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 Scarlets fang catch the light of the fire pit. Onyxs 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 arent the only one interested in threesomes.
First of all, Im not. And second of all, this isnt that kind of party.
Is jealousy the only emotion you feel? Trevor charged. Even in front of Monster Boy? he said. But it appears hes already busy, he said, gesturing to a few girls who were talking to Alexander. But dont worry. You can join in with us. I wont tell.
I wasnt 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 Onyxs ear. Hes 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. Its not the first time weve made a mistake, she said, alluding to me.
Remember why I invited you guysfor Sebastian, I urged.
But Scarlet wasnt 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 cant like Trevor, I said. Thats not an option. Remember what we discussed, I warned through gritted teeth. No one gets Dont worry, Raven. Shes 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 bittenespecially 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.
Im so sorry, Raven, she said. Can you forgive me?
Uh, yesbut I have something else I have to deal with right now.
Pleaselisten, Becky pleaded. Youre the one who always talks about being in trouble, but Im the one who keeps getting you there. You are my best friend. Now and alwaysand I dont 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.
I totally understand. You and Alexander are so kind to Sebastianand to me. And look what weve done. We brought Trevor and the entire school to the Mansion. Becky sat on a bench lined with plastic skeletons. Im so ashamed.
Its okay, Becky. I gave her a hug. Alexanders having the time of his life. Babes dancing in his backyard. Jocks hanging out. Its an image I never imagined. Its a blessing, really. Hes so isolated being homeschooled, and now hes more popular than Trevor.
Becky managed a small grimace. You dont hate me?
Of course I dont hate you. Youd have to do a lot worse than bringing Trevor to the Mansion for me to not like you. But speaking of TrevorI have a major issue to address. Can you help me?
Of course.
Just as I began pushing past the crowd to separate an embracing Trevor and Scarlet, all heads turned toward the back stairs.
I saw a sight I thought Id never see. I was completely unprepared.
Descending down the Mansions back stairs as if a soft halo of light were around her was a gothic fairy girl with candy-pink-colored hair perfectly woven into two braids and wrapped in Wednesday Addamsstyle black bows, wearing an offbeat Alice in Wonderland dress with black-and-white tights and pink combat boots.
She was as beautiful as she was cute, as fragile as she was confident. Her frame was that of a whimsical angel with the wings of a devil. And everyone at the party was spellbound.
It was Luna Maxwell.
I hated how beautiful she was. She had perfectly porcelain skin, and her glossy pink lips sparkled like tiny stars. Her presence lit up the crowd. She drew everyones attention like a starlet.
The crowd was hypnotized. Sebastian was mesmerized. For a moment, even Alexander was transfixed.
And looming right behind her was her twin brotherJagger, Alexanders former nemesissporting familiar bleached-white hair with bloodred ends, a freakishly frightening Joker T-shirt, and red Doc Martens.
Our party had officially spun out of this world.
How was I going to hold all these vampires at bay from mixing with the mortal students of Dullsville? How were we going to keep their Underworldly identity a secret? And if their cover was blown, how was I going to keep Alexander from having to leave Dullsville?
My blood boiled and my flesh flushed. I felt dizzy and queasy. The voices and music became muddled, and everyone suddenly seemed very far away.
I was sure I was falling.
Then the world went black.
Chapter 16 Spin the Bloody Bottle
I opened my eyes to find myself lying flat on the grass. Alexander was kneeling beside me. A large circle of familiar facesBecky, Matt, Onyx, Sebastian, Scarlet, Trevor, Jagger, and Lunawere staring down at me. The stars shimmered and a full moon hovered above them.
It had to be a dream.
I closed my eyes again.
Lets give her some air, I heard a girls voice say.
Did you drink too much? another asked.
Did she take something?
Did she OD? someone else said.
My mouth was dry. I couldnt form a word in my defense.
Ill take her to a doctor, Alexander said, alarmed.
Here, drink this, Becky said, handing me a soda. Alexander helped me sit up, and I gulped down the bubbly liquid as if I hadnt drunk for days.
Scarlet held a bag of ice on my head.
Did you eat something odd? Becky asked like a ponytailed Florence Nightingale.
NoI havent eaten anything, I replied, weakened.
The crowd of well-wishers stopped fussing.
What? Alexander asked. You havent eaten?
I didnt have time. I was decorating for the party all day.
Not even breakfast? Scarlet asked.
No.
Then no wonder you fainted, Becky said.
Alexander signaled to Sebastian, who took off for the Mansion.
My boyfriend swept me up in his arms and carried me to the table. He gently let me down in a wrought-iron chair and held my hand while I drank my soda. A few moments later, Jameson pushed a small cart through the crowd of partygoers. The scent of marinated steak was intoxicating to the mortals and euphoric to the vampires.