I got up to make another scotch. I’m back at my desk now.

  So where was I? Oh yeah, the bitch is a Blood Angel.

  I stabbed my fork into the remains of my vanilla crepe cake when he said that. Was he fucking with me with this Blood Angel shit? He didn’t smile when he said it any more than the friendly expression he seemed to naturally wear. But if she told him so much about me, she couldn’t have failed to mention that we were recently at war with them, so he knows she is, by default of her bloodline, a recent enemy of mine. Her name is Vanessa. I didn’t ask anything about her. I didn’t want to look like I cared, but of course I do. I feel annoyed just hearing her name. I feel miserable because I just know she’s beautiful and a real woman.

  With enemies out there, it’s probably reckless for me to be posting pics that indicate my current location, whether through tagging or even just by what’s showing in the photo. But with the strength of Mirela’s blood in me, and the secret of extinguishing the mind fire imparted to me by Mez, I guess I pretty much feel invincible. Maybe I’m not though. Wouldn’t that be something? At any rate, I wouldn’t recommend posting current locations for others. So if you’re the person still reading this, and especially if you’re mortal, post things that give or even suggest your location only after you’ve already left the area. That’s Orly’s helpful advice for today.

  But that’s enough about Vanessa and other enemies. What I learned about Vance during our coffee date meetup is that he’s twenty-five years old, 100% Filipino, and an only child. His parents are still in the Philippines but he grew up in Detroit with his uncle. He studied Communications for a year at NYU but left. Now he’s sort of a digital nomad, blogging and hosting events around the world for his Carmilla Courtship Society.

  I know there’s a whole ton of stuff I’m not good at and will probably never be good at, but you want to know something I wish I was at least a little good at? Being able to tell if someone is flirting with me. With Vance, I had no idea. He smiled a lot but does that mean anything at all? Seeing his dimple makes me happy. At least I know that much. He asked pretty simple questions though. Who do I live with? Do I have any pets? What kind of music do I like? What do I like to do in my free time? Rosanna. Finches. Funeral pop. Get drunk. (I totally forgot to say journaling.) It didn’t lead to anything deep. He seemed most interested when asking me questions about what it’s like to be a vampire. I gave stupid answers. Nothing illuminating. Probably nothing he hasn’t already heard before, from Vanessa or whoever else attends these society balls.

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  I didn’t mention how hard it is to outlive everyone you love. I like him, but I don’t feel that close yet.

  The next Carmilla Courtship Society Ball is next month in San Francisco. He invited me. He said I could be his special guest, but he didn’t call it a date. I wanted to ask if Vanessa was also his special guest or how many special guests he has in total, but I didn’t because I knew I’d sound psycho. Plus, now that I think about it, I guess I didn’t want to be told I wasn’t the only one. And now that I think about that, I don’t even know if I am a “one” in the first place, special guest or not.

  There was a time while we were sitting that both my hands and his were resting on the table. I kept waiting/hoping he was going to place one of his hands over mine, but he never did.

  Who am I kidding? He’s too hot to be interested in me. People like him always have better options.

  Maybe I shouldn’t’ve eaten all my cake in front of him.

  He’s the one who suggested leaving first. “Should we get going?” he said and we got up.

  He offered me a ride home. I wanted to spend more time with him, but didn’t want to make it look like I needed him to escort me, so I told him I’d get home on my own. Outside, I realized he had taken an Uber there too. Still, we left separately. Luckily, my car arrived first, so I wasn’t left standing there. Before I got in, there was this awkward moment where we didn’t know whether to hug. I feel like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to touch me. But maybe I’m being too generous because he did shake my hand when he first greeted me. Hugs are more than handshakes though. Maybe he just didn’t want to touch me like that, or touch me that much. He did ask to take a selfie together at least. And we did exchange numbers. How long can I wait to make sure it’s he who texts first? I hope he at least sends me the photo.

  So what am I supposed to make of tonight? I have no idea. When I look back at what I wrote, it all sounds kinda non-eventful. But it wasn’t. Or at least it didn’t feel that way. It was exciting being with him. I guess what I didn’t capture here was his energy. It’s hard to describe but there’s a lot of it. He’s one of those people that seems lit up by a followspot everywhere they go. Kinda like Hisato, but minus the bitchiness.

  Guess what? He posted our selfie and tagged me. There’s already over a thousand likes. I was kinda hoping that that pic would be just for us. Well, at least whatever I am to him, I’m not a secret.

  I just searched who he’s following and found Vanessa. Ugh. She’s beyond beautiful.

  She didn’t like our pic.

  But I didn’t either.

  I mean, I like it, but I didn’t give it a like. I should though. I feel like I’m playing games if I don’t.

  There. I liked it.

  Vanessa posts a lot. She clearly has a ton of friends. I didn’t have to scroll far before finding a pic of her with Vance. And then another…

  I’m Orly Bialek, the Empress Solodnikova of the Cob?lcescu Bloodline, a jealous little girl stalking her rival for a mortal she just met. Mirela wouldn’t have sunk so low. She held her head high. What a better Imparateasa she was.

  But was she?

  “Kill all rivals,” she had said.

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