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The vampire furrowed her brow "What do youto kill people That’ll get you into all kinds of trouble"

She raised her chin, and Mary Ann caught a glimpse of her stubborn core "I welcome trouble"

"Fine But Aden doesn’t," Mary Ann reht" She pushed out another sigh "Soirl for hiertip over the tabletop, tracing son "you wouldn’t be better suited for hiht have phrased the words like a suggestion, but there had been fury in her tone And two, Mary Ann adored Aden, but she didn’t crave him the way she craved Riley "That boy worships you"

Some of the tension left Victoria’s shoulders "Yes, but soh and he’ll watch you, and there will be such…longing on his face When that happens, I want to rip out your trachea Sorry, but it’s true"

Okay She’d been close to dying before the curse, and had had no idea Perfect "I can tell you for sure that he doesn’t like irlfriend Aden and I…ill only ever be friends Our different--" She looked around,about their day, eating and talking, unconcerned about her and her conversation "Our different abilities make us want to run from each other most of the tiine wanting to kiss the guy who housed your mom?"

Victoria shook her head, but still didn’t appear co shows up because he wants to h like that Let’s face it, I’ve known you for weeks and I’ve seen you s"

Now Victoria blinked over at her "Are you saying I’?"

"Will you want to rip out my trachea if I am?"

Crystalline eyes narrowed "Maybe, but I won’t allow hten up, maybe Tell a joke every now and then Aden’s had a lot of seriousness in his life, you know? A lot of bad Now he needs good"

What? You’re a doctor now? Well, she had alanted to help people

"I…I-- Well, I hate that the boys think it’s okay to leave us behind" Clearly, the subject of humor was closed "They treat us like we’re damsels in distress" Like Mary Ann, Victoria propped her elbows on the table She rested her chin in her upraised hand

Mary Ann didn’t know if the girl would take her advice or not Tie of topic without co" But you are a damsel in distress, and that’s the real reason you find it irritating Proof: she hadn’t punched Shane in the nose like he’d deserved

Disgusted with herself, Mary Ann pushed her tray aside, even the scent of the pepperoni pizza suddenly hurting her sto by now, she mused First she’d skipped breakfast, and now lunch But she’d been unable to think about taking a bite without wanting to barf

"I ood here," Victoria continued, unaware of her inner turmoil "I can protect you, of course And I’ve convinced all of Aden’s teachers that he’s here today so that he won’t get into trouble and be kicked out of the ranch"

Victoria couldshe wished with only her voice Mary Ann secretly called the ability "Voice Voodoo" and nearly peed her pants in fear every ti in public just because a vampire told her to? Yeah, it could happen That, and a lot worse Thank God they were on the same side

The litany of her skills persisted "I’hter More than that, I can’t be hurt I’m an indestructible vampire, for God’s sake"

Mary Ann didn’t bother to point out that her father--an indestructible vampire--had just been killed Or that her former fiancé--an indestructible varave

"First, you don’t need to protect me I’m not helpless," Mary Ann said, her irritation clear Didn’t you just admit to yourself that you are, in fact, a damsel in distress? And isn’t a damsel in distress, what? Helpless "There’s no need for you to play babysitter"

Victoria uttered a dejected sigh "I didn’twith hu more Or rather, my delicate, easily destroyed food source" Her lips twitched there at the end

A grin? Now?

Victoria was atte to joke with her, just as Mary Ann had instructed, but Mary Ann’s shoulders slumped in nervousness rather than amusement Here was yet another re around the corner A vampire could drain a human in seconds A olf could rip huht the her options She didn’t want to fight Victoria or Riley, of course, but she did need to learn how to defend herself Then maybe they’d see her as an at the exact sahed "You first"

"I was saying that Riley told us to stay here, but that doesn’t ht need us And if we save the to their rescue"

Slowly Mary Ann sh? Hoould we find them?"

"I would--" Victoria stiffened, frowned, then blinked "Did you hear that?"

Listening, Mary Ann glanced around the cafeteria Same kids, same inane chatter "Hear what?"