The Stars Lie {Myrnin, Morganville Vampires}

Steampunk Vixen

Chapter 4—Steampunk Vixen

Claire

Oh no, no, no...what the hell did I just do? Claire's thoughts were in shambles as she virtually ran out of the lab into the hot baking sun.

I'm with Shane! She thought furiously at herself. I love Shane!

Claire viciously wiped at the tears that were beginning to fall. Shane. How was she going to tell him? He would never forgive her. Claire couldn't imagine her life without him. He had fought for her and nearly died for her – on more than one occasion. How could she repay his kindness and love – like this?!

She stopped to look up and catch her bearings. She didn't know how long she had been almost-running down the streets, like a mad person, but it wouldn't do. No, anything less than complete attention, whilst anywhere in Morganville, was the quickest way to end up as someone's lunch.

Claire forced herself to think. She wasn't ready to go home and face Shane – not yet – and realized she was only a half a block away from Common Grounds. She checked her watch. Eve would be getting off in thirty minutes. With her decision made, Claire headed toward Common Grounds, desperately hoping she could keep her despair hidden from Eve.

Eve was her closest girlfriend in the world. Well, her only girlfriend if she were being honest. Morganville had not been the easiest of towns to make friends in. Maybe it was her age when she had arrived. Or maybe it was just the insane chaos of fighting for her life so frequently, against way too many vampire threats over the last two years.

While Claire and Eve were close, Eve had been friends with Shane long before Claire arrived in town. Claire was not at all sure, if it came to picking sides, whose side Eve would be on. She couldn't stand the thought of losing her friend and her boyfriend all in the same day.

Thankfully, Eve was busy at the bar when Claire came in. As Claire slid over to the only remaining open table, Eve gave her a short wave, "Hey, Claire Bear!"

Claire tried her best to smile back and then sank down into her seat. The table was located near the front window and Claire distracted herself by watching the people coming and going. Eve flashed over a minute later, carrying a welcomed mocha and handed it to Claire. "Hey! I am headed over to that cute little thrift shop on 3rd Street after work. You should come with me. They have a fabulous dress, short with diamond studs and glitter (of course), hanging in the window. I think it would rock for my engagement party". Eve's head bobbed in excitement. "What do you think?!"

Claire kept the mocha to her lips to hide her expression and nodded, looking as excited as she could muster.

Eve glanced narrowly at her, immediately knowing something was off. "Hey, are you alright?" She reached a tentative hand out to touch Claire's arm.

Claire flinched before forcing herself to stay still. Reacting to Eve like she was a leper was not going to get Claire very far, in trying to convince her everything was okay.

Eve's eyes went wide before she continued through clenched teeth, "What's wrong? What happened? Is it Michael? Has something happened to Michael?!"

Determined to force her frenzied thoughts into obedience, Claire replied with a small, only slightly awkward, smile. "No. It's me. I had fried chicken for lunch and I don't think it settled very well on my stomach," Claire grimaced, hating that she had lied to her friend.

"Oh!" Eve visibly relaxed and released the breath she had been holding. "Well, that sucks. We need to get you home and in bed".

Before Claire could reply, Eve looked past her out the window and whistled low, "Wow!"