The cat stretched. “Now I’m counting on you to keep your word, missy. I’m sending my friend over to that fancy vampire house. You best make it right.” And he left us in the park.
We were both stunned. How was Hunter going to take this news?
“It doesn’t change anything,” he said quietly. “I still could have protected him if I’d been there.”
“Or you could have died with him,” I stated the obvious. “Listen, you saved all of us tonight. We couldn’t have done it without you. If Mrs. Murphy had gotten to Colby, it would have been all over. I’m very sorry about what happened to your grandfather, I really am; but you have a gift and, as much as you hate it, you have a responsibility.”
I stood up. “Do you think I want to be a Slayer? Look at me! I’m afraid of, well, everything, I freeze under pressure and my only Slaying skill appears to be menstrual cramps. But it’s who I am now. It sucks, but that’s the way it is. Colby never asked for the whole Protector gig, which has caused her nothing but problems, but it’s who she is. You think the full-bloods will thank her for risking everything and saving them from demon possessions? No, they’ll insist she’s still going to fulfill the Prophesy and end their existence in some other way.”
He grew agitated. “Do you think because two girls accept their lot in life, that will shame me into accepting mine?”
I stood up to him. “No, I think it’s time to stop feeling sorry for yourself and suck it up.”
Instead of getting angry like I expected, he gave me a hint of a smile. “You’re a bossy little thing, you know that?”
I dropped down to my knees in front of him. “I can’t do this without you, Hunter.”
He leaned forward and kissed me tenderly on the lips. “You won’t ever have to, I promise.”
He wrapped his arms around me and we kissed some more. He was such a great kisser. He made me feel complete. I hoped Colby was getting a similar treatment from Thomas when a thought struck me. I pulled away.
“Ohmigod! The Prophesy! That didn’t even occur to me. Come on, we’ve to get to Psi Phi House.” I jumped up and pulled Hunter to his feet.
“We have to go
now
?” He couldn’t believe it.
“Yes, yes. I’ve just figured it out. Come on.”
We made it to Psi Phi House in record time. Thomas and Colby were sitting together on the couch, completely oblivious to anything going on around them. They were so into each other. Ahh, that was nice. But I had something important to share.
“I figured out the Prophesy,” I announced, plopping down across from them.
Hunter stood awkwardly, staring at Thomas. “Hunter, this is Thomas. Thomas, this is Hunter. He’s a Demon Slayer.”
Thomas stood up and offered Hunter his hand. For a moment I worried Hunter couldn’t bring himself to accept it but he did.
“Colby told me all about your new status, Piper. That’s pretty amazing,” he said to me.
“No more amazing than you two. Want to know why?”
They exchanged a look.
“Well?” Colby prompted.
“We know Colby is the one in the Prophesy. The first two lines—‘
This time the mixed blood will rise, The One who is Undead but Alive
’—that’s Colby. But the second part is not Colby. ‘
Who is pure but not whole
’ doesn’t mean her at all. It means Thomas. He is a vampire who is pure in intention but not whole, because he is missing part of his soul. Get it?”
They both stared at me in confusion.
“Don’t you see? Only when you two fused together and became soul mates did you save Thomas, not only from demon possession but from all those other annoying vampire maladies that plague older Undead, such as paranoia, isolationism and flat-out craziness. Those were all caused by having a hole in the soul.
“‘
And they will bring forth the beginning of the end’
means you two showed the way. Half-bloods who bond with full-bloods can save the vampire race by filling the missing pieces in their essences. No more nutso older vampires who go rogue, become possessed by demons and try to knock each other off. They keep their humanity, therefore staying sane.”
It was like a lightbulb went off over both of their heads.
“I can’t believe it! I think you’re right, Piper!” Colby exclaimed. “I think that must be it. The beginning of the end doesn’t refer to the beginning of the end of the world, but the beginning of a new era for vampires, ending the old ways.”
Thomas nodded. “You might have it right, Piper. But will they believe it? Change is difficult for us. Will other vampires accept this new interpretation of the Prophesy?”
Colby chimed in, “If Mr. Holloway includes this interpretation in the vampire bulletin then we’ve got a shot. It’s more likely to be believed coming from the Tribunal.”
Thomas looked at me with something akin to awe. “Not bad, Slayer. Not bad at all.”
There was a ruckus at the front door. It sounded like a cat, mewling at the top of its lungs. I jumped up to answer the door.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. I didn’t even ask them yet,” I said to the gray cat.
“This is nice, real nice.” The cat nodded in approval. “I’m gonna like it here.”
“Piper, who’s at the door?” Colby asked.
“It’s, well, it’s—”
“Fluffy?” Hunter asked.
“Hunter! Long time. Glad to see you made it through the action. Was worried about ya. Mr. Whiskers filled me in on the details. You got one heck of a gal on your hands,” Fluffy said.
“Piper?” Colby asked uncertainly.
I wasn’t sure what to do. Technically, Fluffy helped in the demon defeat but I was in no position to give him a home at Psi Phi House.
“You see, Colby, Fluffy told me all about the Avarice Demons at Mrs. Murphy’s and even warned me about the plot to get Aunt Chloe. That’s why I called Animal Control on them. He wanted, well, he’s looking for a new home and wants—”
“Oh, no, not here. You know I’m allergic.”
“I know that. I told him I’d see what I could do. I swear I didn’t promise him a home, just that I would ask you.” I looked helplessly over at Hunter, who raised his hands, indicating he wasn’t going to get sucked into this one.
“That’s a fine how-do-you-do. After what I did for you?” The cat circled me.
“Listen, I’m sorry. But she’s allergic to cats.”
Sophie made her way downstairs in time to see the cat in the living room. “Oh, miss!” she cried. “Did you change your mind? Is this our new pet?” She rushed over and scooped Fluffy into her arms, stroking his fur and making kissy noises at him.
Colby and Thomas exchanged a look.
“I think this dame likes me,” the cat purred.
“Miss?” Sophie asked, her bright eyes shining.
Colby looked at Sophie, the cat and then me, her eyes narrowing. “You owe me. Big-time.
“Fine, Fluffy can stay but he lives in your room, Sophie. I don’t want cat hair on everything. I’ll just take allergy medicine if I need to,” she finished lamely.
Sophie squealed in delight, taking Fluffy straight upstairs. Thomas hugged Colby. “It won’t be that bad, I promise.”
“Oh, I know it won’t,” she said smugly, looking at me with calculating eyes. “Because Piper is going to move in here and make sure of it. Aren’t you, Piper?”
“But why do I have to?” I choked.
Colby smiled in satisfaction. “Because you’re a Demon Slayer, Piper, and he’s a demon. You’ve got my back, right?”
I looked helplessly at Hunter, then at Colby. “Fine, I’ll move in, but I’m not playing Dr. Dolittle and reciting everything he says to Sophie.”
But we all knew I would.
Author’s Note
But what about Carl? You send him off to New York City and then what? Nothing? Never fear, dear reader, Carl is Undead and well in an anthology with Julie Kenner and Johanna Edwards entitled
Fendi, Ferragamo, and Fangs
.
Carl holds a special place in my heart and since I knew I was hooking Piper up with Hunter in
Dating for Demons
, I wanted to give Carl his own story and the romance he deserved. I think you’ll find Sydney is a perfect match for him. And you thought I’d leave you hangin’? Sheesh.
Enjoy the bite!
—Serena Robar