“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.