Tommy swatted my chest. “C’mon! She just gave us the perfect opportunity. We’ll go there tomorrow night, like she said, and if she’s not a vampire then it won’t hurt at all, right?”
“But what if she is?”
He flashed a smile. It was menacing. “Then we’ll have a few surprises for her.”
“Surprises? What surprises?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t figured that part out yet.”
I groaned. This did not make me feel better. “I had a feeling you were going to say that.”
“C’mon,” he said. “Let’s go in.” He stepped into the house.
I was about to step in when I heard more rustling from the hedges.
I wasn’t taking any chances. I jumped into the house, slamming the door behind me.
CHAPTER NINE
THE GARLIC CONUNDRUM
I lay in bed for what seemed like forever. I was exhausted from all the worrying I had been doing, but no matter what I tried, sleep just wouldn’t come.
To be fair, though, my room was reeking of garlic.
Actually, most of the house did now.
Tommy had gone around to whatever windows he could reach and either dropped cloves or sprinkled garlic powder on them.
Mom wasn’t happy with either the smell, or the waste, and let me know about it.
The problem was that every time she wiped it away, Tommy went back later to sprinkle some more on.
I played stupid when asked, but I also had no idea how long I was going to be able to keep this up. According to Tommy, we had to keep going until I left home for college. I tried to ignore him, but in the back of my mind I had this nagging feeling that he was right, and I hated when he was right.
Actually, what I hated even more was the fact that he was snoring away, peacefully, while I had a bad case of vampire-fear-and-garlic-fume induced insomnia.
I turned to stare out the window. Clouds blocked most of the moon, giving the night a foggy, ghostlike appearance. White vapors danced in and out of the branches of the tree outside my window, like skeleton fingers reaching through the leaves.
I shuddered.
This whole thing was getting to me. And as much as the signs pointed to Lily being a vampire, there was just something about her that made me think I was wrong. It wasn’t just that she was so pretty, although that probably had something to do with it. It was also that she was really sweet, friendly, and funny. I mean, you just don’t think of vampires as having a great sense of humor.
No, if there was any girl who could be a vampire, I don’t think it’d be her. It’d probably be someone meaner. Scarier. Someone creepy. Someone more like—
“Hello, Devin.”
I jumped at the sound of the voice and grabbed my pillow, holding it in front of me like a shield.
I turned to see Abby standing near the foot of my bed. I hadn’t even heard her walk in.
“Abby!” I said. “What are you doing in my room?”
She smiled. “I couldn’t sleep.”
My jaw dropped, and my eyes widened. I zoomed in on her teeth.
No, not her teeth.
Her fangs.
They were razor sharp points. They looked like two stalactites hanging from a cave ceiling.
My hands trembled.
The pillow shook.
I did the only thing I could think of.
I screamed.
“MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM!”
Tommy sprang up. “What’s going on?”
“She’s got fangs!” I yelled.
Tommy wriggled, trying to break free from his sleeping bag but looking like a butterfly squirming out of its cocoon.
I heard footsteps crashing down the hall.
Abby cocked her head. “What’s wrong, Devin? Are you scared?”
The door rattled.
“Devin?” Dad’s voice. “What’s going on? Why is your door locked?”
I turned to Abby.
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m hungry, Devin.”
Okay, I’m not going to lie. There was definitely a shriek.
Oddly enough, though, that wasn’t even the most embarrassing part.
No, that was probably saved for a few moments later when Mom used her key to unlock the door and threw it open.
She and Dad burst in.
I can’t even begin to guess what was going through their minds, but they barged in to find Tommy backed against the dresser, using his index fingers as a cross, and me standing on my bed holding the pillow above my head, ready to throw it at Abby.
Yeah, I’m not sure what I was hoping to accomplish by that either, but at the time it seemed better than nothing.
Dad’s eyes darted back and forth between all of us. “What is going on in here?”
I pointed at Abby. “She’s a vampire!”
Dad groaned. “Not again.”
“What?” Mom said. “Why are you talking about vampires?” She turned to Dad. “Did you let them watch scary movies?”
Dad’s face fell and he shook his head. “No! I didn’t. I promise.”
I ran behind Mom and peered out, still pointing at Abby. “She’s a vampire. You have to listen to me. I’m telling you the truth!”
Tommy made a “T” with his hands. “Time out!”
Everyone turned toward him.
He pointed to us. “Can I please get over there, because if she vamps out right now there’s nothing between her and me and I don’t like my odds.” He hugged the wall and moved sideways across the room, until he hopped on my bed and made his way over to us.
Mom threw her hands up. “Has everyone lost their minds? What is going on?”
I pointed again. “It’s Abby! She’s a vampire. I didn’t want to tell you before, but she is!”
Tommy nodded. “It’s true. She was bitten by the neighbors and turned.”
“Yes,” I said. “Look at her teeth!”
Abby laughed. “My teeth?” She reached into her mouth. “You mean these?” She opened her hand and a set of plastic vampire teeth rested on her palm.
Dad sighed. “Abby, please stop scaring your older brother.”
“No, those weren’t it. She had real teeth. Real fangs. I know what I saw.”
