The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire by Molly Harper

the car before whirling around to stick her finger in Nik’s face. “You stay away from my sister, do you hear me? You stay away from her, or I will end you. I will find a way.”
    â€œYou are very young, and you are Cal’s wife, so I will forgive the finger-pointing,” Nik said. “But do not presume to threaten me.”
    â€œHey, let’s not escalate this beyond what we can salvage with apologies,” I insisted.
    â€œAnd you are very old,” Iris said, her voice going deadly quiet, as if I hadn’t even spoken. “And I think you are underestimating the resourcefulness of someone who worked with your kind for years before she was turned and knows exactly how to sneak into a sleeping vampire’s home to use a variety of tricks to make sure that vampire never wakes up again.”
    â€œAaaaaand now it’s gone too far.” I sighed, rolling my eyes toward the moonlit sky.
    â€œSo, Gigi,” Iris said, pursing her lips, “is your death wish so strong that you’ve decided to lie to us full-time now?”
    â€œIt wasn’t so much lying as—” I began.
    â€œIt was lying. You left out major chunks of truth. The effect is the same. Listen, I’m trying to stay calm. I’m not going to yell or act like a banshee. But this can’t continue until we figure out what is happening to Nik,” she said, her voice quiet and more Iris-like than I’d heard her in days. “I don’t think I’m being unreasonable here, Geeg. It’s not like you’re madly in love. You barely know each other.”
    Ouch.
    I looked up at Nik, hoping for some reaction from him. But his face was inscrutable. Stupid handsome vampires capable of suppressing their facial emotions.
    â€œJust ‘barely know each other’ for a few more weeks . . . or months. Maybe years. Just until we know what’s going on. Or, you know, you meet someone else.”
    â€œSubtle, Iris,” I muttered.
    â€œNik, we have been friends for a long time, but I cannot allow you near Gigi,” Cal said, urging Iris back toward the car. “Also, we’ve talked about you kissing her. I believe the words ‘ass-kicking of an immortal lifetime’ were used.”
    â€œI would not hurt her,” Nik insisted.
    â€œNot consciously, but I can’t trust you not to lose control over yourself again.”
    â€œWell, that is going to be difficult, considering that Ophelia has hired me on for a long-term assignment at the Council offices, where Gigi will be working.”
    Before Iris could even open her mouth, I told her, “I’m not quitting!”
    â€œWell, you are not to see Nik outside of the office,” Cal told me. “And when you are in the office, you must have at least one vampire chaperone to watch over you.”
    â€œCal, you can’t ask me to—I’m an adult. I am not sixteen years old anymore!” I cried.
    â€œNo, but secretly associating with a vampire when you were sixteen didn’t work out for you, either, did it?” he asked.
    My eyes narrowed while Nik sent a questioning look my way. “That was a low blow, Cal.”
    Cal raised his hands. “You’re right. You’re right. I’m being unreasonable.” He suddenly grabbed Nik by the collar and tossed him toward the open van door.
    â€œWhere are you taking him?”
    â€œAway!” Cal said.
    â€œYou can’t do this!” I exclaimed.
    â€œIt will be fine, Gigi,” Nik said, sounding almost bored as Cal slung the van door shut. “Go back to work. I will see you soon.”
    â€œNo, you won’t!” Iris yelled, and pulled the van out of the lot with a squeal of rubber.
    As the Dorkmobile’s taillights disappeared into the night, I tilted my head up to the sky and prayed for patience and the strength not to smack all of my vampire loved ones with a tack hammer. I glanced down at the