‘Oh, I can’t take any more of this!’ Ivy erupted. She was standing on her toes now to keep a closer eye on the girl across the hall. ‘Is Maya ever going to move? Or is she going to stand there forever?’
Blue Skye blinked. ‘Are you girls expecting another friend to join us? Because I’d be happy to share my threads with her as well.’
‘Um . . .’ Olivia took a deep breath for courage. ‘Actually,’ she said, as gently as she could, ‘we really appreciate the offer, but we’re just browsing today.’
Blue Skye dropped her hands, her bracelets and bangles clattering loudly. Her smile disappeared as she advanced on Olivia. ‘Browsing is like copping out on life,’ she said, her face flushing red. ‘Do you not understand that? Are you not tired of walking a meandering path, not even in zigzags, but loose circles?’
Olivia’s mouth dropped open. She stared at Blue Skye in flabbergasted silence. Where is all her serenity now?
‘OK, we have to go.’ Without so much as a glance at Blue Skye, Ivy started for the door. ‘Maya’s walking away. Come on, guys!’
‘Have you not listened to a word I told you?’ Blue Skye shouted. ‘You’re following a false path!’
Ducking her head, Olivia scurried after her sister, catching the eye of a uniformed security guard standing nearby with a pained expression. ‘Sorry,’ he muttered to them as they passed. ‘She, uh . . . really doesn’t like browsers.’
Sophia snorted. ‘We guessed that!’
The shop owner’s shouts didn’t fade away until they’d reached the escalator.
Even as Olivia sagged with relief, she couldn’t stop herself from laughing. I’ll never think of incense the same way again!
Still smiling, she stepped off the escalator at the second-floor landing . . . and walked straight into her twin. Ivy had stopped dead.
‘I can’t believe it,’ Ivy said blankly. She turned her head back and forth, her gaze criss-crossing the shifting crowds of shoppers that filled the hall and the food court ahead. ‘I’ve lost track of Maya. How is that even possible? I’m a vam–mmmph!’ She broke off just in time, as Olivia and Sophia both leaped to stop her. ‘I mean, I’m a V and she’s a human,’ she finished irritably. ‘Maya should not be giving me the slip like this!’
‘Well, the mall is crowded,’ Sophia pointed out, nudging Ivy away from the top of the escalator. A group of girls with bright shopping bags flooded past them, laughing and talking as they headed for the packed food court. Sophia dropped her voice. ‘Maybe the other shoppers are just too big an obstacle?’
‘Maybe,’ Ivy whispered. ‘But . . .’ Her voice faded away. With a muffled groan, she spun around in a tight circle again and again, looking frantically in every direction as her eyes grew wider and her expression more tense.
Olivia felt her own chest tightening with anxiety. This is not Ivy, she thought. What’s going on?
Then, Ivy walked to a nearby bench and slumped on to it.
Olivia and Sophia sat down on either side of her. As she watched her sister shake her head and stare into space, Olivia felt a jolt of dread – she had seen Ivy upset and angry before, and she knew what to do in those situations. She had never seen her sister so confused, so . . . lost.
‘It’s going to be OK,’ she said. It was the only sentence that came to mind.
Ivy shrugged, seemingly too tired to argue. ‘I just hate it when things don’t make sense,’ she said. ‘This whole past year, there have been literally only two things in my life that have made any sense: my bonds with you two, and my relationship with Brendan. I just . . .’ She took a deep breath, as if she needed a moment to force out her next words. ‘. . . can’t shake the feeling one of those things is going to change.’
‘Are you kidding?’ Sophia squeezed Ivy’s shoulder. ‘You’re not losing Brendan.’
‘There must be a logical explanation for all of this,’ Olivia insisted. ‘We just need to keep our heads, that’s all. Brendan is just not the type to –’
‘Ivy?’ Two voices spoke over them at the same time, interrupting the moment of privacy.
All three girls jerked upright to find Franklin Grove High’s ‘It’ couple, ‘Famelia,’ standing just in front of them. Goth-Queen Amelia held hands with Skater King Finn. She had his skateboard tucked under her free arm.
Even in the midst of all her worries, Olivia couldn’t help smiling as she looked at them. After all, bringing these two together had been her greatest matchmaking triumph! And she could already see how much they’d changed.
