Love Bites

  “What’s wrong?” Becky asked.

  “Alexander is a perfect match,” I said with a sigh. “I was just thinking how I didn’t want Sebastian to crowd us.”

  “That’s totally normal. I get bummed when I have to share Matt with the entire soccer team. They talk about the most inane subjects, like ESPN and computer sports games. But I imagine Sebastian and Alexander are different from guys here. Is he an artist, too?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “They probably talk about world events,” she imagined aloud.

  “I don’t even know what they talk about,” I answered, clueless.

  “Well, what’s he like?”

  “He is hot—there’s no doubt about that. But other than that, I don’t know. He’s a total flirt and he likes electricity.”

  Becky laughed. “I think it’s a good thing. You can find out more about Alexander through him,” she said.

  She had a point. Sebastian possibly held the key to the Alexander I never knew. For a moment, I lost myself in thought as I lay back on the slide. I imagined a young version of our goateed guest and Alexander having sleepovers in the cemetery, dining with Dracula’s descendants, or flying in bat form over European cities.

  “Is he like Alexander?” she asked, awaking me from my daydream.

  “In some ways he is…but I’m still not sure.”

  “Well, we’ve been friends forever and we aren’t the same. It should be exciting to see what he’s all about.”

  Was Sebastian a real romantic or was he a player? Did he have a menacing streak like Jagger or more noble intentions like my own boyfriend?

  “I still can’t believe that for so many years Trevor and Matt were best friends,” Becky said to me, breaking me out of my fantasy. “It really turns my stomach. But I’m sure Sebastian is not like Trevor.”

  “Let’s hope not.”

  Becky and I were best friends but polar opposites. Were Alexander and his best friend like Matt and Trevor?

  I knew one thing for sure—I couldn’t wait to find out!

  Unlike when Alexander’s parents arrived in town, Alexander wasn’t keeping me a secret from Sebastian. I was invited to the Mansion as usual. Perhaps Sebastian’s arrival wasn’t a bad thing after all. He could show me the side of Alexander I’d never known, as Becky suggested. I biked over to the Mansion, hoping to get there just in time for the sun to set.

  I happily coasted down a hill and squeezed the brakes as I turned the corner to avoid any oncoming or parked cars. What I didn’t anticipate was an obstacle of another kind—a pack of runners. I barely avoided smacking into them and veered off into a small band of hedges instead.

  “Watch where you’re going, Monster Girl!” I heard a male voice call.

  I withdrew my bike from the bush and picked a few leaves off my hoodie.

  Trevor stormed over to me, flanked by a few soccer snobs, and held the handlebars of my bike so I couldn’t pass.

  “Where are you off to in such a hurry?” His stunning green eyes bore through me. “A corpse convention?” Even sweaty, Trevor was gorgeous.

  “What are you running away from?” I retorted. “Your mirror?”

  The soccer snobs laughed. Trevor’s already flushed face reddened like a sunburn.

  The Mansion loomed behind Trevor up ahead on Benson Hill, the sun moments from setting.

  “I suggest you turn back now. Before it’s too late,” he tried to warn as only an adversary could. “When darkness falls, the monsters arise.”

  “The monster has already arisen,” I said, in his face. “And he’s standing right in front of me.”

  Trevor’s cohorts snickered again.

  “How about I just take your bike then?” He tried to wrestle the handlebars away from me, and for a moment the two of us struggled.

  Finally, I released my grip. “Be my guest,” I relented. “Pedal your way back to practice on a girl’s bike. I’m sure it will end up on YouTube.”

  Trevor thought for a moment as his cohorts tried to hide their chuckles. My nemesis let my bike fall to the ground.

  “We better get back. It’s getting dark,” one of the soccer snobs said.

  Trevor locked his gaze with mine. His torment was palpable. He owned a portrait Alexander had painted of me—the only thing he could own of me. And as I stood before him, he strained with the knowledge that I was the only girl in town that he couldn’t have—and perhaps the only one he truly wanted.

  “Get out of here already,” he finally acquiesced. “Run off to your little Monster Boy, freak.”

