"Yes, but he may have left something out. He can be mysterious."
"Our family had an arrangement with theMaxwells - another prominent and noble family inRomania -with their daughter, Luna. We wanted to carry on our royal bloodline. It was very important to Mr. Sterling, you see. He's spent so much time worrying about his mother, isolated in this mansion, away from our own kind. He wanted someone for Alexander who would be like us-who would make us all happy. What we didn't realize was that on the big day the one person whomattered the most wasn't happy: Alexander.
"Luna was a fine girl and theMaxwells are a wonderful family. But when Alexander rejected them, it sent our world into chaos. The only safe haven was for Alexander to come here and live in the Mansion. Away from theMaxwells .
"My heart broke that day. Alexander has been so far away from me. And now that we have returned for him, there was something else we didn't plan on: You."
I didn't know what to say.
"I was a lot like you when I was your age."
"Were you an outsider?" I asked.
"Yes, and I dressed in wild outfits and danced at parties until sunrise."
I wondered what could be wilder than the attire she was already sporting.
"When I met Mr. Sterling everything fell into place. However, his mother was unlike all of us. She was courageous and regal-and mortal. I never could live up to her image. Mr. Sterling and Alexander think you are like her."
"Courageous?"
"Yes. And she was a true outsider.In her world and in ours. But she was hot-blooded about the Underworld. You have a passion for our world thatwe don't even have. And that you share with Alexander's grandmother.
"I just wanted you to know that by dating Alexander-there are concerns we have. We wouldn't be responsible adults if we didn't look out for you - just as we would for our own son," she went on.
Do you want me to be turned?I wanted to say.Just say the date. But I knew it wasn't that simple. And Mrs. Sterling didn't appear to be heading down that path.
"Now, enough serious talk," she continued. "I'd like to have a little girl time."
"Fine by me."
"Are there any tattoo parlors?" she asked with a whimsical laugh.
"Not around here."
"Soothsayers?"
"A few towns over."
"Any snake charmers?"
"Only once a year, when the carnival comes to visit."
"Well then, we'll have to make our own fun," she said emphatically. "Jameson, get the car!"
I scooted into the Mercedes next to Mrs. Sterling, her umbrella resting between us as Jameson drove us to town.
"Stop here," Alexander's mother called to Jameson when we came to the town square. It took a few moments for the creepy man to react and press the brakes. We stepped out of the car and into the busy square.
Main Streetwas filled with upscale preppy boutiques. It was a hangout for families, dog walkers, and strolling seniors. Mrs. Sterling, poised with her umbrella, sunglasses, and purple velvet purse with black lace ribbons, was quite the sight to see. Even I found myself gawking at her. It was as if I were walking with a movie star.Dullsvillians , however, thought we were a freak show. Snickers and giggles and stares followed us up and down the block.
Mrs. Sterling, with her statuesque figure and graveyard-glam style, was oblivious to the stares. She looked like any A-list star, unfettered by her paparazzi.
When we passed a few people walking dogs, the animals became unruly. Mrs. Sterling didn't seem to even notice the upset pets.
We stopped in front of Purse Party. Mrs. Sterling was enamored by a leopard clutch purse in the window.
"Let's peek inside," she said.