Ren Vampire Spy (Book 1 of the Ren Series)

WHATS FOR DINNER

WHATS FOR DINNER

Ren was the last one to the dinner table.  As she rushed to the table her foot found Odin, the family dog, and she fell on her face at her Father's feet.  She let out an, “Ouch.”  Odin was an Alaskan husky and weighed about 150 lbs.  The small girl falling over her didn't even cause Odin  to flinch.

Jeremy and Larissa smiled. Grandpa gave the pair a stern look, saying without a word, don't you dare laugh at her.  The both stopped smiling immediately.  Jeremy turned to his daughter and said, “Are you alright dear.”

“Ya dad, I just tripped over Odin.”  She got to her feet and smoothed out her clothes.  With an angry look she said, “Odin, your lucky I like you or you could be dinner some night.”

“Come now Ren,” Jeremy said, “you know Odin is just for emergencies.” 

“I know dad.  I know.”  Ren thought I will eat you dog if you keep getting in my way.    

Without warning a voice spoke in her head.  “Ren, that's not very nice and more importantly it's not a very grown up attitude.”

I didn't say it Grandpa, I just thought it.  Is that so bad? Ren thought back to her grandfather.

Well Ren as a matter of fact it is.  Thoughts are the window to your soul.  What you think in your private thought is what you really are.  If you learn to control that you will truly be an adult.  Grandpa smiled at Ren as she took her seat.

Larissa said, “What is that smell?” 

Ren blushed but before she could speak her Grandfather said, “I was working on a spell in my lab.  Sorry I guess I burned it.  I have the fan on in my lab, the smell should be gone in a few more minutes.”

“Dad you have got to watch your potions closer.  That is the worst smell I think I have ever smelt.”

“Sorry Lis, it won't happen again.  Ren and I got talking and I forgot to check it.”

Larissa made a stern face and told her father, “You're getting older now and maybe it is time to stop making potions.  I don't want you to burn the house down.”

Ren saw Grandpa getting ready to tell her off so before he could speak Ren stood up and said, “What's for dinner?”

Grandpa looked at Ren and said, “Good question, what is for dinner?  I'm famished.”

Distracted Larissa said with not a small touch of pride.  “Tonight we are having Beef liver.”

“I hate liver,” Ren stated without thinking.

“Well liver is full of iron and you young lady need more iron in your diet.  Besides I added onions so you will like it.  I also got you a bottle of A1 sauce.”  Larissa stared at her daughter waiting for the next volley of complaints.

Grandpa concentrated and spoke one word into Ren's mind, Adult.

Ren stopped before she could speak again.  She smiled at her grandfather, then turned to her mother and said, “You're right Mother.  I'm sorry I gave you a hard time about it.”

Larissa gave Ren a strange look expecting a fight.  When the fight didn't come she said to her daughter, “Thank you Ren.”

They both smiled and started passing the food to everyone at the table.

After dinner everyone retired to the living room where Jeremy, Larissa, and Grandpa read books and Ren did her homework.  This was Ren's favorite time of day.  Everyone read and talked about what happened that day.  The two little brats were in bed so there was no interruptions.  At 9:30PM Jeremy stood and announced that a family meeting was in order.  Jeremy spoke about mundane things like his job at the VIP headquarters and other such stuff.  Then he turned serious and said, “There has been a sighting of a hunter in town.  For now it looks like he is just passing through but you all need to be extra careful for the next few days.  No using your gifts outside of the house and no snacks!”