Dinner proved to be an exhausting affair. The Abernathys and, to a lesser extent John, politely tolerated my mother's puttanesca. I, on the other hand, could barely pretend. "It gets easier," John whispered in my ear, watching as I rearranged the pasta with my fork, hoping my mother wouldn't notice I'd yet to take a bite. If only we had a dog.

With the wining and dining over at last, the Abernathys left with handshakes and uncomfortable hugs. John said goodbye, too, but snuck back later after my parents had tucked themselves in for the night.

"What are we going to do?" I said, sitting cross-legged in the middle of my bed. I didn't have to tell him what I was talking about.

"I think we can get Thomas on our side," John said, his voice pitched low. "Margaret will remain loyal to her father, though." He placed a hand on mine and I lifted my eyes to his. "Whatever you do," he said, "don't rouse her suspicions. The last thing we need is for her to compel you."

"I won't," I assured him. "If she learns how I really feel about her family, Thomas excluded, it'll only be a matter of time before they revoke our membership and yank out our fangs."

The glow from the bedside lamp cast an eerie shadow across John's face so that his eyes looked like bottomless pools of darkness. But then he turned his face to the ceiling, displacing the shadow. All he looked now was tired.

"What's wrong?" I said.

He stood and began pacing the room. "I've been part of that family for a very long time, Blake. I can't believe I didn't see them for what they really were. I feel like such an idiot."

I wasn't used to my boyfriend's self-deprecating tone, and I didn't like it. "They're a lot older than you. They've had years to master their game."

John continued to pace, not responding or giving any indication that he'd heard a word I said. Going to him at last, I gripped his arms, forcing him to stand still and look at me. "We're doing something about it now, right?" I said. "Don't be too hard on yourself."

He gave a feeble shake of the head. "If it wasn't for you I'd probably just look the other way, keep on doing what they tell me to do."

"You don't know that."

"I'm not a leader, Blake. I never have been. I'm not a . . . a revolutionary," he said, searching for the right word. "I'm not comfortable questioning authority or going against what is expected of me. I've been working alongside the Abernathys for a long time, doing the same job, and now I'm being forced to pick sides." He ran his hands through his hair, turning away in frustration.

"This goes beyond you and me," I said. "We have an obligation to do what's right by the people we love—humans and vampires alike—whether we want to or not. Standing by is not an option."

John started to respond, but I continued before he had a chance to speak. "When I agreed to let Josiah change me, I naively thought I would become a vampire and you and I would live happily ever after. I knew there would be some growing pains, but how many girls get to spend forever with the guy they love?"

I stepped around John so that we were facing each other and pressed my cheek against his chest, listening for the dull thud of his heartbeat. "What I didn't anticipate," I added, "was all this extended-family baggage."

"I guess you didn't know what you were signing up for."

I looked up at him, smiling. "Vampire Basics: 101 would have been a helpful book to have on hand."

The corner of John's mouth twitched. "Maybe we should co-write the manual. We'd make millions in the young-adult market."

He led me to the bed where we sat close together, each of us lost in our thoughts. "I just remembered something else Ian mentioned," I said after a few moments.

"What?"

I turned to face him. "He said that if the Abernathys have me, they have you. What do you think that means?"

"Maybe that's Conrad Abernathy's way of manipulating me to do what he wants. He knows that wherever you are, I'll be. And since Josiah is your sire, your bond is what connects you, and thereby me, to the family. It makes his hold on all of us that much stronger.

"Also," he continued, "Compellers are few and far between. I'm nowhere near as good as Margaret, but that's because I'm still relatively young. He wouldn't risk losing me by jeopardizing you in any way."

"That sounds ominous."

He waved his hand in dismissal. "Don't worry. He likes you. He wouldn't hurt you."

I sat for a moment, letting that digest. "You don't think he would use compulsion as a weapon, do you?" I said.

"I hadn't thought of it," John replied.

"There are bound to be vampires who will resist him and his ideas, right? It makes sense that he would use compulsion as a means of control. Could a weaker vampire learn to resist compulsion?" I was thinking out loud now, the ideas pinging around the room.

The corners of John's mouth turned down. "I don't know."

An idea had started to take shape in my mind. "Compel me and I'll try to ward you off."

John grinned. "You won't be able to resist me, Blake."

"Try me," I challenged.

"All right, but you asked for it." John leveled his gaze at me, and as I stared into his deep green eyes, I knew I would be no match for him. "Kiss me."

Without hesitating, I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his.

Some moments later, he pushed my shoulders to sever the connection. "I told you," he said.

"No fair! I wanted to kiss you. You have to compel me to do something I wouldn't normally do. That way we'll know if it works or not."

John thought for a moment and then went to my desk. He returned holding a pair of scissors, which he handed to me as he resumed his spot on the bed.

I raised a brow, even as I got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. "What am I supposed to do with these?"

He trained his eyes on me. "Cut off a lock of your hair."