Amelia might still be pale of face and goth of fashion, but the stark black of her old attire was broken up with lashings of fabulous purple now. At Amelia’s side, Finn smiled broadly, apparently in a permanent state of bliss. He obviously knew he was in exactly the right place, with exactly the right girl. Even Amelia, who used to wear a stony expression all day long, kept breaking out into sunny grins. Although she regularly corrected herself into a tight smirk, as if she were trying to keep up appearances.
Aw, Olivia thought fondly. She can’t really help herself!
Amelia’s smirk turned into a look of genuine concern, though, as she looked down at Ivy. ‘Something’s really wrong, isn’t it?’ she asked.
‘Oh . . .’ Taking a deep breath, Ivy shook her head, keeping her eyes lowered. ‘I’m just being silly, that’s all.’
‘You need cheering up.’ Finn scooped his skateboard out of Amelia’s arms and held it out. ‘Why don’t you give this a try?’
Ivy just stared at him, looking as stunned – and wary – as Olivia felt. Is he serious?
Finn wasn’t usually the type to be mean or sarcastic, but . . .
Oh, what was I thinking? Meeting Ivy’s eyes, Olivia stifled a giggle. Of course Finn was genuine in his offer!
The skater-boy grinned, obviously unoffended by her laughter. ‘Why not?’ he said. ‘It’ll get the endorphins flowing. My gym teacher says that’s a good thing.’
Despite her concern for Ivy, Olivia couldn’t help the big, goofy smile that spread across her face. Lincoln Vale isn’t so dangerous after all, is it? The people of this town might be a kooky bunch, but most of them were sweet.
‘Thanks, Finn,’ Ivy said, ‘but I’ll pass this time.’
‘If you say so.’ Shrugging, he tucked the skateboard under his arm.
‘We’re on our way to get food,’ Amelia said. ‘Want to join us?’
‘Another time?’ Ivy suggested. ‘We really need to get back to Franklin Grove.’
‘See you at school, then!’ Famelia chorused, and the couple headed off, hand in hand, in perfect harmony.
Ivy jumped to her feet. ‘We should go home,’ she said. ‘Right now.’
Without waiting for a reply, she turned around and walked back towards the escalators. The conversation was clearly over.
Sophia shrugged, her expression hopeless. Olivia’s own shoulders sagged as she watched Ivy step on to the escalators. Her back was rigidly straight, and her fists were tightly clenched.
She was wound more tightly than ever now their whole crazy mission to find out the truth about Maya had come to nothing. Worse yet, Olivia had no idea how they would even get home from Lincoln Vale.
Most of all, she just couldn’t believe that Brendan would ever be that boy . . . the one who cheated on his girlfriend. Even if Ivy hadn’t been, in Olivia’s opinion, pretty much the World’s Greatest Human (or half-human!), it wouldn’t make any sense.
But she couldn’t deny that something very strange was going on with Brendan. And she couldn’t bear it if he created real heartache for her sister.
Isn’t there enough heartache already in our family? Judging by Lillian’s recent behaviour . . .
Olivia sighed as she hurried after her twin. Even if Ivy didn’t realise it, there were two couples in trouble in their own family, now. I just have to try to help them both!
Chapter Five
That evening, as twilight spread across Franklin Grove, Ivy started up the steps to
wards Brendan’s house . . . then turned around and walked back down.
Stopping at the bottom step, she closed her eyes, gritting her teeth.
You have to do this, she told herself.
. . . But what if he tells me it’s all true?
The question brought a strange, heavy feeling to her stomach. It was the same feeling she used to get when her old middle school had served pizzas with garlic, and she’d taken a bite without checking.
Tipping her head forwards, she thought wistfully back to Franklin Grove Middle School. Life had been so much simpler then. The people were nicer, the homework was easier, and she’d spent a lot less time wondering whether her boyfriend was a dishonest, lying –
No! Everything in her heart shouted the word. That’s not Brendan!
Something was definitely going on, though, and, like it or not, Ivy needed to know what it was before it drove her completely crazy.
Behind her, the front door opened, making her jump.
‘Ivy?’ It was Brendan’s dad, Marc Daniels. ‘What’s wrong?’
