Page 40 of How to Stake a Vampire
“This place seems fun,” I observed reluctantly as we pulled into the parking lot on Thursday afternoon.
Bo’s tail drooped. “I’ve seen morgues with more personality.”
“He watched CSI: Doghouse last night,” I said at Samuel’s faint frown.
“Too much TV will rot your brain,” Samuel told my dog.
“I fear it’s already too late for that canine,” Pearl said with a sniff. “Some brain muffins might help him recover.”
Bo curled a lip like he’d just caught a whiff of a skunk who’d spent a week hugging garbage in a sauna.
Victoria pretended not to hear our conversation and adjusted her black hat with the efficiency of someone who’d attended far too many supernatural funerals.
“Remember, we’re here to pay our respects. Please refrain from doing anything that will disgrace the family name.”
I couldn’t help but sense that remark had been intended for me.
“You do realize this is an undercover operation involving the police, right?”
Victoria narrowed her eyes. “An operation that you will carry out with honor and integrity.”
I was about to point out that honor and integrity were not exactly my forte when our earpieces crackled.
“For the love of— Gavin, stop breathing on the camera lens!” Didi snapped over the comm.
“Sorry, I get nervous at funerals,” the dragon newt said guiltily.
“You’ve been to exactly one funeral,” the witch pointed out.
“Yeah and someone tried to sacrifice me to a goat demon,” Gavin protested. “Forgive me if I’m a little anxious.”
“I should have stayed in regular police work,” Detective Johnson muttered.
Victoria’s eyes glazed over while Samuel did his best to pretend this was normal undercover talk.
“Look on the bright side,” I said with an encouraging smile. “It can’t get any worse than the Holts’ ball.”
Pearl swished her tail. “Those are brave words coming from someone who’s less than a week away from her next white wolf transformation.”
I patted my hair self-consciously. I could already feel the pull of the next full moon and had to resort to using my Moon Shine: Extra Glossy Coat shampoo this morning to tame my wild locks.
“You look fine,” Samuel reassured as we climbed out of the Bentley.
I smoothed down my new black dress. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” His eyes grew heated. “You should wear that on our next date.”
Warmth flooded my cheeks. I bit my lip.
Our last date had ended with us driving to a remote rest stop and testing the Bentley’s suspension late into the night.
Victoria sighed. “Look, while I appreciate that you’re on the cusp of your relationship, you should show your respect for the dead.”
“Sorry,” Samuel and I mumbled.
“Are they always like this?” Detective Johnson asked over the comm.
“We have a betting pool going on how long it will take for Abby to break Samuel’s desk,” Didi replied in a tone holding mild disgust.
