Vampire Vacation by C. J. Ellisson

guest?”
    “No. I wish.” I fill him in on what’s happened. I trust him to a point, but I don’t like having to rely on others. Rafe listens to my recount as well. His sharp gaze locks on me as if he’s making sure I include everything, even the crescent-shaped scar on John Pierre’s cheek.
    “Got it.” Cy hesitates for a second, “Dria, I don’t like this. Let me send one of my security guys up there. He can fly up on my private plane and be there in under twelve hours.”
    His voice sounds so adamant it throws me for a second. Quiet, I gather my thoughts on how to respond. He rushes on to fill the silence.
    “I know how you feel about other vamps getting too close. You can trust him with your life. I’m talking about sending Cali’s nephew. He was turned over in Afghanistan a year ago. He’s an ex-military munitions expert and a real nice guy.”
    In my continued silence he babbles on.
    “The skills he’s learned from Uncle Sam have made him a valuable security asset, nothing gets past him.”
    Good enough credentials, but I’m just not comfortable with the idea.
    “I’m not sure.” God, this is harder than I thought it would be. “This is not just about letting another vampire get too close to me. Some things I’m not going to share even with you, Cy. If I can’t trust him for even a minute, you know what that means, yes?”
    I’m asking him if he is sure, because if he’s wrong I’ll have to kill Cali’s nephew, and he knows it. Cy doesn’t hesitate; a good sign in my book.
    “I’m sure, Dria. It would be his honor to serve you. His undead life is yours, for as long as you will need it.”
    I snort at his formal reply. It freaks me out Cy doesn’t even stop to consider asking Cali or her nephew their opinion. Which could mean one of two things: he knows him really well and they’ve already discussed the possibility, or he’s eager to get some intel on me and will pay this guy any amount to do the job. Cy has never been one of my pushier offspring, so I’ll take his offer at face value, no matter how hard it is for me to do.
    Rafe, able to hear both sides of the conversation easily, chimes in with his opinion privately. Listen to what he has to say, my love. You set him free not only because of his strength, but you knew you could trust him.
    Yes, yes. You’re right.
    I sigh, resigned in my decision.
    “Okay, Cy, if you’re sure I can trust him, then that’s good enough for me.” I don’t bother to add if I can’t, it won’t only be the new vamp who will lose his life. I’ll have to go after Cy too, and he sure as hell should know it in the time he’s been undead.
    “What’s his name?” I remember to ask.
    “Asa.” His voice carries an excitement I can clearly hear. “My pilot can have him airborne within the next hour and they’ll land at your private airstrip within twelve hours. I’d like you to consider hiring him on permanently if you want to keep him longer than this crisis. He’s looking for a new seethe and would welcome a change.”
    “Rafe’s always talking about beefing up our security levels and such. If things work out, it’s something we might consider. Look, I’m on board with it, but don’t you think you’re overreacting a tad?”
    My seethe is the size I like it: two. No vamp issues or group discussions. I like things this way and don’t feel inclined to change any time soon.
    “No, Dria. I think you’re under-reacting. I know you worry security would hinder the guests enjoyment, but believe me, good security can go undetected.”
    It’s not what I think and not why I don’t have a vamp security force. Having to kill to protect my secret isn’t something I relish. But if it makes him happy to think I’m worried about the guests, then so be it.
    “Alright, already. Tell him to come dressed normally. He’ll fit in better, more like an employee than a vamped-up Goth guest. And the employees call me Vivian or Viv, not many refer to me here by