Love Bites(31)

Before I knew it, Sebastian was crouched down next to Becky. He took her leg and placed her sandaled foot on his knee. Her pink toes sparkled against his black pants like tiny stars. It was like Prince Charming trying to fit the glass slipperonly this Prince Charming was a vampire.

Becky giggled awkwardly, her leg in Sebastians grasp.

Im all right, Becky said. Its just a scratch.

Sebastian examined her wound as a jeweler would a diamond ring.

Why are you two making such a fuss? Becky asked. Before I could do anything, Sebastian took his index finger and wiped her wound.

Ooohthats gross! Becky screeched, closing her eyes.

Droplets hung on his finger like red wine.

His fangs flashed. He reached his finger to his mouth.

I knew what he was about to do next, and though I wanted to see it for myselfa firsthand account of a vampire following his instinctsI knew if Becky saw it we could never undo the damage that would incur.

His finger was about to pass his lips.

No! I exclaimed.

I pushed Sebastian as hard as I could away from Becky, and the two of us tumbled to the ground.

Ravenwhat are you doing? Becky asked.

Sebastian and I lay on the grass, for a moment disoriented. I regained my bearings and rose to my feet to find Sebastian already standing. His pale face was cherry red. I grabbed his hand and held it toward the light. The blood on his finger was gone.

He gazed at me with childish horror, like a toddler who has broken into a candy jar.

Becky took out a crumbled tissue from her pocket and dabbed it on her wound. Then she showed me. See? The blood is gone.

Alexander and Matt suddenly were standing behind us.

Whats going on? Matt asked, concerned.

I shot Alexander a stern glare.

Nothing really. I tripped and skinned my knee, Becky said.

Sebastian was very brave and wiped the blood off with his fingers.

Matt led Becky into her truck while Alexanders contentment slowly turned to anger.

Alexanders best friend was leaning against his car. A wicked grin overcame him as he licked his pale blue lips.

As Sebastian drove toward my house, I tried to mask the severity of the situation by chatting about the upcoming weather forecast. I didnt want to snitch on Sebastianto condone or deny what had just taken placeif only not to spoil Alexanders evening. My boyfriend had been so happy to be out of the Mansion with his best friend by his sidea fellow vampire, a childhood playmate, his next-door neighbor. A guy with whom Alexander could be his true selfno longer having to wear the disguise of a rebellious mortal but instead that of a sensitive vampire. But Alexander was keen to Sebastians ill conduct. The two friends rode in silence.

When we finally parked in front of my house, Sebastian, along with Alexander and I, got out of the car.

Alexander didnt bother to shut his door. He avoided Sebastian altogether and started for my driveway.

Sebastian tapped his boot against his tire in disgust.

He didnt mean to do it, I defended.

Alexander chewed on his lip.

Alexander Sebastian said bravely, confronting his best friend. I dont know what happened. Im truly