  I dusted myself off and picked up my bike. I’d have felt sorry for Trevor if he didn’t bring his own torment on himself. I pushed past my nemesis and the other runners, and we both headed off in opposite directions.

  I pedaled through the darkness as fast as possible. I didn’t want to miss any precious moments with Alexander and Sebastian. I felt as if I were hauling my bike up a ski hill. Exhausted, I barely had enough strength to bang on the Mansion’s door. I was still out of breath and perhaps a little disheveled when Jameson let me in.

  “Good evening, Miss Raven—are you all right?” Jameson stood crisp and creepy in his gray butler’s uniform.

  “Yes,” I said. “I’ve never been better.”

  “Are you sure?” His voice and expression were kind and sincere.

  I guess I appeared worse for the wear. Had there been mirrors in the Mansion, I might have been able check out my appearance. Out of respect for the Mansion’s inhabitants, I didn’t dare open Ruby’s compact, nestled in my purse. Instead, I just combed my hair with my fingers and tried to straighten my outfit.

  “I believe they are upstairs,” Jameson directed.

  I hurried up the creaking staircase. I passed Sebastian’s new accommodations and peeked in. The once-barren room was a mess—clothes, CDs, and games were strewn all over the hardwood floor. It appeared as if he’d been living there for decades. His coffin was finished, and the lid was closed and topped with junk. The sides of the coffin were adorned with stickers of global cities—Lisbon, Beijing, Rome—like a giant suitcase.

  I could hear the sounds of battle coming from down the hall.

  I headed into the TV room to find Sebastian stretched out, his boots propped up on the coffee table, gaming console in one hand and a cell phone in the other. Two knights were jousting on the screen.

  Alexander saw me in the doorway. He immediately rose and greeted me with concern. Sebastian didn’t budge but took Alexander’s absence as an opportunity and whacked his blue knight’s sword against Alexander’s unprotected red knight.

  “Are you okay?” Alexander asked.

  “Are you okay?” I asked. “I think he just flattened you.”

  “Oh, that—it’s only a game.”

  “Do I look that awful?” I asked, suddenly self-conscious.

  “You have leaves in your hair.”

  “I thought I got them out.” I did my best to smooth out my hair.

  “What happened?” Alexander asked, picking out the remaining leaves.

  “I bumped into Trevor.”

  Alexander’s sweet expression furrowed. “In the woods? Did he hurt you? I’ll—”

  “No—I just hit a bush. I should have hit him instead,” I teased.

  Alexander shook his head. I knew he was tormented, just like Trevor, but for different reasons. Alexander felt the need to protect me from all evil—vampire and mortal. He was tortured, knowing that during the daylight hours it wasn’t possible for him to safeguard me against my nemesis.

  “I’ll pick you up from now on,” he firmly instructed.

  When my parents put me under curfew, I rebelled. However, when Alexander was overprotective, it made my heart race.

  “Trevor—who’s Trevor?” Sebastian finally said, pausing the game and typing on his cell phone.

  Though the Mansion was as decayed as an ancient ruin, I was disappointed with Sebastian’s lack of refinement. Instead of behaving like a g
uest, he was sitting like he was in a fraternity house, scuffing the already antique coffee table with his shoes. I wasn’t Miss Manners myself, and heaven knows I wouldn’t have cared if Becky had put her John Deere, soil-stained boots on my bed. But this was the Mansion, after all, the house of my dreams, and, more important, Alexander’s home. I spotted a beat-up old ottoman in the corner and scooted it in front of him.

  “You might be more comfortable,” I said graciously.

  “Thanks,” he said. “Now I feel like a king. I can see why you like it here,” he said to Alexander.

  I didn’t know if he was sincere or making a snide remark.

  Alexander sat on the couch, and I curled up next to him.

  I was curious about this friend who seemed like the opposite of Alexander.

  “So how do you like it here so far?” I asked.

  “Awesome, now that I’ve found a room with outlets. And I can’t believe Alexander still doesn’t have a cell phone. How do you two communicate—by smoke signals?”

  “Excuse me?” I asked defensively.

