Covet (Clann)

come on, Sav,” Mom teased. “Shopping is supposed to be fun, not torture.”
    I looked away as I confessed the truth. “But…I don’t read magazines. I don’t even know what’s in fashion now.” Heck, I didn’t even know which fashion magazines were in fashion right now!
    “Ah, but I do,” Dad said with a smile.
    I stared up at him with one eyebrow raised. He had to be kidding.
    “What?” he asked. “It is important that vampires do not draw attention by being old-fashioned.”
    This coming from the guy who couldn’t speak a contraction to save his life.
    I squinted, studying him, wondering if maybe I could get away with a spell to change his mind. On second thought, knowing my luck, not only would Dad figure out I’d used magic on him, but Gowin would too and then the whole vamp council would have a major freak-out session over it.
    “Hon, trust your father on this,” Mom said. “When we used to go out together, the waitresses never noticed how pale he was, or how little he ate. All they saw were his nice suits and shoes.”
    “Thanks,” Dad said somewhat dryly.
    “He’s actually pretty good with the whole fashion thing,” Mom added with just a hint of reluctance. “In fact, I even used to let him pick out a few things for me sometimes.”
    “Only when I grew tired of your garage-sale consignment-shop bohemian look,” Dad replied.
    Sensing yet another of their infamous arguments brewing, I sat up. “Okay. Fine, buy whatever you think is necessary, Dad. Happy?”
    “Oh, and let’s do a fashion show Sunday night so I can see your new look!” Mom said, practically clapping her hands in anticipation.
    “Sure Mom. Talk to you later.” And thanks for all the help with Dad.
    She blew me a kiss and we ended the webcam connection.
    I turned my chair to face Dad, expecting him to still be standing behind me all smug about winning the debate. Instead he was already in my closet pawing through the clothes.
    “Excuse me, but what are you doing?” Maybe it was time to set some boundaries here.
    “Seeing if anything can be salvaged.”
    “Uh, just because I agreed to new school clothes doesn’t mean we’re throwing out all my old stuff. I still get to wear what I want around the house, right?”
    He sighed heavily. “Fine. Be ready early tomorrow morning. I researched area stores and the Galleria in Houston appears to have the brands you need.”
    Me, at a mall with my dad? “No, thanks.”
    He stared at me with a frown. “You just agreed—”
    “To wear whatever you pick out. But you don’t need me there to weigh in on any of it. Just take down my sizes from the perfectly good clothing I already have and use that.” Whatever he chose I was bound to look ridiculous in. Everyone knew I was clueless about fashion. Fashionably hopeless was my look now. If he thought I’d actually help him turn me into a fashionista wannabe, which everyone was going to see right through within seconds and laugh in my face about, he was nuts.
    They’d probably even blame my new wardrobe on some pathetic attempt to win Tristan back. I could practically hear the Brat Twins teasing me about it now.
    “Fine,” he snapped. “Forgive me for assuming you might want some input in this process.”
    “Well, I don’t.” I swiveled my chair away from him and back toward my desk.
    “Fine!”
    “Great!” I snapped back. “And don’t forget, I have the Charmers slumber party tomorrow night.” I threw that last part over my shoulder at his retreating back as he headed out the bedroom door.
    He reappeared in the doorway. “I do not think you should attend that.”
    “They have it every year. I have to be there. It’s one of the best parts of being on the team!”
    He glared at me. “You will be locked within a room with over forty humans. What if the bloodlust should join the party, as your mother would say?”
    I scowled. “I’ll be fine. We’re just going to play a bunch of silly games and listen to music.” And exchange our old team bracelet charms for new ones while we learned the team motto and theme song for the upcoming year. And this time I’d be doing it all as the official head manager.
    “I’ll have my phone with me at all times,” I promised, trying not to let a whine creep into my voice.
    He stared at me.
    “Please, Dad?” I said, giving up and letting the whine out.
    Maybe I should use that mind-changing spell on him after all.
    “In return, you swear you will wear whatever I