Braced to Bite by Serena Robar Page A

I could take on Carl? This whole Undead thing was really distorting my perceptions of my own abilities.
    “Colby, what we are trying to figure out is how you were changed. What you describe would not change a human into an Undead.” My eyes narrowed at him. “Which clearly you are,” Thomas added quickly upon seeing my look.
    I glanced toward the hallway to make sure my parents weren’t listening.
    “Okay, he did one other thing. He—he may have made me drink his blood.” I said it quickly and winced at the reaction I figured would be coming.
    “Ahh, now that makes sense,” Carl said, nodding in satisfaction.
    I was surprised that they seemed satisfied with my tale now and decided I’d earned the right to ask another question.
    “Okay, my turn. Can you only drink blood and can you be killed by a silver bullet?”
    Thomas answered, “Yes, we drink blood, but we can also drink water or tea.”
    I waited for more and when I realized they weren’t going to say any more, I prompted, “And?”
    “And I have matched you question for question. It’s my turn again.”
    “Oh man, you totally cheated!” I cried out.
    “Hello? Evil nightstalker, remember?” Thomas said, pointing to himself and I laughed. I could appreciate a good trick.
    “Fine, next question.”
    “Can you show me your fangs?”
    I stood up and turned to leave. He interrupted, “Where are you going? If you can’t do it, just tell me.”
    “I can do it, just wait a second. Sheesh.” I ran upstairs and grabbed the box with my headgear. I quickly returned and was met with looks of surprise. “What?”
    “You are remarkably fast for an Undead,” Thomas commented.
    “Oh, am I? I guess I hadn’t noticed. Here you go.” I tossed him the box.
    “What is this?” he asked.
    I rolled my eyes. “My fangs. You asked to see them, remember?”
    Thomas opened the box doubtfully and pulled the headgear out by the hot pink straps that were stamped with the word “Princess” over and over.
    They both looked at the retainer and then at me.
    “I’ll show you.” I grabbed them and slipped my fangs in. Then I strapped the headgear tethers in place.
    “Ta-da.”
    I struck a pose with both of my hands in the air as though I just finished a difficult stunt.
    Carl turned a kind of molten red and jumped to his feet, exclaiming, “You dare mock us?!” He reached across the coffee table with amazing speed but I saw him coming. I slapped his hand aside and pushed him back with all my might. He went flying into the couch and the whole thing slammed into the wall.
    My family came running into the living room when they heard the crash. I quickly removed my fangs.
    “Colby? What happened?” Dad demanded as he entered the room, Mom and Aunt Chloe hot on his heels.
    “Oh, we have guests,” Mom said awkwardly, as they took in the scene in front of them. It must have looked pretty odd to see two strange guys sitting on a couch that was now partly embedded into the wall.
    “I’ll make some tea,” Aunt Chloe offered.
    “Don’t bother, they were just leaving,” I said, moving to stand in front of my family as I gestured to the door.
    Thomas was astute enough to take it as their cue to leave. He stood up and pulled a packet of papers from behind his back. They must have been tucked into his waistband.
    “These are for you. Read them and if you have any questions, my number is on the card.”
    He walked Carl to the door and I made sure I was always between them and my family. When they exited, I walked to the still open door and called out in a falsetto, “So nice of you to stop by. Give my best to the wife and kids.”
    I carefully shut the door and locked it.
    “Who was that, Colby?” my dad asked in shock.
    “That was the Vampire Welcome Wagon.”

Five

    “ T hey didn’t act so welcoming,” my aunt murmured.
    “Yeah, not so much,” I agreed and patted her shoulder reassuringly.
    “What did he give you, honey?” Mom wanted to know. For that