Dad walked over to her. “Abby, open your mouth.” He moved his hand toward her.
I reached out. “Dad, no!”
He held his index finger to his lips. “Shhh. Devin, relax. It’s okay.” He cupped Abby’s chin. “Now, Abby, please open your mouth.”
Abby looked up at him. Her eyes twinkled. “Like I’m at the dentist?”
Dad smiled and nodded. “Yes, exactly like that.”
“Okay, Daddy.” She opened her mouth wide. “Aaaah.”
Dad peered in. “Devin, do you want to come over here?”
I looked at Abby.
She peeked at me through the corner of her eyes.
I shook my head. “No, I’m okay over here.”
Mom nudged me. “Stop being ridiculous. Go on over.”
“I’ll go get a stake,” Tommy muttered.
I turned to Mom. “I’m not going over there. No matter what you say.”
Mom grabbed my hand. “Oh, for—” She dragged me over to Dad and Abby.
Dad put his finger right by Abby’s mouth.
I winced and tried picturing just what I would do when Abby sank her fangs into Dad’s arm, then turned into a bat, attacked the rest of us, and—
Okay, maybe I was getting a little carried away.
Dad motioned with his head. “C’mon, Devin, just take a quick peek.”
I leaned over a little, while still holding my spot behind Mom. “What?”
Her teeth were normal. No fangs.
Suddenly, Abby growled and lunged at me.
I shrieked and jumped back, tripping over my feet, and crashed to the floor.
Abby, Mom, and Dad burst out laughing.
Dad reached out. He was still laughing. “Devin, do you see how silly this is?
Do you really believe that your sister is a vampire?”
I began to doubt myself. Did I really see fangs? Maybe I imagined the whole thing? My nerves were definitely frazzled enough to have had that happen.
I turned back to Dad. “I don’t know. I guess not. Maybe I just had a nightmare.”
Mom waved her hand in front of her nose. “I can understand why, with the way this room stinks. Is this why my garlic is all over the house? I want this room cleaned first thing in the morning. And no more garlic! Anywhere!”
“Okay,” I muttered.
Mom leaned down and kissed the top of my head. “I really think we need to put a stop to scary movies for a while. You’re letting your imagination get the better of you.”
I looked down and nodded. I had no idea what to even say.
She touched my cheek. “Good. Now, get some sleep.” She turned to Tommy. “And, by the way, no scary movies for you either. Your mom would kill me if she knew you were watching them.”
He nodded. “I’m sorry, Aunt Megan. I told Devin it was a bad idea. We won’t do it again.”
I glared at him, but he wasn’t paying attention.
“Great,” Dad said. “Now, can we all get back to sleep?”
They all walked toward the door.
After a few feet Abby stopped, turned, and waved. “Good night, Devin. Sweet dreams.” She laughed and they all walked out, with Mom shutting the door behind them.
Tommy rushed over and locked it. “Okay, we’ll give it about an hour, wait until they’re all asleep, and then we sneak into Abby’s room, and …” He made a hammering motion. “Now, what do you have that we can use as a stake?”
I pushed him away. “Will you cut it out? We’re not staking her.”
“So what do you suggest?” Tommy pointed toward the door. “She has fangs now! How does she have fangs now?”
I shrugged. “Maybe I imagined it. It might’ve been those plastic teeth. It was dark, and I couldn’t see so well.”
Tommy waved his arms in front of him. “Maybe they were plastic, and maybe they weren’t. We can’t take a chance. But the only way that she could have fangs is if she was bitten for a second time, and when was she alone for that to happen?” His jaw dropped.
I’m pretty sure mine did too.
We stared at each other for a moment.
“She was alone,” I whispered.
He snapped his fingers. “She was outside tonight.” He walked over to the window and pointed across the street. “She was outside tonight with your girlfriend.”
My heart pounded. I hated him at that moment, but he was right. I walked over next to him. “But Lily wasn’t there when I got out. She only came after.”
He jabbed his finger against my chest. “Or that’s what she wanted you to think.” He stared out. “Vampires are sneaky. Remember that.” He tapped his head. “They’re smarter than regular humans. They know how to manipulate feelings. What they do is, they take a simple guy like you and make you think you’re special.” He held up his hand. “No offense.”
“Again, why should I be offended at that?”
He ignored me. “But they take him, and do what they want. You’re like putty in their hands. Someone like you wouldn’t stand a chance against a vampire.”
“And you would?”
He shrugged. “Well, you have to admit I’m a little bit more knowledgeable in dark magic than you are.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “But don’t worry, you’re lucky that I’m on your side.”
“Oh, brother,” I muttered.
“Now, the way I see it is that once we get rid of Mr. Moroi the curse over Abby will break. Tonight, when we go, we have to ask the right questions. Then we take care of them, and by take care of, I mean …” He slid his finger across his throat.
I grabbed his arm. “Stop that already! I know what you meant. I’m just saying, I don’t think it’s Lily. She’s too sweet.”
Tommy snorted. “You’re so gullible.”
I thought a moment. “I don’t get it, though. If Abby really has vampire traits, like you said, how did she even get in here with all the garlic you put by the door?”
