"I was walking down the streets of downtown. The air was chilly and damp from the downpour only moments before. I walked along stomping into every puddle I came across watching the water splash up and fall back down. My high-tops were muddy and soaked and my feet were starting to freeze. I looked around for refuge and that’s when I saw the bright lights of the movie theater. I hadn’t paid for lunch that day so I had enough to watch a movie while my feet dried a little. I walked inside and was immediately in awe at the bright lights and the red carpet. Yes I had been to a movie theater before but none that were as extravagant as that one.
That’s where I met you. Do you remember? I was only ten at the time and dripping wet. I went up to the cashier but he wouldn’t give me a ticket, ‘sorry we’re only playing a pg-13 movie today’ He said he was sorry but he wasn’t. I could tell in the underline of his voice and the mannerism he displayed like he would as soon dismiss me and kick me back onto the streets.
‘But sir I’m cold and wet. Couldn’t I just sit in the lobby a while until I’m dry.’ I asked pleading reasonably with the oaf.
‘No loitering missy. I’m sorry but if you don’t have a parent or guardian with you. I can’t allow you to see the movie.’ He said.
I was about to admit defeat and reside in another building to dry off when I felt a cold hand wrap around my shoulder. ‘so honey did you get the tickets?’ I looked up to find… you. You had on black slacks and a white buttoned up top. Your black hair was tied in a ponytail. (before you chopped it all off to go with a more “modern” look.) your eyes were what enticed me. That day they were such a light blue that they almost looked white. You smiled warmly to me but it wasn’t until later I realized you didn’t show your teeth.
I got the bait before you could cast out again, ‘No daddy. This man won’t let me buy them.’ I said scowling at the cashier.
‘Well sir I’m sure an arrangement can be made.’ You said to the greasy cashier. Your gaze was deadly and fierce but cool and confident. You were playing chicken and I could tell, even then, that you never lost this game.
‘O-of course sir.’ The cashier babbled uncomfortably. ‘they’re on the house for my rude misunderstanding,’ he said holding the tickets with a shaky hand.
You took them and gave them both to me once we entered the auditorium. I looked down at them in my hands and looked back up at you as you turned your back towards me. I didn’t want you to go I guess deep down I knew there was something about you that I couldn’t dismiss that easily. “wait!” I shouted and to my amazement you did. But with a puzzled look on your face. You looked like you didn’t use that expression very often. “please watch the movie with me… dad.”
You smiled at me and it looked like you meant it. Then you walked over and took my hand and sat me down next to you. We didn’t talk throughout the entire movie but you fidgeted a lot. I thought you were nervous but it wasn’t until later I discovered you were hungry.” Joy said looking across the table at David as he slowly stirred his breakfast looking very disinterested.
“Yeah” he said still looking into his cup, “who knew that day that I’d be taking in an orphan.”
“Yeah” Joy retorted. “and who knew my new dad would be a vampire.”
“Please stop calling me dad if you intend on marrying me.” He said picking up his cup and slowly drank his morning blood. “call me call me your… guardian. That’s pretty much my job description. Guarding you.” David said giving a full smile of fangs and all.
“Iit isn’t my fault!” she said defiantly trying to stare him down.
“Don’t get all flustered.” He said with a wave of his hand. “it is actually one of the aspects that attracted me to you in the first place.”
“Pedophile.” Joy said under her breathe half jokingly.
“Darling when you have lived as long as I have. Age is a number that holds no real importance.” He said cupping Joy's face as she blushed. “Which reminds me. Your birthday is next week, have you given any thought as to what you want?”
Joy looked down at her hands that were neatly crossed on the table and in an almost inaudible whisper said, “you know what I want.”
David rolled his eyes and returned his hand to his cup. “I told you amour I can’t even go to the council to petition it until you are at least 18. And even then I want you to be at least 21 before you change.”
“but why?” She asked genuinely curious.
David cocked his eye brow and waited for her to say something like “just kidding” or “oh I remember” but she just gave him that puzzled expression. He sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “It is only one of the most important lessons in your vampire history lessons.” He said still looking at the ceiling, “maybe you shouldn’t come to the annual ball. They’ll eat you alive.” He looked at her and flashed a full smile again and added, “literally.”
“No!” she said “I know this one… huh… it has something to do with a war… and there were too many vampires on one side… or something.”
He cocked his eyebrow up again, “or something?” he said slightly irritated. “darling it was the Civil War. The north created too many vampires to fight and that is the reason why we won. After the war was over there were hundreds of vamplings whose creators abandoned them with no proper training. That was the moment the council made the transformation laws that we hold dear to this day.”
“What happened to all of those vampires?” Joy asked knowing she wouldn’t like the answer.
David reached across the table and cupped her hands in his to soften the blow of the truth. “We had to hunt them for population control reasons.” He said looking into her eyes, “I don’t want that to happen to you, that’s why I’m taking the necessary precautions to prevent that.”
“Alright.” Joy said reluctantly.
“Ok. It’s about time I go to sleep and you need to get ready for school.” He said running his fingers through her hair. “remember .” he added in a serious voice. “If you want to accompany me to the ball you have to be brushed up on your history and edict in one month.”
“Of course.” She said looking into his blue eyes, “sleep well.”
He got up to stroll away, “like the dead.” He added and they both had a little chuckle over that.
Joy took a shower. The hot water felt great against her skin. She lathered her skin with a tangerine body wash and let the suds fall down her skin listlessly. When she was finished she looked in the mirror. Her blonde hair clung to the sides of her face. She was on the top ten list at her school but she just didn’t feel she could compete with David. She hadn’t met any other vampire so that was all she could compare herself to.
She shrugged and got dressed into her uniform. Joy went to a private school in the rich part of Portland. All of the students came from prestigious families that had more money than they knew what to do with. She didn’t bother to tuck in her shirt and grabbed her Mary Jane’s and stuffed then in her canvas bag. She strapped on her roller skates and whispered a soft “I love you.” As she left through the door.
It was about 5 miles to school so Joy usually left a half an hour early. She raced through the streets head and tail light went past her in a blur. She was on fire this morning she wasn’t going to stop today. She trained like this in the morning so that once she became a vampire her reflexes would be off the charts. Only twenty minutes had past and she could already see the school gate. “Charlie! Open the gate! I’m not stopping.”
The guard pushed the button without hesitation. As Joy whizzed passed him she could barely make out the words, “have a good day Joy.”
She turn her head around and said “you too Char-“ but that was as far as she got because she ran into something and fell back on her butt. She looked up to see what she had ran into and standing in front of her was headmaster Collins. She scrambled to her feet and curtsied and profusely apologized.
The headmaster was an old woman who always looked formal. She had her black hair pulled back in a tight bun without a strand out of place. She looked very unamused at Joy and said, “you still need a lesson in manners, tuck in your shirt, pull back your hair and what are those ridiculous things on your feet?"
As Joy hurriedly tucked in her shirt she replied “they're roller skates ma’am.”
“And where are your school shoes, Miss Straton?” she asked arching her eyebrow to Joy.
“They're in my bag ma’am.” She said looking down at her bag that slung off her shoulder. “I was going to change into them once I reached the steps.”
“Alright,” she said, “but be careful from now on. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”
Joy didn’t have time to ask her what she meant by that because before she could even open her mouth the bell rang shit! I’m gonna be late. She thought to herself as she skated to the building . she didn’t have time to change shoes before entering, she would just have to change them at her desk. She skated down the hall avoiding everyone she passed. She got to her home room and burst through the door right before the bell rang.
“Well,” Mr. Fitzpatrick said as she skated to her desk. “How nice of you to grace us with your presence.” He was fairly young and very handsome but almost polar opposite of David. While David had black hair that brushed his shoulders Mr. f had short blonde hair. They were both tall and handsome but they were completely different.
“A lady is always fashionably late. Right Mr. F?” Joy said sitting at her desk and looking him in the eyes.
“I guess you're right but does a lady also where roller blades inside?” He parried. It was a game they always played. It’s called Who Is Eternally Right. And he never lost this game.
“Touché.” Joy said leaning down to undo her skates and put on her regular shoes. Once the teacher started talking Billy asked, “What are you doing tonight?”
Billy had been Joy’s closest friend since she came to the school. He was cute but in a very boyish way she wasn’t interested in him as more than a friend. “Sorry David’s taking me to see Phantom of the Opera.” She said not even looking up at him.
“After that? Like at midnight?” he said persisting.
“Midnight? What’s going on that late?” She asked looking up at him. He sat in the desk next to her.
“A killer rave. So are you in?” He asked but before she could answer Juliet piped in, “I want to go.” Juliet was another one of Joy’s friends. She was tall with brunette hair. She was kind of plain but that’s why Joy liked her.
“I do too” Joey said flashing a smile. Joey was a friend of Billy’s and both of them were battling on the top ten list. Currently Joey stood at 3 and Billy stood at 4. “you know us three’s have to stick together.” He added giving Joy a wink. Why does he have to antagonize Billy like that? She asked herself.
“I’ll talk to David. I’m sure he won’t have a problem if I’m with a group.” She said doubting that he would agree. She could already hear his response Are you crazy? Do you have a death wish?
She was snapped out of her thoughts by Joey saying, “why do you always call him David? Why not dad?”
She opened her mouth to explain but before she had a chance she felt a hand on her shoulder. “because she is adopted.” She turned around and Mr. F was standing beside her desk. “do you have something to share with the class?”
Joy hated when teachers said that it’s so cliché and besides if I had something to share with the class I wouldn’t have been whispering she thought but said “yes, as a matter of fact I do.” She said then address the class, “hey everybody! Mr. F just invited us to his birthday party! It’s BYOB and its tonight! The address is-“ he cupped his hand over Joy's mouth.
He leaned down and whisper “touché” in her ear. His breath has warm up against her neck and smelled of cinnamon and chocolate. Before she realized it she was blushing but she looked at him for affirmation that she had not made herself look like a desperate little girl. He didn’t notice and walked back to the front of the class grabbing a stack of papers off of his desk. “Well Joy,” He said coolly, “if you like jokes so much you’ll enjoy the grade I gave you on your report.” The entire class sighed and groaned as he went around and dispersed their respective papers.
D+? D+? there must be some mistake with a grade like this David would never let me go to the ball. “I object!” Joy shouted as she stood on her chair.
Mr. F smirked at her, “you aren’t on trial but I'll humor you any ways. On what grounds do you object on?”
“Moral indecency.” She said. Everyone including Mr. F gave her a puzzling look.
“I’ll allow it.” He said looking amused “continue.”
“Every book you have had us read this semester have been produce by alcoholics. Ernest Hemmingway, Edgar Allen Poe and now this inebriated dribble by Fitzgerald? Why can’t we read books by authors that have moral fiber like John Steinbeck or J.D. Salinger?”
“If I remember correctly you wrote that this book is not worthy of your time. That basically told me that you hadn’t read it.” He said almost dismissively.
“I read it! If you had read my entire report you see that I had. The book was about prohibition, he wrote it purely to gain support to abolish prohibition. The entire book was ridiculous.” She said, she could feel the blood rushing to her head and for a breif moment she felt as if she might faint.
Mr. F just paused for a moment and said, “Joy, could you come up here for a moment?”
She stepped down from her chair and walked slowly to the front of the class with every step the word shit echoed in her head. She stood right in front of him. He motioned for her to come closer. So she did and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and brought her in close to his side. Half of the class jumped up and the other half voiced their objections but he didn’t seem to notice or care. He lifted a paper off of his desk with his free hand and put it in front of her face. It was the grades for the report. And next to her name there was a… “B+?” she asked him more confused than she had ever felt.
“I knew you would be able to argue your point.” He said smiling down at her. The smile felt warm and before she could stop, she was smiling back up at him.
The rest of the day went on normally for a Friday. Everyone was anxious for the weekend so the hours went by slowly until the final bell rang and it was a mad dash for the door way. everybody rushed out whoop like animals finally let out of their cages. everyone was anxious about their up coming weekend, except for Joy who knew that the end of school work stopped for everyone else but she would only get four hours of sleep then it was here vampire studies.