  “It’s okay—he’s just joking,” Alexander reassured me.

  “Oh…,” I said, relieved. My first response was to protect Alexander. I hadn’t been exposed to anyone before who amiably ribbed my boyfriend.

  “So who are you texting? A girlfriend?” I wondered aloud.

  “One of many,” Alexander said. “A lady in every town.”

  “It must be nice to receive steamy texts,” I hinted to Alexander. “I’d cherish every one.”

  Alexander only shook his head.

  “Oh…yeah,” Sebastian said. “I’m being rude, aren’t I?” After a few clicks, he closed his phone.

  Sebastian sat up, now ready for conversation. “So, what did you do all day?” he asked. “Soak up the sun?”

  “Hardly. I was stuck in school. How about you?”

  “Well, my day started about two minutes ago.”

  “Yes, that’s what I figured. So…it’s really cool you came to town. I haven’t met any of Alexander’s friends.”

  “He likes to keep us hidden—like tucked away in a vault somewhere.”

  “So do you live in Romania, too?” I inquired.

  “Yes. We lived next door to each other.”

  I imagined two Gothic mansions resting on top of a large mountain surrounded by fog, witchlike trees, and a ghostly cemetery and protected by a full moon.

  “I guess you didn’t live in the suburbs?” I asked.

  “Not exactly.”

  “Do you live in a mansion, too?”

  “I guess. I never thought about it really. It was just our home. But we had lights,” he said, giving Alexander a verbal jab.

  “Do you know Jagger and Luna?”

  “Vaguely. I wasn’t there for that whole covenant thing. I crossed paths with Jagger, but Luna was a mortal…so I never saw her. My family travels a lot.”

  “Are they art dealers like Alexander’s?”

  “No—they are pilots.”

  “Are they all—”

  But before I could say vampires, Alexander placed his hand on mine. “So many questions. Don’t you want to save a few?” he hinted politely.

  “Finally, a woman who is interested in me for a change,” Sebastian said coyly. “And a beautiful one, at that.” He flashed a mesmerizing smile. “So what do you want to know?”

  Sebastian was charming, no doubt about it. But my interest was in Alexander. I wanted to know more about Sebastian but even more about my own handsome boyfriend.

  “Are you homeschooled like Alexander?”

  “Yes. But we took night classes together. We had to take a few for exams. Alexander helped me pass them—without knowing it.”

  “So what was Alexander like?”

  “I think it’s time we figure out what we’re going to do,” Alexander interjected.

  Sebastian ignored his host. “Ah…that’s the real question. About Alexander. You were working your way through me to get to him, weren’t you?” he asked. “It’s okay. I’m used to it. Alexander always got the girls,” he revealed.

  “Oh, really?” I asked. I couldn’t bear to imagine Alexander with any other girl than me. I felt a sword of jealousy pierce straight through my heart.

  “Something about long hair and being an artist,” Sebastian added.

  I bit my black lip. Alexander shot Sebastian a cold stare.

  “Maybe we should go,” I said.

  “Don’t worry,” Sebastian said sweetly. “He broke many hearts. That’s why I had to check out the girl who made him stay. Most keep him running.”

  I felt relieved and flattered at the same time.

  “So what about you?” I asked. “Where is your girlfriend?”

  “Me?” he asked. “I don’t have one.”

  “I figured with all your travels…,” I said.

  “True love has always eluded me,” he confessed. He spoke in a charming and intimate tone, as if he was baring his heart for the first time.

  “So, what are you looking for?” I asked.

  “Someone kind, sincere, and captivating. Someone unlike anyone else I’ve ever met.”

  “Someone like Raven?” Alexander said proudly, giving me a gentle squeeze.

  “Yes, just like Raven.” Sebastian grinned. “But without the artistic boyfriend.”

  “Then I’m sure you will find her,” I reassured him.

  Sebastian gazed at me with a stare so bold, yet sincere, that tiny hairs rose on the back of my neck. “I haven’t found her yet. But I’m hoping my true love is closer than I think.”

  “Well, I hope you find her soon,” I said.

