Thanks to those who reviewed: J Berry Smith, LostInSantaCarla3, Erzsebeth Bathory, galwidanatitud, Guest, Chantal, I'm sorry, Liz, xXx Tinkies xXx, and LauRa-ReaDinG-XoX

Paul was gone when I woke up.

I moved to the open staircase leading to the lower level and felt nervous before gathering up the tattered remains of my courage. Instead of climbing down, I simply imagined my body on the floor below. Wind rose up from nowhere and in the next instant I stood on the hallway floor.

Voices murmured from the living room and I followed the sound.

Paul was smoking a joint and chatting quietly with David in front of the brick fireplace. Seated on the couch and looking terribly nervous was Star. She glanced in my direction before rising. Her eyes pleaded with me for understanding.

Dangling from Star's left hand was a canvas bag. She stepped closer and held it out like an offering. "I brought you some clothes. Maria and Dwayne just left to clean out your trailer."

Rather than argue, I managed a smile and took the bag. "Thank you."

"You'll be staying with me," David stated. "I left a message for your landlord and explained you'll need to break the lease early after some health issues."

I imagined the elderly Mr. Shillman wasn't pleased.

David laughed. "I've known Sheldon since 1949 – he'll be happy to do whatever I ask."

The fact David had the face of a twenty-one or twenty-two year old and had known another person for sixty-seven years was just as disconcerting as the fact he read my mind with ease. Star looked away from me while Paul just grinned.

"How old are you?" My voice almost broke on the question.

He shrugged. "As a vampire or with human years tacked on?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I mean how old are you in total?"

David studied me closely before reaching out and stealing the joint from Paul's fingers. The other vampire gave a snort of disgust before opening his jacket and searching his pockets. Inhaling deeply, David held the smoke in his lungs before exhaling bluish-gray fog. "I was twenty-two when Max turned me in 1906. You do the math."

David was one hundred and thirty-two years old.

I looked to Star. "And you?"

A chilly laugh escaped David. "Now asking a lady her age is just plain rude, Grace."

"It's okay," she assured him in a calm voice. "I'm forty-seven."

Part of me was sorry for Star that she would be eighteen forever in appearance. The fact she was older than me but looked like a teen was just as mind-twisting as David and the others. Why I was picked to be inducted into their family was a mystery aside from Star and Marko's interest in me and I wasn't able to understand.

David finished the joint and flicked the dying roach into the fireplace. "Becoming a vampire may have stopped the clock on our bodies aging but our minds still mature. Collectively we may look young and we enjoy good times like anyone in their early twenties does. That being said, none of us has much in common with teens or the college age crowds." He leaned a shoulder against the fireplace mantel. "Most mortals that age are annoying at best."

Paul laughed. "There are some exceptions." His gaze slid to Star and he winked.

"Beyond Star and Marko's request, I picked you precisely because you had a career and talent. Most important," David almost smiled. "You didn't want to live forever."

I was startled by his comment. "That doesn't make sense."

"No?" he asked lazily. "Most mortals dying to join the club have disturbing ideas of morality… like your dearly departed mother. There was a reason Max rejected her. I don't agree on a whole helluva lot with my sire but he has a nose for people and he passed it on to me."

"Morality?" I echoed in a hollow voice. "Considering the fact you kidnapped my best friend, brought her to Santa Carla, and forced me to murder her I don't think you get to pass judgment on morals."

David chuckled. "Is that so? Well, I most certainly do when it comes to potential new vamps in my city. Most humans chasing immortality are conceited, self-absorbed, and have no regard for anyone else. When humans are turned whatever nastiness is sitting in the back of their pea brain is only exacerbated by the change. I prefer humans not interested in eternal life – they tend not to be psychotic narcissists."

"But you murder…"

Star's voice was gentle yet firm. "We kill to stay alive. Once in a while if someone pisses us off we might play with our food. Most of the time we choose people lacking the ability to survive in the world: the dying, the weak, and the elderly. Other times we pick our meals from the criminal element. There is a difference."

"Well said," David's face was suffused with pride. "Go get dressed Grace. Paul needs to get to work and you'll be spending the evening with me and Marko."

I took the bag and retreated to the bathroom.

The jeans and black crew neck sweater in the bag proved to be a little loose but I was completely covered. Relief washed over me as I left Paul's house and met David and Marko as they stood close to the motorcycles parked in front of Marko's house.

