Free Undead and Unemployed by MaryJanice Davidson

pretty good. I'm really glad you're okay."
    "Why, Majesty," Tina teased, "I didn't know you cared."
    "Cut that out, you slut." Tina had made no secret of the fact that she'd jump into my bed anytime. This rattled me, because A) I was straighter than a laser beam, and B) even laser beams get curious. One time in college, a bunch of my sorority sisters and I got really drunk and… well, anyway, sometimes I was curious. Best to keep her at arm's length. I had enough trouble keeping Sinclair out of my bed. "Your seductive ways won't work on me."
    "Weapons?" Sinclair asked with a trace of impatience.
    "Guns, stakes, crossbows, knives, masks. But as I said, I'm sure they're young. They felt young. They moved young, and smelled young."
    "Smelled?" I asked.
    "Lots of Stridex," she explained.
    I stomped on the giggle that wanted out. Killer teens with acne! Sounded like a movie of the week.
    "So right away, we've got an advantage."
    "We do?"
    "We're older, smarter, and trickier," Sinclair said, sounding way too smug for my taste.
    Tina and Monique nodded. I rolled my eyes. "Well, then, those poor guys don't have a chance, do they?"
    "Exactly," he replied, totally missing my sarcasm.

Chapter 10
    « ^ »
    "Marie!" I yelled. "Are you here?"
    I doubted it. It was almost eleven o'clock at night. But her folks kept odd hours, because she usually—
    "Hi."
    "Oh, good." I popped out of my closet. "Have you seen my purple Arpels?"
    "Are they the ones that look like fairy shoes, or the ones that look like ballet slippers?"
    "Slippers."
    "Uh-huh. The left one is under your sink, and the right one is under the bed."
    "Dammit!"
    "Well, you were so tired last night," Marie soothed. The kid loved overalls and hairbands; she was always dressed the same way. Must be a stubborn little tic at home. "You just sort of threw everything off you and fell into the bed."
    "Stop spying on me, you little turd."
    She giggled. "Don't call me that!"
    "Yeah, yeah." I hunted around-lo! My shoes were exactly where she'd said. "Where is everybody?"
    "Um… Dr. Marc is working, and Jessica's sleeping."
    "Oh." Bo-ring.
    "There's new stuff in the kitchen," she said helpfully. "Jessica told the pantry manager to get you some white tea, and she picked up fresh cream at the fanner's market."
    "Really? D'you know how rare and expensive white tea is? I've been dying to try it. Oooh, and fresh cream! Come down, I'll fix you a cup, too."
    She shook her head, which didn't surprise me. Marie was one painfully shy kid. Except around me, for some reason.
    I quickly got dressed in khaki shorts, a red sleeveless mock turtleneck, and slipped into black flats. I ran a brush through my hair. It was staying exactly shoulder-length, and my highlights were staying exactly as high-lit as they'd been the day I died. One less thing to worry about. Besides, I was too chicken to try a haircut—what if I was stuck with it forever? Well, maybe a trim…
    "I'll bring up a cup for you," I promised on my way out the door.
    "I'm not thirsty," she called after me.
    It took ten minutes to find the kitchen. I'd been living here for days, and still got lost. Thank God for my vampire nose, or I'd probably never have found it.
    There was a note from Jessica on the table.
     
    Bets, the owner called again. VERY anxious to sell to us. Keeps dropping the price. I'm seriously considering it. What do you think? J.
     
    "I think it's too expensive, is what I think," I said aloud. Might as well have the argument by myself. It was the only way I'd win. "The three of us rattle around in here like dried peas in an empty can. Also, I'm getting sick of the smell of old wood."
    "Bitch, bitch, bitch," Jessica yawned, slouching into the kitchen in her jade green silk pajamas. They set off her ebony skin superbly. Bitch.
    "Well, it's true." I didn't add that the place was starting to grow on me, and for once, it was nice to have all the closet space I needed. "Can't sleep?"
    "No, I set my alarm so I could talk to