“No!” David yelled at her slamming his hand down on the table. “Try it again. When and why was the council formed?”
Joy racked her brain she could remember it was during the reign of Julius Caesar, something to do with the war with the roman armies. And in a surge she remembered it all. “48 b.c.” she said “When Caesar turned his son in law Pompey into a vamp to ensure vampire ruling but Pompey was beheaded by the Egyptians so the council was formed to monitor the remaining vampires and ensure they don’t hold positions of too much power. The council as their first official ruling told Caesar that the successor he chosen had to be mortal. That’s why his successor was his grand nephew Octavian. And once Caesar was stabbed in the heart that was the last vampire ruler.” David smiled at her and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
“I knew you could do it.” He whispered softly in her ear and it sent shivers down her spine. “I think with a few more lessons you will be ready for the ball. But enough talk of that you have to get ready, the opera will be starting at ten.”
Joy was high off of the praise she had just received and skipped off to her room. She put on the scarlet dress that David had picked out for her and tide her hair into a bun. She decided to put on makeup so she could accompany him as his date instead of looking like his daughter. She returned to the kitchen to see David finishing off his nightly cup of blood. He was wearing an all black suit except for a single red rose that stuck out of his front pocket. The rose matched her dress perfectly and she knew it was all planned. His black hair was gelled back and he looked like he could be a model for gothic attire.
He looked up at her and his jaw dropped but he quickly corrected it and his face went back to being a mask. He held out his arm for her to take and said, “shall we go then?”
They hopped into his black Lamborghini and were on their way to the theater. It was silent for the first half of the trip until David broke the silence, “you never told me what you wanted for your birthday.” He said still staring at the road.
“This car would be nice.” She said off handedly almost joking.
“It’s yours.” He said without even looking at her. “I’ve been meaning to give you a car for awhile know, but up until tonight you haven’t voiced your desire. I’ve been meaning to upgrade anyways. Call it an early birthday present and you can drive me home tonight.”
Joy was giddy she had received not only David’s praises but also his car all in one night. She was on cloud nine and nothing could ruin her high, or so she thought.
They arrived at the theater early as usual and waited in line to go in. they were arm in arm which was exceptable for a girlfriend or, in case anybody she knew saw her, daughter. Everything was going amazingly until someone behind her knocked into her so hard she fell to her knees. She turned her head to see what happened and saw Mr. F standing right beside David both of them were staring each other down.
“I see the blood you stole from me is sustaining you pretty well. Noone’s tried to kill you yet what a pity.” David said coldly to him. Joy’s eyes widened hearing this. What is he talking about? Joy thought to herself but thought it better than to voice her query at the moment.
Mr. F turned away from him and extended his hand down to Joy to help her up. “I apologize for knocking you down Joy I thought you were… someone else.” He said as he helped her up. David’s eyes narrowed at this point. Joy had never seen him this angry so she decided not to say anything. “Where is Constance these days anyways David?” he said smirking at a clearly enraged David.
“You know damn well where she is.” He said through clenched teeth.
“It was your own fault you knew the rules better than anyone else and you thought you could get away with breaking them? Please don’t tell me you have become that naive.” He said then changed the subject abruptly, “so you’re taking your lovely daughter on a date? How precious.” He said cupping her chin in his hand.
“She’s my fiancé so you better get your hands off of her.” He said baring his fangs.
“In that case, how highly inappropriate.” He said removing his hand from her. “Well I’ll see you in a month then try to take care of Joy until that point. You think you can manage that?” he said walking away.
David grabbed Joy’s hand and ushered her inside the theater without a single word. He was silent in the lobby, he was silent during the show, he was even silent on the way back home. But once he opened the door to their house he broke the silence, “What did you think of the phantom?”
“It was sad.” She said looking down at her feet, “but also selfish of the girl. All he did was care for her, but all she wanted was to use him for lessons and be done with him. Everyone is two faced in the opera. Raoul only remembered that he loved her after she got so famous. The phantom only wanted companionship and didn’t care from who and Christine was the worst of them all. I don’t even believed she cared when she heard that the phantom died.”
“Yep.” He said closing his eyes. “I guess everyone has their own reasons.”
“David?” she asked timidly, “about Mr. F? what-“ she started to say but was cut off by a horn honking outside. David’s eyes shot opened and looked outside.
“Why are your friends outside wearing weird clothing?” he asked her puzzled
“Oh shit! I forgot. They wanted me to go to a rave tonight but I understand if you want me to stay home.” She said looking timid.
“Of course you can go I’m sure after the night we just had you could use a break from all of the worries.” He said smiling at her but his smile was uneasy and wasn’t natural.
“Ok!” she said giving him a kiss on the cheek. “can you hold them off while I get ready? I’ll only be a moment.” She said running for her room. She got dressed in a rainbow skirt and rainbow stockings that went above her knee. A turquoise tube top that ended just above her belly button and pulled her hair up in double buns. She grabbed her poi balls and shoved them into her purse. (For those of you who don’t speak rave poi balls are balls that light up and are suspended from a string.) Joy was the best at them and hoped she would get challenged.
She bound out the front door. “Okay. I love you. Bye.” She said in a hurry.
“wait right there!” he boomed from the doorway as she was half way down the walk way. She turned around on her heel and looked at him. He was leaning against the door frame looking straight at her. “Aren’t you going to give daddy a kiss goodbye.” He said giving a cocky smile. She raced back to the doorway and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “be safe.” He whispered. And then a little louder, “why don’t you take your car? I did give it to you didn’t I?”
She smiled and yelled back to her friends “hey! Who wants to ride in my car?” all of her friends looked puzzled but Juliet was the one who volunteered because she was the only girl and David wouldn’t have any objections to her.
Joy opened the garage door exposing the black Lambo inside. She turned around and saw all of the shocked looks on their faces. Billy was the first to speak, “Wow Joy! Did you rob a bank or something?” he said still looking at the car.
“David gave it to me as an early birthday present.” She said looking at David and giving him a wide smile which he return and turned away to go back inside.
His last words before going inside. “Have fun kids and take care of my little girl.”
With that they were on the road getting disclosed directions as they went. They ended up in front of a large warehouse on Burnside. “well this is the place,” Billy said knocking on the door. It was a weird knock that had 8 beats. The door opened and inside it was loud and different colored lights swirled around. Once they stepped in there was a woman in a colorful maid outfit handing out tubes of liquid and another in a nurse outfit handing out pills. Joy refused both and went to a corner of the room and started with her poi balls. She had a good crowd watching her and cheering her on and as the praise got louder her tricks intensified. An hour had gone by and she was going to pack it in for awhile and dance with the rest of her friends, when a familiar voice spoke. “I challenge you.” His hair that was usually slicked back for class was up in spikes and his clothes were very 80's england punk. He looked like he belonged to this scene.
“On what terms?” she said smirking at him.
“I win you have to do one favor for me.” He said smiling slyly at her.
“And when I win you have to answer my questions.” She said giving a big smile agreed.
“agreed.” he said queuing the DJ to start a fresh beat.
Joy and Mr. f started their battle, “so.” Joy said spinning the balls at her sides to gain momentum. “what is your first name? I feel weird calling you Mr. f in this kind of environment.”
“it’s Alex.” He said doing the same motion to get momentum. The battle started and Alex was better than joy gave him credit for every time she did a trick he would match or one up it so she would one up that. This repeated for a half an hour until joy felt herself getting tired she went in to the side spinning for a moment.
“are you done already?” he asked doing a trick that joy had done countless times.
“I have not yet begun to fight.” She said quoting John Paul Jones and did a back flip. Her body went in sync with the balls and she landed on her feet with the balls still spinning around. She looked over at Alex. He was stunned, he had never seen that before the ball hit his leg and dangled at his side. The battle was over joy had won.
“now you have to answer my questions but first water.” Once she said that a bottle of water flew through the air towards her she grabbed it and looked to see who had thrown it. Joey was standing there with a big smile on his face. His pupils were dilated and she could tell he had taken e. she smiled at him and chugged the water until the bottle was empty. “outside.” She said, “nobody else needs to hear our conversation.”
They walked outside and Alex leaned up against the building lighting up a cigarette. Cinnamon? That why his breathe smells like that she thought to herself. She opened her mouth to speak but before she had a chance Alex cut her off, “has he bitten you yet?” she was taken aback by this.
“I believe I’m the one asking the questions here.” She retorted.
“just answer the question then you can start your interrogation.” He said seeming unfazed.
“I don’t believe that’s any of your business.” She said crossing her arms across her chest.
Without warning he slammed his hand on the wall around her head. His face only inches from hers and his fangs bared glistening in the glow of the street lamp. “just answer the question! You don’t have a clue how important this is to me!”
She looked him straight in the eye and said, “you aren’t going to hurt me. But since you insist no. he hasn’t bitten me.” She said exposing a flawless neck.
“how did you know I wouldn’t hurt you?” he asked stepping back from joy.
“I just knew. I have this feeling that you wouldn’t want to hurt me. Now my questions. Evidently you’re a vampire. So how can you go out during the day?” she asked.
“David hasn’t taught you yet?” he asked looking shocked. “doesn’t surprise me. He’s always been one to hold grudges. There are two types of vampires in the world. David is a night stalker he has the cursed venom surging through his system. I am a day walker I have the vampire blood surging through my system without the cursed venom.”
Joy was confused by all of this, “can you give me more?”
Alex smiled and looked at her. “A night stalker is a vampire that has both venom and immortal blood. The venom to a human is like a drug it circulates through the system but without the immortal blood it eventually dies in the blood stream. But imagine if you have the blood but not the venom.”
“I think I understand but how did you get David’s blood?” she asked.
Alex smiled looking up at the night sky reminiscing of the old days. “there was a rumor in Greece that if you drank the blood of the vampires you would become a god. That’s what ambrosia was considered to be and the gods were vampires. I was a guardsman at the time guarding Olympus and ushering the ‘proper’ sacrifices. It was early morning and I snuck into the palace. I opened the coffin closest to the entrance which happened to be David and stole a pint of his blood and fled. I ran to Sicily where I drank the pint. I hid there until law was passed that a vampire couldn’t kill unless in self defense. at that point I made my presence known. The council had to punish me of course so I was sentenced to a hundred years of servitude which I served as a guardsman.”
Joy thought for awhile about it for awhile then remembered, “the council passed that law in 1888 after jack the ripper so that means you finished your term in 1988. Right?” she asked already knowing she was right.
“ I guess David has taught you something’s.” He said smiling at her.
“he’s taught me a lot.” She said with clenched fists “but,” she continued and her hands went slack “who’s Constance?”
A smirk crawled across Alex’s face, “that’s the million dollar question,” he said and looked passed her, “isn’t it David?”
Joy whirled around and sure enough there was David standing directly behind her. He grabbed her arm and said, “let’s go!”
Joy ripped her arm from his grasp and said, “no! I have to know!”
He looked at her up and down then took a deep sigh, “very well. Then I will be the one to tell it. Long story short. She was my fiancé and Alex killed her.”
“no, you aren’t getting away from the subject that easily,” Alex said leaning up against the wall, “I will tell her, he loved this woman named Constance. He wanted to petition to get her turned but it was over turned by the council. Her blood wasn’t strong enough for the venom. David was enraged so he decided to take matters into his own hands and turned her himself. The venom took over her body destroying more blood than she could produce transforming her into a blood thirsty monster. The council found out and sentenced her to death and since I was the head guardsman I was told to carry out the order. She was killed and David was kicked out of the council.”
“you killed her right in front of me!” David said baring his fangs.
“I may have been the executioner, but you were the judge and jury in that case. It was your fault she died. Don’t try to pass the blame on me for doing my duty.” Alex said.
Joy looked up and saw a single tear rolling down David’s face. Vampires can cry? David had never cried for me. He doesn’t really love me as much as Constance. She thought. “come on, were going home.” He said she didn’t fight him this time just lowered her head and walked with him. The car ride home was quiet. That night was quiet the entire weekend was quiet. Neither one of them knew what to say to the other so they both decided it would be better to not say anything at all. Monday rolled around and they were both sitting across the table from each other.