He scratched his head. “Good point!” He raced for the door and looked down.
All the powder had been wiped away.
“Did you wipe it away?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No! I promise.”
“Well, someone did.” His brow furrowed. “That’s not good. I wonder if she’s immune still, since she hasn’t fully turned. It doesn’t matter. Either way, we’re going to have to be careful.” He turned off my lights. “Don’t worry. Tonight we’re going to find out exactly what’s going on and take care of it.” He swatted my chest. “C’mon, let’s get some sleep.” He headed toward my bed. “How about you get the sleeping bag for a little? My back hurts from the floor.” He didn’t wait for an answer and hopped into my bed, pulling the covers over him. “Good night.”
I sighed, then walked over to the sleeping bag and scooted in.
There was no way I was going to be able to sleep that night, so I guess it didn’t really matter.
I replayed all the events of the day, still wondering if Lily and her dad were really vampires. Then it struck me. I realized that if they weren’t, then that just might be even scarier, since I had no idea who else could’ve done that to Abby.
I lay there for a few moments, glanced out the window, and froze.
Was it my imagination, or were there two eyes staring back at me in the tree outside?
CHAPTER TEN
INTO THE DEN
As Tommy and I walked up the path to Lily’s house, I thought about how different it was from Herb’s. Herb’s house still gave me the creeps. It was scary, dark, and threatening.
If anything, Lily’s home seemed overly sweet and inviting.
Even in the dark of the night it didn’t seem so bad, since the lights in front of her house gave off a calming, warm glow. There were even tiny lights planted in the ground, highlighting the flowers, which were scattered everywhere in their yard. And it also might’ve just been my imagination, but for some reason, it smelled like chocolate chip cookies.
I inhaled deeply. “I think I want to live here.”
Tommy shook his head. “Don’t you read fairy tales? That’s the exact same trick witches use to lure little kids into their homes. Then they capture them to fatten them up for dinner. This is a trap, I just know it. I bet you ten dollars that we don’t make it out of here alive.”
“What kind of a stupid bet is that? How would I pay you if we were killed?”
Tommy thought a second. “You’ll owe it to me.”
“But we’ll be dead!”
“Yeah, but at least then I’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that I was right and you were wrong.”
“You’re a moron.”
“I’d rather be a moron than a vampire appetizer.”
“Well, you’ll probably be both. And besides, you’re the one who said we should come.”
“I know.” He tapped the side of his head. “Do you really think I’d come here unprepared? I took precautions.”
“Oh, no. What did you do?”
“Don’t worry. Just follow my lead.” He knocked on the door.
I grabbed his shirt. “I hate when you do that! You don’t tell me things and then I have to rely on you.”
“I can’t tell you everything because it has to be a surprise. And no offense, but you’re not good at keeping secrets.”
“What? I am not bad about keeping secrets! I’m better than you are.”
He snorted. “If you were better than me then you would know it and I wouldn’t.”
The door opened.
Tommy and I turned to see Lily standing there.
She smiled. “You guys were just talking about secrets?” She looked both ways and leaned in. “Do you want to know my secret?”
Tommy and I glanced at each other.
Lily winked at me. “I’m kiddi
ng. I don’t have any secrets.” She laughed. “I wish I did, though. I’d love to have something about me that was really cool, that nobody else knew about.”
“I bet you could think of something,” Tommy said.
I ignored him. “Uh, like what kind of secrets?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Just something that people would be shocked to learn about me. You know what I mean?”
I shook my head slowly.
She stared at me. “I bet you have some cool secrets, Devin.”
My heart flipped just from hearing her say my name.
Every time I saw her I had that same reaction. There was no way she was a vampire. I didn’t care what Tommy said. She was too pretty. Too sweet.
“You heard us from inside?” I asked.
She tapped her ear. “I have excellent hearing.”
“I think it’s called echolocation,” Tommy muttered.
I ignored him. “We were just talking about something at school. It’s not important.”
She frowned. “Too bad. I was hoping it was something good. Anyway, I’m so happy that you guys are here.” She stepped back and opened the door wider. “Come on in!”
Tommy turned his body so that he was walking sideways, facing her the entire time.
Only after a few steps did I realize that I had done the same thing.
Lily laughed. “What’s with you two? You look so nervous. Is it because my dad’s an actor?”
“Acting human,” Tommy muttered.
“Shut up,” I whispered.
As we crossed the doorway into her house, a chill shot through me. I don’t know if it was my imagination or not, but I shivered.
Lily shut the door and turned to face us. Her eyes narrowed. “Well, now it’s too late. You can’t leave.”
I gasped.
Tommy fished something out of his pocket and thrust out his arm. It was a pack of gum. He looked at it, and then back at Lily. “Uh, want a piece?”
Lily shook her head and laughed. “You guys are too much. I was just joking. Anyway, c’mon into the other room.” She motioned for us to follow.
I leaned over to Tommy and whispered. “Gum? What were you going to do, pop a bubble in her face?”
He waved the pack in front of me. “I carefully unwrapped each piece and sprinkled it with holy water, and then wrapped them again!”
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