Drink, Slay, Love

Chapter Seventeen

Jadrien leaned against a streetlamp in the middle of the parking lot. Amber light spilled over him, casting shadows across his pale face. His own shadow pooled at his feet. Bethany shot a look at her minivan—still several rows away.

Pearl saw Jadrien's lips quirk into a half smile. His eyes were pinned on Bethany.

Without thinking about it, Pearl slid in front of Bethany. "Bethany, this is Jadrien. He's what is known as a 'bad boy.'"

"Ah, Pearl, you flatter me," Jadrien said. He flashed a full smile at Bethany over Pearl's shoulder and oozed the usual bad-boy kind of charm. "I'm the baddest boy."

Pearl rolled her eyes. "Bet that sounded cooler in your head."

Jadrien picked up Pearl's hand, turned it over, and kissed her wrist. "So, where were you headed, and may I join you?"

Pearl listened hard for any other vampires. Wind blew a stray crumpled paper across the parking lot. It somersaulted until it hit a streetlamp. "Mmm, no."

"Pearly." He clucked his tongue in disapproval. "Remember what we learned from that kindergarten teacher we once had dinner with: 'Share, care, and always be fair.'"

"Not in a sharing mood today, Jadrien."

"Tonight," he corrected. He continued to hold her wrist. "Interesting slip of the tongue, Pearl. You really seem to be embracing your new lifestyle. Exactly where are you taking this lovely lamb? Are you heading out for an ice-cream soda together? Oh, Pearl, are you and little Bethany now BFFs?"

"She's not for sharing."

Behind her, Pearl heard Bethany shift as if preparing to run. She wouldn't make it three feet if she did run. Pearl hoped she had enough sense to keep still and quiet.

Bethany whispered, "Pearl, what's going on?"

"Good question, Pearl," Jadrien said. "What's going on? Level with your new BFF." He drifted closer, still smiling.

"She's mine," Pearl said. It was her choice when and where to drink from Bethany. She'd do it when she was good and ready, not a moment before. "Back off."

"'Back off'? That's your witty repartee?" He laughed, a hollow sound that skittered like wind across the silent parking lot. "I expect better of you, Pearl. We all do. What would your parents say if they knew you'd taken in a stray pet?"

She kept her arms by her sides. If he attacked, she'd be ready.

Bethany bristled. "I'm not a pet!"

"Your pet needs some lessons in manners," Jadrien said. "Let me help you train her, Pearl." He reached past Pearl and let his finger brush against Bethany's cheek. Bethany leaped backward. She clutched her backpack in front of her as if it were a shield.

"Should I run?" Bethany asked Pearl.

The human asks the vampire for advice? What next, flying pigs? Pearl thought. After their escapade in the woods, Bethany shouldn't trust her. Still, Pearl gauged the distance between them and the minivan. . . She frowned at the rust-pocked vehicle. The tires had been slashed. Clever boy.

Jadrien was practically purring. "By all means. I love when they run."

Pearl put her hand on Jadrien's chest. "I said no." He didn't deserve to be the one to destroy Bethany's intelligence and her perkiness and her ridiculous innocent friendliness.

"Ooh, so forceful," he said. "Sexy."

"You know I can kick your ass, right?"

"And hand it to me on a platter," he breathed. He took a step toward her, closing the gap. "Come on, Pearl, you have to admit that we're a good team. I've missed that. I'm not complete without you."