Under Attack by Hannah Jayne Page B

just getting so weird—and that’s saying a lot in my life. Maybe he can help me put some things together.”
    Nina offered a friendly, understanding smile, showing off her fangs, her bloodstained lips. “If you think he could help.”
    â€œI think it might be the only way to find the Vessel. I mean, he was hunting for it. Alex said he was the one who got closest.”
    Nina frowned. “I wonder what made him stop searching.”
    â€œI don’t know, but hopefully, he can tell me. And maybe get Ophelia out of my life—and my head.”
    â€œOr,” Nina started, aiming her pen at me, “it could open up a universal war between good and evil, with Ophelia picking teams first and us ending up with the pasty kids who spent their school lunch hours playing Dungeons and Dragons.”
    I crossed my arms. “So does this mean you’re not going to help me?”
    Nina stood up, crossed the room and put her arms around me, squeezing me against her ice-cold chest. “Of course I’m going to help you. You’re my best friend. Besides, what’s a little danger to me? I’m immortal.”
    â€œThanks. I think. But—for now—this is just between you and me, okay? I don’t want Alex to know that I’m looking for Lucas.”
    Nina held out her pinkie and I hooked it with mine. “Deal,” she said.
    There was a crackle from Nina’s desk, and then a smooth, velvety voice came from the intercom. “Nina, may I see you, please?”
    Nina dropped my pinkie and rushed to her desk, leaning close to the telephone, seductively pressing her breasts together.
    He can’t see you, I mouthed.
    â€œJust one second, Mr. Andrade—I mean, Dixon,” Nina said, her voice a vixenish trill. Nina clicked the intercom off and yanked open her top desk drawer, revealing a three-tiered makeup collection that Lancôme would be jealous of. She puckered her lips and painted them a ravishing red, then powdered her cheeks an even paler shade of pale.
    â€œI thought you were going to show the new UDA management who they’re dealing with. Weren’t you all about keeping the new guy in line?”
    Nina snapped her compact shut and blotted her lips, then unbuttoned another button on her blouse. “Oh, I’m all about letting Dixon know who he’s dealing with.”
    I rolled my eyes and Nina grabbed my arm, giving it a quick shake. “Oh, come on, Sophie. You have to admit he is a wonderful piece of dead man candy. I mean, those eyes, those lips, those fangs! You know what it means when a vampire has big fangs, don’t you?” Nina waggled her eyebrows and I groaned. “Besides, he’s got all the traits I adore in a man: He’s tall, dark and demonic.” She kicked up a happy leg and sauntered on her sky-high heels out the door, then poked her head back in. “Don’t wait up. I have a feeling I’ll be working late.”

Chapter Seven
    The sun was slipping behind the fog when I got into my car and headed home. I was still annoyed with Alex and the prospect of finding—and facing—my father weighed heavily on me. I tried to erase it from my mind, or to call up images of all those wonderful father-daughter reunions on the Maury Povich Show and from Disney movies, but nothing helped. By the time I pulled into my designated parking space I was jumpy and grumpy.
    I was reaching for my bag when a gentle tap-tap got my attention.
    â€œChrist, Grandma, you scared the—”
    Grandma narrowed her eyes, staring out at me from my rearview mirror. “Language, Sophie.”
    â€œYou scared me. What are you doing here?”
    â€œI’m here to talk some sense into you.”
    I raised my eyebrows and slumped back into my car seat. “Yeah?” The lady in the mirror was going to talk some sense into me? I didn’t know what was more nonsensical: Grandma showing up in my rearview mirror or