David gave me a nod.

"Who am I riding with?"

"Me," Marko looked in my direction for the first time since our arrival in Santa Carla. "I won't interfere if you prefer to ride with David."

The idea of spending time touching Marko made me uneasy. On one hand I was so angry I wanted to scream at him until I was hoarse. Another part of me – one my logical half now despised – yearned to run my hands over his body…

"You're going to have to learn to shield your thoughts," David wore a look of disgust. "I'm getting visuals worthy of nightmares."

Marko grinned and got on the bike. He held out his hand. "Come on, girl. We need to get going."

I took his hand and slid on the motorcycle behind him. My arms wrapped around his middle with practiced ease.

"Ready?" He half-turned his face to mine.

I nodded.

Marko gunned the engine at the same time David did. We peeled out with such force gravel flew as the bike's wheels sought purchase. The air whipped at us as we flew up the drive, out the opening gate, and onto the blacktop.

The world rushed by in a near blur as Marko and David raced one another up the road. Cool air slapped me and I realized suddenly that I wasn't honestly cold. Santa Carla in December isn't exactly warm and while I felt a temperature difference the chill I should have felt as a human was missing.

I buried my face in the back of Marko's neck for the rest of the ride. Marko's scent calmed me and lulled me into a strange sense of well-being. Worry seemed to fall away leaving me feeling surprisingly light.

Only once the bike slowed did I sit up and look around.

We were in front of Smith Bros. Garage. David stopped and got off his bike to open the gate before flagging Marko through. We drove through slowly before parking. David followed and soon the three of us were in the building.

David flicked on the lights and stretched before pulling off his jacket. He tossed the article of clothing onto a nearby chair before stalking toward the back of the building. "Take a load off, Grace."

Marko shrugged off his own jacket and tossed it on top of David's before looking at me. "David and I have an order we need to work so it's gonna be a long night. Are you hungry?"

My jaw set and I looked away.

He laughed outright. "Calm down, girl! I mean human food, not blood."

I wiped a hand over my face. "Sure, I could eat."

Marko crossed the room to a bench holding a MacBook and a phone. He plopped onto the stool and fired the computer up. "What'ya think? Pizza or Chinese?"

"Umm…" I shrugged. "Pizza is good."

He chuckled. "Pizza is the dinner of champions. Good call."

"Can I ask you a question?"

Marko's face turned serious. "Go ahead."

I hesitated before plunging into the void. "How often will I have to… kill people?"

He raised one eyebrow but remained silent.

"That depends," David replied as he reappeared in the room carrying tools. "Every vampire feeds differently. On average you should feed twice a month to maintain control over yourself. Max, for example, hunts once a month and doesn't bother with bottled blood but he's an elder. The elders have much better self-control."

"What about you?"

David laughed as he rounded the shell of a 1950's Ford in the center of the garage. "Twice a month like clockwork, sister. Everyone in our pack hunts twice a month. Paul will teach you the ropes and I'll supplement your knowledge. Eventually you won't need a teacher and you'll be able to hunt on your own."

I didn't really want to think about it.

Looking past me, David jerked his chin toward Marko. "Pizza, huh? Don't try to sneak any anchovies like you did the last time."

Marko snorted as he typed his order into the Dominoes website. "Testy bastard – fish is good for you."

David frowned and shook his head. "I'm getting started. Grace, you're probably gonna be bored this evening. Find a way to amuse yourself – surf the internet or whatever."

"Can I go work at my shop?"

He paused in mid-crouch to slide beneath the car. There was a glint in his eye as he regarded me. "I don't think so. Not tonight anyway. With DJ X up our asses we need to stick together. Dwayne is working from Maria's gallery with Star and Laddie."

"That leaves Paul alone," I pointed out.

David went under the car. "Don't remind me. Paul knows how I feel about him working from the radio station. Starting tomorrow night Paul's going to have you in tow."

"I don't know shit about fighting vampires."

Marko laughed as he finished the order and turned on the stool so we faced one another. "You're a quick learner – look at what you did to dear old Mom. I'm sure you'll be fine and Paul knows how to handle himself in a fight; trust me on that."

Anger surged to life inside me like a raging volcano. "You know what, Marko? Fuck you. I did what I did to save my mother – that thing took her over." I headed for the door. "I'm sick of your damn attitude!"

