Vlad’s footfalls sounded on the stairs. “Tiffenie, we’re not done talking.”
Dr. R looked up in surprise, probably not expecting to be caught in the middle of an argument. Heaven flashed a tired look, threw up a peace sign, and trudged upstairs.
Vlad’s voice was filled with emotion long held back. Ignoring Dr. R, he said, “We can’t live like this anymore, pretending to be human. I thought you would get used to our lifestyle.”
I gave Dr. R a private look to reassure her that she was safe with me.
Vlad gazed at me with intensity. “Don’t you want to be with someone who you can be your real self with?”
Dr. R pushed the dark shades up her nose and set her purse down like she meant business. “Would you two like a couples session?” She tapped the empty seats on the couch next to her. “Sit down.”
“We’re not a couple,” I said. “Let me give you a ride home.”
“I would love a session,” said Vlad.
“Who are you?” I squinted into Vlad’s face, so confused. “Couplestherapy, really?”
“We need someone to help us with our communication. If youwantto be with Tyrone instead of me, that’s your choice. But if you’re just with him because you don’t know how to be with me, we need to talk about that.”
What was going on with him?
“I want some joy, Tiffenie. I want someone to share my undead existence with. What is the point of living through a day if I can’t tell you about it? Texting isn’t enough. I need totouchyou. I want to be with you and only you.”
“Vlad—” I held my hand up. Was he proposing, now, in front of Dr. R? What was he thinking?
“Let me take the doctor home. We can talk later.”
I searched for the hearse keys while Dr. R sat awkwardly on the couch. She looked unsure if she should get up.
“Where are the car keys? Has anyone seen them?” I patted my pockets down to no effect. “Are they in my jacket pocket? What was I wearing last night? Heaven, help me!”
“I’m busy!” Heaven shouted from upstairs.
“I don’t think you understand what I’m saying, Tiffenie.” Vlad walked across the room and took my hands in his. “No more secrets. Let’s stop pretending.”
Honesty always led to blood. Vampires hide in the shadows. Those are the rules. “Vlad, what are you doing? You said we could never—”
“Forget what I said. I’m doing this for you.” He looked toward the heavens and shouted, “WE ARE VAMPIRES!”
I looked at Dr. R in a panic and then back to Vlad. “Really, Vlad?” After three hundred years he didn’t understand. “I can be a vampire if and only if it doesn’t make everyone around us unsafe.” Dead serious, I looked into his eyes. “I like the idea of living in the open, but what are the rules?”
“You know the rules,” he said.
“Do you mean ‘Always listen to your coven leader, even if he is a stupidman from the Dark Ages’?” I stared him down with hands on hips. “Is that still a rule?”
He shrugged. We both knew it was.
“Only give the Dark Gift to ‘hotties.’ ” I air-quotedhotties.“Is that still a rule?”
“Well, that one isn’t really enforceable because it’s pretty subjective,” he muttered.
I wasn’t having it. I almost yelled, “‘Never reveal your true self to a mortal.’ Is that still a rule?”
Dr. R, who was listening intently said, “Those sound familiar.”
“You might have heard them inInterview with a Vampire,” Vlad said.
“Really? Vampires follow Anne Rice’s rules?”
