Vampire Kisses 9: Immortal Hearts (6 page)

“She’ll love this,” Alexander said, examining the room.

“Do you think so?” I asked. I thought the room was fabulous, but since I hadn’t met Stormy yet, it was hard to know if she would. I could only count on Alexander for his opinion.

“Hey, what’s not to like?” Alexander said, sizing up our room makeover. “This place is awesome!”

“I think so, too,” Becky concurred. “I love how you transformed this room.”

“I’m glad you both think so,” I said, wiping my hair away from my face. “But this is really your grandmother’s home. Stormy might be offended that I decorated it.”

“Well, now it’s my home, too. And besides, my grandmother would be happy to know that you are going to so much trouble for my sister.”

“I had a great time doing this,” I said. “I’m glad you think your grandmother would approve.”

“Well, more importantly, Stormy will. She is very opinionated. And this is way cooler than her room at home,” Alexander added.

“I agree, Raven, you’ve outdone yourself,” Becky said. “She’s going to love iandng to lt here!”

“Did Stormy ever visit the Mansion when you were growing up?” I asked Alexander.

“Just as a baby. I don’t think she remembers it. She was so little.” Alexander beamed as he gazed at our accomplishment and put his arm around my shoulder. “The only problem is now she’ll never want to leave!”

5
Spooky Siblings

A
few days later, Stormy was set to arrive in Dullsville. I was so excited to meet her, I skipped dinner and waited for the sun to set outside the Mansion. I remembered how anxious I had been to meet Alexander’s parents. I’d imagined what they were like and worried what kind of impression I’d make. This time, I wasn’t as nervous, but I was hoping Alexander’s sister and I would get along smoothly. When the door finally opened, I greeted Alexander with a huge kiss. I was pacing around the Mansion, the yummy smell of Jameson’s dinner in the warmer wafting throughout, while Alexander lay on the antique sofa, flipping through a modern art magazine as we waited for Jameson’s Mercedes to pull in.

“I think I hear a car,” I said, running to the door.

“That’s the tenth time you’ve said that,” he said, not looking up from the mag.

“I’m sure it’s them this time,” I said, happily twisting the doorknob.

“That’s not the Mercedes,” Alexander called as I opened the door, as if he knew with his vampire sixth sense.

Disappointed, I thought it best to wait it out with Alexander. And why not? We had so little alone-time anymore that I might as well take advantage of it. I snuggled up to him on the sofa and was leaning my head on his chest when I heard a car on the street. The sound got louder with each passing moment, and bright lights shined on the Mansion. I knew this had to be Jameson’s ride. We both sat up.

I poked my head against the window and peered out into the night.

I saw two headlights and a black car illuminated from the streetlight. “It’s them! It’s Jameson’s car.”

Alexander couldn’t hide his enthusiasm from me as he, too, beamed. We headed to the door, and after he opened it I followed him outside to the parked car. Jameson said good evening to us as he slowly came around the back of the car.

I did my best to catch a glimpse of Stormy, but all I could see was dark hair.

I waited with bated breath to see Alexander’s little sister.

Jameson politely opened her door d, "and out stepped Stormy Sterling.

Stormy was rail thin and stood about five feet two. She had straight bangs and shoulder-length jet-black hair. Her nails were bitten and chipped; charcoal-colored nail polish remained. Midnight-colored lipstick stained her small lips. She had rubber bracelets and a black-and-white headband. Tiny silver studs and hoops ran up the sides of her tiny earlobes. Her shirt was lacy, and her tights were ripped in all the trendy and cool places. She wore mini-monster boots and black fingerless lace gloves.

She was everything I dreamed she’d be.

“Alexander!” she called in a sweet voice.

Stormy raced over to him, and he enveloped her in his arms.

“It’s great to see you!” she squealed.

“It’s great to see you, too!” It was obvious how much he had missed his sister as he continued to hug her.

They eventually let go. Stormy giggled. “We have full reign without parents! We are going to have the time of our lives!”

I hung back until she noticed me.

Alexander swooped in with gentlemanly introductions. “This is Raven. Raven, this is my sister, Athena,” he said. “But her friends call her Stormy.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you.” She extended her hand. Stormy was precious.

“I’m so excited you’re here!” I gushed, just like I hoped I wouldn’t.