Again, without hesitating, I brought the scissors to my hair and snipped off an inch of curl. He reclined on his elbows with an irritatingly smug expression on his face.

"John!" I said when I realized what had happened.

"Relax," he said with a laugh. "I could have compelled you to cut off a lot more than that."

"And then I would have cut off something else," I said, brandishing the scissors in his direction.

John crossed his legs, his face contorting in imaginary pain. "That's harsh." He took the scissors out of my grasp and placed them gingerly on the nightstand, far out of my reach. "You know, I could compel you to do other things," he said with that same wicked grin.

"You don't have to compel me to make out with you," I said, leaning forward to kiss him on the tip of his nose. "All you have to do is ask."

**********

"Can we talk?" I said to Thomas when he showed up at my lunch table the next day.

"Sure," he said, settling into a chair.

"Last night," I began hesitantly, "when we were in the basement, and Margaret was talking about that rumor she heard . . ."

"The rumor about the vampires who want to revert to the old ways of hunting humans."

"Yeah. The thing is, it's not just a rumor."

The lines in his forehead deepened. "You don't believe there's any truth to it, do you?"

I leaned forward. "Ian told me about this group he heard about when he was in the city. The same kind of group your sister was talking about."

Thomas's jaw hardened. "Why are you telling me this?"

I leaned in closer, lowering my voice. "Aren't you curious why your dad keeps raising the price of blood?"

"To make money." He continued then with what I thought was a twinge of disapproval. "Father's always been greedier than the average vampire. Or human, for that matter. He says it's because supply is low, but I know better."

"Come on, Thomas. Do you really believe your father is just being greedy? I think he's part of that group. He doesn't see vampires and humans as equals. He sees them as predators and prey."

Thomas shook his head, turning the disapproving look on me. "You're paranoid, Blake. Greed aside, my father has never been anything less than a decent and just man."

"He's not a man. He's a vampire," I reminded him, as though that was all the explanation needed to convince him to see things my way.

"He's my father." Thomas rose.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm sorry," Thomas said, looking down at me, "but I won't sit here and listen to you talk about him that way."

I took his arm. "I don't mean to disrespect your dad but you're not thinking clearly."

He leaned down, and the fiery look in his eyes made me remove my hand from his arm. "I consider you a friend, Blake, but you don't know what you're talking about. I've been a vampire much longer than you, and trust me when I say my father would never put his own family in harm's way, nor would he risk the lives of innocent humans. This sect that you are speaking of is a figment of your imagination."

"Sometimes good people turn bad," I said, a lame attempt to further make my point.

"Goodbye, Blake." Thomas stalked off.

Folding my arms on the table, I buried my face in my jacket and spent the next several minutes fuming. What would John and I do without Thomas on our side?

Moments later, the chair next to mine scraped across the tile as someone sat down. I didn't need to look up to know who it was. I groaned inwardly. I didn't have the time or mental energy for my ex-boyfriend right now.

"Zach, how many times do we have to keep—"

"What were you and my brother talking about just now?"

I slowly raised my head as I tried to calm my racing heart. "I don't have to tell you."

Margaret smirked. "Let me remind you that some of us are stronger and more powerful than others."

"Are you threatening me?" I had a sudden fear that she would compel me to tell her what she wanted to know. I quickly averted my eyes and changed the subject before she had a chance to answer. "Anyway, aren't you supposed to be in class?"

"My schedule isn't any of your concern. Besides, my being here is for show, remember? Unlike you, I've already graduated high school. Multiple times."

I really didn't like Margaret.

"What were you and my brother talking about?"

"I wanted his notes. He wouldn't give them to me. He said I couldn't take the easy way out."

Margaret narrowed her eyes. "You're lying."

"Fine. I was getting his opinion about what I should get John for Christmas. It's never too early to start shopping, you know."

One charcoal-black brow rose. "You know I can compel you to tell me what I want to know. The fact I haven't illustrates my level of self-control."

If ever I needed to give the performance of my life, it was now. "I asked him if he would make Olivia a vampire."

Margaret seemed genuinely taken aback by this statement, but I was pretty sure it was one lie she might actually swallow. "Why ever would you want Thomas to make that girl a vampire?"

I gave her a look. "Because she's my best friend! I asked John but he said no." I held my breath, hoping she would get off my case now.

"That's the most moronic idea I've ever heard," she said before getting up and walking away.

I watched Margaret weave her way through the cafeteria, and only when she was totally out of sight did I allow myself to release the breath I'd been holding.

**********

"Who's above Conrad Abernathy?" I asked John later that night. "He's got to answer to someone, doesn't he?"

"He does," John said. "But I don't know who that is."

"Why not?"

John massaged his forehead as though warding off a headache. "I don't know, Blake. Maybe because I didn't get the orientation package when Ian made me a vampire. There wasn't an organizational chart mapping out the chain of command."

"You don't have to be so cranky," I muttered.

John sighed. "I'm sorry. I can't stop thinking about Ian."

