Being the last vampire changes everything.
FRIDAY MORNING,William watches from a distance as Lorena eats breakfast with her friends.
“What are you going to do about Shakespeare club?” Salma asks her.
“I’m dropping it. I already have history club with you guys, and we only needoneclub.”
“Speaking of history club,” says Zach, “it’s yours and William’s turn to come up with something to present for our next meeting.”
“Oh, right. I’ll work on it.”
“I can help you,” offers Zach, “if you help me, too.”
“Bribery?”asks an intrigued Salma.
“Zach’s gone dark, I like it,” says Trevor.
“I’m working on a story about the founding of this school,” says Zach. “Minaro gave me access to some of the paperwork, so I’ve been spending time in the main office, and I learned that your mom was one of the early consultants.”
Lorena purses her lips with displeasure. “She stopped working with them, and she’s not on the board anymore.”
“Still, I was hoping I could get a photo of you in the main office for the article, next to your mom’s books. They’re all on the guidance counselor’s shelf.”
It takes Lorena a moment to answer. “Sure,” she says at last, likely deciding that a quick photo is worth the history help.
“Great, let’s do it now.”
“But we have class in a few minutes—”
“It’s nearly the deadline,” says Zach, who is already on his feet. “And you’ve finished eating.”
“Okay,” she says, stealing a glance at Salma. “Meet you in class.”
William keeps hidden as they exit, and he follows them at a distance, hoping to catch Lorena alone afterward. Only they are not going in the direction of the main office.
“Where are we going?” asks Lorena. “This isn’t the way—”
“I need to talk to you,alone,” says Zach, opening the door to an empty room.
Lorena looks at him, concern creasing her forehead. “What is it?”
“I don’t want anyone to overhear. I’ll be quick.”
She goes inside, and when the door shuts, William darts into the adjacent room and listens through the wall.
“I don’t know how to say this,” Zach begins.
“Okay, you’re worrying me. What happened?”
“William.”
“What about him?” She sounds annoyed, but William picks up on her rising heartbeat.
“There wasn’t much paperwork on the school’s founding. Just a contract handing off the estate to Huntington Academy LLC, and a few government permits. But our student files were in the same storage cabinet, and… I took a look.”
“At our files? That’s messed up, Zach—”
“I looked atWilliam’s. Trevor has been saying for weeks that he doesn’t trust the guy, and I just assumed it was some kind of alpha male contest, but I still decided to check.” He pauses, and William tries to picture Lorena’s expression. “I know,” says Zach, and by his tone, William imagines she must look disapproving, “but I’m a journalist, and I had to be sure.”
