"But what can I do?" he asked. "I can't watch her twenty-four seven. At least when she's with Valentine or even Luna, they know all the secrets. I don't have to worry about that."
"But there are things she's missing. She can't live in your parents' mansion in Romania forever. Someday, like you, she'll gro, sidth="2ew up and move. She has to adapt and she has to learn how. You can help her do that."
Alexander realized that he could be the one to be instrumental in his sister's growth. This time he hugged me. "You are really a great friend to me, besides being my hot girlfriend."
"I try," I said, kissing him long.
"So what are we going to do now?" he asked.
"I can think of a few things," I said with a coy grin, "but they don't involve siblings." When Alexander drove me home, we saw Valentine skateboarding down the street away from my house.
When I got inside, I found Billy in the family room.
"What was Valentine doing here?" I asked.
"I've got to talk to you," Billy said urgently.
"What's going on?"
"Valentine told me I had to stop hanging out with Stormy." I could hear the agitation in his voice.
"What? He came over to say that?"
"He asked if I knew about Stormy, and I asked what he meant. He asked if I knew anything unusual about her, and I said, 'Yes, she's afraid of mirrors.'"
"Then what did he say?"
"He seemed relieved at first. But then he got all threatening. He told me that Henry and I shouldn't hang out with her anymore."
"He's not your father or Stormy's."
"I know, that's what I told him."
"And what did he say?"
"That I'm not like her and by hanging out with her I could put her in danger." He laughed. "Me, dangerous?" I laughed, too.
"Then he asked to read my blood."
I stopped laughing. "Did you let him?"
"No. I was angry at him. That's not right for him to come over here and boss me around. Besides, what business is it of his who she hangs out with?"
"Well, I'm glad you stood up for yourself."
"I think I know why he's acting like that."
"You do?" I asked skeptically.
"Yes. I think he's in love with Stormy, and he's threatened by me and Henry spending time with her. They were close friends in Romania, but now she has learned there is more to life than guys with black fingernails and white hair."
I couldn't help but crack a smile. "I think you are right," I said, nudging my little brother in the arm. "Well, there's one person you and Henry won't be hanging out with anymore," I said. "And he just skated down the street."
Chapter 15 Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall
Alexander and I had done our best to keep Billy and Stormy apart - but I felt responsible that they should be together again since their last time together ended abruptly. A few evenings later, Alexander texted to say that he'd pick me and Billy up to get ice cream at Shirley's Bakery with him and Stormy. Billy came into my room while I was getting ready for our outing.
"Don't you knock?" I asked.