Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions (Wicked Lovely 5.50)

Derek let out a low growl.

“Never fails.” I turned to Kit. “How is she?”

“We’re going to take her back to the house now. She’s unconscious again.”

“Then we’ll walk back,” Derek said. “Give you room in the van to lay her down.”

His dad agreed and went back inside. As we walked toward the steps, I looked down at Derek’s hand, holding mine.

“No one’s around,” he said. “And we can take the back way.”

“Good,” I said, and entwined my fingers with his.

Let’s Get this Undead Show on the Road

by Sarah Rees Brennan

vampire craze has taken the world by storm. It seems as if everyone is developing a taste for blood. “Riding this crimson wave is the English boy band 4 the One, who rocketed to the top of the charts a couple of months ago and stuck.

“And as we all know, two months at the top is eternal life in showbiz. We at Sizzling Hot News were lucky enough to score an exclusive interview with the four hot young things and their manager, Faye Fanshawe.”

The flickering screen was the only light in the tour bus, but unfortunately Christian was a vampire and could see in the dark. He was trying to concentrate on the television, because he was afraid to look at anyone in the room.

The camera panned down along Faye’s body; her mulberry-colored suit; her chestnut-colored coif, highlights gleaming with copper and evil; and her literally killer shoes, with wooden heels that she was always threatening to use to stake Christian if he avoided the wind machine at concerts.

Faye’s face was suddenly in close-up beside the reporter’s. They smiled at each other with all the warmth and sincerity of two skulls placed side by side.

“Why do you think that 4 the One has struck such a chord with their audience?” Christie (no last name) of Sizzling Hot News inquired, and as Faye opened her mouth, Christie went smoothly on, “With so many competitors, do you worry that 4 the One will get lost in a forest of fangs? Take Night Is Falling for You, a band of Canadian vampires who combine menace with folksy charm—”

Faye’s lip curled. “I’d rather not. I like my boys.” She sent a smile at the camera that combined menace with ferocious intent. “I don’t believe, Chrissy—may I call you Chrissy?”

“Christie.”

“Thanks,” Faye cooed. “I don’t believe the glut of vampires on the market will affect us at all. For one thing, I think part of what draws people to the group is that we have three humans and only one vampire. Chris is a bit of a special case. He isn’t part of a group of vampires, and I think people respond to his essential loneliness—”

The bus behind them rocked gently but visibly. Christie started. Faye remained absolutely calm.

Christian’s eyes flicked to Faye’s face offscreen. She had a fixed, murderous look about her, and even though it was dark and she couldn’t possibly have known he was looking at her, he saw her lip curl back from her teeth.

He cringed and returned his gaze to the TV screen.

“He’s the only vampire in a sea of humans,” Faye on the television continued serenely. “He yearns to be human, but he can never truly be one of us. He’s the alluring other who makes us feel good about ourselves. Emo bangs to fangs, he’s the whole package.”

Behind her, the door of the bus slammed open, and out staggered Christian. He was moving with all the vampiric grace of a cat. A cat with its head stuck in a tin.

“And here’s that package now,” Faye said, sending him a glittering smile. “Practically almost on time. And his lovely bandmates.”

Bradley, lead singer of 4 the One, came out stretching like a stripper, wearing only skintight silver trousers and a look of innocent surprise.

“Are the reporters here already?” he asked, stretching some more. “I’m so sorry,” he added, artfully rumpling his already artfully rumpled blond hair. “What must you think of me?”

“I can’t tell you what I think of you,” Christian muttered. “There are ladies present.”

Offscreen, Christian winced. He hadn’t realized he’d said that loud enough for the cameras to catch.

Even with his vampire eyesight, Christian could only make out the dark shape on the screen, slinking behind Bradley, that was Josh. Someone as shy as Josh should probably not be in an internationally famous boy band.

Like Christian was one to talk about being temperamentally suited to the job.