by Holly Hook
Silvia loosens her grip, and at last, our cab, a little blue sedan, pulls up behind the limo.
“Get out of here,” Beatrice snaps at me.
I'll grant her wish. Silvia takes my hand and leads me into the cab, and as I slide across the seat, I realize two things.
We are a threat after all.
And there might be more to Jeremy Haywood than I thought.
CHAPTER NINE
I never thought I'd be grateful to my parents' favorite 24-hour news network, but I am, because that means Jeremy has something to keep him in check. And that something will make him keep the other vampires he's associated with in check. I know full well how much the anchors at TNH take every chance to demonize everyone not in the Heart Party.
And I never thought I'd feel any gratitude to Jeremy Haywood.
What the hell is with him? Sure, he's probably sick of the negative spotlight, but the way he looked at me for a split second--
No. He's just like the rest of them and he hates my guts. Why else would he drag his fangs across my skin in an obvious threat?
I dab at the two little marks Beatrice left on my skin in the hotel mirror while Silvia looks on, a bottle of disinfectant in hand. I'm not sure where she got it, but I'm glad she's here.
“If you want to go back home, I get it,” she says. “That was uncalled for. She literally was going to feed on you. Most vampire bites aren't fatal, but some people have died from them.”
I remove the pad from my skin, not doubting that Beatrice wanted to kill me or at least make me feel two inches tall. “I should have been more careful. She just pissed me off so bad that I couldn't help myself.”
“You’re in constant fight mode. You’ve dealt with some hard shit before, haven’t you?” Silvia puts the bottle on the sink counter next to the complimentary shampoo.
I face her. “Are you a psychologist?” I am in constant fight mode. “And aren't you?” This whole adventure is my first fight, in which I don’t have my arms chained to my torso. At home, it takes all the energy I have to keep my head down.
No. I can't go back there. At least, not yet. Once I secure my future, I'll be ready. And I know there are rules that keep the vampires in check. We'll just have to be more careful from now on.
Silvia's been quiet for a bit, so I keep talking. “I think I'm staying. I got off the phone with Emmy a few minutes ago, and she says it's normal for young vampires to be like that. The ones we'll be trying to convince are older, and they'll want to play the political game and make their voters happy. Or at least look like they're making an attempt.” Emmy seems to think this is an amazing opportunity, and she believes in me.
Silvia must try to hide the relief in her voice as she says, “So you're staying?”
“Yes. We have to stop Dream Developers from doing any more damage. We'll deal with it, one day at a time.”
* * * * *
Emmy has planned for Silvia and I to keep the hotel room for a tad bit longer so we can sleep in after being out so late. We'll switch to a nocturnal schedule because the vampires' needs come first, apparently. That's also when most of the government does their business.
We all meet in the lobby to say our goodbyes, though. I've got to see Steve and Maisha out and wish them luck. After some hugging and well-wishing, Maisha congratulates me on my speech, AKA my angry outburst, and gets into her cab with Steve to go to the airport.
“I hope they're okay,” I say, remembering why I came here. I'm not the only one on the line by a long shot.
“You're going to be fine,” Emmy tells me once we step back into the hotel lobby. “I've run into rude vampires, too. And Beatrice will listen to Jeremy about not harming any of you. She's just come into the public eye and is going through her awkward phase. I've seen it before.”
I pull my shirt down to show the marks. “Seriously.” I haven’t told her about that yet.
Emmy’s eyes widen. “Tell Zara immediately if you feel unsafe, and she will take care of the situation. I can let her know right now.”
Beatrice knows what I said about cutting off Dream Developers last night, and I don't want to do that just yet.
“You don't have to,” I say, thinking of Jeremy again. Really, I should put him out of my mind or I'll go crazy from stress. “I'll take care of it.”
“Are you sure?”
I nod, eyeing Silvia, who sits on one of the lobby couches. “We'll make it work.”
