"I thought your parents already left."
"They keep farm hours, you know. Early to bed and early to rise."
"Then who are we riding with?" I asked, confused.
"Matt."
"Matt!"
She smiled an I-have-a-crush smile. "He's not as snobby as he seems."
"I know. Who would have thought?"
"He's never ridden on a tractor before," Becky said. "Do you think he says that to every girl?"
"No, Becky, I think he really means it!"
"C'mon, Becky," Matt called, just like he used to call Trevor.
"I'll catch up in a minute," I said. I was helping Jameson with the last of the party trash when Alexander descended the stairs, wearing a cape, slicked-back hair, and fake vampire teeth.
"My dream vampire," I said.
He pulled me close in the hallway.
"You tried to save me tonight," he said. "I will be eternally grateful."
"Eternally," I said with a grin.
"Hopefully someday I'll return the favor."
I giggled as he nibbled on my neck. "I don't want to go," I whined. "But Becky is waiting. See you tomorrow?" I asked. "Same bat time? Same bat channel?"
He walked me to the door and playfully bit me on the neck with his vampire teeth.
I laughed and tried to pull the fake teeth out of his mouth.
"Ouch," he exclaimed.
"You're not supposed to Superglue them on!"
"Raven, you don't still believe in vampires, do you?" he asked.
"I think you've cured me of that," I answered. "But I'm going to keep the black lipstick."
He gave me a long, heavenly good-night kiss.
As I turned to leave, I noticed Ruby's monogrammed compact on the doorstep and picked it up. I opened it to smooth out my lipstick. I saw the Mansion's open door reflected in its glass.
"Sweet dreams," I heard Alexander say. But he didn't appear in the mirror.
I turned around. Alexander was clearly standing in the doorway.
But when I checked the mirror again, he was gone!
When I turned around once again, I found the serpent door knob staring me in the face. I rapped on it desperately.
"Alexander! Alexander!"