I wanted to run up and hug Stormy—the sister I’d always wanted. Only I knew when I was her age—and even now—how awkward it was when an older person acted all gooey on me when we had barely even been introduced. It always felt fake, though in this case it would have been genuine. Instead of squeezing her to bits, I kept my distance.

She smiled a polite smile, exposing white plastic braces adorned with purple and black rubber bands, with small vampire fangs peeking out below them.

But then her smile soured. “Oh no! I forgot Phantom!”

We turned to the car, and Jameson held in his stick-pin arms a ghost-white cat with pink eyes.

“Jameson! Thank you!” Stormy rushed over and held her cat.

“You are quite welcome, Miss Athena.”

“She’s cute,” I whispered to Alexander. “Just like you.”

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“You’ll love it here, Phantom,” she cooed to her cat. “Just like I will.”

Alexander noticed Jameson grabbing Stormy’s suitcase and backpack from the trunk.

“I can get that, Jameson,” Alexander offered.

“Thank you, but no need,” the Creepy Man said. “You greet your sister.”

“Let’s go inside,” Alexander said. “I’m sure you’re hungry.”

“Awesome! I can’t wait for a smoothie with cherries and a purple sword!” Stormy exclaimed.

“Of course, Miss Athena,” the Creepy Man said with a toothy smile.

Stormy raced into the Mansion. “Here I am!” she declared to the empty foyer.

Alexander beamed again.

“This is so awesome,” she continued to Alexander. “I’m going to have so much fun here with you!”

He tousled her hair like only a big brother could.

“I do remember—it’s all the same,” she said, smoothing out her hair. “This isn’t fair!” she exclaimed. “You get full reign of this place without Mother and Father looking over your shoulder.”

Jameson placed her bags by the staircase. “Dinner won’t be long. Then I’ll unpack your things, Miss Athena, as you settle in.” He creeped slowly toward the kitchen.

“Which room is mine?” she asked.

“You’ll have to guess,” Alexander said. “But I think you’ll know it when you see it. Raven helped me decorate.”

“She did?” Her eyes squinted, and her voice couldn’t hide her skepticism. I knew there was a chance she’d resent me decorating parts of the Mansion, and here it was before me. She pushed a smile out as hard as she could. “That was very kind of you,” she said, overly polite.

Alexander put his arm around her bony shoulder as the two walked up the staircase. I knew it was important to let the two siblings have their time together.

“I can help Jameson,” I said from the bottom of the staircase.

“You have to come up, too,” Alexander directed.

I was anxious when we reached the top of the stairs. My heart thrummed the way it Ced h="2 might if I was throwing a surprise party and hoping that the recipient was indeed surprised.

By the looks of Stormy’s style, I thought maybe she’d like how I decorated her room, but there was a huge chance I could have missed the mark on her taste and she’d see the room as a big disaster. I held my breath as Alexander lit several candles, illuminating her room. Though the vampires could see in the dark, the soft light helped us all see the room’s interior even better.

She paused and glanced around.

“This … is…”

“Yes?” Alexander asked, waiting for her reaction.

“Gorgeous! It’s just fabulous!” she exclaimed.

Even Phantom examined her new surroundings by jumping on the chaise longue and sniffing at the stuffed animals.

I breathed a sigh of relief, and it appeared that Alexander had been anxious, too, as his sigh was audible.

She raced over to the chaise longue, hopped on it, and hugged a few of the pillows.

“And this Hello Batty plush!” she said, holding it up. “Do I get to keep it?”

“Everything is yours,” Alexander said.

“We can put your coffin right here,” Alexander said, pointing to the only empty area.

His words sent goose bumps over my flesh. A coffin. For a girl to sleep in. It was so awesome!

Stormy buzzed around the room, touching everything she saw. “I love these candles!” she said, sniffing the lavender scent. “And these picture frames—with your paintings of us, Alexander! These look exactly like Mother and Father. And these curtains! They are so long and luscious!” She draped them over herself as if they were a ball gown. “How do I look?”

“Like a movie star!” Alexander said.

“I can’t believe you did all this for me.”

“Well, actually,” he said, “Raven did. You know that I don’t have a clue about buying frilly pillows,” Alexander said.

“But I thought you did it with her,” she began.

“Well, Alexander put everything together,” I said.

“Not really. Raven picked out everything and designed it.”