Joy got up to get ready for school, “I don’t want you going to school today. You only have one more week until winter vacation. You can skip until next year.” Joy didn’t want to miss school but she didn’t argue with him. She just trudged up to her room and laid on her bed until sleep came to her.
She woke up with a jolt. The door bell was ringing. She looked outside and night had already come. She went to the door but once she entered the hall way she could see David already standing there. He opened it and took a bow. “Sabrina? What brings you to our home? Wont you please come in?” he stepped out of the way as head master Collins strolled in.
Joy was incredibly confused but she curtsied and pulled out a chair for her head master. “I believe.” Sabrina started not bothering with small talk, “that you have taken miss Stratton away from her studies is that correct?”
“Yes ma’am.” He said taking the seat across from her. Joy stood by the door not wanting to interfere with them. “surely you understand that with the circumstances we are facing it would be beneficial for everyone if she wasn’t influenced by that… teacher.” He said after a pause searching for the right word that wouldn’t offend her.
“I am more aware of the situation then you may realize.” She said arching an eyebrow towards him. His eyes widened with shock but she continued, “I am merely an observer. I wouldn’t want to mess with this game its far too much fun to watch.” She said, “but I will act as referee and you my son aren’t fighting fair so I propose equal grounds. Joy will come and stay with me until the ball then the game can resume its play.”
“but-“ David started but Sabrina cut him off with a look that could make the devil himself get a chill.
“it was not a request. Don’t forget that I am a council member and you no longer are.” She said sternly, “as I told you before I am observer I will not influence her one way or the other, but it is true that it was Alex’s suggestion and I agreed that this girl needs a break from the both of you.” She said then redirected her attention to joy, “pack what you need until the ball.”
Joy walked to her room and reluctantly packed clothing, her poi balls, and some money she kept in case of emergencies. She looked around the room wondering if this would be the last time she saw it but shook her head wondering why she had thought that in the first place. She looked at a framed picture she kept on her nightstand of David and her outside of the roller rink on her 12th birthday. She was smiling but he had a stern smile on his face she grabbed it and stuffed it into her bag. Then she turned off the lights and left the room.
When she arrived in the living room she saw Sabrina at the door and David standing beside her. “be safe.” He said and leaned down to give her a gentle kiss on the fore head. With that she left with in Sabrina’s Porsche. The car ride was silent and uncomfortable. They pulled up to a mansion that had white marble pillars on either side of the door. The entered and an enormous chandelier hung from the ceiling. The stairway to the second floor were large and winding. It was nothing compared to the modest house she lived in with David. “your room will be the second door, on the right of the west wing.” Sabrina said dismissing her.
“ma’am? Which wing is the west wing?” joy asked timidly.
Sabrina pointed up the stairs to the left. “breakfast is served at 7am sharp and I want you looking presentable before you even approach me. Understood?”
“yes ma’am” she said and curtsied as Sabrina took her leave down the hall.
Joy entered the room and realized a small apartment could fit in there. She plopped her bags on the bed and put away the few things she had in their spots and stared at the picture before placing it on her nightstand.
She looked around the room and saw a door other than the one to the hallway. She opened it to see a bathroom fit for the president. Everything was white and gold. She slowly stepped over to the bath tub and ran the water. She slowly stripped off her clothes and stepped in. it was quiet but she laid her head back and listen to her thoughts for a while. Everything was peaceful until she heard a guys voice say. “is there anything I can do for you?”
She jumped and let out a yelp water splash out of the tub onto the tile floor. “get out!” she said trying to cover her body with her hands. Instead of leaving he stepped closer. He looked at every inch of her body then licked his lips.
“you have virgin blood don’t you?” he didn’t wait for a reply instead he continued, “of course you do. I can smell it.” He closed his eyes and took a long sniff in the air. “it smell so delicious.” he opened his eyes and they were white.
Joy already knew what that meant and yelled, “help!”
The boy chuckled in his throat and said, “oh no one can hear you. We’re completely alone.”
Then Sabrina’s voice from the doorway sounded, “on the contrary. I heard her perfectly, maybe your hearing hasn’t completely changed yet.” She was cool and confident but demanding. “now be a good little vampling and fix me a fresh cup of blood.”
He left with his head down, “sorry ma’am I thought maybe she was a present.”
“did I ask you for excuses?” she said raising an eyebrow.
“No ma’am.” He said and with that left the room.
“I apologize for my vampling he is only two month reborn.” She said, “but I am curious as well, you lived with David for 8 years and he hasn’t once bit you?”
“no ma’am” it felt awkward for joy to be having such a formal conversation while she laid naked in a bathtub.
“and you’ve never indulged in drugs or alcohol or anything like that?” she asked almost like a mother would.
“I tried caffeine once but I didn’t like it so I supposed I wouldn’t like any of those other things ma’am.” She replied
“Interesting” Sabrina said turning away, “no wonder those two are fighting over you.” And with that left joy in the bathtub wondering what she meant. Nobody’s fighting over me. She must be confused by the situation. Thought to herself as she drained the bathtub. She was no longer able to relax. She enter the bedroom and started getting dressed. She had a t shirt over her head when she heard Sabrina from the hallway. “rest at ease I promise nothing will go bump in the night.”
Joy believed her and laid down on her bed and without even realizing it fell fast asleep. She dreamt of vampires, raves and a giant cat named Fabio (she didn’t even know why she dreamt that). Morning came and as per Sabrina’s request joy was dressed and sitting at the table at 6:50. At precisely 7:00 Sabrina strolled into the room just as breakfast was rolled in by her other vampire servants.
“did you sleep well?” Sabrina asked taking her seat at the head of the table.
“yes ma’am.”” Joy replied with a smile, “that bed is like sleeping on a cloud. Thank you for your hospitality.” Joy decided she had better use proper edict to win over Sabrina.
“yes it should be for what I spent on it.” she said grabbing a scone of the tray in front of her.
“you eat?” joy said in shock and when Sabrina raised an eyebrow at her added, “ma’am”
“of course I eat my dear.” She said taking a small bite from it. She chewed it diligently and swallowed adding, “I don’t have the venom coursing through my veins so I only have to drink blood once a week but I do indulge and do it twice.”
There was an entire buffet in front of her but joy only ate some fruit and a bagel and washed it down with orange juice. “you had better get going to school. David dropped off your car this morning so you can drive yourself. I doubt you want to be see riding to school with the headmaster anyways.”
“thank you ma’am.” She said standing, “then I shall take my leave.” She said giving Sabrina a curtsy and leaving. She drove to school and went to class. She was early for class which was a first and the only other person in the room was Alex.
For some reason seeing him made joy feel comfortable and at the same time uneasy. “ah joy. So nice to see you again.”
She was stunned did Friday night just not happen? “you too, Mr. f” she thought it better to just play it cool for awhile.
“joy!” she heard yell from behind her a turned just as Juliet pummeled her to the ground. “we were so worried about you when the rave was broken up we couldn’t find you, we thought you might have gone home but when you didn’t come in yesterday we all assumed the worst.”
Joy saw Joey come through the door and once he saw her he turn around and said into the hall, “see man she’s here I told you Mr. f didn’t kill her.” She chuckled a little but only because it was more possible than he could ever imagine.
“ok ok class quiet down, we don’t need to talk of my murder count.” He said giving joy a wink that sent a shiver down her spine.
She sat down and the bell rang. Immediately Alex started class. “well joy you will be happy to hear that the next book we are reading is not by an alcoholic.” He said looking straight at her, “we will be reading Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein.” She actually was happy to hear that. And he continued, “I understand that you watched phantom of the opera Friday night can you humor me by telling me what you thought of the phantom?”
“why does everyone keep asking me this?” she said with a sigh continued, “he was an idiot. He locked himself away and guarded himself so much that the first person who would give him the time of day he ended up believing he had fallen in love with her but in reality she was all he really knew in terms of companionship.”
Alex smiled at that, like he knew a secret, “it’s a good life lesson for all of you to remember.” He said addressing the entire class. “it may come in handy some day.” He said and winked at joy. What was that about? She wondered maybe he is crazy? And with that brushed it off. The rest of the day went normally until lunch.
“so what do you want for your birthday?” Billy asked with a mouth full of fries.
“eww,” joy reply, “nothing.”
“everybody wants something.” Joey said.
“no really you guys. I have everything I could possibly want.” She said playing with her food, “just knowing you guys care is enough for me.” She spotted Alex from the corner of her eye walking down the hallway. “sorry guys I have to go.”
With that she got up and ran to catch up with him. “Mr. f!” he stopped and turned on his heel.
“yes miss Stratton?” he asked shaking his head no.
Joy looked at him puzzled and said “we have to talk.”
“I know I gave you a d on you last paper but that was the grade you disserved.” Ushering her into the band room.
“that’s not what I want to talk to you about!” she shouted at him.
“I know I just had to bring you in here.” He said smiling at her. “you see it sound proof and out there even the walls have ears.” She knew he was talking about Sabrina and gave him a nod in understanding. “so what can I do you for? You know that interrogation session had a time limit right?”
“I hate not being told the truth when it comes to me and I know everyone is leaving me out of something major. I just want to know what.” She said her eyes filling up with tears of frustration.
He grabbed her and wrapped her in a hug. Then with a sigh said, “I can’t tell you that until the time comes, you know how much Sabrina loves watching chaos.”
“that’s another thing. Why am I always referred to as if I’m a pawn in some chess game?” she said getting angry.
“because you sort of are.” She tried pushing him away at this point but his grip tightened, “I only meant that you may not hold much power now but once you make it to the end of the board you could become queen and hold all the power of the world.” He loosened his grip and lifted her chin so she was looking directly into his eyes, “do you understand.” She nodded and the bell rang.
Why did I nod? Of course I don’t understand. Ugh! she thought as she laid in bed that night. Sleep came easier that night and she dreamt of Alex’s hug and David’s cold kisses. She knew she wouldn’t be able to make up her mind.
Morning came and it was the same as Tuesday. School went by normally and for once joy felt like she was a normal person living a normal life. Thursday nothing exciting happened as well in fact Alex treated her like all of his other student which in itself is weird. Friday rolled around and she came down for breakfast. “so who do you want to spend your birthday with?” Sabrina asked sipping her coffee.
Joy hadn’t even thought of her birthday she thought of David but she knew that wouldn’t be fun and he probably wouldn’t even talk the entire time. She thought of Alex but she still didn’t feel like she could trust him and plus that wouldn’t be appropriate. “I guess I would have to say my mortal friends. Ma’am.” Joy said smiling.
“I thought you might say that. Their waiting for you at the water front.” She said giving a paper thin smile. “I gave all of you the last day of school before winter vacation. That is my birthday present to you. Happy birthday joy.”
“thank you!” joy said wrapping her in a hug.
“why are you hugging me?” Sabrina asked clearly baffled.
“because you are the closest thing I have ever had to a mother.” She said still not letting go. “my mother died in child birth. Please let me hold on to the delusion for just a moment longer.” Instead of pulling away she returned the hug.
Joy pushed away and wiped the tears away then curtsied and said “thank you ma’am.” And started to ascend the stairs when she heard Sabrina say, “Emilio can you hand me the phone.” Joy stopped at the top of the stairs and listened. “yes, you have my blessing.” She said there was a pause, “because that girl did something I didn’t even think was possible, something I haven’t felt since Michel was still with us. I was bored with this game anyways.”
Joy smiled and entered her room getting changed into regular jeans and a sweater since it was snowing outside. She leaped down the stairs. “by Sabrina I will try to be home for dinner.” She yelled
But Sabrina yelled back, “no you won’t.” Joy whirled around to see Sabrina standing at the bottom of the stairs. “don’t worry. It’s all part of the plan” she said giving joy a wink. Joy smiled at her and left.
Sure enough standing at the water front were Billy, Juliet and Joey. they motioned for her to come over so joy parked the car and walked over to them. “Happy 18th” they all said in unison. “we have a great twenty four hours planned for you.”
