A vampire's princess

Twenty-three

I locked the door and threw my coat over the couch.

"You know it's 4 in the morning, right?" Ian walked over to me and handed me a scotch. "Drink up, you look like you can use one."

"Thanks. Did Claire leave?" I had assumed he had taken his girlfriend with him, but I was wrong.

He nodded. "She went to Zana's. There was something up with broken windows and missing papers."

"Oh."

"What was it with Mayra? It took you long enough."

"I found her in the park. Unable to get anything out of her, so I dropped her off at her home and took a cap back."

There was a moment of silence between us.

"Do you remember how mom and dad died?"

He looked at me.

"Al, it's seven years ago."

"You were 18 then, they must've told you."

"I do have a record somewhere. I'll make sure Jack has it so you can see it tomorrow."

"Thanks."

I took my last sip, "good night".
———

"I don't want her to know, I don't want her to worry about anything", I overheard Ian say to Jack.

Just then Claire stepped into the apartment. "Aly, look what I got you!" She said and walked over to me, making Jack and Ian looking at me.

I mentally cursed Claire but made the best fake smile I could manage.
She unfolded a dress of her and Zana's new collection.

"That's a bit short, don't you think?" Ian said as he walked into the room.

"It's not short, it's sexy."

"It's winter." Ian said.

"Then don't wear it _outside_"

She gave me a quick wink which Ian seemed to notice.

"C, I love it. It's beautiful. How great would this be with my red heels?"

Claire seemed to be delighted. "Thank God, I almost thought the Lamberts weren't worth their name anymore." I giggled. After my parents died, we decided to get Claire and Zana in charge of the fashion brand, called Lamberts. It was started by my grandmother, but I never really got too into it. Anyhow, my brother put the company in my name and it made me a lot of money which was nice.

"Ian, why don't we leave for the gala. It's already five, and I still have to get those macarons as a gift for Denise." Apparently Zana's mom was throwing another gala, which wasn't very uncommon.
————

"Don't touch anything, please. He'll notice that you were here."

"He won't. I can feel where people are and he is far enough away."

"You _feel_ that? Anyway, why did you come here? Aren't you supposed to be dead?"

"Maybe, but so are you."

I swallowed. "Do the Royals know you're here?"

"I don't really care about them, I came here for you."

She took the dress Claire had just given me and inspected it, "were you planning on seeing someone tonight?"

"Not really."

"Too bad, I'm sure Nate would've loved it."

"Nate doesn't love, Nate just likes."

"I'm sure that's what you tell yourself every time he leaves."