The Dead Girl's Dance

He high-fived with his friends, and they all walked away.



What a jerk! Claire said, and Eve just raised her eyebrows, took the latte, and poured it out down the sink.



No, he was right, it did suck, she said. But then, he paid three bucks for it, so I win. Hows the mocha?



Claire swallowed a mouthful and gave her a thumbs-up. Im sorry. I wish there was something



Gotta fight our own battles, Claire Bear. Go on. Im sure youve got some kind of studying to do.



Claire backed away as Eve began to pull another set of drinks; the line continued to queue up in front of the register.



The guy picking up his latte nexta tall, kind of awkward-looking boy with a round face and big brown eyesmade a point of thanking Eve, who dimpled at him and winked. He looked much nicer than the hard-bodied jerks whod just left, although Claire noticed that he was wearing a fraternity shirt.



Epsilon Epsilon Kappa? she read out loud. EEK?



He gave her an apologetic smile. Yeah, well, its kind of a joke. Because of the town. You know, creepy. He blinked and focused on her, and smiled wider. Im Ian, by the way. Ian Jameson. From, ah, Reno.



Youre a long way from home, Ian Jameson, Claire said, and stuck out her hand. He shook it. Claire Danvers. From Longview.



Id say you were a short way from home, but everythings far from this place, he said. So, yourea freshman?



Yes. She felt the dreaded blush creeping up again. Early admission.



Yeah? How early?



She tried to shrug it off. Couple of semesters. No biggie.



Whats your major? Ian took the top off his coffee and blew on it to cool it down, then took a sip. Thanks again, by the way, this is really good.



No problem, Eve said. She sounded much more cheerful now, and gave the sorority girls their skinny-half-caff-no-sugar lattes with a sunny, slightly manic grin.



Nobody had actually bothered to ask Claire what her major was before. Of course, it was customary for a freshman to change three or four times before settling on something, but Claire had always been pretty definite. Physics.



Really? Ian blinked. Wow. Thats pretty intense. You must be good at math.



She shrugged. I guess. Modesty in action; shed never failed to land an A, ever.



Gonna transfer out of here, I suppose. I mean, a degree in physics from Nowhere U isnt going to do you all that much good, right?



Im hoping for MIT, Claire said. What about you?



Ian shook his head. CE. Civil engineering. Yeah, Ive got to take physics, but no way would I volunteer to take more. And Ive got one more semester. Then I transfer out to UT Austin.



A lot of students transferred out to the University of Texas; it was a major school for just about everything. Claire nodded. Shed considered it herself, butMIT? Caltech? If she had a chance, shed take it.



Sowhats EEK? A professional fraternity? Because there were some on campus; you paid your dues and went to some meetings and put it on your resume later.



Its a bunch of guys who like to party, really. Ian looked embarrassed. Im in it because Ive got a couple of friendsanyway, they do throw this really cool party every yearits a big bash. Its called the Dead Girls Dance. All zombie-freaky scary-movie stuff. He glanced over at Eve, who was steaming milk. Your friend there would fit right in as is. Most people wear costumes, though.



Was he asking her out? No, he couldnt be. For one thing, shed just met him. For anotherwell, nobody ever asked her out. It just didnt happen.



It sounds neat, Claire said, and thought, I just used the word neat in a conversation with a cute boy, and I should walk away now and shoot myself.



Its at the EEK frat house tomorrow night. Listen, if you give me your number, I can text you the details.



Umsure. Nobody had ever asked before. She stumbled over the digits; he keyed it into his cell phone and smiled at her. A nice smile. A really nice smile, actually. Um, I dont know if I can come, though.



Well, if you can, youd save my life. We geeks have to stick together while everybody else goes nuts, right? See you there tomorrow night at eight?



Right, she echoed. Umsure. Ill be there. Thanks. Um, Ian, right?



I can.



Claire, she said, and pointed at herself. Oh. Did I already say that?



He laughed and walked away, sipping his latte.



It was only when he did that she realized shed just agreed to go out on a date. An actual date. With a boy who was not Shane. How had that happened? Shed meant only to be nice, because he seemed like an okay guy, and then hed been all charming, especially by comparison with the other guys.



She had a date.



With a boy who was not Shane.



Not good.



Hey, Eve said, and motioned her closer. So, what was that? Is he giving you a hard time or what?



Ummm. Claires mind went blank. No. He justnever mind.



Eves eyes turned from concerned to shrewd. He hitting on you?



Claire settled for a shrug. She had no idea how to tell,actually. I think he was just being nice.



Guys arent nice, Eve said. What did you tell him youd do?



Okay, that was scary, how quickly shed nailed it. Claire shifted her weight uncomfortably, and fiddled with her heavy backpack. Maybe I said I might go to this party. But it totally wasnt a date.



Oh, totally not, Eve agreed. And rolled her eyes. Next up! Vanilla latte!which totally describes you, by the way.