“you didn’t have to-“ she started to say but Joey cut her off.
“you were the one who said that knowing we care is the best present ever.” He said.
Juliet picked up where he left off, “this is our way of showing how much you mean to us. First stop breakfast. To genies for some crab cakes benedicts.” That was joy’s favorite so she had no objections. All throughout breakfast they laughed and joked about everything. Billy put a candle in her crab cake and had her blow it out. He explained that there would be 18 in all. Once they were finished with breakfast they went shopping on Hawthorne where Juliet held up a strawberry short cake doll holding a lit candle, “that’s cheating,” joy said raising an eyebrow at her. “that’s not an actual cake.”
“it’s a loop hole.” Juliet said rolling her eyes. “like you’re really going to eat 18 cakes in one day. Just blow out the candle.” Joy reluctantly did.
She ended up buying a lot of cool stuff and put it in her car. After shopping they went to the movie theaters to watch her favorite movie, night of the living dead. Rich kids, renting the entire theater. She thought but then remember she was the one rolling around in a Lamborghini.
Billy ordered food from the concession stand and handed joy a pizza with a candle in it. “that isn’t a cake.” Joy said to him.
“people have pie for their birthday.” He retorted “haven’t you ever heard of a pizza pie?” he said smiling. She once again reluctantly blew out the candle and went into the theater for their private showing. The movie was incredible and joy was walking out wondering how they could possibly top that, when she saw David standing in the lobby.
“we’ll leave you and your dad alone for a bit but we are only giving you ten minutes.” Joey said walking outside with the rest of her friends.
David was holding a small present decorated in cake wrapping paper with a lit candle sticking out of the bow. Damn loop holes joy thought to herself. “those are some pretty eccentric friends you have there. They said I could come on one condition. That I wrap my present like this and have a candle on it. So I guess you have to blow it out.” She did.
“this is where we met 8 years ago do you remember?” she asked
“every day.” He said and held out the present, “so are you going to open it?” he asked.
“you already gave me a present remember? Its parked outside.” She said to him.
“think of this as a bonus for being an awesome daughter.” She smiled and took the box she opened it to reveal a gold crucifix dangling from a thin delicate gold chain. David took it out and fastened it around her neck. He gently straightened and said, “happy birthday joy, I must take my leave your friends are coming.” And with that he walked away and as he passed her friends said “she’s all yours.”
The group looked at joy with mischievous smiles and she knew there was much more. The next stop they took her was the ice-skating rink where she blew out two candles in two hostess cupcakes. Joy was good at ice-skating from all of her practice roller skating. She spun around with the music, she skated with Juliet gossiping about boys at school, laughed at Billy stumbling over himself. And spun around with Joey.
After they were all skated out they went to a late lunch at my father’s place. Since Joey told the waitress it was her birthday she returned with a cake only slightly bigger than her palm with three lit candles poking out from the top. She blew them out and had a hamburger and fries with a water.
“why don’t you ever drink caffeine?” Juliet asked and took a drink of her coke.
Joy shrugged her shoulders and said “I just don’t see the point of it is all.”
“but it tastes good.” Joey said taking a chug of his mountain dew.
“not to me. It scratches your throat and makes you crash. I really just don’t see the appeal.” Joy said not making eye contact with any of them.
After that they dropped the subject and headed over to wonder land where they played video games until they were tire and wanted to relax, but Billy looked at his watch and said, “shit! We’re going to be late.” With that they ran across downtown to the theater. She looked up at the showing and it read midsummer’s night dream. That was joys favorite play and she was beaming with joy.
They watched the play from the front row and when the curtain came back up Helena was holding a cupcake. She walked up to joy and as joy was about to blow out the candle the actress said, “don’t worry we all have faith in you to make the right decision.” Joy’s eyes widened and looked up at this woman. Vampire? Then she looked around at the rest of the troupe and sure enough they were all vamp.
Joy blew out the candle and whispered back, “what is the right decision?”
Helena let out a little giggle, “silly I can’t tell you that but my advice is just follow what your heart is telling. We’ll see each other soon, until the ball be safe.” And with that she took her final bow and was off stage leaving joy still very confused.
But she didn’t have time to be confused because the next thing she knew Billy grabbed her hand and said, “what was that all about?”
I wish I knew. She thought but said, “she’s a friend of the families.” It wasn’t a lie but it wasn’t the entire truth.
“cool friend.” He said looking back at the stage, “do you want to invite her with us?”
“no, no.” joy said shaking her head. “she isn’t that close to me I only just met her.”
“alright to our next stop then?” Juliet said.
“to dinner!” Joey yelled raising his arm in the air like he was leading a cavalry into battle.
They ended up eating dinner at Chinese restaurant in china town. The entire table was filled with different food some that were common that joy had heard of and some things she couldn’t even pronounce. The waitress brought over a small strawberry cake with a one and an eight. “thanks mom.” Joey said to the waitress. And she bowed.
Joy was in shock, “she’s your mother? You’re Chinese?” she asked joey.
“yeah, I’m only a quarter Chinese and my mother’s half.” He said looking towards the kitchen with pride, “this is actually my grandfathers restaurant, he wants me to take over when I’m done with high school but my father also wants me to work at his law firm.”
“What do you want to do?” Juliet asked taking another bite of her spring roll.
Joey looked down at his napkin and timidly answered, “I would love to take over the restaurant but my father has paid my way through school, so I would feel guilty if I didn’t work at his law firm.”
Joy slammed her hand on the table which made everyone jump and look at her. “no, it isn’t right! Your father should have paid for your schooling because he is your father, not because of his own selfish gain.” She said enraged at a man she had never met.
“that’s the way it would be in a perfect world, but alas we live in a society where everyone has ulterior motives and sneaky back door deals.” He said with his eyes watering. Joy could see that the subject was really disturbing him so she dropped the subject.
Billy looked at joy up and down and said, “you know a lot about our families and pasts but we don’t know anything about yours. If you don’t want to share it with us that’s fine but I’m rather interested in knowing.”
“We’ll there isn’t much to tell.” She said looking down at her half eaten plate of food, “my mother died in child birth so my father took care of me after that. But I watched as the days went by and her death ate him up inside. He had blamed me and it got to the point where he wouldn’t look at me or cringe at my touch and then one sunny day in august when I was nine I came home to find him lying on the couch with his head missing. After that I just wondered the streets not knowing what to do until I met David and well you know the story from there.” She told the entire story without looking at any of them.
Before she realized it an arm wrapped around her and held her in a tight embrace. Then Billy’s voice spoke, “I’m so sorry. I had no idea you went through all of that.” Before she could stop she was crying.. she thought back and couldn’t even remember the last time she had cried like that. David didn’t like when she cried and saw it as a weakness, a genetic flaw in all living humans.
She finally pulled away from the embrace and said, “thank you. I needed that cry. I can’t even remember the last time I cried like that.”
“it wasn’t your fault you know.” Juliet said through tears, “and for him to make you feel like it was is just unforgivable.”
“no,” joy said speaking in a level voice, “he was right to a certain extent it was my fault that she died but I know she would want it that way. If it were her or me I know she would have rather I lived than her.”
“ok.” Joey said, “enough depressing chatter, isn’t this supposed to be a joyous occasion.”
Everyone agreed and they finished their food and were off to their next destination. They arrived at Juliet house at around 10 o’clock. Juliet quickly ushered joy upstairs and told the boys to go along without them to arrange the preparations for tonight. Juliet did her make up without allowing joy to look into a mirror then blindfolded her and dressed her. “do you trust me?” Juliet asked.
“of course I do.” Joy replied still blindfolded.
“good hand me your keys.” She said and with hesitation joy handed her, her keys. “I can’t believe you would just hand someone keys to a Lamborghini without hesitation.”
“I trust you and besides, it’s only a car.” Joy smiled she was assuming at Juliet but with the blindfold on so she didn’t have a clue.
Juliet pulled joy along and gave her directions when necessary like getting into the car and watching out for a step. The car stopped and Juliet helped her out they walked up some steps and it was silent. Is she going to kill me? She thought but dismissed the idea almost immediately. If Juliet wanted to kill me she wouldn’t have driven such a long way to do it. She heard a door open she stepped forward and heard it shut behind her.
Then with one fluid motion the blindfold was ripped off and joy looked around. She looked around to see hundreds of people standing around looking at her, no not people, people dressed as different monsters. There were werewolves, zombies, and vampires all staring at her. There was a giant banner hanging from the ceiling saying: Joy’s Monster Mash. And a giant cake that was three times the size of joy with 1+17=18. Each digit was lit at the top there were 7 in total.
Joy looked over at Billy who was dressed up as a swamp monster and said, “now, that is cheating.” She said pointing at the candles.
Billy shrugged his shoulders and said, “where’s the rule book on these things?”
Joy let out a little laugh and climbed the ladder that was set up beside it and blew them out. From up there she could see everyone. She only knew about a third of them and even then she didn’t know them well enough to actually consider them friends.
She stepped down from the ladder and tripped on the last step almost falling face first on the ground but somebody caught her before she was flattened on her face. The person stood her up and she looked at her rescuer to see Alex dressed like a vampire, not much of a stretch for him, looking down at her. He picked up a large box that was decorated like a cake that had a large candle sticking out of it. “so they roped you into this too?” she asked arching an eyebrow at him.
“they didn’t have to convince me too much. Like Sabrina told you, it’s all part of the plan.” He said giving her a wink.
She cautiously took the box and blew out the candle. She unwrapped it and looked inside. Laying inside were two new poi balls but instead of hers that lit up these were mirrors. Joy had her eyes on these for awhile but never asked for them because David would just consider it immature.
“thank you!” she said taking them out, “but how did you know?”
He put a finger to his lips and said, “it’s a secret.” And winked.
She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes, “I challenge you.”
He smirked and asked, “what are the terms?”
“if I win no more secrets, you have to tell me everything.” She said.
“and if I win I get… a kiss.” He said with a smile.
“what?” she said shocked. The truth was she had never been kissed and she always thought it would something special by someone special not from a bet by her English teacher.
“you may not know it but your terms are very steep so mine might as well be too.” He said still smiling.
She thought it over for awhile but there was no way she could lose she had her back flip to fall back on. So reluctantly she said, “alright.” And cued the DJ to start playing music.
The music started and both started spinning the balls around for momentum. “I must warn you,” Alex said, “I’ve been practicing and I have had one of the best days of my life. There’s no way I’m going to lose so you might want to put on some chap stick.”
“in your dreams,” joy said, “I’ve beaten you once, and I’m gonna do it again.” She said starting her first trick.
The battle waged on for longer than the first one but this time Alex was pulling out all of the stops. Joy was concerned but she decided she would end it. She did her patented back flip and looked at Alex expect him to admit defeat but instead he said, “pucker up.” Kissing the air. He did her back flip and ended it popping his right leg out. Joy was stunned. She couldn’t beat that, he had just taken her best move and improved it. She racked her brain to trying to think of a move that would beat it but there was nothing left in her arsenal.
She let the poi balls dangle at her sides in disbelief and they fell from her hands. No this isn’t how my first kiss is supposed to be. She had always imagined her first kiss being from David. This wasn’t right.
She crossed her arms and looked at him sourly. “oh don’t give me that pouty face it is only a mere peck. Some countries they do that just to great each other.” Then his eyes lit with realization, “wait is this your first kiss?”
She nodded solemnly, and he suddenly got a look of shame, “you don’t have to, I didn’t know… sorry.”
“no,” she said holding herself high, “like you said, its no big deal right? Besides its only a peck.” She walked over to him and gave him a peck on the lips. They were warm and she could smell the chocolate in his breath. She felt him start to pull away but she wanted more. She pressed her lips harder on him. Urgently she opened her mouth wanting to taste the cinnamon and chocolate. His tongue slid softly a long her and they danced and intertwined as if it were a waltz. Her hands grabbed the back of his shirt pulling his warm body into her. She could feel his hand tangling in her hair. She could tell that he was just as urgent as she was. She was in a dream and didn’t want to wake up.