  Alexander switched off the game and TV. “Let’s get something to eat.”

  We all rose and collected our things. As Alexander returned the remote to the TV stand, Sebastian leaned toward me so closely his goatee brushed softly against my cheek. “I hope I find her soon, too, Raven.” He whispered in my ear with such intensity that chills raced down my spine. “I’m starved to death.”

  3

  A Trip Through Dullsville

  I wasn’t sure what Sebastian’s opinion of Dullsville would be. It certainly wasn’t London, Paris, or Lisbon. He, like Alexander, had been to places I’d seen only in Armstrong Travel’s brochures.

  As we sauntered down Main Street, past the courthouse, fine restaurants, and trendy boutiques, I held my crimson-streaked head high, knowing that I was in the company of two vampires and that glaring Dullsvillians weren’t aware of their true identity.

  I had to admit we were a motley crew. Sebastian sported his wild dreadlocks, shining rings, and snake tattoos. Alexander was gorgeous in his studded leather jeans and white T-shirt, while I danced around the sidewalk in a dark knit hat, torn black-and-red minidress, and midcalf lace-up boots.

  Townspeople, decked out in their designer jeans and Kate Spade bags, avoided us as if we were the stars of a freak show. But I loved it! I felt triumphant being surrounded by what I thought was normal. Though Dullsvillians gawked at us, I sensed that most of them were staring at me, wondering who I thought I was, drawing such negative attention.

  “That’s it,” I said when we reached the Main Square’s fountain. “That is our bustling metropolis.”

  “This town is really quaint,” Sebastian remarked.

  “Yes, different from what you are used to, I suppose. Instead of the Eiffel Tower, we have a ten-foot-tall bubbling fountain. And instead of the Roman Colosseum, we have Dullsville High’s stadium.”

  “No, I like it. I can see why Alexander and his grandmother moved here.”

  “You do?” I asked. “Did you know Alexander’s grandmother?”

  “I never met her. She moved here years ago and rarely came back to Romania to visit. But I hear she was a wonderful woman.”

  “I hear that, too.” I squeezed Alexander’s hand tightly.

  “So…,” Sebastian continued as we passed Shirley’s bakery, “where does one go in this town for
a bite?”

  “I can treat you to some ice cream,” I offered. “Shirley’s has the best in town.”

  “That’s not what I was referring to…,” Sebastian said.

  “Then what exactly were you referring to?” I pressed. It wasn’t every day a girl from Dullsville got to hang out with two sexy vampires.

  “Where are the babes in town?” he said, licking his fangs. “I mean besides you, of course.”

  I wasn’t sure if Sebastian was serious about finding a meal in the form of a girl. Even though he was Alexander’s best friend and surely benign, he was a true-blooded vampire.

  “Probably at home studying or shopping at the mall,” I finally said.

  “No bars?” he asked.

  “None that you’d like or that we could get into.”

  “So where do you two go for fun?”

  “The cemetery,” I answered.

  “There are girls there?” he asked, surprised.

  “Not living ones,” Alexander said.

  We all laughed.

  “Yeah, I guess not,” Sebastian said.

  “I figured you’d love cemeteries,” I said. “Alexander does.”

  “Sebastian would rather hang in an Internet café,” Alexander told me.

  It was not the atmosphere I’d imagined Alexander’s best friend—much less a vampire—preferring. But perhaps I rushed to judge him, as so many of the students at Dullsville High judged me.

  “Well, there’s one right there,” I said, pointing across the street to Javalicious.

  Sebastian perked up. “Let’s grab some coffee.”

  “All right,” Alexander said.

  Great, I thought. Here I was hanging out with two hotties from the Underworld, and we were going to sit in a mundane coffee shop?

  “And we’ll sip it by the tombstones,” Sebastian suggested as if reading my mind.

  Happy and giddy, I linked arms with Alexander, and the three of us headed for the shop.

  I tried to pay for two jumbo-size caramel mochas with whipped cream and one hot chocolate, but Alexander insisted on treating us. He beamed like I hadn’t seen before, basking in the company of his two best friends.