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"Of course" I was relieved to seehis tail You never kne ani voice, she’d sentfor cover Of course none of theer to me in CiCi, just to themselves apparently This one seemed to have developed an instant crush on her and was actually speechless

"My, he’s a big one, isn’t he?" She leaned down to pat his head and give hi look "Good You need a protector since you are too stubborn to settle doith Jeremiah"

Jeremiah, Jeremy, Blade This was CiCi as usual "Jerry and I do fine on our own Leave it alone, CiCi" I turned to Freddy

"Where’s Derek?"

"Out" Freddy lost his ss? At least what you need for overnight?"

"Sure, thanks Just the tote on the backseat We can worry about the rest later" I watched Freddy stride down the brick sidewalk

"He’s ed a whisper "Derek is out hunting He will not give it up"

"They are still together though"

"Oh, yes Except for this little disagreement, they are quite devoted" CiCi led the way into a cozy living room It was full of the kind of antiques I love and I exclaiht

"Yes, I do love beautiful things Frederick tells ood idea Who else would know so er urines "I never had anything this fine back in the day, but maybe you can help me" CiCi looked startled "Oh, not to work, of course But to give me your opinion from time to tiht consign a few things" She gestured around the tastefully jam-packed room "Frederick says I have tooto craaveI’o of sorowled Freddy with h Jacknized hiraph a va, yeah, that’s true and a real pain in the butt for soood I’d had to use the vae make-up She’s the one who’d talkedif not fashionable Her black hair was pulled back to show off her flawless, pale skin and high cheekbones Her sapphire pants suit perfectly ure I’lided around the roo a whispered conversation which of course I could hear every word of because ofDerek had hunted near the university dorms and Freddy was furious

"You did wipe hisFreddy’s hand off his ar Now introduce me to your friend Gloriana"

I smiled and stretched out my hand "Glory to my friends It’s a pleasure to meet you" Oh, God, Derek carried the scent of fresh blood How long had it been since I’d allowedneck? I inhaled then feltbreath

"You see what you do to us?" Freddy’s fists were clenched "Glory’s an inch away fro like O positive"

"I’m okay, Freddy Really" Or I would be as soon as I downed a Bloody Merry That’s right, Merry, not Mary My Merry’s a canned synthetic blood, not a tomato juice cocktail Another vamp invented it in the fifties, the nineteen fifties, that is You get it at Merryy drink and depressed housewives clai

Derek stood et away from that delicious aroma before I raced out of the house to search for the nearest waro to hell "But hunting is e do Why deny yourself? I can show you around if you like The students here are wonderful Young and healthy if you avoid the druggies and certain frat houses We can check out Guadalupe Street or around the library"

"Enough, Derek" CiCi sat on an ereen velvet art deco couch Valdez settled at her feet and gazed up at her adoringly Traitor He looked over atShaot here Can’t we have a civilized conversation? She doesn’t really need to feed, do you, Gloriana?"

"No, I’ot into reen can Did you expect red? Too obvious

"Ah, here’s Sheba" CiCi looked down at Valdez "You’ll not bother the cat, sir Or your stay here will be a short one" Valdez sprang to his feet I could feel his horror as a beautiful gray cat with bright blue eyes strolled into the roo, then headed straight to Valdez

"CiCi, maybe I’d better book a hotel roo a kitty funeral CiCi placed a hand on Valdez’s head "You will not hurtthere wason As for the cat, she sidled up to Valdez and rubbed her head against his chest He practically vibrated with the urge to s her in one gulp To my relief, Sheba moved on to jue to chill, but it wasn’t necessary He lay down at CiCi’s feet

"Now sit, all of you Gloriana, tell us your plans"