m not out of bed yet, I feel more like myself. So once I’ve fed I’m hoping I’ll be back to normal.”
“Are you going to try to make it to the kitchen then, or go to your own kitchen?” Her refrigerator had arrived yesterday.
“I’ll try to get to my own if possible.”
We left the room and Mya reassured me she was now okay. Thanking me for my hospitality in a very polite manner, she went downstairs to feed and to get ready for her own funeral.
All I could think was she’d just treated me as a friend and I didn’t like it. She’d been courteous but distant, and no, I felt distinctly disappointed.
And I only had myself to blame.
“An eco-burial? Really?” Mya complained.
“It was cheap and more to the point doesn’t take place in a church. We’re vampires remember? Or do you want to take your chances on the vicar throwing around Holy Water?” Lawrie huffed.
“Didn’t think of that,” Mya told him.
“Well of course not. You’ve sat at the house and not had to think of any of it, whereas I have organised the whole affair, so unless you want me to kick you into the empty grave, daughter, I suggest you shut up.”
Mya huffed but did as she was told.
We stood in the field. There was Lawrie, Bernard, Mya, me and the woman conducting the service, who was also a Letwine vampire. Mya had wanted to bring Callie, but Lawrie had said no. Mya was being buried in the woods in the Letwine grounds. A special spot they had for their sired. An older guy no one knew was standing to one side.
“Probably just hoping we’re doggers or something and looking for an opportunity to join in,” Mya whispered.
There was a shriek, and turning around I saw a middle-aged woman pointing at Mya. “How can this be? You’re dead. I’ve come to your funeral.”
“Shit, it’s my boss,” Mya said.
I ran towards the woman who was getting paler by the minute. “That’s Mya’s twin, Marla,” I announced loudly so everyone knew the name I’d made up.
“Oh,” the woman panted. “Right. Wow.” She clutched my arm. “She never told me she had a twin. Bit of a shock that there, seeing my dead former assistant.”
Mya approached her. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to shock you like that. I’m Marla, and you are?”
“Cathy. I was your sister’s boss.”
“Thank you so much for coming, Cathy. My sister didn’t know many people. These are her friends, De—nny, Lawrence, and this is my brother Bernard.”
The other man wandered over. “And I’m Mya’s uncle,” he announced.
“No, you’re not,” Mya argued.
“I am.”
“I’m Mya’s twin sister and I’ve never met you before in my life.”
The man scratched his head. “Mya didn’t have a twin sister.”
“How do you explain me then, dumbass?” she snarled.
“Marla, keep calm,” I warned. We didn’t want her getting fangy.
“Look, I saw the Death notice in the paper, and my sister, Mya’s mum, sent me here to see if there was a will and if Mya had left anything behind.”
I closed my eyes. In a moment he was going to be drained. The look on Mya’s face was demonic.
“If you could step this way, I can furnish you with the details you need.” I sent a look to Mya which hopefully explained I was dealing with this.
But then, how was I going to do that? Bernard stepped in. “Let me handle this.”
“You’ve always liked stepping in and handling things of mine, haven’t you?” I snarled.
“You need to let the past go. It was years ago. Right now, my compulsion can make all of this go away and that’s what we need. So forget about our past and let me handle the present.”
I stepped aside and listened while Bernard did his thing, convincing Mya’s uncle that there was no money left and nothing worth returning for. The man left and Bernard moved back to my side.
“For what it’s worth, I apologise for stealing Aria, but I don’t regret it. We’re still happy.” He looked over at Mya. “And you’re looking at her in ways you never looked at Aria.”
“You’re still a dick.” I left him where he stood and walked