to help with that market research, you give me a call.” She winked at him and then turned to me. “I’m so glad you’re back. Lacey has been giving me so much work. How was the convention?” she asked.
“Convention?”
She blinked twice and cocked her head to the side. “The sex toy convention in France. Lacey is excited to get into the European market. She said uncut peens would be fun for the Lifesize molds line.”
I coughed to cover my surprise. So that’s what Diego told them all. I wasn’t even mad about it. Lacey was always encouraging us to learn more and signed us up for every event and opportunity available. I’d have to thank Diego for making it sound like I was at a professional development thing.
“It was great. I think I learned a lot and have a really awesome pitch to bring back,” I replied.
“That’s great,” Lacey said at my back. “Aria, clear my schedule. I want to chat with Drew about her trip before our meeting.” Aria smiled and nodded enthusiastically before disappearing. I bet the reason she was running so quickly was because she didn’t want Lacey to give her anything else to do. My boss was amazing but demanding.
I followed Lacey into her office, and Rocky awkwardly stood outside the door. It wasn’t until the door slammed shut that Lacey spoke. “How in the hell did you get changed?!” she asked with a bite in her tone. “I’ve been on a waiting list for five years. I’m close to aging out, but I’ve heard rumors that they’re upping the limit. Did it hurt? What did you have to do?”
I shook my head. Wait, what? Lacey knew about vampires? “What are you talking about?” I asked.
“You’re a vampire. A fucking vampire!” Lacey’s eyes were wide as she took me in. “I knew something was up when you showed up sick, but it wasn’t until the fucking king of the vampires showed up that I put it all together.” She soured and grabbed my wrist, guiding me to the loveseat in her office.
I blinked stupidly. My mind was racing, but it felt like my thoughts were moving through sludge at the same time.
“Come on, Drew, you don’t have to pretend. Tell me everything,” Lacey said, her eyes boring into me. Maybe I was imagining it, but Lacey seemed a little off. She wasn’t her normal chipper self. But it could be the subject matter. The existence of the undead wasn’t exactly a rainbow and puppies kind of topic.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. We should really set up for the presentation,” I said, trying to get out of this conversation. I didn’t know what the rules on this kind of thing were, so I was going to deny deny deny.
Lacey wasn’t letting me off that easily, though. “Oh, come on.” She rolled her eyes for emphasis. “I couldn’t make the last coven feeding, but I’ll be there for the next one. I’m one of the advanced human feeders. I swear, getting bit is better than sex. If I could find a way to bottle the experience, I would.” She eyed me for a moment before continuing. “I never saw you there, though. You know, it took me three years before I was even allowed to remember the feedings. I had to pay ten grand for that promotion. When I first signed up, I got compelled each time and would have to learn vampires existed once a month when they needed blood. I age out in three years, Drew. What makes you so special?”
That sounded terrible. Maybe it was their way of gauging how potential recruits responded to the news to see if they could handle becoming a vampire, but why would you want to go through that month after month? “Lacey, I’m sorry, but I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” I said. Work was supposed to be the one place where I didn’t have to worry about vampires. Now I had an eager boss on the waitlist for our elite club.
“Okay, whatever you say,” Lacey said. “I know how the rules are. I’ve been doing this for years, after all.” I recognized the passive aggressiveness in her tone and winced. She stood up and then gasped. “Drew, Graham is here.”
“What?”
“Graham. Graham Noble. He’s standing outside my office.” She pointed out to where Rocky was standing, and sure enough, Graham was standing there talking to him. Damn these stupid open concept glass offices and their stellar