She finally snapped out of it once his fang punctured her gum. Both of their eyes shot open and he broke away in an instant. He rested his forehead on hers and whispered, “I’m sorry… I just…I guess I’m not as strong as I thought I was.”
“no,” she said, “I’m the one who isn’t strong enough.” She looked him in the eyes then said, “who are you? Really?”
“that’s a subject best left to rest until the ball.” He said and pulled away from her, and grabbed her hand, “until then take care my dear.” He kissed her hand and walked away into the crowd. Joy stood there wondering what had just happened. Hypnotism? No that’s a myth vampires don’t actually have that ability. Then what. But before she could ponder it any further Juliet came rushing by her side.
“did you seriously just kiss Mr. f?” she asked with a look of shock across her face.
“yeah,” joy said dumbfounded, “I think I just did.” Still looking into the crowd where Alex had disappeared.
“oh my god joy,” she said still in shock, “how was it?”she asked.
Joy ignored the question and said, “I have to go get some air.” She said and walked over to the door. The air was chilly and refreshing outside. It was still snowing outside and the flakes fell lazily down to the ground.
That kiss was meant for David so why did I enjoy it so much? Oh David what am I going to tell him. He would be crushed if he found out that his fiancé had kissed someone else. Especially if he found out that that someone is the person he hated the most in the world. She was lost in her thoughts when a voice called out to her, “what is an injured little fawn doing out in this area this late at night?”
She looked up to see a pale woman with long wavy fire red hair. Her eyes were… oh no. joy thought because she was face to face with a hungry vampire. “I’m sorry ma’am but I’m promised to someone.”
The vampire laughed and said, ”so you know what I am? Then you also know that I am not bound by law to leave you unharmed if you are not under eighteen. I believe that the party inside is for your eighteenth birthday. I hope you don’t think too poorly of me for this but you must understand that I am very hungry and your blood smells too delicious to leave alone.”
Shit was all that she was able to think before the vampire lunged at her. Joy closed her eyes and cringed into a ball waiting for the impact but it didn’t come. She opened her eyes to see the vampire lying in the snow and Sabrina standing over her.
The vampire looked up to see what had knocked her down baring her fangs and growling but once she saw that it was Sabrina she scrambled to her feet. She took a long, deep bow and said, “I apologize ma’am, I was only going to indulge in a midnight snack ma’am.”
“as this young lady has stated she is promised. As you know it may not be against the law to partake upon a promised maiden but it is if that maiden is promised to the council.” Sabrina said in a demanding tone, “now it would do you best to run along magnolia.”
With that the vampire bowed to Sabrina and said, “I apologize ma’am I hadn’t known.” And with that ran away.
Joy scrambled to her feet and bowed to Sabrina, “thank you ma‘am, but you lied to that woman.” She said confused, “I am not promised to the council but to David.”
“ah my dear there are still a lot of things you are unaware of.” She said turning around. “what do you say you give me a ride home and we’ll talk there.” Joy nodded and started walking side by side with Sabrina.
The carried was silent the entire way to Sabrina’s mansion. Once they walked inside Sabrina said, “you do make a lovely zombie, I’m curious to see how you look with fangs.” Joy smiled and realized that she hadn’t seen what she looked like yet. She took one of her new poi balls out and look at her reflection. Her makeup was pale and she had dark circles around her eyes. There was a stream of dried blood coming from the corner of her mouth but then she realized that it was from alex biting her.
“are any good?” Sabrina said. For a moment joy didn’t know what she was
“are you any good?” Sabrina said. For a moment joy didn’t know what she was talking about then she looked down at the poi balls.
“oh, yeah I guess I am.” She said being modest.
“can you show me?” Sabrina asked but joy knew that nothing was a request when it came from Sabrina.
Joy nodded and started twirling them around getting more and more complex with the moves. She was glad the foyer was so large otherwise she would have broken something. She finished with her back flip then stopped and took a bow.
“my dear you are too modest.” She said clapping her hands, “but how are you at dancing.” Joy looked up at her in confusion and she continued, “David had told me that he had taught you but I take what he says with a grain of salt.”
“no, he has taught me.” She said.
“show me.” Joy walked over to Sabrina, “not with me. We cannot have two followers. Adrian!” before she could even blink a cold hand took hers. She looked up and saw the same vampire who had attacked her the first night she was there.
He took up the waltz stance and joy followed their movements were fluid and natural then they stopped abruptly. “is that enough ma’am?” Adrian asked Sabrina.
“no that will be the main dance of the evening but I would like to see how she does with the other dances, on to the foxtrot.” She said.
“ma’am I mean no disrespect but I’m afraid I am not strong enough to continue. I think it would be a better task for one of the older vampires like Emilio.” He said almost pleading.
“my dear boy you misunderstand my intentions. This is not only a challenge towards joy but you as well. I want to make sure you are disciplined enough to attend the ball. Besides after the debacle that unfolded here the other day I have my doubts about you. Don’t you want to prove me wrong?” she asked sternly.
Adrian bowed and said, “yes ma’am.” They continued to dance the foxtrot as joy watched the color from his eyes draining and the grip on her tightening. She could tell he was in pain and using every bit of his self-control not to bite into her.
“so, what’s your story?” she asked. His eyes widened with shock. She figured if she talked him down it would take his mind away from his hunger.
Adrian gave her a weak smile realizing what she was trying to do, “well, my name is Adrian. I grew up in Venice and met a girl named Celeste. She was a vampire and I was intrigued by her. I didn’t have much of a family or friends so I asked her to change me. She petitioned it and well here I am.”
“but if you were living in Venice how did you end up here and under Sa-headmaster Collins?” joy asked
“well Celeste didn’t mean that much to me and vice-versa, she was only a means to get to be a vamp. As for Sabrina, I didn’t know much about vampire society so she took me in as sort of an apprentice. So the ball isn’t only your defining moment.” He said smiling.
“about that, what is my defining moment.” Joy asked already assuming what he was going to say.
He looked over at Sabrina and said, “it’s a secret.”
Joy rolled her eyes and said, “I was afraid you would say that. It isn’t much of a secret if everybody but me knows it.”
“ah but that’s where your wrong. It is still a secret for you and besides isn’t it always better to have a surprise?” he said still smiling.
“from my experience vampire surprises are never good.” She said smiling and he smiled back at her. He looked down at her and she could see the color of his eyes returning, “you aren’t hungry anymore?”
Adrian shrugged his shoulders and said, “now that I know you, I wouldn’t imagine biting you. You are my friend.” He said it so nonchalantly that joy was wondering if she had heard him right.
“you are finished Adrian. You may go back to your studies.” Adrian stopped dancing and bowed to joy then turn on his heel to Sabrina and bowed. “very good Adrian, I believe you may be ready.”
Before he left the room he whispered, “take care of yourself, I know you’ll make the right decision.” With that he left down the hall way. Joy turn to Sabrina expectantly.
“do you have something to ask my dear?” she asked looking into joy’s eyes.
Joy thought about asking what was going to happen at the ball but knew she would just say it was a secret as well so she changed her mind and asked, “who is Mikhail?”
There was a look of surprise on Sabrina’s face for a moment then it quickly returned to a mask, “you forget yourself. That isn’t an appropriate question to ask of a high council member.” She said almost in disgust.
“is it an appropriate question to ask someone you love?... ma’am.” She said back to her almost immediately regretting how forward she was.
But to her surprise Sabrina smiled warmly and said, “yes I suppose it is.” Then sighed., “how did you hear of him?”
“I overheard you yesterday on the phone to David.” She said feeling a little embarrassed for eavesdropping.
“talking to….. ah yes you heard that?” she said with a sly smile.
“yes ma’am I apologize for eavesdropping.” Joy said looking at the hymn of her tattered black dress.
“black really isn’t your color, well come along we will discuss this in the parlor.” Sabrina said getting up and walking down the hallway with joy following.
They sat on opposite chairs, “I must warn you it isn’t a story with happy ending.”
“with all due respect ma’am I’m not used to happy endings so I wouldn’t know what to do if it was ma’am.” Joy said looking her in the eye.
“very well. As you are aware I am the first day walker. Mikhail was the vampire who turned me. Before I was turned I was his scientific apprentice, some said he was mad but I saw him as a genius. He gave me his blood to see how a person would react without the venom. To both of our understanding we assumed I would turn into a night stalker much like himself but when my heart didn’t stop beating and my skin kept its rosy complexion we thought it was a failed experiment but later that evening my fangs grew out then we knew I had changed. He preformed experiments with blood and it was evident that I not only need it but craved it as well. A month went by of this until that one day,” her eyes got watery at that point and joy could tell she was in genuine pain recalling that day, “it was almost time for sunrise and Mikhail had already resided to his coffin for the night. I went to mine to find that it was nailed shut. I tried to pry it open but to no avail. I was panicked there was nothing around that I could even cover myself with I watched as the sun slowly rise over the horizon thinking that it was going to be the last thing I ever saw. To my surprise though nothing happened the day went by and I waited for night to fall so I could confront Mikhail. Once night fell I heard his coffin open. I didn’t actually know what I was going to say to him but I knew a lot of profanity would be involved. He walked over to me and as if not detecting my anger said, “I see the experiment was a success. I am glad.” Just like that and in that moment I had an epiphany the man I loved didn’t see me as anything more than a lab rat. An experiment that he could toy with until I was dead and then dispose of as if I never mattered. I knew I had to do something before he started his experiments with stakes and things that would actually kill me. So that morning I went his coffin and opened it in broad day light… you can assume what happened from that point.” She said almost dismissively.
“You…killed him?” joy asked with a horrified look on her face.
“dear, I did what I had to do to survive.” She said almost reassuringly. “the vampire were both upset and curious by me so they took me under their wing and since I had survived so long it was only natural I would be on the council.”
Without knowing why joy was crying she lunged out of her chair to embrace Sabrina and to her amazement Sabrina didn’t block it instead she started crying herself. “I am so sorry you had to go through that alone, it just isn’t right and you had nobody.”
Sabrina tightened up at her word and grabbed joys shoulders and put them at arms length, “no my dear, I’m just as horrid as him. You were my experiment and I don’t feel right putting you through this anymore. I have something to show you.” Joy had no idea what she was talking about but followed her into the theater. They sat down in the front row and Sabrina said, “what’s your story my dear and start from the beginning.”
“well, I met David when I was-“ she started but Sabrina cut her off.
“no, from the beginning.” She said
“well, my first memory was when I was five-“ joy started but was cut off again
“no, the beginning.” Sabrina getting slightly agitated.
Joy threw her hands in the air and said, “I was born December thirteenth 1991 at St. Jude’s Hospital.”
“precisely!” Sabrina said with a smile across her face
On the screen an image of a hospital room flashed into view. Joy’s father was sitting next to a bed and laying in the bed was… “my mother?” joy said looking over at Sabrina.
“shh watch the movie.” She said without even looking down from the screen. Joy continued watching.
“don’t worry honey its fine.” Her mother said weakly from the bed. “soon you, me and little joy will be going home.”
It looked like her father wanted to protest but before he had a chance the doctor came in holding a clip board. He looked up and joy realized who it was immediately “Alex!” joy said jumping up.
“shhhhhhhh” Sabrina said pulling her back down to her seat.
“sally,” Alex said to joys mother, “so how are we feeling today?”
“the baby’s coming but I’m afraid my vitals are dropping.” Her mother said still weakly.
“we’ll put you on oxygen and see if your vitals improve.” He said walking over to the bed and delicately placing the mask over her mother’s mouth.
Tears were running down joy’s face, “she’s dying.” She whispered to the screen. She watched as her father held her mother’s hand. A half an hour went by until Alex returned to the room. He peaked under the curtain and said “she’s ready, are you?” joys mother nodded.
She watched as her mother pushed then Alex looked at the monitor and yelled “stop!” he raced over to the button on the wall and pushed it but her mother continued to push. “what are you doing sally?” Alex yelled at her mother.
“we both know if I stop she dies.” Sally said with narrow eyes.
“if you continue you die!” he said and her father’s eyes shot open.
