Chapter Seven

"Elliott, have you seen Collie? I'm worried. She was so off last night. Did she say what the problem was?" Beth St. John had looked for her children all morning and into the late afternoon, finally finding Elliott. "And where have you been all day?"

Elliott gives his mother the eyebrow. So like his father, sighs Beth. Like pulling teeth sometimes to get them to open up about something as simple as what they've been doing for the past couple of hours.

"No, definitely no, and none of your business."

"Son, did I just hear you right?"

Oh, crap, Dad's up already. "No, sir. Uh, mom, sorry. I just didn't think it was necessary for everyone to know where I've been today. And if Collie's not here, it's news to me. I thought she was home sleeping like Dad."

"So why was Collie not talking to those two blackbirds last night? Yeah, I noticed, Beth. And did she say she was shopping with you all week? Collie, my tomboy?"

Ah, thought Beth, that sneaky vampire heard them. Of course, there were lots of other advantages to him being a vampire. Several came in handy last night. Shaking her head to clear it, Beth glances at Elliott, who's grinning at her.

"Dad, I think she's trying to change her image and maybe see what it's like to wear a dress like normal girls."

"Hah, good luck. So what's with these Emos?"

"Sensitives, Dad. That's what they're called now. She wouldn't say. Guess she just didn't cotton to them much. I was really surprised since they seemed really eager to meet her and normally, I mean you know Collie, they'd be bffs within minutes. I received a call from Heather, the uh, English one. She noticed it, too. Wondered if Collie was okay? Asked if maybe she had the flu or allergies since she wasn't eating last night?"

"Mick, is it possible they know? So what did you say, Ell?"

"I told her we were all vampires. Really, Mom, of course I didn't say anything. She invited me for late lunch. That's where I've been this afternoon; eating Croques Monsieur and getting the third degree from apparently everyone."

"Uh, what are Croques Monsieur and why is she interested?"

"Dad, they're grilled cheese sandwiches done French style. Hard bread and I think maybe Brie or some soft cheese inside. Anyway, that's a real good question. One that I can't answer. But I'm guessing that there's a lot more to these girls than I ever realized. She seemed somehow very deferential towards Collie."

Beth chimes in. "And last night, the other one, Kara with those witchy amethyst eyes almost seemed to bow when they met. Oh, Lord, what now?"

"Come on, Beth. We'll just find Collie and ask her if she remembers herself sometime becoming Queen of the Damned Emos."