"Yeah, I've never seen Neil look so uncomfortable in my life," Brian agreed.

Claire sighed. "Neil had just asked me to Homecoming. Alec might have overheard-I'm not sure."

"Oh my G.o.d!" Erica cried. "What did you tell Neil?"

"I said no, and that I'm kind of with Alec now."

Erica nodded. Brian groaned.

"What?" Claire said.

"You did the right thing," Brian said, "but that sucks. You've wanted Neil to ask you out for, like, forever."

"Yeah, so Alec better do the right thing and ask you to Homecoming," Erica exclaimed with authority, "or I am going to figure out what his own personal Kryptonite is, and kill him with it."

"That reminds me." Brian exchanged a look with Erica. "We, uh ... went shopping yesterday."

Claire looked at them, confused. "What?"

"Oh yeah." Erica withdrew a small bag from her backpack and handed it to Claire. "We got you something."

The bag was from a local boutique. Claire reached inside and took out their gift: a pair of long, stretchy black gloves. "What are these for?" she said uncertainly.

"Think of them as your own personal, nonlethal Kryptonite," Brian explained. "Fabric seems to work as a barrier to suppress your powers, just like it did for Rogue in X-Men."

"Hopefully you can touch people now, without having to concentrate so hard," added Erica.

Claire nodded slowly, conflicted. "Thanks, guys. It's a good idea, and very thoughtful. But... I'll look like a freak wearing gloves to school."

"Not if you have company." Grinning, Erica pulled another pair of long gloves from her backpack-these in bright pink spandex-and pulled them on, fitting them deliberately over her fingers. "It'll be a fashion statement. We might start a new trend."

"Or be cla.s.sified as a pair of freaks." Claire laughed and put on her own gloves. "Thanks for the solidarity, sister." She and Erica high-fived.

"Vision?" Erica inquired, after their hands had smacked together.

"Nope." Claire smiled happily.

"Score!" Brian cried with a satisfied nod. "But keep in mind, CB, they'll only help with the hand-touching thing. If you go around kissing people, you're on your own."

twenty-four.

Alec spotted Claire on her way to history cla.s.s and hurried up to her. She looked great in her pin-striped hoodie and formfitting jeans, her hands shoved in her pockets as she walked along, her face glowing in the late morning sunlight.

The previous afternoon had been so amazing, he'd barely been able to sleep all night. He'd spent the time replaying the events and wondering how and when he should pose a particular burning question. When he spotted Claire with Neil that morning by their locker, he'd been filled with dread that he might be too late-but Neil's look of disappointment had renewed his hopes.

"Hi there." Alec smiled down at Claire, hoping he appeared more calm than he felt.

Claire returned his smile a little awkwardly. "Hi yourself."

s.h.i.te, he thought, his heart drumming in his chest. Why does she look uncomfortable? Had he misunderstood Neil's expression? Get on with it, he told himself.

"About this morning," he began tentatively.

"Yeah?" She wasn't looking at him.

"Did... Neil ask you to Homecoming?"

She hesitated. "He did."

His stomach tightened. "And? What did you say?"

"I said no."

Relief cascaded over him like a wave. He still had a chance. But her expression was unreadable. Would she turn him down, too? Maybe she had no interest in school dances. He took a deep breath. "Well, I had hoped to be the first," he said, striving for a light tone. "But I was wondering if you'd like to-"

"Yes!" Claire burst out, beaming. "I'd love to!"

Alec let out a long sigh, unable to stop the huge smile that followed, thrilled when Claire suddenly stopped and threw her arms around him. He hugged her back fervently. They stood in each other's tight embrace for a long moment, heedless of the rush of students swerving around them. When Claire drew away slightly, he saw his own happiness mirrored on her face.

"After yesterday, how could you even doubt that I'd say yes?" she asked softly.

He was too filled with emotion to reply. Stepping back, he slid his hands down the length of her arms, caressing them affectionately through her sleeves, reminding himself that he had to stop before he reached her bare hands-but she boldly took one of his hands in hers. He started at the feel of the silky texture covering her fingers, and glanced down at their clasped hands in surprise. "Gloves?"

"They were Brian and Erica's idea. Now I can relax when I hold your hand, without repeating a mantra like a crazed monk."

He grinned as they walked on together. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"You're the first boy I've ever brought home," Claire said to him two days later, as they walked up to the front door of her apartment.

"And this is the first time I've ever been brought home to meet anyone's mother," Alec replied with a chuckle.

When Claire told her mom that a boy had asked her to Homecoming, her mom insisted on meeting him first. So here they both were, about to make the introductions-and Alec just prayed he could pull it off with aplomb.

He was nervous-and fully aware of how ironic that was. He thought about the thousands of a.s.signments he'd undertaken over the past century-the cultures he'd studied, the many and varied personas he'd created, the populations he'd infiltrated-and he had to smile. Most of those situations had been fraught with danger; in some cases, he'd come close to losing his life; yet none of them had made him feel as anxious or uncertain as the one he was about to undertake.

"Be prepared, my mom might act like a total spaz. I told her your emanc.i.p.ation story, but nothing else."

"Okay."

Claire removed her gloves, stuffed them into her backpack, and unlocked her front door. The delicious smell of curry wafted out from somewhere inside.

"Hey, Mom!" Claire called out as they entered. "This is Alec."

A pretty, pale, slender blonde was working at a computer desk in the front room. When she crossed the room to greet them, Alec could detect a slight mother-daughter resemblance in their faces, but that's all. Clearly, Alec thought, Claire inherited her darker hair and complexion from her father.