“it’s worth it if she lives!” she said to Alex then looked up at her father, “I love you, jack. Please take care of joy.”
“no!” her father said, “we’ll try again.” But sally wasn’t hearing it and continued pushing until the shrill sounds of a baby’s screams filled the room. The other nurses and doctors rushed into the room and surrounded her mother blocking the view of her mother. They could still see Alex holding the new born joy. He wasn’t looking away from her and there was something in his eyes almost like love.
“stop the clip!” Sabrina yelled
“keep it rolling!” joy said and Sabrina looked quizzically down at joy.
“I don’t think you want to-“ she started but joy cut her off before she could continue.
“I have to see my father’s reaction. “ she said then continued, “I hold some regret for not feeling anything when he died. His reaction is important to me.” She watched as the doctors pronounced her mother dead then the coroner came and took her away. Alex walked over to her father who was still sitting in the chair next to the bed. He went to hand the little baby to her father when he said, “get that thing away from me right now.”
“now you can stop the clip!” she yelled up to Emilio with a smile, then turned her attention to Sabrina. “he didn’t want me as much as I didn’t want him. I was harboring guilt about resenting him for my entire life but were even.”
“you are a very odd girl,” Sabrina said smiling at joy, “but to be honest that isn’t why I showed you this clip.”
“How did you get this clip?” joy asked.
“well as Alex told you he was punished for stealing blood and had to serve a hundred years to us but after those hundred years are up there is a probationary period where we monitor them very closely.” Sabrina said with a wink.
“but why did you keep this clip?” joy asked puzzled.
“because what happened after this event happened. Alex came rushing to the council asking to petition an infant for change. Of course we all laughed at him thinking it was a joke but he explained that you were his soul mate and the petition wouldn’t be carried out until you were at least eighteen. There was no law against it so we all took our time and now-“
“everyone has signed except Samuel.” They both turned around to see who had spoken and sitting in the back row was Alex. He looked over at Sabrina and said, “I thought you weren’t going to sway her decision?”
“you of all people should understand extenuating circumstances.” She said with a smile. “on a more pressing matter how did you know what I was up to?”
“Adrian’s a good kid but he has a big mouth he. He called me and told me you were taking her here. Don’t get mad at him though he only cares about joy and wanted to make sure she was alright.” He said to Sabrina then redirected his attention to joy, “I know that was a lot to take in at one time and I don’t want to know your answer yet. Just think it over and decide at the ball.” With that he turned to walk away.
“wait!” she said running up the aisle to him. He turned back around as she wrapped him in a hug. Tears were streaming down her face, “thank you. You were the first person to love me or want me. Thank you.”
He put his arms around her and said, “trust me it wasn’t a difficult decision.”
She wasn’t ready to get go but the image of david kept flashing through her head. No! go away she thought to herself just let me have this moment of happiness without guilt. But she knew it wasn’t possible she was already promised. Her fingers loosened to let him go but he wasn’t ready to let go either and held on tight to her.
“I’ll let you two have a moment.” Sabrina said taking her leave.
He held her tight without saying a word. David has always treated joy like a child like his perfect little porcelain doll that he would protect from the world but Alex made her feel like a woman. She wanted to kiss him again David doesn’t have to know.
She leaned up to kiss him but he beat her to the chase this time she got weak and felt her knees go out from under her but he held her closer tighter she wanted to melt into him. To become one person. She felt the heat of his lips tasted the chocolate and cinnamon and wanted it all. She wanted covet him to keep him all to herself.
She broke away abruptly looking up at him. He had a perplexed look on his face, “I…I’m sorry but I can’t do this. I am promised to David, this isn’t right.” She said and ran to her room without looking back.
She curled up in a ball and wait for sleep but it never came. She watched as the sun rose out her window but still didn’t get up. The sun went back down and still she didn’t feel like stirring. It wasn’t until there was a knock on her door that she moved. “come in!” she yelled.
Adrian rushed in saying, “what are still doing in bed?” he picked her up in one swift fluid motion and started rummaging through her closets. “Sabrina doesn’t like laziness so quickly put these on and tell her you have been studying since this morning.” He said throwing her some clothing.
Joy didn’t argue and quickly dressed and got out her school books and dumped them on the bed so it would seem more plausible.
Joy was about to hop on the bed and open a book making it appear that she was reading when a voice called at the door, “don’t stand on airs for me.” She turned around to see Sabrina standing in her doorway, “Adrian, this young maiden didn’t get any sleep last night. There are a lot of things going on inside her that you wouldn’t understand. Will you please run her a bath?” like always though it was not a request and Adrian bound over to the bathroom and ran the bath water.
Sabrina strolled over to joy and placed her hand on joys head, “my dear relax, take your time. This is your vacation do what you need to do.” And with that Sabrina took her leave.
Joy walked over to the bathroom where Adrian was running the bath water. She started undressing and Adrian darted up taking a bow, “I will leave you to your bath then.” He said and started walking out.
“please stay,” joy said her eyes welling up with tears, “I could really use the company. Besides vampires don’t get sexually excited right?”
He smiled warmly at her, “that’s partially true. Night stalkers don’t because it takes too much blood to get an erection but since day walkers still have blood flowing the can.” He said then added, “ so of course I will join you.”
She undressed and dipped into the water as Adrian took a seat on the edge of the bath tub. “you know your stronger than you give yourself credit for.” He said looking down at her.
“no I know I’m strong. I’ve had to be since I was born so I never really had a chance to be weak.” She said looking at her knees that were poking out of the water.
“what did Sabrina want to show you in the theater?” Adrian said trying t change the subject.
“she showed me my mom dying and my father rejecting me once I was born.” She said looking up at him.
Adrian’s eyes widened and said, “wow you’re a person who just can’t have a normal day huh?”
Despite herself joy laughed and said, “no, I guess I can’t” then changed the subject, “about that what’s the decision I’m supposed to make? Does it have to do with choosing someone?”
He sighed and said, “I really shouldn’t tell you anything, but I don’t feel right about the whole situation.” He said then added, “but I’ll give you a hint that way I can’t get in trouble. If it was just about a person do you think the entire vampire community would be curious?”
Joy thought about this and answered, “no, I don’t suppose it would concern them.”
“well if you don’t mind joy I have chores to get to.” He said bowing to her and taking his leave. She stayed in the bath tub for only a moment longer before getting out and draining the tub. She walked into her room drying off her hair with the towel, but she wasn’t alone.
Sitting on her bed was David. She jumped at the sight of him, he looked up at her and said, “is it true?”
Joy dropped the towel in shock, “is what true?” she asked playing dumb.
David snarled at her and bared his fangs, “you know damn well what I’m talking about or do you cheat on me so often that it has escaped your mind what time I’m talking about?”
Tears started forming in joys eyes, “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to it just sort of happened. I love you please don’t be angry.” She said running over to him and wrapping him in her arms.
“I know I just always thought I would be your first kiss. You understand why I can’t right?” David asked while stroking her hair.
“Because I have pure blood and you don’t want to taint it with venom.” She said in a monotone voice. She had heard this excuse countless times.
“that’s right. Realize I cherish you and I would never want anything like that to happen.” He said standing up, “you will escort me to the ball.” It wasn’t a question but joy answered anyways.
“I don’t know.” She didn’t know why she said it and it even took her by surprise.
He turned around and faced her his face only inches away from hers, “you misunderstand me. It was not a request.”
Joy got angry and her blood was raging, “you never attempt to understand me! My answer is no!” she yelled.
A deep growl sounded and he bared his fangs but joy just stood her ground. She expected him to take a chunk of her neck out but instead she felt hand go across her face so hard she went flying five feet backwards. Her head hit the corner of the dresser and everything went black.
Joy woke up in her bed during the day. She looked over to where the clock should have been but instead of the dresser Alex sitting in a chair fast asleep. Joy slowly took off the covers and careful went to stand up. Immediately the blood rushed to her head and she fell back on the bed.
When she opened her eyes again to se Alex standing over her. His lips were moving but he wasn’t saying anything then the sound gradually came, “joy are you ok?” she realized that he was holding her hand and abruptly pushed it away.
“no! traditionally when someone says, ‘I’ll see you at the ball’ traditionally they wait until then to see them but apparently you and David just can’t wait a whole two weeks. You guys are acting like two little kids fighting over a toy and I refuse to be the object of either of yours desires!” she was so angry that she felt herself get light headed but forced herself to stay conscious up until the moment he left.
“joy,” he started, “I never once saw you as a toy. I love you, I just want to protect you.”
“really? Then where were you when I actually needed protecting?” it was a low blow and she knew it. The hurt in his eyes told her that she had gone too far but she was stubborn and stood her ground.
“im sorry. I wasn’t here and that is something that I will have to live with, but tell me this.” He said looking into her eyes, “has David ever said that he loves you.”
She was stunned. No he hasn’t she realized he always says things like he cherishes me and he calls me Corazon which means heart. But never love. “that’s none of your business!” she shouted. He got up and walked to the door but before he left he whispered, “silly me. All this time I thought it was.”
With that he left and joy was free to lose consciousness once again. When she awoke the next time it was night the moon peeped into her window casting light into the room. She looked around and saw Adrian standing in the corner. He rushed over to her side. “you’re awake!” he said the excitement in his voice bubbling over the top.
“how long was I out?” she asked in a raspy voice. Her hand reached up to rub her dry throat and she realized she was attached to an iv drip.
“nine days. This Friday is the ball and we were all anxious to see if you would be awake by then.” He said grabbing her hand.
“what happened?” she asked her throat still raspy.
Adrian reached onto her dresser for a glass of water and handed it to her. She finished off the glass in mere seconds.
“I’m sorry I heard the crash and I tried to stop him but he was just too strong.” He started his eyes filling up with tears, “Sabrina was able to stop him.”
Joy reached up to her neck in fear, “don’t worry.” He said, “he didn’t bite you, you’re still pure.”
“Adrian,” she said with a sigh, “sometimes I think it would be better if I weren’t.”
Adrian’s mouth fell open, “don’t say that. You have no idea what’s going to be offered to you.”
Joy just rolled her eyes. “can we just stop talking about this until then?”
“but we can’t.” Sabrina said from the doorway, she had a knack for knowing exactly when to come into any conversation, “because you my dear don’t have an escort to the ball now.”
“cant I just go with you?” joy said and Adrian looked at Sabrina worried.
“I have already promised to escort Adrian. That wouldn’t be fair if I took you instead now would it?” She said. Joy thought about David and Alex and shook her head.
“I guess I’m just not going then.” She said looking down at her comforter.
“ma’am!?” Adrian shouted in protest.
“my dear of course you are going and I will provide an escort. Emilio!” she yelled and in only a second joy heard a voice say, “are you sure she’s ready ma’am.”
“Emilio are you questioning me?” she said in her demanding voice.
“no ma’am.” He said and stepped into view.
Standing right beside Sabrina was… “Billy?” joy asked confused.
“Emilio actually.” He said looking ashamed, “I was instructed to watch over from a Sabrina four years ago. I have been monitoring you since.”
“get out! Everyone!” joy yelled. She was so angry her head was getting light again but she refused to lose consciousness again.
Sabrina just laughed, “I like your spirit but you must be crazy to think you can instruct me to do anything.”
“my entire life has been a lie thanks to you and your little game. I’m done! Adrian, I give you permission to bite me.” Joy said and everybody’s eyes widened.
“I can’t do that. Not only because I am instructed not to but because you would regret it the rest of your life.” He said regrettably.
“fine then while I appreciate your hospitality I must take my leave.” Joy said starting to get up but she was too weak to get to her feet.
“you must understand child that I love you and that is why I can’t allow you to do something as foolish as that.” Sabrina said.
Everyone gasped and looked at Sabrina. “that’s right everyone I love this child and that is why I’m relying on all of you to protect her from herself.” Then she redirected her attention to joy, “ you will attend the ball with Emilio. Is that understood?”
“yes ma’am.” Joy said in defeat. “may I please have a moment with him?”
“of course.” Sabrina said and continued, “Adrian you have been neglecting your chores anyways.”
