Empath (Book 1 of The Empath Trilogy)

  Ch. 24

  What a week. Saturday night I had almost died, Monday night I learned that I was only a week away from meeting the vampire Court to not only ask for help in dealing with some angry rogue vampires wanting to destroy the human race, but also to present myself as James’ human consort. It was only Tuesday and, as if I didn’t have enough on my plate, my cell phone rang. It was my mother with another bombshell.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  She sounded hesitant, my ears pricked suspiciously. “Honey, I think I owe you an apology.”

  Uh oh. I sat down on the couch. “What is it Mom?”

  “I don’t think I told you about your cousin Vanessa’s wedding, did I? It’s this Friday night in Duluth.” She knew she hadn’t told me or she wouldn’t be tiptoeing.

  “Um, no Mom. You didn’t.” I rolled my eyes at James who had just walked in to find out if Stephen was calling in. Nobody had heard from him since last night. “I didn’t know anything about a wedding. That is awfully last minute, and I have something I have to do next week so an overnight in Duluth on Friday night isn’t exactly convenient.” I made my eyes huge and James figured out it was Mom. Moms and daughters, that one was timeless. He leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms making no bones about the fact that he was eavesdropping.

  “Claire, I am so sorry, this one is all my fault. I put the invitation on the fridge.” That was always our warning system in the house while I had lived there. “It just never clicked that I had to call you. I’m not used to you being gone yet.” I heard the cry coming on, reflexively moving to avoid it. I knew I was going to cave. I also felt bad for her, she really had forgotten or she wouldn’t be groveling.

  Glancing over at James, I spoke to him as well. “All right, Mom. I’ll tell you what. I’ll come to the wedding if you can email me the specifics. But I’ll have to drive home afterward so I can’t stay too late.”

  She squealed jubilantly. “Oh Claire, Vanessa will be so happy. You two used to be so close when you were kids. This will mean a lot to her and her mother. Don’t worry about a gift, we’ll put your name on ours.” She prattled on for another few minutes and I raised my eyebrows and shoulders to James, asking if that was okay. He nodded that it was okay with him. She caught my attention again when she asked if I would be bringing a “plus one,” she sounded hopeful. “You know, a friend to share the drive? What about Heidi?” She suggested helpfully.

  “Yes mom, there is someone I would like to bring. Is that okay if I have a date?” Even if she had to agree to be the narcissistic Vanessa’s personal attendant, she’d make sure there was room for me to bring my first date. She would be dying to meet him, I was sure. “Mom, I have to get going. I have some more homework to do before I head to work.” Snapping my phone shut, I sighed and sank back into the couch cushions, closing my eyes. They popped back open when I heard the soft voice chuckling under his breath.

  “Looks like I’m going to meet your family, hmm?”