Page 24 of Just the Pool Boy at Vampire Mansion

“Huh?”

“Benny, what was he wearing?”

“Oh, some kind of Gucci gown. He wasn’t happy about having to go looking for you in it.”

“Then there’s no way he’s going to drag Jay out of the pool and put him in ours. Benny hates getting wet, or anything remotely filthy. Cleanliness is his religion. I don’t think it was him, it feels off. This whole thing feels off.”

Where did the ring fit in all of this? Geraldine had been interested in whether I’d found anything in the pool that morning, suggesting she knew there’d been something to find. “What about your mom?”

“Huh?”

“I mean . . . what are her thoughts on Jay’s death?”

“She doesn’t care about anything unless it’s politics. I doubt she even remembers Jay. To her, people like you are just the help. No offense.”

“She didn’t care that you were talking to Jay? Or that Jay was working for the neighbors when you guys have ancient beef?”

Theo considered it, then shrugged. “Maybe, she’s hard to read. Had a long time to perfect her face.”

“How long?”

“A few hundred years.”

I blinked. “Wow.” So how old was Theo?

“I’m two hundred and three, if you’re wondering.” He saw my face fall and laughed hard. “Wow, you’re gullible. I’m twenty-five, just plain ol’ off-the-shelf mortal years, until I transition.”

“Oh.” My heart started up again after stopping for a solid minute.

“Your face.” He chuckled. “How old are you, huh?”

“Twenty-three . . . and a half, mortal years.”

He laughed. “Haven’t you even googled vampires, Owen?”

“A bit, yeah, but I might as well ask you, right?”

“Alright.” He shifted forward on the couch. “What do you want to know? Lay it on me. Ask me anything. I’ll be truthful.”

“Oh no, I can’t do that.”

“Sure you can. I’m offering. Ask.”

“No, it’s fine, you don’t need to⁠—”

“Stop being nice and ask some fucking questions. Straight from the horse’s mouth. Quick fire. Go.”

I laughed, and shifted forward too, so we were looking across the coffee table but closer now.

“Quicker. I’m bored already.”

“Alright, alright . . . Let me think.” I might not get another opportunity like this.

“Tick tock, Owen. The offer expires in five seconds.”

“Alright, okay⁠—”

“Four—”