Covet (Clann)

soon.”
    “Not if you do not obtain the proper nourishment to meet your body’s changing needs.”
    “They’re not changing. I’m fine eating regular food still.” I tried to put on my best poker face. Like I even had one.
    “What do you eat, precisely? And do not attempt to lie to me anymore. I have seen the food stores in our kitchen, as well as how little you spend on lunch each day. Why do you think I encouraged you to shop for your own groceries? You are free to buy anything you wish to eat, and yet you still eat nothing.”
    Stupid credit card receipts. I should have known he would use any and all means to watch me.
    I drew in a breath through my nose, held it, then let it out slowly so I wouldn’t give in to the urge to throw a tantrum like a kindergartner. “If you’re going to spy on everything I do, you can have the credit card back.”
    “It is for your own safety. And others’. Or do you intend your first victims to be your friends?”
    “Of course not!”
    “They will be, unless you take better care of yourself. Your body will force you to find nourishment sooner or later. Either you choose what that nourishment is, or it will decide for you.”
    “Fine,” I snapped. “I’ll try to eat better, okay? But human food only.”
    “Why do you have to try? Is it not easy for you to eat?”
    I stared down at my still mostly full mug. A few months ago, I would have chugged it down in a matter of seconds. “Everything smells gross lately.”
    “It is another symptom. Soon you will have the bloodlust for humans as well as descendants.”
    I really didn’t want to hear it. “Do we have to talk about this right now?”
    “You cannot run from what you are, Savannah.”
    “I can try,” I grumbled.
    “You will fail. And when you do, innocents will be harmed, and you will never be able to forgive yourself.”
    I glanced up at him. “You sound like you’re talking from experience.”
    He didn’t reply, which meant the answer was yes.
    So my seemingly perfect dad had screwed up once or twice, too. That was both disturbing and comforting in a weird way. If he hadn’t always been perfect, then he couldn’t expect me to be perfect, either.
    “You must face the facts. You are unique with unique needs.”
    “How can I forget it, what with you and Mom and the Clann’s constant reminders.” My hot chocolate had gone cold. I jumped to my feet to reheat it in the microwave.
    “Reminders?”
    “Savannah, how are you feeling?” I deepened my voice to mimic him. “Savannah, how was your day? Anything strange happen today, Savannah?” The microwave dinged. I grabbed my mug, set it on the counter, jerked the silverware drawer open to get a spoon, and the drawer handle came off in my hand.
    Growling, I held out the flimsy hardware to him. He accepted it without a hint of surprise.
    “Stupid knob. That’s twice since yesterday!” I muttered as I grabbed a spoon then hip bumped the offending drawer shut again.
    “Your strength is increasing. We will need to practice hiding it when you are in public.”
    “Forgive me if I don’t jump at the chance to play vampire.” Maybe extra marshmallows would make the hot chocolate taste better. I dug through the pantry for them.
    Suddenly Dad was standing beside me, his white-silver eyes boring into mine. “You cannot play at what you are. Like it or not, your vampire side is growing stronger. You are my daughter and my responsibility. I will see to it that you learn how to survive in this world we are forced to deal with. You will learn how to feed properly and safely. And you will learn how to control your abilities enough to blend in with human society. I will not see you killed by the council or turned into some sort of lab experiment by humans because I loved you too much, gave in to your wishes and neglected to teach you how to evade detection.”
    Yeesh! I’d never seen Dad furious before. He was pretty darn impressive at it. I swallowed hard. “Fine. Whatever makes you happy, sir.” I mimicked a little salute.
    “What would make me happy is if you start your training right now.”
    “Now?” I squeaked. I’d been awake for barely an hour. And it was a Sunday. Couldn’t I go to my room and chill out for a while first?
    “Now.” He pointed at the living room.
    Grumbling about dictatorial control freak vampires, I stomped into the living room. I turned and faced him, my arms crossed over my chest.
    “Teenagers,” he muttered before doing