Ripping the door open, I stepped outside and slammed it shut behind me.

I was pacing back and forth madly in the vain attempt to burn off energy. I wanted to cry and scream. The love I felt for Marko prior to becoming a vampire still existed – despite his perfidy – even while I was pissed at how coldly he now behaved.

The door opened gently and I stopped in my tracks.

"He loves you," David stood blocking the door while lighting a cigarette. "Marko isn't the most demonstrative." The sound of a loud bang from inside echoed followed by several lesser clangs. "I've known him a long time and he's never felt like this before about a woman."

I raked my hands through my hair. "He constantly reminds me about my mother. I don't think he's ever going to let it go."

Exhaling a cloud of smoke, David smirked. "Marko will get over it in time. He's trying to square the woman he fell in love with and the vampire you are now. They are different entities and yet the same. It takes a little getting used to – just like you're having trouble adjusting to his true nature. Accepting change takes time."

"Aren't you quite the sage?" The bitterness in my voice bled through despite my best efforts.

He laughed. "That'll be the wisdom which comes with years of experience. One day you'll be the same." David reached in his pocket and pulled out a ten dollar bill. He extended the money to me. "Give the delivery driver a tip when he gets here. Don't come in until the pizza arrives. The two of you need to cool off." With that, he crushed out his cigarette before heading back inside.

Releasing a sigh, I fell back against the door and simply waited.

The three of us devoured the pizza like a pack of starving wolves. Marko and David did most of the talking with the occasional comment or grunt from me. We washed down the pizza with bottles of Corona from the refrigerator in the garage's office. The rest of the evening I read a truly excellent Pride and Prejudice fanfiction story on the internet.

The clang of metal on metal, the smell of hot steel mixed with oil, and the feel of Marko's eyes on me was the accompaniment I had.

Finally David threw his wrench on a nearby work bench. "Time to blow this joint. We need to get home before the sun rises."

Marko tossed David's jacket to him before pulling on his own. "Sounds good to me." He glanced in my direction. "You ready, girl?"

I nodded and turned off the computer before following them out of the garage.

When we arrived back at the compound David parked beside Marko in front of his cottage. The pair had another of their silent conversations before David cocked an eyebrow and turned away. He scratched at his jaw.

"You sure?"

Marko gave a long, slow nod.

David looked to me. "You'll be sleeping here today."

"With Marko?" I questioned archly.

Marko was completely expressionless.

David chuckled. "Yeah – with Marko." He pointed between the two of us while walking backward. "Now you two lovebirds be good."

I was fuming as David continued to walk away and began whistling a familiar, old-fashioned tune - 'Walkin' After Midnight' by Patsy Cline.

"Are you just going to stand there?" Marko's voice washed over me.

I turned in place and crossed my arms over my chest. "No, of course not."

He walked to the house and opened the door before leaning against the doorframe. A cocked eyebrow and his outstretched hand indicated I should enter. My body caused a breeze that ruffled the curtain as I passed.

Marko followed and locked up tight behind us. "You sure as hell are tense."

"I know," I responded.

He circled me before shaking his head. "I wouldn't hurt you. I said as much and I meant it."

Disbelief colored my features as I watched him. "Marko… Marko," I whispered his name. "You already hurt me more than you can comprehend."

Marko's gaze softened before a muscle in his jaw clenched then released. He headed for the hallway and I followed. He opened the steel door leading to the wine cellar and indicated I should precede him inside.

The stairs were narrow but surprisingly sturdy and well-built. The floor of the cellar was stone as were the walls and the ceiling was fairly low – I don't believe Paul or Dwayne could have stood upright. Marko had at least fifteen locks running up and down the length of the door and he secured all of them.

I finished perusing the room.

He had a king-size bed set against the wall in the center of the room swathed in scarlet sheets. On the walls above the bed was a framed black and white photo of a Harley Davidson motorcycle from the 1950's. There was an open cedar closet built into another wall and all his clothes were stashed there in surprisingly good order. On another wall a jacket was presented as art in a closed plexi-glass frame.

I strolled over and my stomach dropped into the vicinity of my knees.

The jacket was a piece of art: colorful patches covered the entire body of the jacket. Skulls, numbers, a girl, a swatch of faux leopard skin, tassels, and other assorted symbols.

The dream I had about being a child in Max's video store and talking to Marko while he wore this jacket was no dream. Horror washed over me and I was speechless.