They left the room leaving Emilio and joy alone. Joy didn’t waste any time, “so was our entire friendship a lie.”
He looked her in the eyes and said, “no I was only instructed to watch you but I grew found of you. So much in fact that I started to harbor a crush on you but that was extinguished the moment that I realized that not only were you promised to David but Alex was after you as well.”
“alright if you are going to accompany me to the ball we need to lie down some ground rules.” She said and he nodded in agreement. “first one don’t let me alone with either David or Alex. Number two you have to protect me. As you know I am a lamb going into a lion’s den. And the last rule you have to save me at least one dance.” She said smiling.
Emilio smiled, “you’re going to be the death of me you know that right?”
“that’s the plan.” She said laughing. They laughed and talked for awhile then he left to let joy get some rest.
She actually slept that night and had dreams about the ball. She imagined herself in the center of a grand ballroom and every vampire there had their eyes fixed on her. Their eyes blazing white and their fangs baring down at her. Then from out of the crowd David lunging towards her. She woke up screaming before she could even finish Sabrina rushed into the room.
She was wearing a robe and her hair was in loose curls around her face. “sorry for alarming you ma’am. It was only a nightmare.” She said feeling childish.
“are you anxious about the ball dear?” Sabrina said gently. Joy nodded. “smart girl.” She said leaving. That was reassuring. Thanks a lot. Joy looked down at her watch it was Thursday morning. Its tomorrow evening, I don’t have to sleep till then. She thought and ran a bath.
She stayed in there for hours not thinking of anything. She just watched as the bubbles around her dissolved into the water. She watched as the sun went down into twilight and night reigning over. she was about to get out when she heard the door open.
Adrian stood in her door. ”are almost finished?” he asked holding a towel in his hand.
“yeah.” She said standing up. “I was just getting out.”
“good the tailor is here.” He said.
“tailor?” she asked looking at him quizzically.
“for your dress tomorrow of course.” He said handing her the towel. “no need to get dressed. Don’t worry he is a night stalker as well.”
She walked into her room to find a man dressed in a sharp pin-striped suit. He was pale and gave her a wicked smile. “so you’re the soon to be vampire joy.”
She extended her hand for him to shake. “so you must be the tailor for all the vampires.” She said as he shook her hand.
“no my dear I only tailor the council members but you are the main attraction this year so I simply had to tailor you.” He said smiling again.
She looked over at Adrian. “I’m a sacrifice aren’t I? you guys have a virgin sacrifice each year don’t you?”
Adrian laughed, “stop trying to guess,” then gauging the shock on her face he add, “no alright so please rest at ease. We aren’t that barbaric.”
The tailor stated that his name was Phillip Samuel and told her to remember that so when people asked who she was wearing she could answer properly. He wasted no time in getting her measurements and told her that a day walker would deliver the dress tomorrow before the ball.
He took his leave bowing to joy. Not long after he left Emilio walked in. “I am instructed to brush you up on edict.”
“can I get dressed first?” she asked holding the towel to her body.
Emilio’s face turned bright red, “y-yes of course.” He stammered and left. Joy got dressed in jeans and a pink tank top.
“you can come in now.” He walked back in.
“nope, put on a dress.” He said and left again. Joy rolled her eyes and rummaged threw her closet. She ended up putting on the white tattered dress from her birthday.
“ok come back in.” he walked in and looked her up and down arching his eyebrow.
“I didn’t pack any dresses so it’s either this or I do it naked.” She said and then looked at the expression on his face and added. “if I go out there naked you have to too.”
“wow, you’re kinky but its fine we just have to make do first lets go from the top. At the beginning of the night they will announce your arrival. How do you want your name pronounced?” he asked.
She thought it was a silly question but then thought about how she had been going by David’s last name and she didn’t want any affiliation to him after what he did. “miss joy Marie carter.”
Emilio smiled and said, “thought so.” He said and wrapped his arm into hers. Now you bow to the council members, you’ll be able to tell them apart because they will be wearing a blue and red pin. Now there maybe some people bowing to you. What do you do?” he asked
“I nod my head in acknowledgement. But why would anyone bow to me?” she asked.
“I’m just saying hypothetically. What’s your solo piece going to be?” he asked changing the subject abruptly.
“I’m going to do a traditional poi dance.” She said smiling, “I was thinking of doing it with fire poi but I don’t think the night stalkers would like that.”
“yeah you’re probably right about that.” He said chuckling.
The day went by with Emilio until he was convinced that joy would be fine at the ball. The afternoon came and Sabrina took her away to get her hair and makeup done.
“Stefan I want the picture of innocents for her so do not dye her hair and leave it long.” She said as joy took a seat in his chair.
“you aren’t leaving me with very much room for creativity, you minx.” He said. Joy tried to think of the stern serious Sabrina as a cougar and the thought of it made joy giggle.
“I have faith in your ability Stefan. Just make it work.” She said with a wave of her hand and she was gone. Stefan let out an exaggerated sigh “you think she would notice if I just left you the same?” he asked jokingly.
“yeah, unfortunately.” Joy said in dismay.
“Stefan looked interested in her comment and asked, “so you don’t like getting dolled up?” he asked running his fingers through her hair pondering his project.
“that’s my problem. I’m getting “dolled” up. I’m 18, I think I deserve to look sexy or elegant once in my life.” She said in a huff.
“I know but she’s the boss and what she says goes, but I promise after the ball you can come in and I will make you look like a vixen.” He said smiling. Joy realized she liked this man. He wasn’t fake he was genuinely happy and friendly so she smiled back at him.
He worked on her hair for an hour and her makeup for another hour when she looked at herself she looked almost the exact same. Her hair was still long and blong but the ends were cut and layered. It was let down with baby’s breath sprinkled around. Her makeup was light but it looked like she was glowing.
“great work Stefan.” Joy said beaming him a huge smile. She thought she was going too end up looking like a porcelain doll but this was perfect.
“very adequate work Stefan. I presume to see you at the ball tonight?” she said. Joy looked puzzled.
“you assume correctly ma’am. I will be in attendance with Samuel.” He said smiling at her.
“wait, you aren’t a vampire are you?” joy asked baffled. He was tall and tanned and showed no signs of being a vampire.
“you’re right my dear, I am not. But my significant other, Samuel, is.” He said smiling down at her.
“so why didn’t you turn?” she asked as if it were a simple decision.
“simple, I declined because I love life and I want to live a long and healthy one. I want to grow old and die eventually.” He said it so enthusiastically that joy thought he might be insane. Who wants to die she thought to herself but figured its best to keep her comments to herself. So she just nodded in understanding. He gave her a sly look and said, “I can’t wait to hear your decision tonight.” He quickly looked at his watch in realization, “speaking of which, I have to get ready. I’ll see you lady’s again shortly.” He gave a long bow and Sabrina nodded then he looked up directly at joy.
“oh.” She said in realized he was bowing to her as well and gave him a nod in recognition. Once he got that nod he stood and strode off. Once he was in the back room joy looked up at Sabrina and asked, “why did he bow to me?”
“because he is mortal my dear.” She said matter of factly but joy was still confused.
“yes I know but so am I.” she said pointing out the obvious.
“but he knows after tonight you won’t be so he is showing you respect. Honestly I would have gotten rather upset if he hadn’t.” joy understood now and gave a nod.
The left the salon and headed home. “are you hungry my dear?” Sabrina asked as they drove. Joy hadn’t realized but she was and gave a nod. “where would you like to eat?”
Joy thought about this for awhile and said, “voodoo is right around the corner how about we go in for a bite.”
“voodoo?” she asked like she had a bad taste in her mouth.
“how long have you lived here? and you’ve never heard of voodoo?” joy asked with a smirk.
“well there is a first time for everything.” She said turning the car and parking in front of the shop.
They entered the shop where joy went straight up to the counter. Sabrina was struck silent by the place she walked over to the counter slowly and looked inside the display case. “can I get a no name and whatever Neaterbocks you might have.” Joy said to the guy behind the register. He was a young man with curly dark hair that barely protruded out the bottom.
“these donuts are downright pornographic she said pointing to one shaped in a penis that had the word ”tasty” written on the top. Joy tried to contain her laughter but it billowed over and the man behind the register joined in.
“and a classic voodoo for my… mom.” She said knowing that the man wouldn’t believe it if she said friend. He nodded and grabbed the donuts. They sat at a table next to the window.
Sabrina looked down at her donut shaped like a man with a stake through his heart. She picked it up and showed it to joy saying, “don’t you find this in the least bit ironic.” Joy laughed never noticing the placement of the pretzel and started eating her no name. Sabrina nibbled on her man ha;f heartedly then asked, “what are all those for?” pointing to her bag of discard donuts.
“Theyre for Emilio. They are his favorite.” She said smiling. “he says their like a grab bag. He likes not knowing what he’s going to eat.”
“you seem to know a lot about my little Emilio.” Sabrina said.
“well he has been my best friend for four years. But I didn’t know one major thing about him.” She said motioning her fingers into fangs biting her neck.
“you must realize that the action was for your own protection.” Sabrina said looking out the window, “if something were to happen to you I would never hear the end of it.”
Joy was about to ask from who but Sabrina stood and said, “shall we take our leave then?” joy nodded and walked with Sabrina back to her car.
Once they arrived at the mansion Adrian and Emilio were already ready to go. It was barely twilight outside but they were anxious. Joy handed the bag to Emilio and he smiled. “thanks. Your dresses were delivered only moments ago and they are waiting in your respective rooms.” Both men were dress in black suits with white undershirts. It was a black tie event so everyone would be dressed in black and white.
Joy went into her room to find an all white dress laying on her bed. It was long, white princess ball gown. Embroidered on the bodes was a red lotus. Joy racked her brain and remembered that the lotus was a sign of rebirth. She thought it was very suiting since she, as well, was going to be reborn in red.
She diligently put on the dress and admired herself in the mirror. Phillip better be getting a huge paycheck for doing all of this in one day, she thought and skipped down the stairs to the grand hall. Sabrina was already standing there waiting in a very elegant black evening gown. She arched an eyebrow and said, “red lotus? I told him all white.” Then she rolled her eyes and sighed, “but it looks amazing with it. Shall we go then?”
Adrian and Emilio were still standing there with mouths wide open. Joy liked the attention but at the same time wished to be invisible. “you look amazing.” Emilio stammered.
“absolutely delicious.” Adrian said and everyone looked at him with shock. He added, “it was only meant as a compliment I assure you.” It seem as though the room itself did a sigh of relief. Emilio and Adrian acted like gentlemen escorting the ladies out to the car and opening the door for them. The ride was spent in sheer excitement for all of them except Sabrina who had no expression whatsoever.
They pulled up a building that joy recognized, “this is the crystal ballroom.” She said pointing to the building. Emilio smiled and nodded at her. “but isn’t this a highly visible place. Wont somebody notice a thousand vampires piling in?” she said in a hushed tone.
“what are you talking about? This is a formal family reunion.” Emilio said with a wink. Joy smiled back at him and he escorted her into the building. There was a squire next to the door holding a staff. Emilio whispered something into his ear.
He banged his staff against the ground three times and said, “ladies and gentlemen our esteemed guest miss joy Marie carter has arrived and her escort Mr. Emilio Jacob Simerelli.” Joy looked around at the thousands of vampires bowing down to her. She looked over at Emilio who had a huge smile on his face fangs and all.
“hypothetically huh?” she whispered to him and he shrugged his shoulders innocently. Joy nodded to the room and they went about their conversations. Emilio kept escorting her until they were well into the room. Everyone was dressed in mostly black. Joy felt out of place and started picking at her hands, “joy!” a girls voice said excitedly through the crowd. Joy looked up to see the girl. She looked familiar but joy couldn’t put her finger on who it was. Then she remembered her birthday.
“Helena?” she asked curiously.
“ah! You remembered me!” she said cheerfully. “but my real name is Gretchen. Come with me,” she said tugging on joys hand, “I want you to meet my troupe.”
Joy followed leaving Emilio behind but he gave a look that said, “go ill be fine.”
