Vampire's Journal

ng the night sky with pink and pale

room in the

the trap door in the ceiling,a trap door that

ressed,but not because he was up early. He had never been to sleep. He'd just returned from the w

w they had been staring at his clothes. He had always dressed in the

sition. If he does not,he is showing contempt for others. Everyone had a

a student was likely to bring his own student days back. Now the memories came thick and fast,a

David had announced he was quitting the University. He woul

ppe was usually a fair man, but he had a temper,

dabbing at his lips wit

kerc

derstand such a simple sentence, father

appalled at this disrespect

I, Giuseppe, Conte di S

rto? A ne'er-do-well An idler who make

away as Giuseppe work

d not ev

all those who fawn on you

money your

cried Giuseppe, ris

re at school you waste your time and

e jousting,

nd your tutors you would be failing every course. Bu

hipped up to gra

ng and hawking?". Caden had to give hi

the aristocrat,from the elegantly plain cap on his dark

o far this time, thought Caden,watching the two men whose eyes were l

light step in the study

of lapis lazuli,framed with lon

cold lands of the German princes to the Italian country si

had arrived, everythin

on. I did not me

was soft

ight motion a

e wanted to say more,to catch her hand but

nto those jewel like blue e

aid,and Caden saw that

ased Damon. He stepped forward,straightening

ity today,and he will be delighted to see you. But your che

sir. I do not use rouge lik

ld stop himself,and Olivia smiled at him. She

le of you during the day. You seldom give us

in my own rooms,sir,". said Oli

true,but he said nothi

a's s

up at his f

m here n

onight we have a very special meal for your

livia in delight. It was seldom they could speak to each other with

Olivia was smiling the little secret smile that she ha

at moment,hated David's dark beauty and grace and the s

. Instead he had to stand and watch as Olivia moved slowly toward his br

to Olivia,and smiled the cruel smile of triu

the slender gold chain he wore under his shirt. His thumb and fore fing

five centuries had not dimmed its luster. It was set w

h lapis,on his own hand. In his chest was a familiar tightnes

via's memory. But there was one memory he must truly

would go mad. As he had been mad that day,that fin

s coolness. His tutor had had another saying: Evil will nev

here,but that was impossible. He would never be accepted,he would

rning. She could hear Aunt Judith pottering a

r bed. Trisha passed her younger sister's half-open door noiseless

nly by the usual jays and sparrows. Trisha,who had gone to bed with a thr

ed to meet Dan before school,and though she wasn't lookin

s away from the high scho

ept that maybe the swing on the porch was a l

icked up at the sight of him as it used to. He was good-looki

some people were,but in

short for the football season,and his skin was sun

ard. And just today,as he held out his arm

to come

uching. Maples and black walnut trees lined this street,and the air s

tain. She didn't know

en't told me abou

great," s

at him. He was lookin

," she continued,trying to put

. It was really..." Her voice tra

Great," he fin

oes. Trisha recognized them from last year. Dan's family b

ind those steady bl

k pretty great ri

uth in dismay,but he

u have somethin

ed,a crooked,rueful smile. Th

him hard. She stepped ba

st guy I've ever met.

dumping me," said Dan as

I should have realized that bef

m not dumping you. We're go

. Oh,abs

realized we are." She stop

now,Dan, isn't that how y

,then rolled his

that?" he said. As Tris

thing to do with tha

ter a hesitation,an

met him yet.I

nt to. No,d

round her and g

school. If we have time,I'l

hed in the walnut tree above t

I've ever seen." Trisha loo

plan. She had woken up this morning knowing what to do. And today she g

lking about him. It was common knowledge that he'd had so

. But the principal had sent him back to class (after,it was rumored, along-dist

she was greeted by a low whistle in the hall. Dick Carter and Jacob Lockwood

eir st

de them hot stuff. She kept an eye on the mass he loitered in the co

ady to be put into effect as soon as Caden showed up. The com

ddenly,and she snapped the compact shut as he passed. She

that seemed wary all at once. Just then Dick and Jaco

t them over Caden's shoulder. They were enjoying the game,slouching in t

story teacher. Quiet, detached. Dick and Jacob looked a

a falsetto. "Scoozi m

tched muscles tighten under

were both taller than Stefan,an

a was as startled as the boys we

bit her lips on a smile as Jacob and Dick moved slowl

wing them,staring at the backs of two T-shirts. When they sat down, she slid int

er class. Dan was rattling change in

eth

egan at last,

..."Caden laughed. I

o judge?".T

sha had heard before,even whe

tion was raw

welcome here?" he fini

ad been staring at Caden;now

en,"h

ell,our star wide receiver tore a ligament ye

s afternoon. Wh

ght off guard. "Ah...I

you r

Dan,and Trisha could see a fain

es

you c

es

'm the quarter back. If you can catch wh

miling, and though David's mouth was

ere was a warmth between the two boys that shut her out co

ank you but no. I hav

e and Alina arrived

e, Trisha repeated to herself, "Hell

I've been assigned to sh

me in trouble,would you, by

es-but only if he looked like

rescued. Halfway through class,the girl sitting to her right passed her

for as long as I could. Wh

her front-row seat. Trisha pointed to the not

t-minute instructions about oral reports and d

into Caden's path, blocking the aisle so that he couldn't get around her.

er mind went blank. What was it she was supposed to say?She opened he

on the Senior Welcoming Commi

; I don't

,that he wasn't even going to give her a chance t

ou around

s."Caden turned to Dan, who was standing by looking amaz

said slo

u could show me the way." Dan looked

en didn't. Trisha found herself looking around at a circle of

hroat. She couldn't stand to be here for one more second.