“Ember, I'm glad this is panning out for you. By the way, Zara says the apartments will have guards.” Emmy claps me on the shoulder.
“Thanks?” I have to admit, I feel better than I did. And Becky did mention that we'd have security, which makes sense.
Emmy has to fly out that afternoon, and I text my parents the news that I'll serve on a panel. Then I settle down for a nap. I wake up a few hours later, refreshed, and with a single return text from Dad. Can you even handle that? I sigh. It's the vote of confidence I expected.
Yes. I'm sure.
What party are you working with?
My heart thumps because the last thing I need is a confrontation. I text him back and tell him the FHDA are mostly Heart Party, leaving out the fact that Jeremy Haywood will be there, and he texts back a smiley face. I breathe out a sigh, but I know he'll want more details later. I can come up with them on the fly because Dad's not here.
One thing at a time.
“Are you okay?” Silvia asks, sitting up on the other bed.
I get to packing my stuff, because we're clearing out of here for good. “Fine. Better than yesterday, considering what happened.”
Silvia and I exit, and we take a cab to the stairway where Becky said for us to wait at the Senate building. The cab drops us off, and I'm glad there's still some daylight. Thanks, summer. Becky's there with Victor, Ariana, and Connie. It looks as if Mandy and Dan have opted out. That sucks. Mandy could have helped us all. Dan, I don't know.
“Well, that's unfortunate that we've lost two people, but it happens,” Becky says. “There are five of you left, and that's something. I'll call another large cab, and I'll show you the apartments so you can deposit your things. Then we'll come back here and work out our schedules, with your input.”
We ride from the outside of the Senate building and to what will be our home for the next month (or more, if other opportunities come up) and we arrive not at some little apartment complex as I expected, but at a glass tower crammed between two others. It's not labeled, but there are two doormen out front in black uniforms. I study them for any signs of vampirism, and they pass the test. Though human, these guys look almost as badass as Jeremy's agents.
Okay. I feel better.
Becky hands us keys and says something about how she can assume the five of us are staying, so it's safe to give them to us. Silvia and I have apartments next to each other on the third floor, and we rush up the red-carpeted stairs and find Rooms 303 and 304. I spot a young guy from the Young Activists' Dinner farther down, unlocking his room with a suitcase in tow, so we're not the only activists here. There must be other panels for other issues.
I unlock mine first, and Silvia holds her breath as I let the door swing open.
“Holy shit,” I say.
The apartment has got to be bigger than my house. A spacious living room sports a seventies look with shag carpet and wooden panels for walls. The attached kitchen is also huge and I can see that the cabinets, all of which have glass windows, are stocked with supplies. I can't see the bedroom from here, but the living room sports a full entertainment system and a bright orange couch. My picture window looks over the buildings behind the complex and offers a view of the Washington Monument.
This place.
Is mine.
My first apartment, already, at eighteen. Most people can't afford to leave their parents until much later, or at all.
Silvia squeals. “I can't believe this. I've got to see mine.” She's off, and I can't blame her.
I enter, lock the door b
ehind me, and explore. No one's waiting for me in the dark corners, and every room is as awesome as I expect after the preview. I'm living here for the next month, and maybe more. And it's all because I yelled at the FHDA. Maybe Emmy is right. I'll be fine.
I flop down on the heavenly soft bed and look at the swirling pattern on the ceiling. If they wanted to kill me, the government wouldn't pay for an apartment that's got to be four figures a month, right? And my wardrobe is already stocked full of blouses, skirts, and dress pants. I deposit my sleeping clothes there and leave my luggage near my bed. Then I check out the entertainment system, which comes with three gaming consoles already stocked with the most popular titles.
We only get a couple of hours to bask in fortune before Becky texts everyone and asks them to meet down in the lobby. We all meet again, and the air tingles with excitement even as we pile back into another cab and head back to the Senate building. Colleen and Ariana talk about having access to streaming. Victor already did a test run on each gaming console.
I can breathe now.
