Braced to Bite by Serena Robar Page B

it. Shouldn’t I want to wear black and stalk innocent victims and sleep in a coffin and stuff?”
    I looked at Piper, seated on my very pink bed with its overhead lace canopy, and we both laughed. I was not a coffin kind of vampire, that was for sure.
    We chatted a bit more, and then Piper left for dinner. I eyed my bed longingly. I really wanted a short nap but knew I should fight the urge. I sat down on my bed instead, and then lay down. I told myself I was only going to take a cat-nap. Just catch a couple of winks.
    I awoke suddenly. One look at the clock confirmed my suspicion that I was incapable of catnaps. It was 12 A.M. and I was wide awake. I lay in bed, thinking of my evening out with Thomas, and smiled despite the awkward feeding situation. The way he held me, understanding what I was going through, was so romantic. We were going out again tonight. Well, not a real “date” or anything. Just more of my vampire education, but still, it made me tingly all over.
    I decided I would attempt school tomorrow, even if Mom disagreed. Perhaps I could just do a half day and arrive after lunch? Then I could make it to cheer practice. Homecoming was less than a week away and I still hadn’t finished learning our dance routine for the pep assembly and halftime show.
    Taking a shower felt wonderful, but all of the scented products had to go. My super-sniffer wasn’t up to the task anymore.
    Wearing a big fluffy pink robe, I walked around my room to gather up pedicure equipment. It was time to update my toe color. I glanced out the window: Standing in my driveway was Charles Winthrop. Boy, that guy did not take no for an answer.
    Throwing on jeans and a sweatshirt, I hurried downstairs to confront my attacker, again.
    “What are you doing here?” I demanded, shivering in the cold evening breeze.
    “Didn’t your mother ever tell you that you’ll catch your death going out with wet hair?” He tipped his head to one side as he spoke.
    “Ha, ha. Look, I told you I am not going to live with you. Why don’t we try something new, like you stopping by only when I call you? What a novel idea. Why are you here?” I repeated.
    “I come bearing sad news,” he replied, looking anything but sad.
    “What kind of sad news?” I asked slowly, my mind racing with all sorts of implications. Where was Piper, Aunt Chloe and my folks?
    “I’m afraid she didn’t take it well.”
    “Who are you talking about?”
    “Why, Jill, of course. She was part of our family but no more. See, my dear? See why it is so important that you come live with me? Only I can protect you. She didn’t come with me either and now look what happened.” He looked heavenward and begged an answer from the sky: “Why must all of my children be taken from me?”
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Chuck, but I meant what I said—stay away from me.” I turned to go back into the house.
    “Colby, it is a Tribunal Investigator’s job to carry out the Princes’ orders. Remember that.” He pressed a card into my hand and stepped back.
    I ignored the card and looked at him, trying to gauge what he was telling me. Chuck just smiled pleasantly, as though we were discussing the weather. What a nutter.
    I went back inside and locked the door behind me. Chuck had given me a card with a phone number on it. Maybe he was taking me seriously. I snorted. Who was I kidding, and who was Jill? Why was she taken away? Thomas was an Investigator and I didn’t doubt Chuck was trying to freak me out about something.
    Instead of wasting too many brain cells thinking about Chuck’s demented musings, I took my time getting ready for meeting Thomas. It wasn’t a date or anything, but I did want to look good. Being Undead was no excuse for looking like a slob.
    As I painted my toenails, I tried to ignore the little voice in my head that said even if Chuck was nuts, why would he make up a weird story? He knew I wasn’t frightened of him, so why try to scare me with