Chapter Fifteen - Part Two

night. It’s not that important. But I do think some wine would help get rid of some of the residual awkwardness of that conversation though.”

“Why don’t I get you another glass?” Ethan suggested, looking relieved.

“Please do.” I said, sighing as I watched him scamper off.

Marriage? Children? The idea of sharing that level of commitment with Ethan and the rest of his family was overwhelming, not to mention wildly unnerving. And not to say that it would be the worst thing in the world, but it still had this way of frightening me to death it was so… normal.

And Human.

“Well, well, well, we certainly seem to have that one on a short leash these days.”

“Eve,” I said, knowing the voice before I’d even looked up. She was standing above me, suddenly, in an ice-blue gown with a white sash, white heels, and elbow-length white gloves. Her long, blonde hair was bone straight, tonight, and her makeup was applied to a T. For all intents and purposes, she was a tall, beautiful, ice queen.

“Naomi,” Eve replied, taking Ethan’s empty seat. “I hope that you showing up here tonight means you’ve reached a decision – the right decision. Besides, it should go without saying that you and I need to stick together. You don’t wanna end up Ethan’s victim too, sweetie, trust me.”

I looked around us wearily before answering. Ethan would be back any second, and could hear anything if he chose the right moment.

“I’m not a victim, Eve. I’m not you.”

“Oh, yes, honey you’re definitely right about that. You aren’t me – not yet. But you will be if you stick with him. And I’ll be here to witness it. You’ll join the club and then I’ll stick your sexy little picture on the wall next to mine, along with all the other tramps in this town Ethan’s stuck his penis in.”

“I’m crying on the inside, really.” I said, giving her a cynically plaintive look. “Look, do you have your evidence yet?”

“The night’s still young,” Eve replied. “Mathew is probably out running a train somewhere, Kimber is on her way to Hang-over Town, and Doe Eyes will be drooling over you all night. So that leaves me plenty of time to get what I need…”

Eve paused for a moment. Something above my left shoulder seemed to have caught her interest.

“And just when I thought our conversation couldn’t get any more fun…” Eve said, looking genuinely more pleased.

I turned quickly, looking over my shoulder to see Addy making her way towards us through the crowd, with Collin in tow. Although her dress was a dark violet tone, it was of a design reminiscent of the dress that Marilyn Monroe had worn for The Seven Year Itch. And a black headband in the shape of leaves and vines was fastened in her hair – a neatly pinned mass of spiraling red curls.

I waved to Adelle, grateful for her timing. She smiled in response and picked up the pace, dragging her date behind her.

“Naomi… Eve.” Adelle said, stopping short when she realized who our table guest was.

“Adelle, is that your date?” Eve said, eyeing the Human behind Addy with interest. “He smells so… fresh.”

Collin, ever polite, peered around Adelle, confused but a little cross too it seemed.

“I’m sorry,” he said, but not looking it at all. “Do we know each other?”

“No, you cute little appetizer-with-a-pulse, you. But you’re more than welcome to get to know me if you want…”

“Ok! Well! It was really nice seeing you again, Eve.” Adelle said loudly, sidestepping in front of Collin so that Eve had no choice but to address her instead. “But don’t you have some creepy cemetery that needs haunting? Or a wax appointment, perhaps?”

Eve said nothing to Addy, and chose instead to give her a secretive little smile.

“Well, I really should be off then.” Eve said, standing and smoothing the imaginary creases in her dress. “So much suffering to cause, so little time. But we’ll reconvene later tonight, and pick back up on this exciting conversation, Naomi.”

“Midnight, at the old oak bridge.” Eve said, finally walking away. “And don’t keep me waiting, mon cheri.”

Adelle gave Eve a nice head start before unleashing her odium.

“Ugh! How I hate her guts and all her creepy, seductive insults, and her dress, and her obviously one-of-a-kind Christian Louboutin, first edition, white platforms, with the rhinestone covered heels that make my heart sing…” Adelle said this last bit through gritted teeth, with a vein in her forehead that was popping.

“Well, cute shoes or not, we need to watch out for her.” I muttered, so that only Addy could hear. And “hello, Collin,” I said loudly, smiling around Addy at her clearly puzzled date.

“Hi,” he said, giving me a tentative smile as he decided it was safe to join the conversation. “Um, was that a friend of yours, or…?”

“Yeah, definitely not. So, are you and Addy having a good night so far?”

“Uh, yeah, yeah. This is actually the fanciest party that I’ve ever been to. I’m kind of from the less nice section of town. You know – where they have ‘get-togethers’ and ‘barbeque sauce’?”