I'm almost feeling good about this.
Until we reach the Senate building, enter through security, and find Zara waiting for us at the door of another meeting room.
“Ah. I see we have five left,” she says, studying us like we're cookies on a plate. Then she smiles at me and Silvia. “I'm glad you're all staying. I know yesterday may have been rough, but I promise that things will go more smoothly from now on.”
The tiny puncture marks on my neck, which I've covered with blush, itch. Did Emmy call her about Beatrice after all? I can't imagine her leaving without making sure I'm okay.
“I won't be here much tonight, but I'll pop in and out as I also have business with the FHDA,” Zara continues. She's the director, after all. “I wanted to see who was staying.”
She leaves us with Becky, who takes us into a large meeting room and seats us at a long table. The vampire “activists” are already here, taking up their own table way on the other side of the room. I know Becky had to do with this arrangement, and I'm glad. She’s in our corner after all.
Jeremy, of course, has taken the center seat at his table, and Beatrice is in the chair next to him. Despite Jeremy's death glare on me, I'm almost relieved to see him here. At least he didn't actually try to bite me. Maybe he just wanted to scare us human participants off because he knew Beatrice could tarnish his reputation. I nod to him—stupid—but he just looks at me like I'm a smudge of dirt on the wall. And meanwhile, two vampire Secret Service agents stand in the shadows of the room, behind his table, ready to spring into action.
And Beatrice?
If Jeremy wants me to leave, she wants me to burn in hell. Her dark stare is so intense it's hard for me to sit down like all is good. But I will, because I'm not giving her the satisfaction.
Jeremy rolls his eyes.
I swallow over a sudden lump in my throat. What was I thinking? That he gives a shit beyond himself?
Whatever.
We spend that night going through our speeches, and Becky critiques each one after we're made to stand and read out loud. She makes us answer questions lawmakers and staffers might ask, such as what's happening on each state's level, and she nods as I answer each one. “Cut the part about how many people you had to go to the statehouse and the details about each, and I think you have a great pitch. You've covered all the points, Ember.”
Jeremy doesn't raise his hand before he speaks. “Her story lacks cohesion.”
Ugh. Not this again. Why can't TNH News jump on this? Maybe I'll send them a tip if this keeps up, even if that's crappy after he saved me from injury.
“How so?” Becky asks, folding her hands in front of her slacks as she faces Jeremy.
“First, Ember starts off with low stakes. It's not as if she'll actually finish college. They usually don't,” Jeremy says. “Humans can't resist having babies, dropping out, and staying in low-paying jobs, despite the opportunities given to them.”
Beatrice just grins, despite being in the Heart Party, and so does Wendy. He's spewing all the worst bullshit expected from the Spade Party. Weed out the weak. They really are two sides of the same coin.
I remain standing and force a breath. We're a threat, or he wouldn't try to cut us down.
“So, how do I raise the stakes?” I ask Jeremy, determined not to let him get to me.
Jeremy flashes his fangs and leans back in his chair. “Get the finances to send yourself to college and pay for your board. Nobody's going to hand it to you. Have something that Dream Developers is truly threatening to take away.”
I swallow as my muscles tense. If I show even a hint of intention that I want to hurt Jeremy, I'll probably get shot or bitten by his agents. So I keep my tone sweet and innocent. “I know you understand how it all works, so I’d like your advice. How do you propose I do that?”
Jeremy's cheeks flush and I know I've scored a victory. “You need to find a way.”
“Such as?” I ask. “I want to make my stakes as solid as possible.”
Jeremy narrows his eyebrows. “There must be one. It’s up to you to find it.”
Becky dares a split-second smile before I sit back down. I swallow down my rage, waiting for the inevitable glare.
But that’s not what happens.
Jeremy casts his eyes down towards the table and bites his lip.
He only keeps that expression for a second, but as Beatrice looks at him, he straightens back up and stares straight ahead.
* * * * *
Things are fairly quiet over the next two days.