“You did?” she asked. “How did you know what I liked?”

“Alexander told me.”

“But Raven found everything,” Alexander said proudly. “She did a great job, didn’t she?”

“Yes.” She nodded enthusiastically. Then she asked, “Did Luna help?”

Luna?
There was that name.

“No,” Alexander said. “Why would Luna help? This was all Raven. You have her to thank for your room.”

Alexander genuinely meant that the work I’d done was a sincere gesture from me to Stormy, but I was afraid she’d be upset that someone other than her own family—a stranger to her—had decorated her room. I couldn’t blame her if those were her true feelings.

“Thank you so much, Raven. I love it!” she said, twisting her jet-black locks. It was as if she thought about hugging me but didn’t know what to do. Instead, she flashed me a smile and hopped again on the chaise longue with Phantom.

“You don’t have to thank me,” I said. “I had a great time doing it.”

Jameson came into the room and placed Stormy’s luggage by the dresser. “I’ll bring her coffin up, too.”

The Creepy Man was frail, and I couldn’t imagine him bringing a casket up the Mansion staircase or even assembling one on his own. Fortunately, neither could Alexander.

“No,” Alexander said. “I’ll get that.”

“Thank you. Dinner will be ready in a few moments,” the butler said.

Stormy hopped off the chaise longue and straightened her skirt. Jameson left, and Alexander and I watched as Stormy surveyed all the trinkets I’d placed on her bookshelf.

She grinned slightly, and I could tell by her expression that she was really pleased with her new digs.

“So where is Raven’s room?” she asked suddenly.

Alexander was taken aback by her direct question and chuckled nervously. “At her house,” Alexander replied.

“You don’t live here, too?” she asked me as if she was expecting I did.

“No,” I said. “I live with my family. And they are not as exciting as yours. Believe me.”

Stormy seemed slightly relieved knowing I hadn’t taken physical custody of the Mansion and she had power over her rightful territory.

“You must be hungry,” Alexander said. “Let’s hit the kitchen.”

Alexander blew out the candles, and we followed Stormy out of her room until she paused at the top of the stairs and turned to look at us.

“Are you two getting married?” she suddenly blurted out like a typical younger sibling.

I laughed, and Alexander cracked a crooked smile.

Stormy and I waited to hear Alexander’s response. I wasn’t sure how she wanted him to respond, but I knew how I did.

Alexander put his hand on his sister’s shoulder and guided her down the staircase. “Jameson!” he called. “We’re coming down to dinner!”

I think we were both disappointed not to get an answer.

We sat down to eat in the formal dining room, which was dressed with gleaming silver, fine china, and linen napkins. Several candelabras lit the room, and the red candle wax dripped like a bleeding wound. Alexander pulled out Stormy’s chair, seating her to the left of him, and I followed suit at his right. Stormy and I faced each other across the table, with Alexander in the middle at the head of the table. Stormy, so cool and stylish in her lacy black fingerless gloves, placed her linen napkin gingerly on her lap.

Jameson pushed the dining cart in from the kitchen and served us a nice dinner of rare filets (medium well for me), twice-baked potatoes, and peas. Stormy had a blood-filled glass goblet garnished with a cherry and a purple sword, while Alexander also had a blood-filled goblet. Mine was filled with boring old soda.

When Stormy lowered her goblet after her first sip, red liquid dotted the corners of her lips. Alexander gestured to her, and she rolled her eyes at him. When she wiped it off, the dark liquid smeared the light napkin. I was shocked. I’d seen wine-stained napkins before, but this was the first time I’d seen a bloodstained one.

“So, what have you been up to?” Alexander asked as he cut his juicy steak.

“Nothing much,” she said. “Home isn’t the same without you there.” Stormy cut her steak into tiny little pieces. She savored each bite.

“Oh, come on,” Alexander challenged. “You are always busy with something.”

She rolled her chocolate-brown eyes. “Well, you’ve been gone a long time. How can I tell you everything?”

“What do you mean?” Alexander took a bite of his meal.< Cmeaed it/font>

“You were only supposed to be gone until the Maxwell feud was over,” she said, pushing her peas around with her fork. “And it is. Once you took Valentine back to Jagger, it was over. But you didn’t come home. You stayed here.” She didn’t look at me. She didn’t have to. I could feel the tension from the younger Sterling as if she blamed me for his absence.