The Dead Girl's Dance

Better be right, she thought, and swallowed hard as they were shoved inside the back of the police car.

The police didnt talk to her or Shane at all. The ride was short, and silent, and when the cruiser pulled into the parking garage at City Hall, there was a welcoming committee standing there waiting. Claire almost cried at the sight of Michael and Evesmoke-stained but standing side by side, holding hands. They looked worried. Next to them was Richard Morrell, with a bandage on his head.

And Mayor Morrell. She couldnt read his expression at allannoyed, but she thought that was usual for him. Claire caught a glimpse of red hair, and saw Sam leaning against a pillar up on the dock. Apart from Michael, he was the only vampire present. At least, the only one she could see.

The cruisers doors were opened, and Claire slid out. The mayor looked her over, then Shane. His eyes narrowed.

My sources say somebody set up a spark board down under the hospital, he said. Connected up the wires and got ready to blow the building. Looks like somebody trashed it before anything happened.

Shane said, Claire pulled the wires. My dad was going to blow it and kill everybody inside.

The Morrells, father and son, exchanged a look. Even Sam raised his head, though he stayed where he was, arms folded, looking relaxed and neutral. And wheres your dad? Richard asked. Shane, you dont owe him. You know that.

Yeah, Shane said. I know. Hes gone. I wish I could tell you he wouldnt be back, but He shrugged. Let Claire go, man. She saved people. She didnt hurt anybody.

Mayor Morrell nodded at the cop standing behind Claire. She felt her handcuffs jiggle, then loosen, and gratefully folded her arms across her chest.

What about Shane? she asked.

The vampires caught two of Franks men. They admitted that Frank murdered Brandon. Shanes in the clear, Richard said.

Shane blinked at him. What?

Go home, Richard said, and the cop unlocked Shanes handcuffs, as well. Sams taken care of getting word out to the vampires. They dont like you much, so watch your step, but youre not guilty of any crimes. Not major ones.

Great! Eve said, and grabbed Claires hand, then Shanes. Were outta here.

Eves Cadillac was parked a few spaces away. The back and side windows had been blacked out, Claire realized, and there was a fresh smell of paint in the air, and two cans of spray enamel lying on the ground. She got in the front seat, and Michael slid into the backseat. Shane hesitated, looking in at him, then climbed in and slammed the door.

Eve started the car. Shane?

Yeah?

Im freaking killing you when we get home.

Good, Shane said. Because right now, death seems like a better idea than talking about any of this.

The town was strangely quietfires out, mobs dispersed, nothing to see here, move along. But Claire didnt really think it was over. Not at all.

She leaned against the window on the ride home, exhausted and unhappy. There was an ominous silence coming from the backseat, a feeling like thunderclouds rolling in and ready to break. Eve rambled on nervously about Shanes dad, and where he might have gone; nobody responded. I hope he leaves, Claire thought. I hope he gets away. Not because he shouldnt payhe shouldbut because if he did, all it meant for Shane was more grief. Losing the last member of his already destroyed family. Better if his dad justdisappeared.

Have you told Shane? Eve asked. Claire sat up, blinking and yawning, as Eve pulled the Caddy to a halt in front of their house.

About what?

Eve pointed at Michael. You know.

Claire turned to look at him. Shane was staring straight ahead, his face like stone. Let me guess, he said. You came up with some magical fairy who granted you your freedom, and now you can come and go whenever you want, he said. Tell me thats it, Michael. Because Ive been thinking about why youre sitting in this car the whole way, and I cant really come up with any other answer that wont make me vomit.

Shane, Michael said, and then shook his head. Yeah. My fairy godmother came and granted me a wish. Lets just get past this.

Get past it? Shane said. How exactly do I do that? Fuck off.

He got out of the car and stalked up the walkway. Eve grabbed a huge black umbrella and hurried around to Michaels side of the car; she opened it like a valet, and he stepped out, grabbed the umbrella, and ran after Shane. Even with the thin shade, his skin began to smoke lightly as it cooked.

Michael made it to the shade of the porch, he dropped the umbrella, and Shane turned and punched him.

Hard.

Michael rode the punch, caught the second one in his open palm, stepped in, and hugged him.

Get off me! Shane yelled, and shoved him back. Damn! Get off!

I wasnt going to bite you, idiot, Michael said wearily. Jesus. Im just glad youre alive.

Wish I could say the same, but since youre not Shane slammed open the door and vanished inside, leaving Michael leaning against the wall.

Claire and Eve came slowly up the walk.

Ill Claire swallowed hard. Ill talk to him. Im sorry. Hes just a littleits been a long day, you know? Hell be okay.

Michael nodded. Eve put an arm around him and helped him into the house.

Shane was nowhere to be seen when Claire entered the living room, but she heard his door slam upstairs. Damn, he was fast when he wanted to be. And bitter. Who said girls were moody? She eyed the couchit was the first comfortable spot to lie downwith weary longing. Maybe she should just let Shane get through it alone. Not like he wasnt used to dealing with trauma.

Then againjust because he could do it alone didnt mean he ought to have to.

There was something odd about the room, and for a long second, Claire couldnt put her finger on it. Then it dawned on her.

The room smelled like flowers. Roses, to be exact.

Claire frowned, turned, and saw a huge bunch of red roses lying on the side table. There was an envelope next to it with her name on it in old-fashioned copper-plate handwriting.

She tore it open and unfolded the papers inside.

Dear Claire, My informal Protection is no longer sufficient for you and your friends, and I think you know that now. More drastic steps must be taken, and soon, or your friends will pay the price. Oliver will not allow todays events to go unanswered. You have been brave, but extremely foolish in your enemies.

Consider my proposal carefully.

I shall not offer it again.

There wasnt a signature, but Claire didnt have any doubt who had written it. Amelie. The letter was water-marked with her seal.

The other papers in the stack looked legal. She read them, frowning, trying to understand what they meant, and some of the language leaped out at her.

I, Claire Elizabeth Danvers, swear my life, my blood, and my service to the Founder, now and for my lifetime, that the Founder may command me in all things.

It was the same thing Oliver had said, back at the hospital, when hed been trying to make her make her his slave.

Claire dropped the paper like it had caught on fire. No, she couldnt do that. She couldnt.

Or your friends will pay the price.

Claire swallowed, stuffed the contract back into the envelope, and shoved it in her pocket just as Eve came around the corner and said, Roses! Jeez, who died?

Nobody, Claire said hoarsely. Theyre for you. From Michael.

Michael looked surprised, but his back was to Eve, and if he had any sense at all, hed play along.

Claire went upstairs to take a shower.

Being clean made it better. Not a whole lot better, but some. She sat for a while, staring at the white envelope with her name on it, wishing she could talk to Shane about it, or Eve, or Michael, but not daring to do any of that because this was her choice. Not theirs. And she knew what theyd say, anyway.

Not enough no in the world, thats what theyd say.

It was after dark when Shane finally knocked on her door. She opened it and stood there looking at him. Just looking, because somehow she didnt think shed ever see enough of him. He looked tired, and rumpled, and sleep creased.

And he was so beautiful she felt her heart break into a million little sharp-edged pieces.

He shifted uncertainly. Can I come in? Or do you just want me to? He pointed back down the hall. She stepped back and let him inside, then shut the door behind him. I freaked about Michael.

Yeah, you think?

Why didnt you tell me?