I have strong suspicions about Devon, I whispered.
What do you suspect? he asked, mesmerized by the flaming torch.
That he`s a... Then I turned his face toward mine and mouthed the word vampire.
Alexander laughed and returned to watch the artisan sculpt the tiny trunk.
It`s possible, I persisted.
Yes it is.
See? Then you believe me! Devon doesn`t like to have his picture taken, and Aunt Libby says his stares are hypnotic. He didn`t show up until after sunset, and now he`s talking about vampire clubs.
So what if he is?
Then we have to warn her.
All at once Alexander wasn`t interested in the sculpture. You don`t want your aunt dating a vampire? His midnight eyes couldn`t hide the sadness inside him. I was making Alexander feel that same awful feeling I`d felt when Scarlet didn`t acknowledge me or when my classmates ostracized me. After all, Alexander was a vampire, and I`d just told him I didn`t want my own aunt dating someone of his kind.
I didn`t mean... I said, reaching out to him.
But you did, he argued flatly.
No--that`s not what I meant. Then I realized I had meant it. My eyes welled up with tears. Alexander led me away from the crowd and in between two booths. He sidestepped a puddle of Coke while I despondently plunged right into it.
He brushed away a tear that had trickled down my cheek.
I didn`t mean to offend you, I began. I`d never--
I know, he said, then continued in a soft voice. Raven, you have reason to be concerned. It`s not like dating someone outside your religion, class, or comfort zone. Vampires by nature are deadly to mortals. It`s what I`ve been trying to tell you since we met.
That`s why I said what I did. But you aren`t like that. So maybe Devon isn`t, either.
First of all, we don`t know what Devon is or isn`t.
If he is and he`s like you, then it would be awesome!
Or he could be like Jagger. That`s why I`m protective of you. Don`t you understand?
But Alexander, there are vampires who are just like you.
What do you mean?
I was ready to tell Alexander everything about the underground club when Aunt Libby interrupted. You have to see this painting, she said, grabbing my arm. You won`t believe it!
Unrelentingly she dragged me through the crowd, weaving in and out of festival-goers until we finally stopped at a booth in front of the firehouse.
On an easel, beside a painting of a vase full of flowers, was a picture of me. Dressed in my scarlet and black corset prom dress, wearing lace gloves, and carrying a black parasol, I was standing outside the Mansion. Three bats hovered around me--one with green eyes, a smaller one with blue eyes, and one with one blue and one green. Up behind me at the attic window, the curtain was slightly pulled back and a silhouetted figure watched over me.
In the corner of the painting was a big blue ribbon.
This looks exactly like you! Aunt Libby remarked.
Devon examined it, then me. It certainly does.
It is me! I exclaimed.
Who painted this? Aunt Libby asked the festival volunteer. We have to find this person.