Free After Daybreak by J. A. London Page A

off, I put on a pair of loose flannel pants, a tank top, and an old soft hoodie. I need the comfort right now. I walk into the bedroom.
    Clothes are strewn all over my bed and Tegan is standing beside it holding up a red silk negligee.
    “Jeff told us you were going to the Vampire Council. He and Rachel are arguing about it now, so I decided to help you pack. I don’t do well with yelling,” she says. “Where did you get this?”
    I snatch it from her, ball it up, and shove it back into the drawer where I’d hidden it. “From Faith. She gave it to me when I was in the hospital recovering from Victor’s bite. I think as a joke. She said hospital gowns weren’t fashionable or something like that.”
    “You should take it,” Tegan says. “You know. For when you and Victor are alone.” She wiggles her eyebrows.
    “We’re not going to be alone. Richard and Faith will be there.” I start sorting through the clothes, trying to determine what looks conservative.
    “They won’t be there all the time. And not in the same room . . . or bed,” she emphasizes.
    “I don’t know what the arrangements will be, but red silk is not appropriate.”
    She sits on the bed. I guess now that she’s made a mess, she feels like her job is finished.
    “Have you and Victor . . . done it?” she asks.
    I feel the heat rushing to my face. I shake my head.
    “Do you want to?”
    Do I? “I think about it, but he’s a vampire. It makes a relationship hard.” Even though I may be part vampire as well, I’m not ready to admit it—not even to my best friend.
    “You gave him your blood.”
    “He was dying.”
    “Maybe he’s dying to sleep with you.”
    I wad up a T-shirt and throw it at her. Giggling, she ducks. It seems like it’s been forever since we’ve laughed.
    “What about you and Michael?” I ask, turning the tables.
    “What about us?” she asks, grabbing a shirt and starting to button it up, like it can’t be folded until every button is snugly in place.
    “You seemed interested in him when we were in Los Angeles.”
    “I’ve always thought he was hot, you know that. Even when he was your boyfriend.” She stills. “I hate what Sin did to his face.”
    “He clawed his chest, too. After you guys got out of the city and Michael tried to fight him.”
    “God, I can’t believe I loved that guy.” She studies me for a minute. “Is it because of what happened to me that you’re afraid to trust Victor with your heart?”
    “Victor is nothing like Sin. But the world around us is so intense. I just wish we had time to do something simple like go on a picnic.”
    She sits up, excited. “Maybe you’ll do something special when you’re in Vamp City. I bet they have fancy restaurants—”
    “That serve blood?”
    She scowls. “People live there, don’t they? Someone has to take care of stuff and provide that blood. I bet they have theaters and plays. These are the oldest of the Old Family vampires; they probably lavish themselves in extravagance. They won the war. They’re bound to have the best of everything. Museums, art, libraries. I’d love to see it.”
    I can hear the deep wistfulness in her voice. I wish I could take her so she could experience all these wonderful things the Old Family has collected. Even if they are like Valentine and abhor modern technology, they’ll still have priceless heirlooms. Old Family are wealthy beyond imagining. They’ll have exquisite clothes, marvelous homes.
    “I should probably pack a nice black dress,” I murmur. “And heels.”
    “Definitely,” Tegan answers. “And wear your hair up. I really should go with you so I can fix it for you.”
    “I wish you could, but, Tegan, it’s a city filled with Old Family. Would you really want to be there?”
    She visibly shudders. “No. Just . . . just don’t let them turn you.”
    Oh, Tegan, if you only knew . . .
    “I won’t. I promise.”
    Her cell phone rings. She pulls it from her pocket, stares at