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"We've never been better," I told her. "Truly."
"Then why all the affection?" my dad asked. "You must be up to something..."
"I just want to say how much I love you guys." I really looked at my parents, gazed into their eyes, and gave them a warm smile.
"Are you okay?" my dad asked. "Do you have a fever?"
"I'm perfect," I replied with a grin. "I've never felt happier in my life."
"Well, I'm glad you're so happy," my mom said, and gave me another hug. I hugged her back with all my might.
"I am, too," my dad remarked, and kissed me on the forehead.
I waved as my parents headed out the door. Once they had left for dinner, I began to get ready for my big night. I took an extra-long shower and lathered myself with the sweetest of scents. I dried my hair and did my best to rid it of any imperfections. I headed for my room and put on my dress. It would be the last time I could see my reflection, and I wanted to make the most of it. I laced up my corset bodice and fluffed up the flowing skirt. I wore dark tights and studded platform heels. I drew on my gloves and added an oversized skull ring and a silver thumb ring to my right hand. I layered my wrists with several rubber, leather, and dangling bracelets. I touched up my eyes with heavy liner and shadow. I painted my lips with black lipstick. I stared at my reflection. For the first time in my life, I really felt beautiful.
I pressed my lips to the corner of the mirror, leaving a dark kiss to remind me of who I was leaving behind and who I was going to become.
I was hurrying down the staircase when Billy came in from the family room.
"Why are you so dressed up?" he wondered.
"I thought you were going to Henry's," I said. I wasn't expecting to see my brother. I hope his questions weren't going to delay me.
"He's coming here," he said.
"I'm going out," I said.
"What are you up to? What's going on?" he asked.
"Nothing. I dress like this every day."
"Not that fancy. Where are you going dressed like that?" he asked skeptically.
"Why, the cemetery, of course."
As I reached the door, I stopped. I turned and gave my baby brother a huge squeeze.
"Get off," he said. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing's wrong. Everything is right. Finally," I said, "everything is right."
Alexander was going to take care of all the covenant altar amenities, and Becky and Stormy were going to meet me at the cemetery with a basket of black roses.
I was usually late to school, but for this I was early. Neither Becky's truck nor Alexander's Mercedes were parked at the cemetery yet.
I did my best to climb the fence and not snag any of the lace or seams of my dress. Once I was safely over, I breathed in the cool night air and took in my surroundings as if I were in the cemetery for the first time.
The tombstones seemed to be welcoming me, and the stars appeared to have an extra twinkle.
I felt a warmth come over me as if I was doing what I was meant to be doing my whole life. I'd waited for this moment since I was a little girl, so I took in the sights and sounds around me. It was quiet and eerie, and the crisp night air gave me an extra chill. I was loving it.
This was my night. Our night. And I felt like I couldn't get to the altar fast enough.
Glistening candles began to illuminate my way to Alexander's grandmother's modmoightnument, and my heart was beating in overdrive with excitement. Next to the statuesque monument was the enchanting covenant altar. It was spectacular. Dozens of candles lay in a circle around it. Ivy wound itself through the dark wrought-iron trestle. A black coffin lay underneath with a lit candelabra and two pewter goblets. I only needed Alexander.
And then I saw him: a dark-haired figure with his back toward me in the distance just behind one of the sides of the trestle. He must have been making the final touches for our ceremony. I raced over to him. I took a deep breath. This was the moment I'd waited for all my life.
When I reached Alexander, he turned around.
I gasped in horror. Green eyes were staring back at me. It couldn't be. Not tonight. Not this night.
Trevor Mitchell was as gothed up as I was. His normally model-blond hair was newly dyed jet black and was gelled up and spiky. Several silver-studded earrings flashed from his earlobes. His fingernails were painted black. And he wore a menacing grin.
He leaned on the trestle as if he owned the cemetery. "It's what you've always wanted, Monster Girl." I was stunned. First of all, I was expecting Alexander. And second, not in my wildest imagination was I ever expecting to see Trevor Mitchell dressed this way.
Trevor was hot and seductive. Part of the attraction I had felt for him before had been that we were opposites. However, with him staring back at me while dressed like a gorgeous goth, it was hard for me to take my eyes off him.
But as attractive as he was, he wasn't the reason I was here.
"What are you doing here?" I asked. "Where is Alexander?"
"That isn't important now."
"You need to leave. Like now," I urged.
"I'm right where I need to be," he said.
"How did you know about this?" I asked.
"I have my sources."
I paused. Who could have told him? Becky, but she wasn't even here yet. Sebastian? Did he have loose lips after all? "You don't even know what this is about," I challenged him.
"I do," he said confidently. "It's about becoming a vampire."
"What?" I was even more shocked. And slightly frightened that Trevor knew why I was here.
He grinned down at me. "It's why Jagger took you up on the altar - and Luna did with Sebastian. It's about bonding with another for eternity. On sacred ground.
And this place is sacred enough for a hundred humans to turn into vampires."
I was even more taken aback by his knowledge of the evening. "Who told you that?" I asked.
"I told you, I have my resources. Or, rather, vampires."
"Scarlet?" I wondered. She wasn't likely to tell. Or was she? "But she didn't even know about tonight."
"Look what I've done for you." He rolled up his black sleeve. It was a tattoo of a raven.
"It's permanent," he said. "And I'm hoping we'll be, too."
I stared at his tattoo. What was Trevor doing? And what was he suggesting?
"What are you doing here?" I yelled. "Trying to ruin my night?"
"No," he said. "Trying to make it last forever."
"I don't know what you're talking about!" I shouted. "You aren't even a vampire!" Then his fangs flashed in the full moonlight.