Marko was suddenly beside me staring at the jacket with a fond expression.

"When did you choose me?"

He turned in my direction. "What are you talking about, Grace?"

I reached out and tapped the case. "I remember you now. I met you when I was nine at Max's video store on the pier."

Marko's expression was stone cold. "I'm a lot of things, Grace. A pedophile ain't one of 'em. I don't even prey on kids for blood – none of us do. Sure, I talked to you 'cause I thought you were a funny kid. There wasn't anything else to it."

I raked my hands over my face. "I don't know what to think anymore."

He rested his shoulder against the wall. "Don't shut me out, girl. We have something special. I don't wanna lose you."

Emotion warred within me: anger, betrayal, fear, love, desire, and distrust.

Marko studied me closely before jerking his thumb toward the massive bed. "You go ahead and take the bed for today."

"Where are you going to sleep?"

He pointed at a long steel bar running the length of the ceiling.

I backed toward the bed while staring at the ceiling with Marko following me at a leisurely pace. "I don't understand." The back of my knees hit the mattress and I collapsed back against the bed.

Marko took off his boots. "You will." In a movement worthy of an acrobat, he jumped and his feet transformed into clawed things reminiscent of that of a bat. The claws caused an eerie metallic screech as he slowly swung back and forth on the bar.

I gazed up at him and our eyes met and held.

For a long time we just looked at one another until finally the power of the sun held sway and we each fell into deep, dreamless sleep.

The sun had gone down.

I was swimming back into consciousness when I felt a pair of arms wrapped around me. The body wrapped around mine was incredibly masculine. Instantly my eyes flew open…

Marko was no longer hanging from the bar. He was on the bed curled around me with his face buried in my neck.

I couldn't force myself to disturb him. Instead I relaxed and let my hand glide up his arm. Was it wrong to feel a moment of contentment? He and Star were the authors of this new, unwanted existence. Yet I wanted to enjoy the sensation of peace I felt with him.

Jessica's dead face suddenly loomed in my mind…

"Don't," Marko rasped against my ear. "Baby, don't do this to yourself."

"I can't help it. How can I not think about what I did?"

He reached up and smoothed my hair. "I understand what you're going through."

My heart squeezed. "How can you?"

Marko lifted his head and stared me in the eye. "My first kill was my own damn father. I still see him with his throat torn out…" He shook his head. "Over the years memories of your mortal life are going to fade away but you won't ever forget that first kill. I ran away and David and Dwayne found me on the streets in San Francisco. They played me, screwed with my mind, and tested me in every possible way before David slipped me Max's blood. I didn't know what the hell was going on."

I was fascinated by his words and listened in silence.

"I was an oblivious half-vampire when my father found me." Marko snorted. "David warned me to stay away from him but I was a dumbass and let Dad take me home. I killed him the same night."

"How do you live with it?" I asked softly.

He gave a weary sigh. "I focused on the fact my father died so I could live forever. Every night I make the most of it. Do you think Jessica would want you to mourn for time without end?"

I considered the question.

Jessica was full of life – always active and happy – I knew she would be pissed at what I did to her but she would have been disappointed her death was for nothing.

"No," I responded slowly. "I think she would want me to be a good person and find some kind of happiness."

Marko nodded. "Try to keep that in mind. It'll help in the long run."

Without thought my hand moved to stroke his hair. "How old are you really?"

He laughed and kissed my temple. "You are obsessed."

"I'm just curious."

Marko fell back against the pillow. "I'm eighty-three. David made me in 1955. I'm old enough to be your grandpa so take that, girly."

Despite the serious nature of our conversation, I laughed. I'd been so worried when Marko and I first met that I being much older was taking advantage of his relative youth. The entire time it was the other way around. It felt good to feel something other than anger and sorrow. I laughed until tears rolled down my cheeks and I buried my face in Marko's chest; feeling him laugh with me.

Things weren't going to be right for a long time but a feeling surged through me that one day I was going to be whole again. Hope filled my heart and I felt beautifully, fully alive.

What more can a girl ask for?

This is the final chapter of To The Shock of Miss Grace but it is not her final story. I'm currently writing a sequel from David's POV to be published February 4th. This will be a David/Star story but will feature Grace and Marko as well. Please be on the lookout for it titled Midnight. Thanks to each and every one of you who supported me and the story along the way.