Page 86 of Malice

Her eyes widen.

“And I’m the last one they can use.”

“Holy shit.” Delphi sits there in stunned silence. “So what are you going to do?”

“Try to stop them,” I say, unable to tell her the full truth, not because I don’t trust her with it, but because I’m ashamed of what I’m going to do.

The doorbell rings, and Mabel excitedly gets up to get our food. We set it all up on the coffee table, turning on the TV while we eat.

“Tell me about this guy,” I say, needing a subject change. “How was your date?”

“It was good,” Delphi says. “Just good though. Nothing amazing and he checked his phone a couple of times.”

“Did he explain why?” Mabel asks.

“First time he said he thought it could be about his kids. They were with their mom though, so it wasn’t his responsibility that night.”

“It doesn’t matter who has custody, your kids are still your kids,” Mabel says. “Even after they’re grown and their kids have kids, you still care. I like to keep track of mine.”

“You had kids?” Delphi asks. “I don’t know why I assumed you were, like, always a vampire.”

Mabel shakes her head and gets a distant look in her eye. “Tell me about the guy you’re dating,” she says suddenly, snapping back to her old self. Delphi gets out her phone, showing Mabel Andrew’s social media pages.

“He’s still active on the dating apps,” she says, letting out a sigh.

“How do you know?” I ask.

“I can see he’s active when I log on.”

“So you’re active, too?” Mabel tips her head.

“Yeah, but it’s different. I’m not trying to hookup with random guys.”

“Is he?” Mabel asks innocently.

“Not guys, but girls. I mean, I’m assuming. I’m only still active because I’m certain someone is going to disappoint me so I need options.”

“The crazy thing is,” I start. “I totally get that. But we probably shouldn’t jump to conclusions. I mean, actually, why not. Most men suck.”

“They do,” Mabel agrees. “And it hasn’t gotten any better in the last century. If anything, men have gotten worse!”

“Thank goodness you have a husband,” Delphi says to her. “I cannot imagine trying to date for more like one lifetime. I’d be single. Can vampires be nuns?”

“I don’t think so,” I reply. “Speaking of husbands. Has your ex left you alone?”

“He more or less has, but his girlfriend is a trip,” Delphi shakes her head. “She’s been on a rant, posting all over TikTok about how exhausting it is to be the best thing that’s ever happened to him.”

Mabel and I both laugh. “Dude, he downgraded so hard,” I say, remembering the posts Delphi showed me before. “And she’s really threatened by you.”

“I don’t get it.” Delphi pulls up the new girlfriend’s profile to show Mabel. “I am the one who filed for divorce. Clearly, I did not want to be with that man. So why is she acting like I’m jealous?”

“She’s very insecure,” Mabel says, quickly looking through all the photos. “And I can see why. I mean, look at you. You’re pretty, successful, kind and interesting. Isn’t that why you’re worried about the guy you’re dating’s ex?”

“Dammit, you’re right.” She wrinkles her nose. “It’s much more fun to chastise her.” She motions to the phone.

“Oh, it is,” I say. “So let’s do it.” We laugh. “Just whatever you do, don’t go posting like your ex husband’s girlfriend does and please don’t call yourself a bonus mom unless the kids say it first.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t. A daily goal of mine is to actually be a decent person and then not come off as pathetic.”