Page 58 of The Last Vampire
“There are the archeological clues in the structure itself,” says our teacher. “And there’s also the letter that was found among the Huntingtons’ personal effects. It’s addressed here but dated in the late 1700s.”
“Where is that—?”
“A letter!” I say, cutting across William’s commanding voice. “That’s so cool!”
William shoots me a glare, and I can practically hear his warning: If she doesn’t answer him, he will compel the information out of her.
“Do you remember what year the letter was sent?” asks Zach, and I realize that both he and Tiffany are taking notes.
“I think it was 1769.”
William’s eyes grow round like that means something to him.
“It’s addressed to Mr. Huntington,” Ms. Floreville goes on. “It just mentions a parcel being on its way to this location and asks him to remember their agreement.”
“Could we see the letter?” I venture.
“Unfortunately, no. Director Minaro has locked away all the interesting items we uncovered in the renovation so we can get them appraised.”
“Thank you for giving us so much to think about,” says William, switching to his more seductive velvety tone. Our teacher looks at him so intently that she doesn’t seem to blink.
William is holding her gaze, and something flashes in his purple eyes.
“Everything is in the director’s office,” blurts our teacher. She looks confused after volunteering that information, as if she doesn’t know why she did it. She shakes her head like she’s trying to clear it. “Okay, why don’t you all check out the other clubs, and let me know on Monday if you’re still interested in this?”
She looks a bit lost as she stands up, and once she exits the dining hall, Trevor leans in and says, “We need a plan.”
William rises like this doesn’t concern him, and if I had to guess, I’d bet he’s off to root through Minaro’s office.
“We need to see that letter,” says Salma.
William sits back down, confirming my suspicions.
“Why don’t we go call our parents?” asks Zach carefully, like he’s implying something else.
We all get up, and as he leads us down a new direction, I realize with a jolt of guilt that I haven’t been to this wing of the manor yet.
There are only two phones wired into the wall, with no seating options. It makes me think of films I’ve seen set in prisons.
Directly in front of us are windowed double doors with a sign overhead that saysMAIN OFFICE.Through the glass, I see a few people moving around. I can make out Mr. Torres, Coach Frankel, and Director Minaro.
Zach picks up one of the phone receivers but doesn’t dial a number.
Trevor does the same thing with the other phone, and the rest of us lineup behind them. “Anyone know where her office is?” he asks without looking at us.
“Will,” says Tiffany, annoyingly shortening his name. “You must’ve gone there on Wednesday when you transferred here, right?”
The vampire nods in assent, but I get the feeling he’s feigning. Mainly because he takes a noticeably large inhale. He must be trying to pick up the director’s scent.
“I can sneak into her office while the rest of you distract the staff,” William offers.
“We’reallgoing into her office,” says Trevor.
“We can’tallstorm in without being noticed,” Zach points out.
“But you need to be there to get footage for our story,” Tiffany says to him.
“I can be the distraction,” says Salma, looking at me. “Lorena and I will do it together.”
