Miss Vampire, Ch. 6: Seoul

“I didn’t want to humiliate you.” Scott smiled arrogantly. “But I was a lord, and you were a lifetime servant for our family back in the old country. Since we were kids, you walked in my shadow, calling me Lord Scott. You did whatever I said, whether you liked it or not. It all seems like yesterday. Technically, you’re still my servant. So I assumed you didn’t want to live near your still-alive Masters.”

A cold smile crept onto Duke’s face. “I just remember you farted a lot.” He shot a stink-eye at Scott.

“See?” Scott grimaced. “You don’t want to remember the part about your family being servants, because that embarrassed you.”

Duke narrowed his eyes and began to huff and puff.

“Hey, Scott, stop!” Cassandra said. “That’s water under the bridge — three hundred years ago.” I’m sure Duke is the Queen’s closest confidant. But how can I stick with him? It’s going to be very complicated. Think, Cassandra, think.

“All right, let’s talk about your past,” Duke fumed to Scott.

“My past? Well, I was the first son of a noble family back in England,” Scott boasted. “Everybody admired us. Didn’t they, Cassandra?”

Duke recalled how much the Queen hated Scott.

“You know what,” Duke spat, “you’d love to be where I’m going.”

“Where?” Scott chuckled. “I wouldn’t follow you to Dollywood!”

“Hey, Cassandra, wanna come to the Queen’s birthday party?” Duke asked.

“The Queen’s birthday party?” Cassandra’s eyes shot open.

What? The Queen? Scott was shocked.

Duke recalled the Queen’s demands: come alone, and don’t tell anybody. However, the cat was already out of the bag.

“Must I go?” Cassandra deadpanned in surprise, struggling to conceal her true feelings.

“Of course you must, and your brother, Fart, too.” Duke forced a smile.

Scott’s expression hardened. Oh, no — not the Queen. This is gonna be a disaster! He reeled inwardly. “Cassandra, we weren’t even invited.”

“Yes, you are. I just invited you. You deaf?” Duke mocked.

“I miss her so much! Is Seoul coming?” Cassandra asked.

“No. Nobody knows,” Duke whispered. “It’s a secret party, so don’t tell anyone.”

“It’s invitation-only. It’s so rude if we go. We obviously didn’t cut the mustard.” Scott’s nerves were getting to him.

“Oh, shut up. We’re going,” Cassandra said curtly, and then turned to Duke. “Why don’t I give you a ride? We’re going to the same place.”

“Cassandra, Seoul promised she’d drive him to Los Angeles.” Scott shook his head. “She’ll feel bad if he changes his mind in the middle of the ride.”

“Hate to say it, but I agree with him,” Duke said to Cassandra.

“What’s the matter?” Cassandra raised her voice. “It was just a one-night stand. You know what they say — once the night is over, the best separations are the quickest. At least, they make HER feel better.”

The conversation stopped as Seoul came back and sat down.

Cassandra noticed her red eyes. “Seoul. You okay?”

“I’m fine, thanks,” she responded and turned to Scott, “So…” She paused.

“You got something to say?” Scott asked nicely.

“I…” Seoul tried to say something but stopped. She turned toward Cassandra.

“Cassandra, I know this is strange, but can we exchange phone numbers?”

Why does she want my number? Cassandra thought. “Sure.” She shrugged and gave her number.

“So, Scott, you were there during the Seoul Olympics,” Seoul said slowly and sipped her coffee carefully.

Seoul seemed disturbed by something. Cassandra noticed it.

“Yes, with my sister and friends. We had so much fun,” Scott answered. “We also went to a huge party that happened at some conglomerate’s weekend house.”

“You mean the vampire theme party?” Seoul asked.

“Yes. Right next to the river? The red-door house?” Scott said.

“Were you there? I was there too,” Seoul said bluntly.

“Really? What a coincidence,” Cassandra said.

“It was one hell of a party, wasn’t it?” Scott said. ”We danced and sang and drank. I love Koreans. They know what’s fun.”

“Just in case, you guys remember a friend of yours, also the friend of the host, the Canadian?”

“You mean James?” Cassandra said. “Why? Are you looking for him?”

Seoul didn’t answer immediately. “No. Not really.” She paused. “Duke, I’m sorry, but… do you mind going with your friends to Los Angeles? I need some time to rearrange my thoughts.”

“Are you sure?” Scott asked her, who nodded.

“Cool.” Duke shrugged.

Already, Cassandra was delighted to be with Duke.

Scott was terrified. I gotta eighty-six this stiff.

“Thanks. I gotta go.” Seoul stood up. “Hope to see you again.”

“If we’re alive, I’m sure we’ll meet again — whether it takes a week or a millennium.” Scott tried to make a joke.

“I’m sure. We will meet again,” Seoul emphasized “again” and continued, “Because I can’t die.”

“We’re immortal.” Duke nodded.

“Good bye,” Seoul said.

What does that mean? Meet again? Cassandra thought as they all exchanged hugs and good-byes. She gazed after Seoul, walking toward her Porsche in the parking lot. Her long hair waved in the breeze.

“Hey, listen up,” Duke said, “I know it’s weird, but you guys have to turn off your cell phones. Don’t tell anybody where you’re heading. That’s what the Queen ordered.”

Of course… she doesn’t want to be traced, Cassandra thought.

To be continued…

• Miss Vampire Preface: Here