Prettily, she settles her hands in her lap. “I don’t follow your point.”
My point is: “Dominic’s not actually a vampire.”
“Are you sure?”
Right now? Right now, I’m not sure about much of anything. But, oh, right, yeah, Iamactually sure that vampires don’t exist. Dryly, I stare at my hopelessly romantic friend through my veil. “Really?”
“Just wait and see.”
I don’t have to wait long, because the carriage stops just a street down, by my brother’s house, where his yard opens up into the woods, and a short trail leads to the clearing where we used to play as kids back when his house was the one Lynn occupied herself and our Granee would take us with her to visit her friend.
Past the fireflies dancing near the cabin, I make out more lights beyond the trail. A bed of petals rustle in the balmy night, sticking to blades of grass.
The carriage door opens, and my father offers his hand.
Behind me, December gasps, throws open the other door, and leaps out. “My master calls. I must go!”
I startle as she ducks off and streaks across the yard. Petals kick up in her wake, and I’m left behind, staring.
“Are you ready, Augy?” my father asks.
“This is…really happening?”
He chuckles. “More or less, hon.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I whisper, finding his bloodshot eyes.
He taps a finger to his lips. “I couldn’t tell you. But I suppose you’ll find out in a moment. Shall we?”
Well. I guess we shall.
Carefully, I slip from the carriage and step into the petal-strewn grass. My father’s hold keeps me upright as I find myself steadily marching toward an eerie melody. The enchanting notes prickle my skin and make my heart race as the distant light grows. The wooded path opens at last upon…
Wow.
Lips parted, I stall on the edge of the clearing and stare.
Beneath a flower-laden arbor, Alister waits—hair black as the night above, eyes blue as the sea. Those eyes pierce me while candles and fairy lights flicker all around. Elegant tables with covered delicacies decorate one side of an ebony-carpeted aisle. On the other side…
My eyes widen.
My brother and December, both clearly dressed as thralls like my father, hold weapons above…
Um.
My lips part, but I genuinely have no words.
There’s my mother—eyes wild and frightened—sitting in an elegant dress with a black gag in her mouth. And, oh, yes, that’s my Aunt Marie, looking dazed, with her arms tied behind her. And there’s everyone else: Mirabelle, and her new husband, and Beth and Edgar, Lynn, my Granee and Grampy—who seems to have dragged himself away from Bear’s for once in his life—all seeming a little vacant as they sit huddled in their formal summer garb.
I’m not sure what’s crazier: my whole family being here, or my brother and my best friend lording above them. Holding scythes.
Deep, Alister’s voice trails up the aisle, luring my attention back to him. “Come, little saint.” His hand extends. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
Yes. I mean.Clearly.
Heart stampeding through my chest, I follow my father as he brings me to Alister.
He’s just…perfect. Dark-haired. Wicked-souled. Handsome and committed and willing to go to any length for me.
