Immortal Hearts Page 0,36

was buzzing from our magical evening.

As I drove away, Billy stared back at the looming Mansion like I had many times, gazing at it until it disappeared as we turned the corner.

"So, did you have fun?" I asked.

"The best night of my life." He stared out the window with a huge, boyish grin.

For once, Billy and I agreed on something. There was no better time than that spent with the Sterlings. I was hoping Billy didn't get too attached to Stormy, though. If someone in the Madison household was going to be turned into a vampire, I had first dibs.

I was really proud of my brother. I'd always been the risk taker, the one who did things against the grain. Though he was more conservative, I realized now that when pushed, he, too, could be fearless. It must have been in our blood.

Chapter 10 Starry Night

After the night of the dance, Stormy was dying to see Billy again, and though our younger siblings were clearly old enough to spend time by themselves, Alexander was mindful of his little sister in a foreign country. So on their next adventure together, a few evenings later, Alexander and I followed close behind.

We went to Evans Park, where Billy, Henry, and Stormy hung out by the swings while Alexander and I sat atop the hill. The park was the one Becky and I frequented, with a swing set, a run-down tennis court, and lush grassy areas for picnics or hanging out. We were all eyeing the stars; Billy and Henry were showing off Henry's telescope, and Alexander and I were lying on a blanket gazing at the sky as we held hands.

But the star that most intrigued me was my own boyfriend, whose handsome face was only a few inches from mine.

I continued holding his hand and softly stroked his lean, strong arm. I still couldn't get over how lucky I was to have Alexander in my life. He was everything I wanted in a guy; when he was in my company, I had to touch him to make sure that fous ster in ahe was in fact real.

We took the opportunity to share some kisses privately. His lips were always as tender as imaginable.

I heard the trio talking down by the swings, but I couldn't make out their conversation.

"I wonder how our lives would have been if I'd met you when we were younger," I said, staring into Alexander's dreamy chocolate-colored eyes.

"Like when you were in middle school?" he asked, knotting his fingers around mine.

"Yes. Wouldn't that have been cool?"

"Or when we were kids. We could have played in the sandbox together. I could have pulled your hair."

"And I could have pulled yours," I said with a laugh. "Would you have liked me then?" I asked. "I know I would have had a crush on you."

"Really?" he asked. "Even then? Even if you didn't have to sneak into my house and check out the new guy in town?"

"Uh... I was sneaking in that house for years," I said. "Of course I would have snuck in if you'd moved there earlier. Think about it. We'd have had so much more time together."

"Yes, but I am happy that I met you at all."

"Me too!" I leaned in and gave him a juicy kiss. "I bet you were so hot when you were twelve." I stroked his face. "But you didn't go to middle school, did you?" I asked.

"I never went to school."

"Did you go to dances?"

"No, there was not a school to dance in. Just my house."

"You mean mansion."

"Uh... I guess."

"So how did you meet girls?"

"When I went out with Sebastian, when we traveled, and when we hung out with other vampire families."

"And Stormy? How does she make friends and meet boys?"

"She has friends. But this is really a big deal to her. She is isolated, like I was. But she likes to be out with people."

"And you don't?"

"Well, certain people," he said, giving my hand a squeeze. "But I can spend my nights painting. She'd rather be out dancing. That's why I think it's good that she's getting out here. She has such a passion for life."

"And guys," I said with a grin. Then my mood changed. "What if she really likes Billy?" I asked.

I imagined my brother as a vampire: spending his long nights holed up on the computer instead of running around a cemetery, and sleeping in a remote-controlled coffin with more gadgets than a souped-up car.

"I think that's something we