Page 85 of Lost

“Will they be able to tell you’re not like them?”

He sighed. “I hope not.”

“But if they find out you’re different they’ll probably kill you. Or eat you.” She shuddered. “Or something hideously awful.”

“Well, I do have that blood goo stuff, and I’m used to hiding how I really feel when I’m around other red vampyres. You say I stink, right?”

“Yes. Absolutely. Can’t you smell it?”

“I try not to.”

Aphrodite snorted a laugh, then as Kevin was getting ready to take the turn that would lead them to the depot, she said, “Don’t turn here.”

“But it’s the quickest way to the depot.”

“I know. Turn right instead.”

“That’s not the way to the depot.”

“Again. I know. Go to Saks instead.”

“Huh?” He was gawking at her in surprise and almost hit the curb.

“Oh, for shit’s sake! Watch where you’re driving and close your mouth,” she said.

“Why do you want me to take you to Saks?”

“Ssh. I’m thinking. Just drive.”

Kevin did as he was told, making his way to Utica Square and the Saks Fifth Avenue that was the cornerstone of the outside shopping square. “Park over there in the shadows on the side, not in the front,” Aphrodite told him.

He pulled into a dark spot and put the Hummer in park. “So, I guess I’ll wait out here while you’re shopping, then drive back to the depot?”

“No.” Aphrodite dug through her giant bag, causing the remaining untouched bottle of champagne to clank against one of the crystal flutes. “Here it is—come to Mama,” she murmured as she pulled out a platinum credit card and handed it to Kevin. “Take this in there. Buy yourself new clothes. Nonstinky, non-ill-fitting clothes. And none of those skinny jeans either. That hipster look is ridiculous. Get some T-shirts too. Nothing flashy. Just clean and, again,not ill-fitting.” She gave his clothes, borrowed from Dragon—who was decidedly shorter and more muscular than Kevin—a disgusted look. “Get enough to fill four or five big bags. Oh, and don’t forget some boy pajamas. Keep this in mind when choosing pj’s—I donotwant to see your flopping wiener through them, so get something lined.”

“I’m so confused.” Kevin stared at the credit card. “Why are you giving me this?”

“Do you have enough money to buy four or five big bags of clothes from Saks?”

“Hell no.”

“That’s why I’m giving you my card.”

“Aphrodite, I really appreciate it, but what I have on is fine for the tunnels.”

“Yeah, I get that. But it’s not fine for being around me,” she said.

“Huh?”

She sighed dramatically. “I. Have. A. Plan. Now go in there and do what I said and let me think it through.”

“What if they notice I’m not Aphrodite LaFont?”

She rolled her eyes skyward. “Use your red vamp mind trick thing on the simpletons.”

“Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. Okay.” He started to open the door and paused. “Um, do you need anything from in there?”

She shuddered. “No. It’s not Nordstrom. I prefer Miss Jackson’s.”

He grinned mischievously at her. “Hey, in Zo’s world the Miss Jackson’s closed.”

Aphrodite held up her hand to stop him from saying any more. “Do not blaspheme like that. Now, be gone. And hurry up. I only have one bottle of champagne left.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He saluted her, and then did exactly as she commanded.