Free The Vampire...In My Dreams by Terry Spear Page A

huffed her displeasure. “I meant to say this is Dominic Vorchowsky.”
    Kate’s lips parted, her green eyes darkened, but she didn’t speak.
    “You know, the guy we saw at the Hamburger Spot. He was pretty amused you—well, we —thought he was a vampire.”
    “You told him?” Her voice etched in surprise, Kate looked back at the bite marks.
    “Yeah. When you walked into your house last night, he hurried to catch up to me. Said he was going to our same school and wondered if he could walk with me… us , this morning.”
    “He lives around here?” This time Kate’s words were elevated and sounded panicky.
    “Yes,” I said in my most charming manner, trying to show I wasn’t anything evil.
    Kate stared at me, then looked down at the sidewalk while we continued to stroll to school.
    “Yes, can you imagine how silly it was of us to think he was a vampire? Why look at how he’s out here with us in broad daylight.”
    Kate again looked at me, as if wondering whether I could just disintegrate any moment. Gladdened that Marissa could think of something brilliant to say to dispel her girlfriend’s worry, I smiled.
    Marissa offered me an arresting smile. “Brilliant, huh?”
    “Yeah, and you’d better believe I’ll take you to the school dance.” Though I couldn’t quash the concern that she would be disappointed in my lack of dancing skills.
    She raised her brows, then slipped her hand around mine . “But you can’t.”
    I lifted my chin . “I’ll find a way.” If nothing else, I’d be there to ensure no warlocks laid a hand on my girl.
    She rubbed her temple, a frown marring her hopeful expression. “Forget it. I wouldn’t want you to get into trouble.”
    “Nah, we’ll think of something.” I was certain if we put our heads together, we could come up with some kind of a plan. Surely one of my princely gifts could be used to mimic a warlock’s abilities.
    Kate studied me, then turned to Marissa. Her gaze locked onto our clasped hands. She looked back at Marissa. Even though I couldn’t read her thoughts, I could pretty well guess what was going on in her mind. She still wondered if I were a vampire and somehow was exercising control over Marissa. But she couldn’t figure out how I could survive during the daylight hours.
    Marissa, reading my thoughts, added, “Oh, yes, and Dominic loves the burgers at the Hamburger Spot, too. His favorite place to hang out.”
    Kate looked back at me.
    “Another winning argument, Marissa. Thanks for saving my butt.”
    She glanced behind me. “From what I can tell, it’s a butt worth saving.”
    My smile stretched across my face in triumph. She was my girl again.
    She squeezed my hand, and I grimaced. Her strength had significantly increased, and my eyes watered. Quickly loosening her hold, she frowned at me.
    She was back to being mad at me again.
    “But just think of it this way, Marissa, we can fight Lynetta easier if you have vampire strength.”
    Marissa muttered something unintelligible.
    “You don’t have a book bag, Dominic,” Kate said, her words a definite challenge to my story. “Are you prepared for school?”
    The question was loaded. I didn’t have a scrap of paper to take notes, nor a pen or pencil to write with. It did seem a little odd that I wouldn’t have something to take to school.
    “They haven’t even unpacked all of their household goods, and Dominic’s book bag is still packed away somewhere in one of the boxes. He can borrow one of my notepads for the day,” Marissa quickly suggested.
    I took a ragged breath. I hadn’t expected Marissa’s girlfriend to pose such a threat to me. Still, if we could master her, we could make it through a day of school, I thought.
    “But what if I don’t have any of the same classes as you? Really, Dominic, I think this is a bad idea. Maybe if you just walk me to school, and then return for me after classes end, you can escort me safely home. Wouldn’t that be a better idea?”
    There was