Quick! I’m going to spring.
Shit. I look down to see the snake rearing up beside me, its fangs glistening. I leap wildly off the chair, paws outstretched towards the door handle. I’m going to make it, I’m going to make it ...
I hit the door with a thump, the pads of all four paws clinging to the smooth metal, while the snake snaps at my dangling tail. This is not how I envisioned my afternoon going!
I start to slide down the door handle, inching closer to the snake. Squeezing my eyes shut, I pray fervently:Please, God, let me escape this nightmare, and I’ll be a good vampire. Please, God, help Will not to eat me ...
My praying isn’t what it used to be. I’ve forgotten a lot of the nonsense I used to jabber back in 1560. Probably because He didn’t help me.
Suddenly, the door clicks open, and I open my eyes to find I’m not going to kitty hell just yet. Dropping lightly onto all fours, I insert my head in the gap and wriggle frantically. The snake grazes my back leg with its fangs, but I kick at its face, and I’m through. The door must have an overhead closer on it as it snaps shut again before the snake can slither through. And snakes don’t have hands, so there’sthat.
I scamper down the hallway with a yowl, too freaked out to change back into my normal body.
But I do before I reach my apartment as I can’t bang on the door with paws. Plus my tote is still in Will’s room with my key, purse, and phone. Goddammit!
Floss opens the door with a bemused smile.
‘Oh, hi. Did you forget your—’
I barge in, slam the door behind me, and lock it.
Vaguely, I notice that the others are lounging on my bed. Dusty leather-bound journals are scattered all over it, there are mugs of blood on the kitchen table, and a variety of wooden implements are propped against the wall for staking an evil vampire.
Just your usual afternoon coven hang-out.
‘Are you OK?’ asks Floss. But I walk past her and grab the nearest mug of blood, which still has some dregs in the bottom, and suck it down. Then I grab another.
‘Thirsty, Hester? There’s some more blood in the fridge if you want it.’ Floss looks at me curiously.
‘Will’s a vampire,’ I mouth. Testing the words.
‘What was that? Speak up,’ says bat-eared Sadie from the bed.
‘Will’s a vampire,’ I say loudly, the blood hitting my system in a rush. Everyone stares at me.
‘What the fuck? Are you sure?’ asks Floss.
I nod and shakily lift the mug for another hit, but it’s empty. I sag against the table.
Everyone starts talking at once.
‘How old is he?’
‘What are his powers?’
‘Can he help us with Alexander?’
I shake my head rapidly, not able to deal with all the questions after my traumatic experience upstairs.
‘Guys, back off. She’s upset.’ Floss, always the most intuitive of the group, leads me to the couch; and I sit down heavily. She nestles beside me, looking concerned. ‘Just take your time.’
Elliott gets up off the bed, pours blood into a clean mug, and hands it to me. I take a grateful swallow. ‘Thanks. Changing into a pussycat always takes it out of me.’
‘You had to change?’ he asks, hovering. ‘How come?’
I lean back against the couch cushions, feeling a bit stronger after the blood. ‘Ah, things got slightly intense ... But I’ll start from the top. Will is the same vampiric age as me. He was turned in 1560.’
Sadie’s mouth drops open. ‘Fuck, he’s ancient then!’