Oops. Way to look like an idiot, Ivy!
Ivy tried to put on a smile – but it felt fake, even to her. ‘Nothing,’ she mumbled. ‘I was just passing and I thought I’d drop in on Brendan.’
‘Come on,’ Mr Daniels grinned. ‘You can’t have been “just passing”. You’ve walked up to the door and back twice now.’
Ivy winced. It was no wonder vampire kids grew up to be terrible liars, when the grown-ups had super-hearing.
But that was just one more reminder that Brendan actually had been lying to her. So he must have had something to hide . . .
‘Are you coming in?’ Mr Daniels raised his eyebrows.
‘Um . . . no.’ Ivy sighed. The conversation she had to have with her boyfriend was definitely not one he’d want his dad to overhear. ‘Would you mind calling up to Brendan, and asking him to meet me out here?’
Mr Daniels’ smile dropped. He stepped outside, closing the door behind him. ‘You’re not here to dump him, are you? I know Brendan can sometimes tell stupid jokes but, seriously, he will grow out of it. All boys do, eventually.’
Argh. Ivy cringed. Could this be any more awkward? It was hard enough to work up the nerve to talk with Brendan about their relationship, never mind his dad!
‘I’m not here to break up with him,’ she said, adding silently: But he might be about to break up with me.
Anguish shot through her at the thought, but Mr Daniels visibly relaxed. ‘That’s a relief. We’re all very fond of you, Ivy.’ Opening the door wide, he stepped back inside. ‘Brendan! You have a visitor!’
Brendan clattered down the stairs a moment later . . . and froze as his gaze landed on Ivy, still standing outside.
Aaand . . . that’s not the look of a boy who wants to see his girlfriend.
It was another bad sign, but she couldn’t turn back now.
‘Hey.’ She tried to smile. ‘Do you feel like taking a walk?’
‘I don’t know . . .’ Brendan’s shoulders hunched. ‘I’ve got some homework I really need to do.’
‘Oh, come on, son.’ Mr Daniels gave him a hearty clap on the back. ‘Fresh fall air is just the thing to clear out the cobwebs.’
Brendan blinked, looking doubly confused now. ‘OK,’ he mumbled. ‘I’ll just get my coat.’
‘No need. I’ll get it for you.’ Mr Daniels ducked into the hallway and returned with Brendan’s leather coat. In one motion, he thrust it into Brendan’s hands and gently pushed him towards Ivy. ‘You kids go have fun!’
Brendan’s head was lowered as he joined Ivy, and he didn’t meet her eyes. They both waited until the front door had closed behind them before they started walking. Instinctively, Ivy reached out to hold Brendan’s hand . . . but her fingers only found his forearm. Both of his hands were buried in his pockets – completely un-holdable.
This is officially the most tense I have ever seen him, she realised, swallowing hard. There really must be something worth worrying about.
Trying to look casual, she said, ‘Is there anything you want to . . . talk over?’
Brendan shot her a dark look. ‘What do you mean?’
Ivy tried to keep her voice level. ‘It’s just seemed like you have something on your mind lately. If you ever wanted to talk about anything . . . well, you know I’m here for you, right?’
Brendan’s lips curved into a smile that looked somewhere between touched and confused. ‘Of course I do,’ he said. ‘You don’t need to prove yourself to me.’
Aw! Ivy was already automatically reaching out to take his hand when she remembered and yanked hers back. ‘I’m glad to hear that,’ she said, forging forwards. ‘I hope you feel like you can always talk to me, no matter what it’s about . . .’ She took a deep breath. ‘And no matter how difficult it might be.’
‘OK . . .’ Brendan came to a dead stop and stared at her. ‘What’s really going on here?’
‘Nothing!’ Ivy clenched her hands into fists, fighting down her panic. ‘It’s just that, with us starting high school, I know everything can get thrown up into the air. I don’t want things between us to . . . change.’ Her voice cracked on the last word, and she clenched her jaw as she went on: ‘And talking – clear communication – is the way to keep our relationship from changing, right?’
Brendan held her gaze for a long, tense moment. Then he let out a sigh, nodding slowly. ‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘I guess it’s time.’
