Vampire 01 - Daughter of Darkness

a threat but as a promise.”
    She left me to agonize over her words and my own feelings. I cried myself to sleep, but in the morning, I tried to look as fresh and as happy as possible. Daddy was taking Marla and me to school. He rarely came to any school we attended. He appeared only when it was absolutely necessary. But when he did come with me, I could see how quickly everyone was drawn to him. His elegant manner, heart-stopping good looks, and aristocratic self-confidence captured the attention of teachers and students alike. On those few occasions when any of the other girls in my classes had seen him, they told me things like, “Your father looks like a senator or a president. Is he a movie star? I think I’ve seen him in a magazine. Does he own a big company?”
    “He’s all of that,” I would say, and laugh at their dumbfounded looks.
    Dr. Phelps was no different. I could see how impressed he was when we entered his office. He looked and sounded almost apologetic. “This meeting is a mandatory formality,” he began. “I have to do what the board requires.”
    “Of course you do,” Daddy said, sounding generous.
    “It was quite surprising having Lorelei sent to my office for anything improper. Until now, she has been an ideal student. Her grades are excellent, and her teachers only say laudatory things about her.”
    “Yes, it was surprising to me as well. She’s been nothing less than an utter delight as a daughter. I know she’s as upset about her behavior as you are, Dr. Phelps.”
    “I hope we won’t see anything remotely like this again.”
    “Oh, I think we can safely say you won’t,” Daddy told him.
    “Well, we don’t want her to miss any more class time,” Dr. Phelps said, rising. “I appreciate your coming in promptly.”
    “Not at all,” Daddy said, standing up and offering his hand.
    “What a beautiful ring,” Dr. Phelps remarked.
    “Yes. It was given to me a long, long time ago by someone I literally idolized. It’s brought me lots of good luck ever since.” He laughed. “Whether these things are true or not, it’s comforting to believe in them, don’t you think?”
    “Absolutely,” Dr. Phelps said. He sounded as if he were replying to an official military order. I half expected him to salute.
    He walked us out of the office and said good-bye to Daddy.
    “I’m letting you keep your phone,” Daddy said to me. “You might have some need for it soon, and I have complete faith that you won’t abuse it again. Ava certainly knows not to call you at school now unless it’s some dire emergency, so there should be no chance of it, anyway.”
    I looked down. I knew I shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t look him right in the eyes and lie to him. I had no doubt he sensed it anyway, and I was afraid.
    “Just go on and be a good student until we leave,” he said. “Ava will be picking you and Marla up after school. I have some business to attend to this afternoon.”
    He kissed me softly, on the cheek but very close to my lips. Then he turned and left. I hurried to class, anticipating lots of busybody questions hurled at me every chance the gossips had. I knew girls like Ruta and Meg were gleeful over my suspension. In many ways, then, I really was like Marla in hoping that we would not be around much longer.
    I was so involved with fending off the questions and nasty comments most of the day, as well as still smarting over how I had let Daddy down, that I didn’t think much about Buddy. I checked my phone when I was able to go outside during lunch. As I expected, he had called and left a message. He was concerned about me and what had happened when my father found out I was suspended from school. I debated with myself about returning his call and perhaps telling him that he shouldn’t call me again. I would tell him as firmly as I could that we could not see each other under any circumstances, but I was also afraid that I would break down and give in to his pleas. For now, at least, it was better to put it off for as long as I could.
    But Ava had no intention of backing off on her demands. I could sense it the moment she picked up Marla and me. She couldn’t wait for the opportunity to be alone with me. When we arrived at home and Marla and I started to get out of the car, she seized my arm and said, “No, you stay.”
    “Why is she staying?” Marla immediately demanded.
    “Lorelei and I have to go somewhere to meet someone,” Ava said. “Just go into the