Free Voice of the Undead by Jason Henderson Page A

blotchy from cold and fear. “Okay. It’s—she didn’t leave a scratch,” he said. He looked at the others and back at Vienna. “It’s okay; I do this all the time.”
    Minhi rolled her eyes. “Let’s go,” she said, and hugged Vienna.
    Paul and Sid turned their attention back to the water. “You think there’s one o’ those entrances right here?”
    â€œNot on the surface,” Sid said. “I think she swam to it.”
    Alex looked back toward the village. “We should go.”
    Alex took off his sport coat and handed it to Vienna. She stared at the coat for a second, then slipped her own off and put his on, silently.
    Now Alex felt cold, but valiantly so.
    As they walked up the pier, Minhi was talking to Vienna. “We’ll tell you all about it,” she said. “As soon as we get you warm.”
    Paul looked out at the water. “They must waterproof the bloody heck out of those leather jackets.”

Chapter 7
    Alex took a deep breath. “Vampires are all around the lake,” he said.
    They’d gathered in an old study in what was now-nicknamed New Aubrey House. The sound of thumping and hammering echoed through the building. They had passed countless students on the way in, and Alex had been happy to see them carrying chairs and bedding from the trucks that were parked all over the lawn. Otranto had set up a small office, a central nervous system for the house, and was running everything from there.
    A sign-up sheet near Otranto’s office door, posted next to a desk already inhabited by his assistant, Mrs. Hostache, informed Alex and his roommates that they would be on duty painting and sweeping the next day.
    â€œThe sign-up sheet seems to have a mind of its own,” Paul observed.
    So this was the new reality. Alex had only the faintest inkling of what an undertaking it must be, what kind of money had to change hands and what armies of lawyers had to be called in for two schools to merge so quickly. He had the impression, amid the crates and trucks, of Headmaster Otranto stretching to hold a school together with his bare hands. Alex wasn’t sure even Otranto was up to the task. Out of two hundred students they had shed at least twenty-five already.
    There was a love seat in the library where Vienna sat shivering, even though Minhi had found a blanket for her. Sid brought in a tray of cups and hot chocolate.
    â€œAll of you knew about them?” Vienna asked. She took the chocolate in both hands, absorbing its warmth as she held it under her chin.
    Alex indicated Minhi, Paul, and Sid, and said, “All of us ? Yes,” he said. “But I’m not sure if anyone else does, among the students.” He looked at the others for help. He wasn’t sure how much to reveal. How far to go— yes, there are vampires, one of those things my father always said didn’t exist, and by the way, they have a giant school under the lake, and while we’re at it, I’ve more or less weaseled my way into an international G.I. Joe organization. . . .
    Vienna gestured with her head toward the door, toward the grounds. “Last month, during the kidnapping—I’m sorry to bring it up—”
    â€œNo, it’s okay,” said Minhi. That would be Minhi and Paul’s kidnapping by what everyone in the school understood to be terrorists.
    â€œSome of the girls said the terrorists moved fast, very fast.” Vienna’s eyes were searching. “I didn’t see any of it. Were they—were they these things, these vampires?”
    â€œYes.” Minhi nodded.
    â€œDoes the school know?”
    Alex shrugged. “I don’t think the school knows,” he said. “Glenarvon, I mean. But we do have a friend in the school.”
    â€œWhat about LaLaurie?” Minhi asked. “Does your friend have ‘friends’ in our school?”
    Our school. That was the other