Page 13 of John’s Yearning

“Well, things change,” Drake said. “We all go through changes in life. We adapt. Just like you’ll adapt to your new circumstances.”

Deirdre grunted and glared at the shrink. But before she could let out the barrage of insults that clearly sat on her lips, John spoke. “You’re looking for a purpose in life.”

She spun her head in his direction, surprise flashing in her eyes. She didn’t say anything, but he knew he’d hit on the cause of her dissatisfaction.

Drake cleared his throat. “That’s all well and good, but as a new vampire, barely out of diapers”—he chuckled to himself at his tasteless joke—“you have to learn to walk before you can run. You’re not yet fully in control of all your—”

“Shut up, doc,” John hissed. “Can’t you see that you’re only making things worse?”

He looked at Deirdre who was shooting a poisonous look at the shrink.

John directed his gaze back at Drake. “What makes you think that Deirdre can’t handle being a vampire? Just because her turning happened only a few months ago? That might be true for a human who’s been suddenly thrust into our world. But Deirdre was already part of this world. She was a preternatural creature for many centuries. All that’s changed for her is that she’s a member of a different preternatural race now. Still immortal, still powerful. We’ve done it your way for the last three sessions, and nothing came of it. You said we needed to take it slowly, one step at a time. And I followed your advice. But I’m done with it. We’re doing it my way now.”

When his eyes locked with Deirdre’s, he saw gratitude in them for the first time.

“You want to be useful to your new species; make your mark in this new life. I should have seen it earlier.” With a sideways glance at the shrink, he added, “I shouldn’t have listened to other people telling me it’s too early to get you to think about what you want to do with your new life.” But he’d never been a maker, never had responsibility for another vampire, one who needed guidance. “I can help you with that.”

“John, with all due respect,” Drake interrupted, “this is not how this works. The mind of a new vampire is a fragile thing. You can’t just bulldoze your way over it and pretend there aren’t any underlying issues of guilt and resentment between the two of you. Let’s talk about that.”

Leave it up to the shrink to kick up some shit. John grunted to himself.

“You feel guilty for having turned Deirdre, because she was in no condition to give her consent. Tell us about that guilt, John.”

John glared at the doctor. “Well, look at you, stirring up shit again! Ever heard of letting sleeping lions lie?”

“It comes with the profession.”

“Does it?”

One side of the doctor’s mouth curled up. Sadistic bastard!

“I sense a lot of resentment between the two of you. You hate the fact that you’re responsible for her, and you, Deirdre, hate it that he has power over you as your maker.”

Deirdre narrowed her eyes and pushed away from the mural. “You know nothing about me or about John. And frankly, I find these mandated couples sessions useless. Who came up with this harebrained idea?”

Drake lifted his chin, giving an air of superiority. “The vampire council prescribes these sessions for new vampires and their makers these days. And if you must know, I suggested it to them after seeing all kinds of suppressed issues crop up years later. It’s best to nip these things in the bud.”

“Yeah, I know what I’d like to nip in the bud,” Deirdre murmured under her breath.

John had to suppress a grin. He hadn’t realized that his protégée had a sense of humor.

“Be that as it may,” Drake said, undeterred, “you have no choice but to attend these sessions.”

“Attend maybe,” Deirdre hedged, then winked at John, “but nobody can make me say anything I don’t want to say.”

Before Drake could respond, John added, “She’s got a point, doc. Last time I checked we weren’t in Scanguards’ interrogation room. I’m afraid you’ll have to make do with what Deirdre and I are willing to share. True, we have to be here for what—five sessions, maybe ten? But stay the crap out of my head. And out of Deirdre’s. Just because you were able to convince the vampire council to mandate these sessions, doesn’t mean somebody else can’t convince them that they’re useless and make them drop them just as quickly.”

“How dare you—”

John rose, cutting him off. “You’re not the only one who knows people in high places. I’m sure you’re aware that I worked for the vampire king of Louisiana for many years. And that we’re friends. I believe he has great influence with the council. I’m sure the vampire council dropping mandatory counseling sessions will cut into your income, won’t it?”

When Drake glared at him, John motioned to his protégée. “I think we’re done here. Do you need a ride, Deirdre?”

She smiled at him, the first genuine smile he’d ever seen her display. “Actually, I do.”

Together, they marched out of the doctor’s office, past fake Marilyn, who stared at the clock on the wall, perplexed, but silent.

John turned his head to Deirdre as they walked toward the end of the driveway. “Where can I drop you?”