Turnings (Southern Vampire Mysteries)

Chapter 25 - A Heart's Desire

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Rick barely touched his dinner. He ordered steak and he knew it was expensive, but he was so nervous about tonight, his throat was tight and he worried he'd choke. He was feeling guilty until he noticed that Aunt Fran was just picking at her plate, too. He leaned over and said, "You're not hungry, either, Auntie?"

"I'm not hungry," Fran grumbled, "now that I'm a drug addict." Aunt Lora made a shushing noise and glared her disapproval, but Aunt Fran was suddenly angry. "Put a lid on it, Lora!" she snarled, and then turning back to Rick, the witch snapped, "And it's all Amy Ludwig's fault!"

Amy was sitting right on the boy's other side, and she leaned across Rick and said loudly, "Struggling with the side effects, Fran?"

"I guess," and Aunt Fran looked remorseful as she sat back. Fran glanced at Lora, saying, "Sorry," and then she patted Rick's arm to let him know it was okay. "It's like having ants crawling up my veins," the witch explained. "I don't know how they aren't growling and fighting all the time."

"Their Makers train them," Amy shrugged. "Some vampires don't earn their freedom for hundreds of years. A Maker who frees their progeny before they can control themselves faces big trouble. I don't think mainstreaming is going to change that!"

"Are you sure you're alright, Auntie?" Rick was worried. His Aunt had been in the hospital, so ill Rick thought she'd die. Now, suddenly, she was here, wheeling around New Orleans, and bossing everyone around. She sounded strong, but there was still something about how she looked that was too fragile to be healthy. "Are you really okay?"

Aunt Fran patted his arm again, "Don't you worry, Rick! I'm right as rain! And don't you listen to all my bitching. When an old lady starts grousing about her problems, you can bet it's more a spectator sport than anything worth paying attention to.'"

"Do you want me to turn you?" Rick asked. The whole table suddenly went silent. Rick looked around nervously, before stammering, "I mean... I don't know if I can, but I could probably figure it out. It's just..." and he stopped talking when he felt the weight of all those eyes staring at him.

"Oh, Ricky!" Fran laughed out loud, breaking the tension, "Now, that's the nicest offer I've had in years. I do appreciate you offering, Sweetie, but the cold truth is I don't want to live forever. I have things to do on the other side, people to see, and I made my peace with that a long time ago. I'm not like you and your Mom. You both have everything you ever wanted right here."

"I guess," Rick shrugged. "It's pretty nice, though, being a vampire," and when his Aunt didn't look away, he continued trying to persuade her. "I mean, I feel stronger every day. I don't have to worry about getting hurt much anymore. I bumped into a dresser at the Hermosas and it really hurt, but the bruise was gone almost before it started. I bet you'd feel a lot better if you were a vampire."

"Maybe I would," Aunt Fran smiled, "but I'd still be a dinosaur. Vampire blood can't change that. Besides, I heard they already have an ancient vampire and everyone tells me she's a regular bitch. You know how I feel about competition. I wouldn't like knowing there's anyone else around who's enough like me to give me a run for my money."

"There's never going to be anyone one like you, Aunt Fran!" Rick smiled.

"And you better believe it, Kiddo," and his Aunt sat back. "Now, come over here and give your Godmother a kiss, and then do this old lady a favor and eat something off that plate. We'll be in Vampire Central for hours tonight, and I'm willing to bet a whole dollar they don't have any real food there. You won't be happy if we have to leave because your stomach is growling."