Read Vampire for Free Online Page B

Last night when she was leaving the Club. I told her I was giving you the job instead.”
    â€œWhy did you do that?”
    â€œOh, I’ve been wanting to for a long time. You were a good excuse.”
    â€œOh, God …” Darcy covered her face with her hands. “Thanks a lot. As if she doesn’t hate me enough already—”
    â€œForget it.” Jake headed for the door. “She hates everyone.”
    Darcy followed him glumly downstairs to the office as Jake kept talking.
    â€œYou’ll be working with Elliott. You met him last night, right?”
    Darcy felt her stomach sink. “The guy who had the wreck? He works here?”
    â€œSure. Who else would fit in so well?” Jake started for the Dungeon, motioning her to follow. “He’s my security. Makes sure no one steals anything from the exhibits.”
    â€œHe doesn’t look very strong to me. How could he stop anyone from stealing?” Darcy followed Jake through the dark tunnels, noticing how he acknowledged each mannequin by name, as if every one of them was an old friend being met on the street. She rubbed the goose bumps from her arms and tried not to look at the monsters as she went by.
    â€œHe hides,” Jake said, picking up the conversation again. “Elliott’s very good at hiding.”
    â€œWill I … you know … have to come in here?” Darcy asked.
    Jake glanced back over his shoulder. “You really don’t like my family much, do you?”
    They stopped, and Darcy found herself looking up into the pitiless eyes of Count Dracula as he anticipated the taste of his victim.
    â€œHe’s so perfect.” Jake lifted an eyebrow. “Don’t you think?”
    Darcy’s eyes fastened on the Count, who looked back at her with a fixed, shiny gaze. “He looks pretty real,” she admitted reluctantly.
    Jake reached out and rearranged the hem of the cape ever so slightly. “Brandon has the look,” he said quietly. “He’s a natural.”
    Darcy felt the hair prickle along the back of her neck. As she reached up to rub the chill away, she suddenly touched skin that wasn’t her own—long fingers brushing against her shoulders. With a scream she jerked back and saw Elliott’s ghostly face hovering beside her.
    â€œYou’re so cold,” Elliott said softly. “When I touch you … you feel like death.”
    â€œDon’t sneak up on me like that!” Darcy’s voice came out harsher than she meant it to, and she struggled for control. “You scared me to death, Elliott. Please don’t ever do that again.”
    He nodded slowly, as if trying to capture every word, every gesture in his brain. “I’m very quiet when I move,” he said at last.
    Darcy took another step away from him, and Jake tapped her shoulder.
    â€œOkay, I’m going to leave—if you need anything, help yourself. And if you don’t see it, ask Elliott. And if Elliott can’t help you, call the Club. The number’s by the phone.” He walked around her and peered urgently into Elliott’s face. “Got that, Elliott? You’ll help Darcy out here, right? Great.”
    As Jake went back through the tunnel, Darcy hurried to catch up with him.
    â€œWait—where should I do the laundry?”
    Jake turned with a blank look. “You’ve only been here one day. How dirty can you get?”
    â€œThe sheets,” Darcy reminded him as they reentered the lobby.
    â€œOh, yeah. That.” He waved one arm vaguely. “Up the street. About five blocks or so.” And with that he was gone, leaving Darcy staring at the front door.
    â€œWhat do you want me to do?”
    Darcy whirled as Elliott spoke behind her. She didn’t have to see his eyes to feel the creeping intensity of his stare.
    â€œLook, Elliott, I’m not your boss, okay? We’re just working together. Just do what you always