Sure, with his open, grey blazer, black button down shirt, and black skinny jeans with a pair of ratty grey Vans, Collin didn’t exactly scream “wealthy”, but I could tell that he was smart and hardworking, and I appreciated that. I recognized within him traits that I hoped I still reflected as well, despite my newfound assets.

“I like him,” I said, grinning at Addy. “He’s funny which makes him a keeper I think.”

“Yeah, well, you should see him in a suit.” she said, kissing his cheek before resting her head on his shoulder. “That’s even better than his sense of humor.”

“I didn’t miss anything, did I?” Ethan interrupted, walking towards us and carrying two glasses of champagne.

“Ethan, hey.” I said, taking the glass that he offered. “Is everything ok? There are, like, a million waiters around. I thought for sure you’d be back sooner?”

“Yeah, sorry about that.” Ethan said, looking down at his own glass pensively. “I decided to take a quick lap. You know, see if my dad bothered to show up this time. Didn’t find him, but I did happen to see your Grandfather and Diane. And they mentioned something about getting their pictures taken for The Harbor’s Herald. Page three tomorrow.”

“A reporter’s taking their picture for the newspaper?” I asked. “What for?”

“He’s writing some article about the building fund for the new shelter.” Addy cut in. “Charles is one of the main investors, and supposedly, it was his big idea. Mrs. Raines announced it earlier, before you got here.”

“Well, I think that’s a really good idea.” Collin said, reminding me once more of the benevolence and happy-go-luckiness of his kind. “If you ask me, a new shelter is exactly what Harbor needs – a rich town like this, giving back to its citizens. You know, I actually need some volunteer credit hours for a humanitarian studies class that I’m taking at the college. So, I don’t know, maybe I could do some charity work for the shelter? After it’s built?”

“Oh, Collin, of course!” I said brightly. “I think that’s an excellent idea. I’d be more than happy to put in a word for you to my grandfather. And, you know what, I bet the building crew could probably use some extra help as well, if you’d be interested in that too. Right, Addy?”

“Um, you don’t think that would be a little dangerous, Mimi?” Adelle replied, shooting me a look.

“I’m sure Collin would be able to manage.” I replied, resolutely, but not without gentleness.

“It’s just some nails and power tools.” Collin said, taking Addy’s hand and looking back at her with warmth. “You wouldn’t have to worry.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Duh.” she said, but with a smile that looked forced.

“Hey Collin,” Ethan said, throwing an arm around his shoulder, as he sensed the sudden tension. “What do you say we check out that giant, fruit platter? And it looks like the shrimp cocktail is starting to dwindle...”

I watched Ethan steer Collin away in the direction of the food, marveling at how useful he could be.

“Seriously, Naomi, I love you, but what are you thinking getting Collin involved with your grandfather? I fail to see how that could do any good.”

“Collin is Human – he’ll be safe, Addy.”

“Did you ever hear about the poor guy that Charles pretty much sentenced to death last year? Yeah. He tossed that kid to the Hunters like a piece of dog meat. And all over some stupid bags that were stolen from a couple of blood banks. That guy was one of us, Naomi. He was Garou. Now I’m not saying that Charles is a stone-cold killer, but if he could turn on his own that easily, how do we know a Human would be safe?”

Striking words they were, and mostly because it was all true. But another part of me, deep down, registered that single phrase “stone-cold killer”, and froze. I couldn’t move, because a horrible thought beyond all other horrible thoughts had just come to me.

What if killing was in my blood?

Paris (most likely) murdered her own husband and covered it up with warm hands and cold blood. Sully (possibly) had faked her own rape and had Caspian killed. And my grandfather, Charles, (surely) had a Pack member killed because he hated Vampires to such an extreme that blood trafficking was a good enough excuse to vent his deep-seeded inner rage. And then there was me – slayer of the evil villain, Kyle Lattimer, and accidental murderer of the saintly hero, Danny Rodenstein.

But these dark contemplations all tied and ebbed within seconds. I had learned fairly early in life how to keep bad thoughts from festering. But after months of a strong, solid, friendship, Addy was able to register something that I couldn’t hide, because she immediately laid a warm, friendly hand on my arm.

“Dude, are you ok? What did I just miss?”

“Nothing, really. Just wondering if all future generations of my family are forever doomed to repeat the same mistakes that those before us have made.” I said, with an elusiveness that was very close to sounding cliché – even in my ears.