The faint sound of a guitar wailing screeched from the Mansion.
Is that your boyfriend playing? Scarlet asked tentatively.
Nothats his friend.
I hope he kisses better than he plays, she teased.
The three of us laughed.
A figure was standing by the window. I knew Alexander would eventually wonder where Id gone.
Within a moment, Alexander and Sebastian were hanging out on the back steps.
Both girls mouths dropped when they saw the handsome pair.
Which is the available one? Onyx asked softly.
I dont carethey are both gorgeous, Scarlet declared. Ravenyou dont mind sharing, do you? she teased.
Onyx and Scarlet, this is my boyfriend, Alexander.
Wowyou are so lucky! Scarlet whispered to me. We should have been hanging out here instead of at the Coffin Club.
Alexander blushed and shook both of their hands.
Sebastian cleared his throat. He was frustrated he wasnt getting any attention.
And this is Sebastian, I said. As if on cue, both girls held their hands out to him. He took each one and tenderly kissed them. Each girl giggled.
I hope thats just a prelude of whats to come, Scarlet said.
The girls broke their gaze with Sebastian and he gave Alexander the thumbs-up sign.
Would you like something to drink? I asked.
Uh. Sure. I guess Ill have a soda.
No, we have the real thing, Sebastian said, pointing to the bottle on the table.
Transylvania 1972, Alexander said as Jameson came outside to assist us.
I heard that was a good year, Sebastian said.
Why dont you sit here, I encouraged Sebastian, deliberately placing him between the two girls.
Alexander stuck a corkscrew in the bottle and turned it slowly. He pried the cork and it easily slipped out.
Jameson began filling the goblets.
Its rare to find something authenticoutside the Coffin Club, Scarlet said. In a bottle, anyway.
We all laughed.
Well, you are in rare company, Sebastian flirted.
As Jameson continued to fill the goblets, Alexander poured me a soda and then himself one.
You can have some, I said. Dont miss this on account of me.
But Alexander politely refused.
Sebastian held the goblet to his nose and took a deep breath in.
Umperfect, Sebastian said. I think its a mixture of A positive and AB negative.
Wowyou are quite the connoisseur, Onyx praised. I can never tell.
Heres to us. Sebastian raised his glass and we all clinked ours together.
I watched as the three vampires put the blood-filled goblets to their lips and sipped as if they were consuming a rare vintage wine.
This is delicious, Scarlet said. Very smooth.
We are just happy you joined us, Alexander said. We know you came a long way.
It was worth it, Scarlet said.
Very smooth, Onyx added. Yet sweet. Just like you, she said, her eyes locking with Sebastians. Surprised by her remark, she began to giggle and spilled a bit of her drink.
I had to remind myself that some Romanians hemoglobin, not fermented grapes, had just dripped on my friend.
She cant hold her blood, Scarlet playfully scolded. I tell her that all the time.
I guess I drank it too fast, Onyx said.
Red liquid dripped down her neck and began leaking toward the lace border of her neckline.
Here, let me, Sebastian said, wiping the spillage with his napkin.
There was a moment between Onyx and Sebastian. He was doting on her as he had Becky. Our plan was already working. I gave Alexander a quick wink.
Scarlet sensed competition. And though the two girls were best friends, it was obvious Scarlet didnt want to be the one without a vampire. She leaned her elbow onto Sebastians shoulder, her bracelets dangling next to his goatee.
She tapped her fingers against his brown and blond dreadlocks as if they were batting eyelashes, then brushed her plum-colored fingernails along his neck.
No recent marks, she noted.
Interesting, Onyx said, almost scorned.
And you? Sebastian asked Scarlet.
It isnt polite to ask a girl, is it? she asked coquettishly.
Well, I just thought.
Scarlet displayed her wrist. Two purple marks were embedded on her slight, chalk white arm.
But it didnt really mean anything, she confessed. He wasnt nearly as handsome as you.
Or as clever, Onyx added.
The girls were intoxicated by Sebastians charm, and he was relishing the attention.
I figured this was mine and Alexanders cue to leave the three single vampires alone.
Alexander, I think we left a few snacks in the house, I said.
Oh yeah, my boyfriend agreed, taking my hint. Ill help you.
But before we could rise, Scarlet stopped us. Where is everyone else?
Ohtheyll be coming later, Sebastian said.
Yeah. We just wanted it to be us for a little while, I added.
Then sit down and enjoy yourselves, Scarlet insisted.
Alexander and I returned to our seats. I guess the girls expected a Mansion-size party. I couldnt break the news to them that they were the guest list.
How about we crank up the tunes, Sebastian suggested.
Yes, we love to dance, Scarlet said.
Sebastian turned up the music and the five of us rocked as hard as we could.
It looks like youre having a great time, I said to Sebastian as I danced next to him.
I am.
Do you think youd like to ask one of them out?
I guess. But Sebastians voice wasnt confident. Even though he was having a blast, I sensed Sebastian was still carrying a torch for Becky.
The musics volume suddenly lowered. We stopped to discover Jameson standing by the sound system.
Complaints from the neighbors? Alexander asked, concerned.
Alexander, Jameson announced, you have some guests.
Guests? I asked.
Alexander was just as confused.
Ill only be a moment, he said, excusing himself.
I guess theyre here, Scarlet said. Well chat later.
I was curious what guests were arriving. Since Onyx, Scarlet, and Sebastian were engaged in conversation, I, too, excused myself.
I sped through the kitchen, down the long, haunting hallway, and found Alexander at the front door. I couldnt tell whom he was talking to, so I sneaked up close and peered out.
I spotted Beckys truck in the driveway.
What was she doing here? Was she in trouble?
It was then I noticed Trevors Camaro parked behind the truck.
I wedged myself between the entranceway and Alexander to find Matt fuming at the foot of the stoop.
Whats going on? I asked. Are you all right?
Matt, normally upbeat and smiling, was brandishing a frown. Behind him was Trevor and a team of soccer snobs.
What are they doing here? I asked Alexander.
Matt glared at me coldly.
Its okay, Alexander said to me.
Wheres Becky? I asked. Is she all right?
I thought you were my friend, Alexander, Matt said sternly.