Constant distress over Ian's welfare, as well as my own, had aged him over the past week. He looked considerably older than eighteen.

"Are you getting enough blood? You keep bringing me bags out of your supply, but are you saving enough for yourself?"

"Yeah," he said, dismissing my concerns. "Don't worry about me."

But the dark circles under his eyes made it obvious that the lack of sufficient blood had taken its toll. It was scary how quickly his appearance had deteriorated.

"I could ask my parents for money," I said. "I could tell them I have a school project and need to buy some supplies."

"And what happens when the money runs out?" He shook his head. "I told you, I've got this."

"I could get a part-time job after school," I offered, even though a job, when I barely had the hang of this vampire gig, was the last thing I could handle in addition to school.

"I said I've got this, Blake. You've got enough on your plate without being concerned about my blood intake."

I leaned back against the pillow and hugged my stuffed bear to my chest. It was late, way past my human bedtime, and yet I hadn't slept in days. "There should be some cardinal rule that says every new vampire gets a free supply of blood for the first year," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

John gave the ghost of a smile. "When one vampire makes another, the stronger one takes care of the weaker. At least, that's how it's supposed to work."

"We could ask Josiah for child support." I laughed, though John's mouth turned down in a scowl at the mention of Josiah's name. "Sorry. I wasn't actually serious."

"Actually," he said, "you might be on to something."

"Forget I mentioned it. I don't want anything to do with him."

"I don't want you to have anything to do with Josiah, either, but getting close to him might be a way to get closer to Mr. Abernathy. We could keep an eye on him without anyone suspecting us."

I sat up straighter, contemplating. "Do you think that could work?"

"Maybe." Pulling his cell from his back pocket, John punched in a few numbers. After a brief conversation with June, he ended the call and turned to me.

"I hope you don't have anything better to do," he said. "Turns out Mr. Abernathy has time for us right now."

We arrived at the Abernathy mansion fifteen minutes later and followed June, who looked like she'd been roused from bed for the occasion of our visit, to the Head Watcher's office. It was beginning to feel like my home away from home.

"Mr. Kelly and Miss Ehlert. Please have a seat." Mr. Abernathy gestured to the two chairs in front of his desk.

I tried to ignore Josiah lounging comfortably on the couch in the corner, as well as the fact this entire scenario was eerily reminiscent of the day he had made me a vampire. Placing my hand against my neck, I cast a tentative glance in his direction. Our eyes met, and I quickly looked away.

"What is it that I can help you with tonight?" Mr. Abernathy said. "It's rather late for social calls, so this must be important."

"To be honest, Mr. Abernathy," John said. "With the price increase on blood, I'm having a hard time providing for both myself and Blake."

Mr. Abernathy looked confused. "Price shouldn't be an issue. You and Miss Ehlert are welcome to use my Donors. In any case, she is not your responsibility." The older vampire cast a disapproving look in Josiah's direction. "Am I to assume you are not providing for your progeny?"

Josiah shifted, for the first time appearing uncomfortable. "I am not."

"And why is that?" Mr. Abernathy said.

Josiah's mouth hardened. "It is my understanding that my progeny does not want me meddling in her affairs."

Mr. Abernathy threw his head back and laughed. "You, my friend, have a lot to learn about women and what they want."

I opened my mouth to argue, but John put a hand on my arm and cleared his throat. "It's not convenient for Blake to come here. She's not as independent as most vampires, given the fact she still lives with her parents."

Mr. Abernathy steepled his fingers and narrowed his eyes. "Yes, I do see how that is a problem."

I listened to the conversational volley, following them with my eyes as I tried to deduce the eventual outcome, so I was a little taken off guard when Mr. Abernathy finally addressed me. "Tell me, Miss Ehlert, how much blood do you require in a week?"

I did a quick mental tally. "I don't know. Fourteen pints at least? But I can't pay for that," I added, in case he forgot that one crucial fact.

Mr. Abernathy raised his hand, smiling genially. "I'll see to it myself that you are taken care of, Miss Ehlert. Also, and I hope you don't mind me saying this, but I think of you as a daughter."

I swallowed hard and forced a smile in return. Let him consider me one of the family, as long as he didn't expect me to start calling him Dad. "I appreciate that, Mr. Abernathy."

"Mr. Butler," he said, turning to Josiah. "Please arrange Miss Ehlert's blood for transport to . . ." He looked at us again as a thought seemed to occur to him. "Surely you don't have space in your parents' home to conceal that many pints of blood?"

"I'll store it at my place," John said. "And, just to be certain, this blood will be vetted by Mr. Larsen?"

Mr. Abernathy's brows knit together. "Of course."

"Great," John replied.

"Then I trust our business here is concluded?" Mr. Abernathy rose from his chair, not waiting for an answer, and John and I rose with him.

"Thank you," I said.

Mr. Abernathy placed his hand on my shoulder. "Your thanks isn't necessary. After all, you know the old saying."

"What saying?"

"Blood is thicker than water."

*****

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