Page 159 of The Last Vampire
“His heart is as fickle as Romeo’s, who went from Rosalind to Juliet,” she goes on, casting a backward glance at William. “Didn’t you dress up as him for the Halloween dance?”
“I did, though I fail to see the connection. Also, you are wrong about Dracula—Mina is a means to an end. He wants to turn her to avenge Lucy’s death.”
“And why does he fall for Lucy, ahuman,in the first place?” demands Tiffany. “Is it because she’s beautiful and pure and he wants to corrupt her? Doesn’t the age difference basically make him a pedophile?”
“Neither Lucy nor Mina were prepubescent children,” notes Minaro, “so that term would not apply. Be that as it may, we get your point.”
Lorena takes William’s hand, as if to reassure him she does not feel that way. Yet the vampire cannot ignore the truth of how despicable he is being. He is doing to Lorena what Grandsire did to him—cheating her of a real future. By staying here, he is depriving her of making real connections with living, breathing people.
She deserves so much more than a sentient corpse.
“TIME PERIODDay is just one week away,” says Ms. Floreville on Friday after class, during the final history club meeting of the calendar year. “Are preparations going well?”
“Yes,” says Salma. “We’ve met in the library every day this week, and we’re all set.”
“Except that we put in asecondrequest for a menu tasting,” says Trevor, “but the dining staff is continuing to be difficult—”
“Let it go,” says Lorena with an eye roll. “I printed out all the recipes, with photos of the meals, and they said they have everything they need.”
“What happened to those two college kids who were supposed to help us?” asks Trevor, who in William’s opinion insists on being difficult.
“Did they not speak with you the day they came?” asks the instructor.
“No. They just talked to Lorena and William, but the rest of us didn’t get any help.”
“I can ask Director Minaro about that, but if help is what you’re after, then look no further,” says Ms. Floreville. “What can this historical expert help you with?”
Trevor shrugs, and it is clear that rather than needing help, he is in need of attention.
“Well, let’s do a final review of what you all have so far,” says the instructor.
“I’m in charge of the games,” says Trevor. “Chess club is setting up some tables, Coach is putting together a curling area on the lawn by the garden, and I’m using the PE field for a soccer match that’s Loyalists versus Patriots.”
“Soccer didn’t exist in the 1700s,” the instructor reminds him yet again.
“I’m overseeing the other activities,” says Salma, swooping in and sparing everyone more of Trevor’s complaints. “Art club will be offering to draw people’s portraits. Drama club will put on an abbreviated production ofA Midsummer Night’s Dream. The band will be playing what they’re describing as a modern take on Mozart.”
Ms. Floreville looks at William to hear his update next. “I have compiled and delivered the list that Director Minaro requested of twenty ways to add to the ambience—”
“Zach and I have to go to the newsroom now,” says Tiffany, standing up. It seems to William like she cannot stand to listen to his voice. “We’ve got both a newspaper and an eighteenth-century newsletter to get out next week.”
“I did have one question,” says Zach before getting to his feet. “I want to take photos for the yearbook and newspaper. Will that be a problem, since the camera would be anachronous?”
Ms. Floreville looks genuinely stumped. “Let me get back to you on that. And unless there are more questions, I’ll let you all get after it.”
William gives Lorena a quick kiss and says, “I will see you at dinner.”
He is going to patrol, yet first, William tails Tiffany and Zach to the newsroom, careful to stay out of their view. Something is not sitting right with him, and he needs to know if he is only being paranoid.
Neither of them speaks the entire walk, and when they enter the newsroom, William stands outside, listening.
He hears the typing of multiple keyboards, so he knows Zach and Tiffany are not alone. William tunes out all the other voices, until at last he hears Zach ask, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” says Tiffany, and it sounds like the two of them have joined the sea of typing. “I’m just ready for vacation to start. I need a break from this school and everyone in it.”
There is a pause, and then she adds, “I don’t mean you.”
“Good,” he says.