Gretchen introduced her to each member of the troupe individually. There were eight in total three women and five men they all bowed to her and she nodded at each of them curtly. Most of them were night stalkers but they were all nice and funny. They talked for awhile laughing until a voice sounded over the speakers, “welcome all of you damned souls to our family reunion.” Everyone laughed and cheered.
This was such a warm casual group that it surprised joy to think of David or Sabrina being at an event like this. The mc continued his speech, “as you know this tradition has been going on for thousands of years and some of you have been here since the beginning,” only a hand full of vampires cheered at that. Then the mc said in a hushed tone, “old farts.” And everyone laughed. Once the mc got everyone’s attention again he said, “and now in tradition we shall start with the Lezgi.” Gretchen’s eyes lit up and there were excited murmurs from everyone.
Joy wasn’t as excited everyone else. The Lezgi was one of the most difficult dances she had learn of course with the super fast reflexes vampires possessed it would be a piece of cake for them. Gretchen grabbed joys hand and once again she was ushered to the middle of the dance floor with everyone else. It was one of the only dances that everyone was required to join in.
The drums started playing in a fast beat rhythm. The Legzi was a Slovak dance that required a lot of foot work but it was so upbeat that everyone was laughing and having fun including joy. After the dance she was out of breath and trying her hardest not to sweat. She walked over to one of the buffet tables in the corner. Most of the glass were filled with blood but she managed to find a small group of glasses with water.
She took one of the glasses and chugged it down. It felt great running down her dry throat. She looked over to the dance floor where a tall male vampire was doing his solo routine he had on a council patch. He was performing a tap dance that was so fast she could barely see his feet but she could hear the beat. It was a fast and had an upbeat melody. He smiled the entire time.
She realized that everyone here was so happy because they were only allowed to be themselves once a year. Here they didn’t have to worry about being killed for being misunderstood. They could show their fangs without fear. They could move as fast as they wanted without being considered a freak.
Joy found herself smiling at their glee. Once his dance was over the mc announced that the next dance was the waltz. Joy thought about sitting out for it but a hand reached out in front of her. Adrian was standing over her, “may I have this dance.”
Joy smiled back at him and took his hand, “of course you may.” He ushered her onto the dance floor as the music started. Adrian was light on his feet but joy managed to match him perfectly. It wasn’t a sensual dance and joy was glad about that. As they spun around they past Emilio standing at the edge of the crowd. “Emilio! My numbers next! Can you get my equipment?” she asked as she passed he nodded and went out t the car.
After the dance was over they bowed to each other and Adrian took his leave. Joy stayed on the dance floor with her poi balls in hand. The mc announced, “now joy carter will be performing a traditional poi dance.” Joy could hear murmurs from the crowd she could only make out what a couple of them were saying, “that’s her.” She heard a woman say and “she smells delicious, it must be true.” She ignored them and waited for the music to start.
The music started and joy began twirling the light balls around. It was simple compare to the things she did at raves but she wasn’t used to this much pressure. The only thing that got her through was a voice in the back of her head that kept telling her to just have fun. Once it was over everyone cheered and she hurried into the crowd.
“that was great.” Emilio said grabbing the balls out of her hands.
“thanks, but I don’t think it is nearly as amazing as what the vampires can do.” She said being glad she chose a slow, graceful dance.
The mc announced the next dance to be the rumba. Joy definitely wanted to stay out of that dance. The rumba was way too passionate to dance to. But again a hand reached towards her. She looked up to see Alex. He was wearing a pinstriped suit with a pinstriped fedora. “may I have this dance?” he asked innocently.
Joy shook her head no. she was in no mood to dance so close to man she hardly knew. Alex sensed her reluctance but countered, “if you’re scared then-“
“I’m not scared!” she said haughtily. “I’ll show how well I can dance!” she said taking his hand. Once they were on the dance floor joy scolded herself for being so hotheaded.
The music started and Alex commanded her body moving it to his whim. Joy followed his lead but with each step the moves got more provocative. Her body became less submissive and turned to complete putty in his hands. She found herself clinging to him with each embrace and regretful when they parted again. With each second she yearned more and more for his warm touch. She couldn’t think only feel. She felt like a wild beast on the floor. Wanting his body and hers to be alone so she could do animalistic things to him.
With the last beat of the song he trust her body to him so that their mouths were a mere centimeter away from each other. She wanted those lips. She wanted to taste the cinnamon and chocolate that they promised inside. But he broke away from her and bowed. She felt abandoned without his body pressed against hers but she nodded and thanked him for the dance.
She left the dance for feeling flustered but tried to look calm as she made her way through the crowd. She was intercepted by a voice. “so you are the infamous joy carter I have heard so much about?” she looked around to see a boy of about nine standing next to her. She saw the blue badge and bowed. The boy waved his hand dismissively, “no need for formality.” He looked her up and down as he circled her like a vulture. This went on for quiet some time without a word spoken.
Joy felt very uncomfortable and said, “you know my name but I regret to inform you that I have yet to catch yours.”
The boy looked up to her eyes dumbstruck. “oh dear,” he said shaking his head, “where are my manners?” he extended his small, delicate hand and said, “my name is Samuel. I’m am the oldest thing in this room… hell I’m the oldest thing in most places.” He said that last part with a chuckle.
Joy thought this boy might be pulling her leg. He was young with curly blonde hair and rosy cheeks and right bellow his high cheek bones were two perfectly indented dimples. Joy started laughing, “am I being punk’d?”
“miss carter I assure you I am what I say I am. Why do you find that so hard to believe?” he asked not sounding upset but very curious.
“well your just so young and, well, dimples?” she said still laughing. Samuel joined in the laughter.
Stefan came waltzing up to the holding two glasses, “ah, I see you have met joy dear. Told you she was a peach.” He said handing Samuel a glass.
“thanks lover.” He said grabbing the glass, “yes I would say you were right. I quiet enjoy her company.”
“wait.” Joy said putting her hands up, “Stefan this is your lover? But how does that work?”
They both looked at her stunned, “ah, I forget you are still human.” Samuel said and redirected his attention to Stefan adding, “no offense my dear.”
“none taken. I know where you are going with this.” He said and motioned for Samuel to continue talking.
“we found each other some time ago when he was this age.” He said pointing to himself. “it was love at first sight. He didn’t know what I was then but he noticed over the years that while he aged I stayed the same. Trapped at this age forever. One day he asked and I told him. He didn’t looked frightened at all he looked like he understood. We have been together for twenty years. Enjoying each other’s company sharing a bond that goes beyond sex.” He finished and held Stefan’s hand. Joy could see the love dwindling through their eyes.
It warmed joy’s soul to see love like that, “but there is still one question.” They both looked at her curiously, “when you guys go out in public don’t people see you as a pedophile?”
Without warning Samuel looked up at Stefan and said, “daddy, pick me up.” In a cute little kid voice, “I love my daddy.” Joy started laughing but it was sad that they would never be able to openly show their love.
The solo dance ended and the mc announced the next dance would be the tango. Joy tried to runaway know someone was going to intercept her but she fell right into the trap. Leaning in the door frame was David giving joy a wicked smile. He extended a hand to her and said, “dance with me.”
Joy wanted to say no but she was scared. Petrified on the spot. David chuckled in his throat and grabbed her hand dragging her to the dance floor. She moved with him methodically. Not looking up at him just keeping her focus on the music. “I’ve missed you.” He said to her and she looked up into his crystal blue eyes. She almost fell for it when he added, “you know I love you.” It sounded foreign in his mouth.
Joy stopped mid dance as if hurled back to reality, “no you don’t.” she said staring him down, “why are you lying to me?” as if on cue the music stopped and everyone stared at them. “do you want revenge on Alex that badly that you’ll do anything including lying to me and spending the rest of eternity with a woman you hold no feelings for?”
David was stunned, frozen in place by the truth of her words. Suddenly all of the pieces of the cosmic puzzle came together. “you adopted me so you could covet me from the rest of the world. All this time I thought that you were the phantom but you turned me into the phantom. I only knew your touch so I assumed what I felt for you was love.” She ripped off the necklace he had given her on her birthday and threw it down at his feet, “well,” she continued, “you can’t buy my love and you can’t force it.” Then with a final blow she said, “she’s dead, it sucks but get over it and stop living with such resentment.” It was the final nail in the coffin.
David had a look of panic mixed with rage across his face. Joy was scared for her life and felt like running but her feet wouldn’t move. In one swift movement he lunged for her. Joy closed her eyes and covered her face waiting for death but it didn’t come. She opened her eyes to see Alex standing over her and David laying on the ground in front of him. Sabrina, Adrian, Emilio and Gretchen ran to Alex’s side.
“I will protect her with my last breath.” Alex said David as he got up. Then he redirected his attention to Samuel who stood at the edge of the crowd of onlookers. “this vampire has attacked a mortal under the protection of the council. Do I have permission to execute?”
Samuel sighed as David looked at him with pleading eyes, “my hands are tied my son.” Samuel said looking away, “but I will grant you one favor that you granted me a long time ago. The hunt will not begin until tomorrow. So leave and may you be in safety’s bosom.”
David looked past Alex and stared at joy in the eyes then back to Alex, “mark my words. I will destroy your heart just as you destroyed mine.” Then he looked back to joy and said, “I should have killed you eight years ago in that theater.” With that he left through the front entrance.
The room was filled with uncomfortable silence then Samuel spoke up again. “enough of this melancholy tonight is and will remain a special night.” He looked over at joy and said, “are you ready my dear?” joy gave a weak nod and walked over to him. “I have to test your blood. Do you mind?” joy shook her head no and brushed the hair away from her neck. Samuel laughed as well as the rest of the vampires, “no my dear not like that, we wouldn’t want any venom in your blood now do we.” He took a sewing needle out of his pocket and pricked her finger. A single droplet of blood formed on it and he lightly licked it up. “mmm.” He said closing his eyes in ecstasy. He opened them and looked back down at her hand, “I think I may need a larger sample.” He said with a smile.
“Samuel!” Stefan said from beside him.
Samuel rolled his eyes and said, “I was only joke darling.” Then he yelled to the crowd, “her blood is the strongest I have ever tasted.” Everyone cheered. Then he looked back down at her, “have you made a decision on the type of vampire you want to be. Remember night stalkers are stronger and day walkers have to serve a decade under the council’s rule.”
Joy looked over at Alex who was smiling at her, “day walker.”
Samuel smiled at her and said, “thought so.” And motioned for Adrian to fetch him a glass. Adrian looked over at joy as he handed Samuel the cup. He smiled softly and she smiled back. “he pulled a knife out of his coat pocket and slit his wrist swiftly letting the blood flow into the cup. The wound healed fast though so there was only a half a cup. “the blood that runs through all of us will now course through you.” He handed her the cup and continued, “may I be the first to say, “welcome to our family.” Everyone raised their glasses and repeated, “welcome.”
As everyone drank from their glass joy did as well. The blood didn’t taste good at all, it tasted like blood that had a lot of iron. She chocked it down and just chugged the rest without breathing. Blood spilled from her mouth and she wiped it away before it could stain her dress. She lowered the cup and felt no difference. Then in one moment of sheer agony her body felt like it was on fire. Her veins itched and she started scratching at her skin. She screamed in pain.
Joy felt arms wrap around her and the words, “it will pass.” Over and over through the fog of pain. Then as suddenly as the pain came it left. She felt great. Joy felt stronger, healthier and more confident. She looked up to see Alex still holding her tight. He was glowing she looked around the room to see that all of the vampires were glowing a beautiful gold.
She put her hand on Alex’s head silently telling him that she was alright and he let go. She stood up and everyone cheered. “how would you like to serve the council?” Samuel asked smiling at her.
She straightened herself up and said, “I would like to lead the hunt. I’m tired of always being protected. It’s about time I protect myself and I promise I will not rest until I have David’s head on a spike.”
“you have my approval.” Samuel said and turned to the crowd, “may I present your sister, The Vampire Joy.”

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 24.07.2010

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To Amber: never stop dreaming.