I settle into my apartment and start adjusting to my new schedule. Being active at night is strange, but that means Silvia and I have the days to sleep and otherwise do what we want. Silvia and I spend our mornings exploring the area, using the credit cards Becky has provided for us. Each card has a high credit line and is paid for a hundred percent by the Young Activists' Congressional Fund. We're living on their dime, at least temporarily.
Becky takes us through more prep and no one else leaves. We meet in the Senate building every night, thanks to the security there and Jeremy's presence. We humans have tightened our speeches and stories even more—staffers are busy after all and don’t want to listen to full novels—and the vampires, having no stories of hardship, go to separate meetings for different coaching. That next night, we only see them during breaks, and they huddle and talk among themselves, leaving us and even Becky out of their conversations.
But I hear raised tones every once in a while, and I'm glad the vampires are discovering the joys of politics. Rivalries must already be forming. Beatrice and Jeremy even get into it over the FHDA while we're having 1 AM “lunch” down in the basement cafeteria on the third day. Yeah, the Senate building has a basement cafeteria for both humans and vampires, buffet-style.
Silvia and I sit two tables away from where Jeremy, Beatrice, Wendy, and a young vampire named William are sipping from tinted blood bottles. The cafeteria is a mix of human and vampire, most of them people older than us, and it’s less formal than I’d expect. At least there are plenty of energy drinks out for the human visitors, because I'm slamming one and blinking away sleep.
“With less oversight, the housing market will right itself,” Jeremy is saying. “The deserving will rise, but they can't do that when there are so many rules stopping them.”
Beatrice flushes as she sips from her bottle. I'm glad the tinting does a good job at hiding the contents. “We need rules. Or people take advantage of what we give them. Without limits, people abuse what they’re given.”
I hold back a snort as I look at Silvia, Colleen, Ariana, and Victor. I’ve got to laugh or I’ve got to cry. So lately, my coping mechanism has been laughter.
She frowns and lowers her voice. “Jeremy's probably going to be the President one day, you know. It's always someone from the same half dozen families. No wonder Beatrice is mad. She's been following him since she got here and has been trying to change his mind.�
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“Probably.” At least I've calmed down enough to not panic in his presence. I can mostly ignore the Secret Service agents always hanging in the background of every scene with him in it. “Zara probably wants her to convert him,” I hiss, because many people think vampires have great hearing. Of course, they've never admitted to it, but there's plenty of online speculation.
Beatrice snaps her gaze to me.
It's probably not just a rumor, then.
“Do you have something to add to our conversation?” Beatrice asks, narrowing her gaze at me.
My heart stops, but I stand up. We're surrounded by witnesses, and Becky is eating nearby with some leaders of other panels. “Sure. I wanted to add that I don't think either party solves this problem.” I look between Jeremy and Beatrice, trying to read their expressions. I'm pulling this out of my ass, but at least I'm smoothing this over. “We need something new. Why can't we have a party that wants opportunity and wants to help people when they're down on their luck and wants to stop dirtbags like Dream Developers?”
Shit. I've just uttered common sense. That’s not allowed here. My words seem to pause the immediate area and Jeremy stares at me like a rabbit caught in headlights. At that second, he looks far from intimidating, almost afraid, and I'm shocked when I feel bad.
But Beatrice rises.
“That will not work.”
We don't want that to work. That's what she's saying.
“It can work,” I tell her. “People would vote for that party in a heartbeat.”
Jeremy straightens like he wants to get up, and William looks at him. I'm making them uncomfortable and I'm glad. I haven't been comfortable since I got here. Hell, I haven't been since before I even graduated. They can have a taste of that.
“No one would get along enough for that to happen,” William says.
“I agree,” Jeremy says, pushing his blood bottle aside. It's only half empty.
Yes. Something is weird about him. And I can't stop looking for what it is. The thing is, I don't even know what's nibbling at the back of my mind, over and over.