Dark Secrets (Dark Secrets #1)(98)
Author: A.M. Hudson

“Did she ever get to see you?”

“She named me before she died—since I was first born. Jason came shortly after, but, she simply had nothing left to fight with. Before the midwife even cut the cord—she was gone.”

“So, did your father ever talk about her?”

He shook his head. “I’m told she was beautiful and loved by many. But, my aunt was the only woman I ever considered my mother.”

“Well…what happened to her?”

David’s smile tightened. “Another time, my love.”

“Okay.” I stood up. “Another time, then.”

His eyes narrowed, but the corners of his lips indented his cheek with a slight dimple.

“What?” I said. “Do I have breakfast on my face?”

He stood beside me, taking my hand. “Thank you.”

“What for?”

“For dropping the subject—without the usual fight.”

“Well, thank you for letting me into your past.”

“Anytime.” He nodded, but his tone suggested this might be the last.

School could not have been more boring this week. David was only in three of my classes, which meant that pretty much every second of my day sucked. After spending Monday and Tuesday in misery land, I got tired of my own moping, so, to entertain myself, started answering every question the teachers asked, even when I didn’t know the answer. At least it was good for a laugh—everyone else’s. In fact, the new nickname of ‘class clown’ was beginning to stick. In Home Economics, I got scolded for laughing out loud while the teacher was talking, and it wasn’t even my fault. It was David’s—despite him not being in that class. See, earlier, he’d told me that vampires rarely fall in love with humans—much the same as we don’t fall in love with cows, since we eat them. Then, I saw Josh Granger ogling Mrs Tacony. But she’s the biggest cow ever. It completely disproved David’s theory…and then I laughed. Humiliation followed when the whole class looked at me, and the teacher demanded I share the comedy. I said I was sure I heard a fart.

Suffice to say, the punch David wore afterward barely indented his flesh and totally did not defuse my mood. But he took my moods well, laughed them off, mostly—which was good, I guess, because, like David’s murderous streak, my moods weren’t something I could change. But, murder aside, I found one positive to his vampirism; we’d definitely spent more time together. We were inseparable at school, and he spent every night in my room until, kissing me sweetly, he’d say “Goodnight, my love,” then leave through my window before I could convince him to go further. The downside to all the extra time together was that I really felt it when we were apart. I really missed him.

In History class, I at least had Emily to keep me distracted. Well, when she wasn’t turning around to giggle at her new crush, that is.

“So, you and David seem to be okay now?” she whispered.

I nodded. “Yeah. We’re happy.” He’s a vampire, but we’re happy.

“Oh, and hey, I never got to thank you for hooking me up with Spence.” She smiled, tilting her head into her shoulder.

“Yeah, no worries. Did he ask you out on a real date yet?”

“Yep. And guess what?”

“What?” I said, grinning in exaggeration of her expression.

“He asked me to the Masquerade Ball.”

And there was the squeak. One of the things I loved about Emily was the way she could display excitement so easily. She was just so…normal. “Awesome. Got a dress yet?” My enthusiasm needed some practice, though.

“I’m going shopping with my mom, tonight.”

“Cool. Yeah, I’m not looking forward to being dragged from shop to shop with Vicki, forced to try on everything with fluff.” I laughed, but Emily frowned at me.

“Who’s Vicki?”

“Um, she’s my stepmom.”

“Oh, right. Duh.” She slapped her brow. “So, you don’t like her? I mean, ‘cause you call her Vicki?”

“Yeah, um—old habit, I guess.” I shrugged and turned around to talk to Spencer. “So, Spence, you gonna save me a dance at the ball?”

His cheeks turned bright pink. “Ah, yeah. If that’s okay with Emily.”

“Of course it is. As long as Ara doesn’t mind if I dance with David.”

“Nope. Cool with me,” I said, practically digging my nails through my own palm.

“You three!” Dad barked from the front of the class.

Everyone turned and looked at us. I shrunk to about the size of a quarter. Conversation. Over.

When the bell rang at the end of class, everyone broke formation and dispersed quickly. “Ara, come up and see me before you leave, please,” Dad said, not looking at me.

“Yikes. That sounded like an order,” I said to Em.

“Sorry, Ara.” Her shoulders lifted a little. “Will you be in trouble?”

“Em, don’t worry about it—he’s my dad. What’s the worst he can do? Ground me?”

“Yes. That’s worse than he can do to me.”

I laughed, slinging my bag over my shoulder as I walked away and stepped up in front of Dad’s desk. “Sorry for talking in class, Mr Thompson. It won’t happen again.”

“Ara.” He exhaled, leaning back in his chair. “I appreciate that you’ve had a hard time adjusting to a new school and, don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy you’ve made new friends, but there’s a time for work and a time for play. I don’t want to catch you gossiping in class again or I will move you to Mr Adams’ class. Do I make myself clear?”

I forced back a grin. David was in Mr Adams’ class. I’d love it if he moved me. “Sorry, Dad. It won’t happen again.” Or maybe it would—just a bit.

“Okay. Now, how’s that mythology paper coming along?”

“Uh. Great. I’m doing mine on vampires.” I just decided.

Dad raised one brow. “Is that inspired by last week’s intriguing lecture—on Lilith?”

“Actually, it is.” And the fact that my boyfriend just happened to know that history firsthand. “But, if I determine that I believe the truth behind the myth…are you and Vicki gonna have me admitted into psyche care?”

Dad laughed once. “Aw, honey. We’d never do that. Even if you decide I’m a vampire and try to stake me through the heart.” His face softened away from his grin as he shook his head. “I love you, okay? I know we’ve been a little watchful of you lately, but it’s because we care about you.”