Эллен Шрайбер: Love Bites

“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 guest, 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.