“Why are you talking to him like a dog that pissed on the rug?” she demanded.

“Uh…” Betsy (the queen…har!) looked flustered. “You’re right, I’m sorry. It’s just that we’re so used to him being more like an animal than a person. Up until a couple months ago, he never talked at all. Not a single word, nothing. Heck, he didn’t even walk! Then he said something—”

“What?”

“‘Red, please.’ He’s into crafts. Long story. Actually, it’s a short story: He likes to knit and crochet, and he was out of yarn. So anyway, he says this, right, and we all freak out. Right? Then, nothing. Then you show up, and you’re all, hidey ho, how’s it hanging, Garrett? And he freaks out and jumps you! You gotta understand, in addition to not talking, he’s never done that before, either, unless he was bringing down prey or protecting me. He’s like a lion with a gazelle when it comes to rapists. I dunno, it’s weird. Anyway—”

“Not having to take a breath,” Antonia commented, “must come in really handy for you.”

“Like you wouldn’t believe. Anyway, you can understand why we’re all a little freaked out.”

“Sure, I guess.” She was still mystified. At home, when a stranger showed up, you let them stay as long as they liked, no questions asked. She reminded herself that vampires and monkeys were different. Duh. And Garrett, even for a vampire, was the most different of all. Interesting.

“Antonia,” Garrett said. They both waited, but that was apparently all he had on his mind. She took another look at him. Brought down rapists, did he? Not much of a talker?

Mmmmm.

“You’ve got great hair,” she told him. “A girl could fall in love.”

He smiled at her again.

“Agh, don’t do that,” Betsy said. “I swear, his grin is as creepy as yours.”

“He’s got a nice smile,” Antonia said defensively. “It’s just right: friendly, but not aggressive.”

“Uh-huh, sure. Well, I’ll let you get settled, and—”

“I don’t need to get settled. I need to help you. What are you doing now?”

Betsy looked startled. “Now now?”

“Yeah, now now. Because I’m stuck to you like a squashed bug until—until whenever.”

She shrugged. “You know, a year ago, this would have seemed incredibly bizarre to me, but no longer. Now I take it all in stride, bay-bee! You want to help? Come on. Not you, Geor—Garrett. You’ll just make a mess of things.”

Garrett ignored her, which Antonia thought was just adorable.

Chapter 4

Oh no no no,” Antonia groaned. “Isn’t there a bullet I can take for you or a knife in the ribs or something?”

“Hey, you wanted to help, so you’re helping.”