Invincible (A Centennial City Novel) by Fionn Jameson

wrong?”
    I shook my head and immediately regretted it as sharp, sudden pain coursed through the back of my mind. “Nothing. Never mind.”
    Reiko sat down at the right hand side of the bed, her head to one side. “Will you be incapacitated for long?”
    “Shouldn’t be. It usually goes away within a couple of hours, if not sooner,” I said. “Why?”
    She crossed her arms and I wondered what it would be like to be a child forever, without any choice in the matter. It probably wasn’t the best idea to bring it up.
    “This is only the first night.”
    The implications made my head ache even more, pulsing like an angry, infected wound. “So you’re saying there will be other vampires trying to kill him.”
    “I’m sorry,” she said. “There is a chance, yes. But maybe not. Perhaps when the absence of the assassin is discovered, perhaps they will consider a different approach.”
    “One can only hope,” I said, voice dry. “And what are the chances of that, do you think?”
    Jason let out a slow breath and stood up, hands on the back of his neck. “It doesn’t matter. I will be prepared now. Already I am beginning to feel…remarkable.”
    “Remarkable,” I repeated. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
    He shrugged. “Take it as you will. I only meant to say I am no longer a walking target. If another is sent after me, I will not take it lying down.”
    “You?” I scoffed. “I don’t think so. This is only your first night. You might be stronger than a human, but against another vampire who is more trained than you are, you wouldn’t be able to hold on for more than a few seconds.”
    Reiko coughed. “Ah, Ran?”
    “What?” I might have glared at her harder than I meant to. “I’m sorry, Ran. What did you need?”
    She coughed again and her round cheeks colored. “Well, that is to say…do you remember what I told you when I came out of Jason’s room last night?”
    I blinked. “You said a lot of things. Which one are you referring to?”
    She let out a soft sigh. “I told you Jason would not be like any vampire you have ever encountered.”
    I stared at her. “What are you trying to say?”
    Jason cleared his throat. At this point, I felt about as intelligent as an apple. Was I missing something? Why couldn’t anyone tell me anything outright rather than subtly hinting at clues I never knew existed?
    “I’m stronger,” he said. “I’m stronger than most young vampires. My self-control is better. My senses are better. A very distinct advantage when you are turned by a Domina.”
    Domina.
    Reiko was a Domina.
    I wanted to laugh, if only to keep from screaming. “She’s head of her own House?”
    She nodded. “I am.”
    Instead of abating like it should have, my headache got worse. “I knew you were older than you looked. But you didn’t seem to be particularly strong…”
    She looked down demurely. “I have always prided myself on shielding my aura.”
    I wanted to laugh. A Domina. Shielding her own aura. “Why would you do that? The only reason a vampire would do such a thing was because they’re afraid of being found. But why would you be afraid of anything? Head of your house, you could take down an entire ten-story building in less than half a minute.”
    And it was frightening, to see this pretty little girl, all blushes and giggles. I had little doubt that just by thinking it, she could will me to death. Just imagine that all my blood cells would dry, shrivel and it would happen.
    Her dark eyes narrowed. “You are not my enemy. Indeed, I am quite indebted to you. You saved Jason when I could not. Were it not for your actions, we would be right back where we started. I will not hurt you, Ran.”
    “I only have your word, don’t I?” I didn’t mean to sound so harsh, but it was better than letting her see just how scared I was. Vampires could taste fear…although I had the not-so-sneaky suspicious Reiko already knew the effect she had on me.
    Jason sighed. “We