“Here’s some liquor,” a soccer snob said, holding the unfinished Transylvania 1972.
He lifted it to his lips and leaned back to take a huge swig.
“No—” I yanked it out of his hands. “That’s an import!” I chastised. I grabbed the goblets and carried them into the house like a seasoned waitress.
As I exited, I met an anxious Jameson in the doorway, examining the expanding party.
“Miss Raven, what has happened?”
“We had a few party crashers.”
“A few? More like a hundred. I must go to the basement. I know we have more stock.”
“Not the cellar, Jameson,” I said. “It’s not that kind of party.”
“Of course, I meant in the downstairs pantry.” Jameson fretted. “Oh, I wish I had time to prepare!”
I’d watched plenty of movies. Couples using pieces of furniture and empty bedrooms for makeout sessions while others used the furniture as coasters. I didn’t want the Mansion trashed and, more important, Alexander’s and Sebastian’s identity revealed. “Don’t let anyone in the house,” I told Jameson before he started off. “If they find Sebastian’s bed…”
“I understand, Miss Raven.”
Just then two girls came up to the door.
“Which way to the bathroom?” one asked.
“That way,” I said, pointing to the street. “There is one at the gas station. Or, better yet, I bet there’s a golden-
seated one at your home….”
The girls glowered at me and returned to their boyfriends.
“I’ll stand watch as soon as I get back,” he said nervously. Jameson wasn’t the only one upset. I returned to find my party—like my life—out of control.
Couples were mashing. Some were hanging out by the fire pit. Others were dancing.
I spotted Onyx and Scarlet hovering on either side of Trevor. The girls were fawning over his beefy physique.
Where was Sebastian? The girls were supposed to be drooling over him. But none of the vampires seemed interested in the others at this point.
I stormed through the crowd and toward the girls. Scarlet pretended to arm-wrestle with Trevor and then turned his wrist to examine it.
I saw Scarlet’s fang catch the light of the fire pit. Onyx’s onyx tattooed fang sparkled when she grinned.
Trevor was in heaven. But if Onyx and Scarlet had their way, he might be somewhere else.
Scarlet lifted his wrist to her mouth.
“Scarlet!” I called. “Onyx.”
“Not so fast,” Trevor warned, holding Onyx by the waist. “They are doing just fine. You aren’t the only one interested in threesomes.”
“First of all, I’m not. And second of all, this isn’t that kind of party.”
“Is jealousy the only emotion you feel?” Trevor charged. “Even in front of Monster Boy?” he said. “But it appears he’s already busy,” he said, gesturing to a few girls who were talking to Alexander. “But don’t worry.
You can join in with us…. I won’t tell.”
I wasn’t pleased that my schoolmates were fawning over my boyfriend, but I had more urgent matters to attend to.
“Save it for school.”
I wrangled the girls away from Trevor and whispered in Onyx’s ear. “He’s not a V.”
“Not a V?” He had overheard me. “What does that mean? Virgin?”
“Oh, really?” Onyx said softly.
They were shocked.
“Funny, we both sensed he was,” Scarlet whispered. “It’s not the first time we’ve made a mistake,” she said, alluding to me.
“Remember why I invited you guys—for Sebastian,” I urged.
But Scarlet wasn’t walking away. She was charmed by Trevor and continued to hold on to his hand.
“You can have Sebastian,” she said in a low voice to Onyx.
“She can’t like Trevor,” I said. “That’s not an option. Remember what we discussed,” I warned through gritted teeth. “No one gets—”
“Don’t worry, Raven. She’s just having fun,” Onyx said, stopping me. “And I plan to do the same.” Onyx flipped back her jet black locks and disappeared into the crowd.
This party was getting out of hand. Vampires mixing with unsuspecting mortals. I had to make sure no one was bitten—especially Trevor Mitchell.
I looked to Alexander and Sebastian for help. Sebastian was now talking to the girls who were interested in
Alexander, and Alexander was entranced by his rocking party.
I turned to go back to Trevor and I bumped into Becky.
“I’m so sorry, Raven,” she said. “Can you forgive me?”
“Uh, yes—but I have something else I have to deal with right now.”
“Please—listen,” Becky pleaded. “You’re the one who always talks about being in trouble, but I’m the one who keeps getting you there. You are my best friend. Now and always—and I don’t want anything to get in the way of that.”
“I hated not telling you about the party,” I said. “I did feel like a sneak. But I had to protect you.”