13

By the time Simon had finished raking the leaves, he put the rake away and went back inside. He kind of expected Anastasia to act the way she did—she was more stubborn in accepting who was than Chloe, but at least Chloe was willing to give it a shot when Derek told her. With Anastasia, it was nearly unpredictable. But there was still a significant change in her, one even Derek got a little worried about.

Which, in Simon's opinion, took a lot.

"She was talking to you." The deep rumble started Simon for just a split second before he saw Derek looming near the back doorway.

"She had some questions." Simon threw a smile his brother's way. "I think dropping the bombshell this early kind of startled her."

Derek rolled his eyes, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"C'mon, bro, she's barely been here any longer than Chloe."

Narrowing his eyes, Derek regarded Simon carefully. "Chloe's taking it better than she is."

"'Cause you're basically forcing her to." Simon threw a dry look Derek's way. "Anastasia is a little more stubborn; but I think she's getting it."

Derek knew Simon was telling the truth—he'd heard the entire conversation. Anastasia was starting to crack under the weight of what she'd been told. Derek knew it'd only be a matter of time before she started getting anxious and asking for questions, it was one of the reasons he wanted her to know so early on.

"You're going to be using her, too, aren't you?" Simon's voice was empty of any mischievousness or friendliness. It was all serious. "Just like you are with Chloe."

Neither of them said anything for a moment.

Even though Derek didn't want to initially, he figured that Anastasia would be useful when the time came to find their father. Which would be soon.

Rae had stopped Anastasia; it was during a little break in classes and while Rae wouldn't have minded being with Chloe, the two were currently not on speaking terms. At least, Rae wasn't in the mood for the talking, Chloe was just backing off.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," Rae exclaimed. "What happened?"

Anastasia looked at Rae carefully. What should she say? Simon and Derek were convinced she was a vampire—and she was starting to believe it? That Liz was possibly a half demon and Chloe was a necromancer? She'd sound insane for sure!

"It's been a weird day," she sighed.

Rae gave Anastasia a look.

"Simon's been saying some weird things," Anastasia muttered, trying to be as vague as possible. "I just don't know what to make of it."

"If it makes you feel any better, he's been having Derek go at Chloe for a while now." Rae shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "Something about Chloe being able to see ghosts."

Anastasia's mouth suddenly felt dry.

"What's he been telling you that's gotten you all pale?"

"That I'm a vampire."

Rae's eyes became so wide Anastasia was convinced they'd pop out of her head. She expected Rae to start laughing, saying Simon was certainly crazy for thinking like that, but when she mentioned Chloe's possible ability in ghost-seeing, she sounded almost convinced it was true.

"Like, Dracula?"

Anastasia's nose crinkled, not really liking the sound of that.

Rae quickly noticed the look on Anastasia's face and frowned. "Wrong word?"

"I just don't know what to think."

"Hey, what's the worse that could happen?" Rae exclaimed. "Besides sparkling."

A strained smile spread across Anastasia's face at the attempt of a joke. "No sparkling, thank God," she said.

"That's one thing out of the way." Rae leaned back in her seat. "But c'mon, wouldn't it be cool? I mean, Chloe's got some weird mojo going on—now you? I'm starting to feel a little left out."

"I wouldn't say I have any mojo." Anastasia's face grimaced a little. "Being a vampire doesn't sound very appealing." It really didn't. Anastasia was still fighting against the whole urge to go on a blood-drinking-spree. Some days were worse than others, but she knew it wouldn't go away until she figured out how she'd find someone willing to give her blood. Or, in case they refused...

"Well, I'm sure it beats seeing dead people," Rae said, her voice low, like someone might be listening. "But hey, that's my opinion. Chloe sees dead people, you can turn into a bat!"

Anastasia narrowed her eyes a little at what Rae said. Even though she was still finding some struggle in believing what Simon and Derek had said, there was another part of her taking personal offense to Rae's little jokes; as harmless as they were.

"Hey, you can always talk to me if you've got any problems, OK?" Rae said, throwing a comforting smile Anastasia's way. "I don't really know if I'll have the best advice, but I can listen if that's what you want."

Might be better company than Simon or Derek. But Rae seems way too eager to believe in all this. Seems a bit weird, right?

Anastasia shook the thought out. Rae was being nice—sure she wasn't as nice as Liz, but she was trying to be the better person.

"I'll keep that in mind," Anastasia sighed. "Thanks."

"No problem, girl." Rae threw a smile Anastasia's way. "I gotta get back to class. Don't do anything exciting while I'm gone."

Author's Note:

Sorry for the wait, but here it is! The newest update! If you've got ideas, suggestions, anything, let me know! I'm all for what you guys have to say! When should Anastasia come to fully accept herself? Should I be putting in more Derek/Anastasia moments? Derek's still trying to get Chloe to help him in getting Simon out of Lyle House, how should he convince Anastasia to go? What do you guys think?!

I own nothing in the DP universe. All I own are my characters and an exhaustion from studying for finals.

Let me know if I got the characters wrong! If you think I should change the way I write the characters from the book, let me know and I'll do it to the best of my abilities.

Leave a kind and helpful review, please.

Thank you.

Susan Strong