Dead Is Not an Option by Marlene Perez Page A

"Could I see you for a minute? In the kitchen?"
    I stalked away before she could respond. She flew into the kitchen seconds after I did.
    "What is she doing here?" I hissed. I tried to keep my voice as low as possible. Vampire hearing and all.
    "Who?" she said, playing dumb. She knew exactly who I meant.
    "Circe Silvertongue. Who do you think?"
    She shrugged. "She's with Liam's grandfather," Poppy said. "He called and asked if he could bring someone. I couldn't say no."
    "Couldn't you?"
    "Daisy, you're being unreasonable," she replied.
    "What is he doing with that sneaky witch anyway?" I asked.
    "She's not a witch. She's a sorceress," she said.
    "How can you sit there calmly sipping tea after what she did to Lily and poor Balthazar?" I kept my voice low, despite my urge to pull out my hair and scream.
    "What did you want me to do?"
    "We have to tell the council," I said.
    "What would you like to tell the council?" The count stood where only seconds before there had been empty space.
    We both stared at him, mouths agape.
    "If you are referring to the presence of Circe Silvertongue in your lovely city, the council is fully aware," Count Dracul continued. "Her assistance was needed."
    Mom came into the kitchen. "Is everything all right?" she asked.
    "Everything's fine," I assured her.
    Rose, Nicholas, Mr. Bone, and Ryan and his dad all trooped in.
    "Look who I found on the doorstep," Rose said.
    "We rang the doorbell, but no one answered," Ryan told me.
    "Sorry," I said. "I was checking on the dessert." The pie! I'd completely forgotten about it. I grabbed a couple of potholders and yanked it out. It was a little crispy but it still looked edible.
    When Dad called us all into dinner, Balthazar jumped up and trotted into the dining room. Ryan stayed behind with me while everyone else followed the pig out of the kitchen.
    "Now that we don't have an audience, I can say hello properly," he said.
    I kissed him. "Hello."
    "That's it?" he complained. "One measly little kiss?"
    "Sorry," I said. "Circe is here, and I'm in a foul mood because of it."
    Dad called out, "Daisy, Ryan."
    "We'd better get in there," I said, "before Dad comes looking for us."
    Dad had moved our dining room table somewhere, then set up some folding tables into one long row and covered them with white linen tablecloths. Everyone was introduced, and then we took our chairs. Ryan sat next to me, and Grandma took the seat on the other side. The chief sat in between Ryan and Mr. Bone.
    Count Dracul sat in the middle with Circe, and my sisters and their boyfriends sat at the other end with the dark-haired girl, who still hadn't uttered a word to anyone. Circe was close enough that I could talk to her. Not that I wanted to.
    "This is my sister, Claudia," Liam said. He made the introductions around the table.
    "Claudia? Really?" I whispered to Ryan. Claudia was the name of the minivamp in Interview with a Vampire.
    "Claudia is a popular name with vampires," he replied softly.
    Everyone seemed to be getting along well enough, although Claudia Dracul spent most of her time texting. She didn't touch her salad, not so much as a polite nibble. Even though vampires preferred blood, they could eat regular food.
    "Claudia, how do you like Nightshade High?" I asked her, trying to be polite.
    "It's not like home," she said.
    "Where's home?" I asked.
    She rolled her eyes. "Transylvania," she said, like it was obvious. Hey, how was I supposed to know what was real and what was myth?
    "Are you dating anyone at school?" I didn't know what else to ask.
    Her grandfather frowned.
    "The boys at that school are so boring," she said, but I noticed she glanced at her grandfather to see if he was listening. He was.
    "My granddaughter has not found the appropriate vampire companion," Count Dracul said.
    Hmm. Vampire companion, huh? His attitude didn't bode well for Poppy's relationship. He'd been charming to my sister, but underneath all that charm, I could tell he wasn't happy with Liam's