Immortal Hearts (Vampire Kisses 9)

"Well, more importantly, Stormy will. She is very opinionated. And this is way cooler than her room at home," Alexander added.

"I agree, Raven, you've outdone yourself," Becky said. "She's going to love iandng to lt here!"

"Did Stormy ever visit the Mansion when you were growing up?" I asked Alexander.

"Just as a baby. I don't think she remembers it. She was so little." Alexander beamed as he gazed at our accomplishment and put his arm around my shoulder.

"The only problem is now she'll never want to leave!"

Chapter 5 Spooky Siblings

A few days later, Stormy was set to arrive in Dullsville. I was so excited to meet her, I skipped dinner and waited for the sun to set outside the Mansion. I remembered how anxious I had been to meet Alexander's parents. I'd imagined what they were like and worried what kind of impression I'd make. This time, I wasn't as nervous, but I was hoping Alexander's sister and I would get along smoothly. When the door finally opened, I greeted Alexander with a huge kiss. I was pacing around the Mansion, the yummy smell of Jameson's dinner in the warmer wafting throughout, while Alexander lay on the antique sofa, flipping through a modern art magazine as we waited for Jameson's Mercedes to pull in.

"I think I hear a car," I said, running to the door.

"That's the tenth time you've said that," he said, not looking up from the mag.

"I'm sure it's them this time," I said, happily twisting the doorknob.

"That's not the Mercedes," Alexander called as I opened the door, as if he knew with his vampire sixth sense.

Disappointed, I thought it best to wait it out with Alexander. And why not? We had so little alone-time anymore that I might as well take advantage of it. I snuggled up to him on the sofa and was leaning my head on his chest when I heard a car on the street. The sound got louder with each passing moment, and bright lights shined on the Mansion. I knew this had to be Jameson's ride. We both sat up.

I poked my head against the window and peered out into the night.

I saw two headlights and a black car illuminated from the streetlight. "It's them! It's Jameson's car." Alexander couldn't hide his enthusiasm from me as he, too, beamed. We headed to the door, and after he opened it I followed him outside to the parked car.

Jameson said good evening to us as he slowly came around the back of the car.

I did my best to catch a glimpse of Stormy, but all I could see was dark hair.

I waited with bated breath to see Alexander's little sister.

Jameson politely opened her door d, "and out stepped Stormy Sterling.

Stormy was rail thin and stood about five feet two. She had straight bangs and shoulder-length jet-black hair. Her nails were bitten and chipped; charcoal-colored nail polish remained. Midnight-colored lipstick stained her small lips. She had rubber bracelets and a black-and-white headband. Tiny silver studs and hoops ran up the sides of her tiny earlobes. Her shirt was lacy, and her tights were ripped in all the trendy and cool places. She wore mini-monster boots and black fingerless lace gloves.

She was everything I dreamed she'd be.

"Alexander!" she called in a sweet voice.

Stormy raced over to him, and he enveloped her in his arms.

"It's great to see you!" she squealed.

"It's great to see you, too!" It was obvious how much he had missed his sister as he continued to hug her.

They eventually let go. Stormy giggled. "We have full reign without parents! We are going to have the time of our lives!" I hung back until she noticed me.

Alexander swooped in with gentlemanly introductions. "This is Raven. Raven, this is my sister, Athena," he said. "But her friends call her Stormy."

"It is a pleasure to meet you." She extended her hand. Stormy was precious.

"I'm so excited you're here!" I gushed, just like I hoped I wouldn't.

I wanted to run up and hug Stormy - the sister I'd always wanted. Only I knew when I was her age - and even now - how awkward it was when an older person acted all gooey on me when we had barely even been introduced. It always felt fake, though in this case it would have been genuine. Instead of squeezing her to bits, I kept my distance.

She smiled a polite smile, exposing white plastic braces adorned with purple and black rubber bands, with small vampire fangs peeking out below them.

But then her smile soured. "Oh no! I forgot Phantom!"

We turned to the car, and Jameson held in his stick-pin arms a ghost-white cat with pink eyes.

"Jameson! Thank you!" Stormy rushed over and held her cat.

"You are quite welcome, Miss Athena."

"She's cute," I whispered to Alexander. "Just like you."

"You'll love it here, Phantom," she cooed to her cat. "Just like I will."

Alexander noticed Jameson grabbing Stormy's suitcase and backpack from the trunk.

"I can get that, Jameson," Alexander offered.

"Thank you, but no need," the Creepy Man said. "You greet your sister."

"Let's go inside," Alexander said. "I'm sure you're hungry."

"Awesome! I can't wait for a smoothie with cherries and a purple sword!" Stormy exclaimed.

"Of course, Miss Athena," the Creepy Man said with a toothy smile.

Stormy raced into the Mansion. "Here I am!" she declared to the empty foyer.

Alexander beamed again.

"This is so awesome," she continued to Alexander. "I'm going to have so much fun here with you!" He tousled her hair like only a big brother could.

"I do remember - it's all the same," she said, smoothing out her hair. "This isn't fair!" she exclaimed. "You get full reign of this place without Mother and Father looking over your shoulder."

Jameson placed her bags by the staircase. "Dinner won't be long. Then I'll unpack your things, Miss Athena, as you settle in." He creeped slowly toward the kitchen.

"Which room is mine?" she asked.

"You'll have to guess," Alexander said. "But I think you'll know it when you see it. Raven helped me decorate."

"She did?" Her eyes squinted, and her voice couldn't hide her skepticism. I knew there was a chance she'd resent me decorating parts of the Mansion, and here it was before me. She pushed a smile out as hard as she could. "That was very kind of you," she said, overly polite.

Alexander put his arm around her bony shoulder as the two walked up the staircase. I knew it was important to let the two siblings have their time together.

Alexander put his arm around her bony shoulder as the two walked up the staircase. I knew it was important to let the two siblings have their time together.