Ill, um, be over there, Claire said. Studying.



Eve might have wanted to stop her, but the drinks kept coming, and Claire was able to fade away and go in search of her study table. Which, miraculously, was still unoccupied. She thunked down her backpack on the battered wood and sat, sipping her mocha. The UC seemed safer than most places in Morganville. Anyplace packed with people reading couldnt be that bad.



Almost like a real university.



Claire was reading ahead in her history text when a shadow fell over the page. She looked up and saw a girl she slightly knew from her old dorm, Howard Halla freshman, like herself. Lisa? Lesley? Something like that.



Hey, the girl said. Claire nodded toward the empty chair opposite her, but Lisa/Lesley didnt sit. That Goth at the coffee bar, the one who used to work at Common Groundsis she your friend?



Word got around fast. Claire nodded again.



Might want to keep her from getting herself killed, then, Lisa/Lesley said. Cause shes just pulled the pin from the Monica grenade over at the counter.



Claire winced and closed her book. She checked her watch; well, it was probably close to time to leave for class anyway. It was bad, and shallow, but she wished that Lisa Lesley had decided not to do her good deed of the day. It would have been nice to leave without another crisis.



Claire repacked her book bag and walked back toward the coffee bar. Im just going to tell her good-bye, she thought. No agenda here at all. Totally staying out of it.



Monica, Gina, and Jennifer were leaning on the bar, blocking coffee pickup. The counter was all that separated them from Eve, who was steadily ignoring them.



Hey, Walking Dead, Im talking to you, Monica was saying. Is it true your brother tried to kill you?



Yeah, was that before or after he tried to do you? Hand gestures and everything. Wow, that was low even for Jennifer.



Tried? Gina snickered. Thats not what I heard. I heard they were getting it on all through high school. No wonder they both turned out to be freaks.



Eves face was a still white mask, but her eyesshe looked crazy. In control, but just barely. Her hands were steady as she pulled espresso shots and mixed drinks; she thumped the finished products down on the counter, three across, and said, If you dont go away, Im going to call my manager.



Oh, Monica said. Your manager. Wow, Im terrified. You think some barely-over-minimum-wage brain donor stupid enough to work here is going to scare me? Do you? She leaned to the side, trying to catch Eves eyes. Im talking to you, freak face.



Gina noticed Claire standing a few feet away, and drew Monicas attention with a hand on her shoulder. Two freaks for one, she said. They must be having some kind of special.



Claire. Monicas smile widened. Sure, why not? You angry Im ragging on your little lesbo girlfriend?



Make up your mind, Claire said. Her voice sounded low and kind of cool, actually. Maybe it was easier doing this here in public, where she felt more comfortable. Or maybe she was actually getting used to facing down Monica. Are we gay, or did she sleep with her brother? Cause you know, kind of not making much sense.



Monica actually blinked. Logic wasnt her strong suit, anyway. Claire could almost see the Dont confuse me with facts flicker across her brain. You laughing at me?



Yeah, Claire said. A little.



Monica smiled. A big, genuine smile. How about that? she said. Claires grown a pair. I guess having a badass Protector hanging over your shoulder must be a real comfort. She threw a glance at Eve. But it wont last. My family means something around here. You freaks are just temporary. Andsad.



She flipped her hair back over her shoulders, picked up her latte, and walked away. Guys heads turned as she passed, with Gina and Jennifer in a flying-V formation behind her.



Huh, Eve said as she wiped down the machines with maybe a little bit more force than was necessary. She doesnt usually back down that easily.



Maybe shes got class.



Eve snorted. Trust me, she said. That girls got no class at all.



How weird is it that we have our own personal cop limo service? Eve asked. She and Claire were standing on the sidewalk in front of the UC, and the campus looked mostly desertedit was seven clock, and the sky had darkened to a deep twilight. There were even a few premature stars out already. The sun had just gone down, and there was still a fiery orange and yellow glow on the western horizon. I mean, its not like I dont have a car. I can drive.



I dont think theyll keep it up, Claire offered. I mean, its just a special thing. Until they catchwhoever killed that girl.



Eve sighed and didnt answer. A blue car turned and cruised around the circular drive, pulling to a halt in front of them. Joe Hess was driving, and Travis Lowe got out and opened the back door with a dumb-looking overdone bow. It was kind of cute, actually. Claire climbed in and slid over, and Eve got in next to her.



Hello, girls, Hess said, and turned to look back at them. He had dark circles under his eyes, and he seemed like he hadnt slept at all. Thanks for the coffee.



Claire and Eve looked at each other. Sorry, Eve said. I always smell like coffee; its the perfume of the barista. I didnt actually bring any for you. But if you want, Ill go back and No way, Lowe said as he got into the shotgun seat. Dark already. Lets get you gals home. Joe and me, well grab some later.



Thank you, Claire said. For the ride.



