Vampires Among Us [Vampires Among Us 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

and forth across the room setting things up.
    When all was finished, Erica’s room felt like her own personal heaven. It was large enough to house her desk in one corner, complete with her old computer system and schoolbooks placed neatly on top. The other corner had been turned into a small sitting area, with a comfortable chair and lamp for reading. The bed and dresser sat across from this.
    Jennifer had taken over setting up the makeup in the bathroom. Erica wondered if there was anything salvageable. She smiled briefly, by now she knew Jennifer well enough to know the woman needed no excuse to go shopping. If it was all ruined, she could well guess they would be heading to the mall soon. Elizabeth had offered to set up the closet. There wasn’t much else for Erica to do, other than place a couple of pairs of shoes under the bed.
     
    * * * *
     
    Meanwhile, Charles calmly listened as Kevin went over the entire account of what happened earlier. “I’ve never come across a vampire who didn’t have our scent, other than me,” Kevin stated with a deep frown etched across his forehead. “Even with my animal abilities, you can still detect the vampire scent, it is just subtle. This jackass’s scent was masked completely! He managed to get in the house through an open window, and the only warning we had was when he spoke. By then he was already in the house face-to-face with the girls!”
    Charles shook his head, absently scratching at his chin as he tried to come up with any reason why Kevin or the others could not detect Shawn. It was simply unheard of. “I’ll do some research and see what I can dig up. This is very interesting. Personally, I never knew such a thing existed. We have always gone by the theory that vampires put off a unique scent, and although humans can’t detect it, with our superior senses, our own kind can pick up on the scent immediately.” He stopped for just a second and jotted some quick notes on a notepad sitting in front of him at his desk.
    “I need to speak to Jennifer when she is available,” Charles continued. “And then I want to speak with Erica also, when she is up to it.” He frowned slightly as he continued, “Tell Erica to hold off until tomorrow. I am sure she has had all she can handle for one day. I’ll stay on top of this, son, and let you know if I come up with anything. You’ve got my curiosity up now.” If there was one thing Charles loved, it was to solve a mystery, and Shawn’s lack of scent certainly piqued his interest.
    “Okay, I have a feeling I will be tied up with Erica this afternoon. However, Marshall and Joshua are both heavily involved in this case, so please keep them informed on your findings as well,” Kevin requested from Charles.
    “Will do, son. Go take care of your girl. I’ll find you if I need you,” Charles replied.
     
    * * * *
     
    With everything unpacked and put away, Erica plopped down in a chair to admire her new living space. She was extremely grateful for the girls’ help, knowing it would have taken her much longer to tackle the job by herself. Jennifer had stepped out, only to return a quick moment later with a bottle of wine in her hand. “Thought we’d celebrate a job well done!” she exclaimed as she breezed through the door.
    Jennifer opened the wine while Erica went to the kitchen to retrieve the glasses. When she returned, she glanced over to Elizabeth. Out of Kevin’s three sisters, Elizabeth was the one Erica knew the least. They seemed to get along fine, and Erica would be the first to admit that Elizabeth held some of the very same rare beauty traits her sisters held. However, time had not allowed the two of them to get close. Since Jennifer and Kate had both spent time with Erica while Kevin was at work, Erica realized she’d had time to get to know the other two sisters, but knew next to nothing about Kevin’s youngest sister. “Elizabeth, would you be offended if I asked you how old you are?” Erica gently asked.
    Elizabeth looked down at her glass of wine and smiled. “No, I don’t suppose I look old enough to drink. I was fifteen when I was changed. Nevertheless, I’ve been a vampire for twenty-five years now. So, technically, I’m older than you are, Erica.”
    “Oh, Elizabeth, you were so young when you were turned! I was just curious, because you look so young,” Erica rushed to say as she felt her face flame with color. She hadn’t meant to stick her foot into her mouth. “I didn’t