"Hi." Claire's mom gave her daughter a quick hug, then extended her hand to Alec, her blue eyes wary as she sized him up. "Nice to meet you, Alec."

Alec shook her hand firmly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Brennan."

"Ooh, you were right." She grinned at Claire. "He does have a luscious accent."

"Mom!" Claire blushed.

To Alec, her mom added, "Please, call me Lynn. Come in, have a seat."

Lynn sat down in an easy chair, gesturing for them to sit across from her. Claire and Alec did as instructed, perching awkwardly on the sofa beside each other.

"So, Claire tells me you just moved here from Scotland, and that you live alone."

"Aye, mum," Alec returned politely.

"That must be difficult. How do you support yourself?"

He and Claire exchanged a glance. They'd talked this out in detail before coming, and he'd prepared himself to be quizzed. Still, Alec hated to lie to this woman. It was obvious how much she adored her daughter. He suspected that she'd also dearly loved Claire's father. Alec could easily imagine the kind of boy Lynn would want Claire to date: a smart, decent, straitlaced young man from a good family-who was 100 percent human.

"I've worked every summer for years," Alec replied. That, at least, was completely true. "And I have a small trust fund." Also true-in a way.

"I was very sorry to hear about your parents. Claire said they pa.s.sed away when you were very young?"

"Aye. I was ten." The truth again.

"I'm so sorry," she repeated.

"Thank you." Alec steered the conversation in a new direction. "I miss them very much, and I think about them every day. They'd be so happy to see where I am now, and how lucky I am. I love living here, and Emerson is a great school. Did you know that Claire and I are auditioning tomorrow to sing in the Homecoming a.s.sembly?"

"So she told me." Lynn looked at Claire with a somewhat awestruck expression. "I admit, this whole choir thing has taken me completely by surprise. I haven't heard Claire sing in years."

"Well, that's a shame, because your daughter has an amazing voice, and we're going to kick a.r.s.e at the audition tomorrow."

Lynn laughed. "I hope you do."

Alec darted a look at Claire, wondering why she wasn't saying anything. She seemed to be holding her breath. The look in her eyes told him she was thrilled by how well this was going.

"The a.s.sembly's a week from Friday," Alec added. "If we're chosen, I hope you'll come and watch."

"Yeah, Mom," Claire blurted out. "You should totally come. If we get in, that is. They're gonna post the results on Monday morning."

"I wish you luck." Lynn stood and gestured toward the kitchen with a smile. "Alec, I don't claim to be a fabulous cook, but I've had chicken curry in the Crock-Pot all day. Will you join us for dinner?"

Claire beamed, nodding enthusiastically in Alec's direction.

"I'd love to," Alec responded. "Curry is one of my favorites. Thank you."

After they'd taken their seats at the kitchen table and Alec had swallowed his first bite of curry-which was spicy and delicious-Lynn turned and fixed him with her gaze. "Alec, Claire tells me that you invited her to the Homecoming Dance, and she's accepted?"

"Aye."

"That's very sweet, but you know I can't in good conscience allow you to take her to the dance until I've asked a few more questions."

"Mom!" Another blush bloomed on Claire's cheeks. She covered her face with her hands, looking as if she wished she could disappear.

"Of course. This is your daughter we're talking about. It's your job. So go ahead, grill me."

Lynn smiled. "Thank you for humoring me. According to Claire, you're an excellent student with no disciplinary record. She insists that you don't have any of the usual vices that a parent worries about-"

"Kill me now!" Claire moaned.

"Is it true that you don't drink? Alcohol, I mean?"

"It is."

"Do you take drugs?"

"Never have, never will."

"How old are you? Sixteen?"

His first lie. "Aye."

"You can't have been driving very long?"

"I got my permit earlier than most. My car is the most expensive thing I own, so I keep it well-maintained and drive very carefully. Your daughter is safe with me."

"I hope so."

Lynn began peppering him with questions about his past. Alec launched into his prepared answers, smoothly talking his way through and around everything she asked. He told amusing stories about his supposed aunts and uncles that were full of realistic detail. Ultimately he appeared to set her mind at ease, and managed to leave the dinner table feeling only somewhat guilty.

"I'm so glad we had this chance to talk," Lynn said as she gave him a warm, maternal good-bye hug at the front door.

"So am I." He thanked her for dinner. She wished him good luck at their upcoming audition again, then thoughtfully returned to the kitchen, giving him and Claire a moment alone. The minute she was gone, Claire grabbed him by the arm and drew him out onto the front step into the mild evening air.

"Oh. My. G.o.d," she said tensely, after the door shut behind them. "I cannot believe she put you through all that."

"It's okay, Claire. Really." Alec took her in his arms and pressed his lips briefly against her hair. "I think it went quite well, all things considered. She's a lovely woman. But I'm glad it's over and that she seems to approve."

Claire hugged him tightly. Her breath felt warm and inviting against his neck. In a low tone, she added, "When did you say Vincent will be back?"

"I expect him tomorrow or the next day. Why?"

"Because I can't wait for you to straighten everything out with him. I'll feel so much better when I can finally tell my mom what's been happening to me, and who you are."

Alec pulled back slightly to look at her. "Do you really think that's a good idea, Claire? I don't like to keep deceiving your mother, but I don't see that we have any choice. Even after I get Vincent's approval and the danger to you both is removed, how do you think she'll take it-the fact that you're dating a Grigori?"