Neither of the cops answered. Detective Hess drove the other half of the circle, turned out onto the campus main drag, and within two blocks was off campus and into the dark Morganville night. Most shops were tightly closed already. As they passed Common Grounds, Claire and Eve both looked. It was full, of course, an oasis of light in the dark, empty street. No sign of Oliver. No sign of Shanes dad, either, which made Claires conscience twinge hard. I need to tell Shane. Soon. She didnt see how blabbing it to Eve would help, except to make Eve even more worried. And from the pensive way Eve was staring out into the dark, there was enough of that going on already.



They were only one block from the house when a sleek black carwith tail fins, like a sharkpulled in front of them and, with shocking speed, turned sideways. Hess jammed on the brakes, and the sound of screeching tires was like a banshees wail. He didnt hit the other carquite. Claire thumped back against the vinyl upholstery, panting from shock, and exchanged a wide-eyed look with Eve.



In the front seat, Hess and Lowe were doing the same things. Only with a full helping of grim, and a side of tense.



Whats happening? Eve asked, and leaned forward. Detectives?



You stay here, Hess said, and popped his door. Trav. Stay with them.



Joe



Ill be fine. He got out, slammed the door, and walked toward the other car. A dark-tinted window rolled down, and in the glare of the headlights, Claire saw a dead-pale face she recognized.



Hans, she whispered. The vampire detective. She looked at Detective Lowe, and saw something strange; he had his gun out, held in his lap. And a cross in his left hand. Right? Its Hans.



You girls stay put, Lowe said. His eyes didnt move from the scene playing out in front of him. Just a routine check.



Claire didnt know much about police procedure, but she was pretty sure it wasnt routine for one cop to block another one off in the road, right? Not even here.



And it wasnt routine procedure for a detective to have his gun out, either.



Whatever conversation Hess was having, it wasnt making him happy. It was also short. He shook his head a couple of times and then finally nodded.



As he walked back to the car, Claire had a real bad feeling. His expression was too serious and too angry for it to be good news. Shane. Oh God, maybe its about Shanesomethings happened to Shane.



Hess opened the back doorClaires sideand leaned in. Girls, he said. Youre going to have to come with me.



The hell? Lowe barked. I thought we were taking them home.



Change of plans, Hess said. He was trying not to look angry, or worried, but Claire could still see it in his eyes. Youre wanted down town, girls. Ill come with you. Trav, I need you to take the car in.



The two men exchanged a long look, and then Lowe let out a slow breath. Right, he said. Sure. You look after them.



You know I will.



Claire got out of the car, feeling more exposed and vulnerable even than usual. Hess was right there, big and comforting, but stillshe saw Hanss eyes on her, and it made her feel cold.



His partner, Gretchen, got out of the passenger side and came around to open the back door. In, she snapped. Claire swallowed hard and moved forward, but Eve got there first, sliding inside and all the way across. Hess followed Claire. When Gretchen slammed the door, the three of them barely fit in the backseat.



You all keep your mouths shut until youre asked to speak, Hans said, and put the car in gear as Gretchen got back in. He turned the big car with a squeal of warm rubber and accelerated fast down the street.



They passed 716 Lot Street. All the lights were on, and the door was open, and someone was standing in the doorway, watching them roar by. It was too quick to tell whether it was Shane or Michael, but Claire hoped it was Shane.



She hoped that if something happened, she at least had gotten to see him before the end.



I thought we were going to the police station, Eve whispered as the car took some turns and wound through the confusing maze of streets.



Were not? Claire whispered back.



Passed it back there. I guess were going somewhere else. Eve sounded flat-out scared, and when Claire reached over, she found Eves hand was cold and shaking. They held on to each other as the car made more turns, and then slowed for some kind of barricade. Oh God. Were going to the square.



The square?



Founders Square. Its, like, vamptown this time of night. Eve swallowed and gripped Claires hand more tightly. Im trying to think of any way this could be a good thing.



Hush, Detective Hess said quietly. Youre okay. Trust me.



Claire did. She just didnt trust the two vampire detectives sitting in the front seat, who were obviously more in charge.



The barricade lifted. Hans drove them through, brought the big car to a stop in an unlit parking lot, and turned to look at them. Claire first, then Eve. Hess, last of all.



Gretchen turned, too. She was smiling.



Something we want you to see, Hans said. Gretchen exited the car and opened the back door on Eves side. Out.



They clambered out into the cooling night air. The moon was up, casting a sickly yellow glow that didnt illuminate much. The dark seemed very deep, even though there was still some indigo lining the horizon. Not even really full night yet



A cold, strong hand closed over Claires upper arm. She squeaked breathlessly, and heard Eve making a sound of surprise, too. Gretchen had somehow gotten between them, holding them both by the arms.



Hans threw a look at Detective Hess. Stay with the car, he said.



Im coming with the girls.