Ivy’s pulse began beating hard against her skin. ‘Time for what?’
But Brendan was already walking down the street, and she had to hurry to catch up with him. He had taken out his phone to type out a rapid text message to someone. Then he looked at Ivy. ‘It’s time to go to my family’s crypt.’
Ivy stopped dead in her tracks. ‘Um . . . What?!’
Brendan didn’t even turn around as he mumbled, ‘There are some things that you need to know.’
Like what? Ivy wanted to demand. But she bit back the question as she followed him down the street. He’s finally ready to give some answers . . . so I’ll wait to let him do it.
It was only a ten-minute walk from Brendan’s house to the massive gates of Franklin Grove Memorial Cemetery, but with every passing moment, Ivy felt even more confused. When they walked through the gates in the growing darkness, she had to fight back a shudder. Vampire or not, the idea of something she needed to know being in a crypt . . . Well, that’s more than a little creepy!
Less than five minutes later, they were deep in the centre of the cemetery, facing the low, stone crypt of the Daniels family. As usual, the ancient building seemed to be sinking into the ground. Three looming arches, supported by ivy-entwined pillars, formed a darkened awning. A large stone door stood beneath the centre arch, surrounded by tarnished and scowling bronze gargoyles on either side.
In the middle of the door, an ornate square plate was carved into the stone, inscribed with a single, glowing word:
DANIELS
Ivy took a deep breath, fighting down the goosebumps that wanted to prickle across her arms.
This is ridiculous, she told herself. I’ve been here plenty of times. There’s nothing to be scared of.
But she’d never been brought here to be told deep, dark family secrets before . . . and Brendan had never acted quite so mysterious before.
As she waited, Brendan ducked under the awning and reached out to the gargoyle on the right, turning one of its giant claws.
Dull clicks and thuds echoed through the ancient stone. Finally, the enormous door slid open . . . and a shudder rippled through Ivy’s body.
When Brendan had brought her here before, it had felt fun-creepy, but now . . . it just felt creepy-creepy.
Clenching her fists more tightly, she forced down the wave of panic. Come on. A vampire scared inside a cemetery? How crazy is that?
Breathing deeply, she followed Brendan down the bumpy, uneven steps into the darkness. Brendan pulled out a match
box from the corner of the stairway and lit one match after another with practised ease to light their way. The tiny flames sent leaping shadows across his face.
When they stepped into the crypt’s vast antechamber, with its cathedral-like ceiling and grooved floor, he moved to light the tall candles all around the room . . . and Ivy finally ran out of patience.
‘Are you ever going to tell me why you’ve brought me here?’
‘You’ll see.’ Looking completely unruffled by her outburst, Brendan pointed to the passage on the left, where the urns of his relatives were displayed. ‘It’s all in here,’ he said.
Ivy followed him into the passage, where a collection of ornate stone containers sat, each on its own little shelf, rising from the floor to the ceiling. The musty smell was overpowering – but that wasn’t what made Ivy gasp.
The urn in the centre read:
MARC DANIELS
. . . Brendan’s father!
Swallowing hard, Ivy backed away. ‘What’s going on?’ Her voice came out as a squeak.
‘It’s . . . kind of a family tradition.’ Brendan shrugged, looking embarrassed. ‘See, in our family, once you reach one hundred years old, one of these is made for you. It’s supposed to be an honour.’
‘Really?’ Ivy blinked, taking deep, slow breaths and trying to see it that way. ‘I’d never heard of families doing that.’
‘Oh, well . . .’ Brendan gave her a wry, teasing grin. ‘I’m sure the “posh” vampires, like your family, do things differently.’
‘Shut up!’ Ivy almost laughed, but she forced herself to scowl instead. ‘You’re not going to charm your way out of this.’
‘I know.’ Looking grave, Brendan stepped closer to her. ‘Please,’ he said. ‘Look again at the urns. What do you see?’
Sighing, Ivy turned back to the ‘Marc Daniels’ urn. It stood just beside another urn engraved with the name ‘Carla Daniels’.
She frowned. ‘Who’s Carla Daniels? I’ve never heard of her.’
‘She’s my mother,’ said a new voice, just behind them.
15 Secrets and Spies - My Sister the Vampire Page 5
