by Bell Stoires
The entire tense situation was made even worse by the fact that Ari and Ragon were now not talking to each other. Ever since he had excluded her from the coven’s meeting, she had turned a cold shoulder towards him, one which Ragon seemed little to care about. Fortunately Ari had Sandra and Larissa. Their shoulders were happy to be leant on, cried on, or whatever else Ari needed from them. Seeing as Ari still didn’t understand why Ragon had acted the way he had, she hoped this could be one of the many things they could help her with. The girls had explained again who the Elders were; that they were basically second in command to the Ancients and that there were heaps of them, all around the world. Their ultimate goal was to ensure vampirism remained a thing of myth and legend, but there were also laws which they enforced, the most notable of which were referred to as the Final Death Laws-
Mortals shalt not know of the vampire existence
Thou shalt not kill another vampire
Thou shall not suffer a waere to live
“So you see,” said Larissa, leaning in so as to whisper. “Ragon has broken the first rule by letting you know that we exist and not lulling you. Kiara knows this. During the Halloween party she could tell the Elders and-”
“-what does it mean by final death?” asked Ari interrupting Sandra, recalling how Kiara and indeed the entire coven had been shocked that Ragon had broken the Final Death Laws.
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. If the Elders find out that you haven’t been lulled and that you know about us, then Ragon, and all of us… we die,” she said flatly.
“What!” Ari exclaimed. “But Ragon never… he never… I didn’t understand.”
Ari had let these words resonate with her. It made her angry that no one had sat down and explained exactly what the stakes were with this stupid Halloween party. But soon the anger faded; now she just felt that her fight with Ragon had been plain childish. There he was, trying to keep her and the coven safe from Kiara and the Elders, and all Ari could do was complain that she hadn’t been invited to Ragon’s secret room so that she could see his mystery sketches.
After that Ari had hunted Ragon down, desperate to tell him how stupid she had been. She found him on the veranda with most of the coven, partaking in an early drink.
“Well, I was thinking, as we have a party to go to we should probably go out and get our costumes?” Clyde said eagerly, his eyes lighting up when Ari walked towards the table.
Ragon’s eyes locked with hers. It was one of the first times they had looked at each other since their argument.
“And,” Clyde went on, taking advantage of the pair’s silence, “seeing as the event is in two weeks, I thought perhaps tonight was as good as any to get them.”
Ragon made to speak but Ari answered first, saying, “Should I go too?”
She hoped her question would make Ragon realise that she was leaving the decision of her attendance entirely up to him. She guessed by the way he eyed her curiously that he had gotten the message. When he spoke his voice was less severe than it had been in ages.
“I guess we will have to get them at some point, but I’m still not sure it’s a good idea for Ari to go to the Halloween party,” he said.
“I think that Ariana should stay here,” said Sameth, moving over to join the conversation from where he had been sitting inside on the couch. “There is very little chance that Kiara would not be attending the party; she will be safer away from the Elders and Kiara.”
“No way,” said Clyde. “This party might be the exact opportunity that Kiara wants to send Matthew after her.”
Sameth growled, while Ari looked around at the group.
“Um hello?” she said, waving at the three men so as to get their attention. “You don’t have to talk about me like I am not here.”
“Don’t you think I have considered this all carefully,” said Ragon, glaring at Ari. “I have been having this internal argument for weeks. Lamb to slaughter versus sitting duck… and then there is always the chance that the Elders know about my betrayal. Maybe were walking into a trap.”
“I know… I know how hard it is,” said Ari, and Ragon’s mouth dropped open. “I’m sorry.”
“Well, I agree with Clyde,” said Larissa, and Clyde turned to face her in surprise. “We will have no way of knowing if Kiara decides to send someone after Ari and if she does, there will be no one here to protect her. At least the invitation said BYO, which means that Ari could at least pretend to be a source and accompany us, without anyone being suspicious.”
“Perhaps we could take her someplace else for the night?” suggested Sameth.
“Kiara is probably watching us all the time,” said Sandra. “She could just send someone to kidnap Ari like she did the last time.”
Instantly Ari was reminded of Paige, and she felt her heart leap painfully in her chest.
“Exactly,” said Clyde. “Better in our sights and able to keep an eye on her, than someplace else, where anyone could get to her.”
“Well we can all go to the costume shop, including Ari,” Ragon said slowly, and Ari beamed at him; clearly her attempted apology had gotten through to him. “But we aren’t making any decisions tonight.”
“But why can’t we go?” B1 asked in an annoyingly high pitched voice, thirty minutes later as the coven and Ari made to leave for the costume shop.
“Because you are not on the invite,” Clyde said for the third time, clearly beginning to lose patience with his lovely blood bags.
“But it said sources were allowed,” interjected B2.
“If you go you would likely be served up as the main course,” said Cambridge.
“But Ari isn’t on the invite wither,” said B1.
“Yes, but we like her,” Larissa said under her breath.
Both girls pouted, causing their large full lips to quiver, giving them the appearance of spoilt teenagers. When they stormed off, no one looked disappointed to see the back of them.
“Where did you find them?” Sandra asked incredulously, glaring at Clyde.
“At a fashion shoot in Rio,” Clyde replied, his ever wicked grin adorning his face. “I saw them and thought I just had to have them.”
Despite Sameth telling the group that he would rather go hunting, they had needed to take two cars on their trip to the costume shop. Ragon took his car with Thomas as a passenger, while Ari, Sandra, Larissa and Cambridge went with Clyde in his flashy convertible.
“Do you think Sameth would be opposed to going as a mermaid?” Clyde asked, pressing a button so that the roof of the convertible retracted, and the cold night air swept over them.
Cambridge’s large booming laugh filled the car.
“So we’re actually doing this? We’re going, and we’re taking Ari with us?” asked Larissa, when finally they had all stopped laughing.
Ari looked back at Larissa from where she was sitting in the front seat.
“You know we cannot refuse the invite,” Cambridge said soothingly to his mate. “It is up to Ari and Ragon to decide.”
“Yes, but surely if Ragon and Ari left to go somewhere else, the Elders would be none the wiser,” protested Larissa.
“They would know,” Clyde said darkly, “and they would not be happy about it. Ragon has no choice; he must attend. Refusing an Elder’s invitation is not wise; that would make them suspicious, if they aren’t already.”
The costume shop was empty, bar the single assistant who welcomed them as the group entered.
The woman was older, with grey short hair and a small mouth, which broke into a smile when the bell on the front door chimed as it opened.
“Halloween party?” she asked.
Ragon nodded grimly and allowed the assistant to direct them to the back of the shop, where themed Halloween costumes hung. On display mannequins was a grim reaper, next to which were several scream masks, all lined up in rows.
“If you need any help just holler,” she said smiling, before returning to the counter.
Clyde
was the first to try on an outfit. He reached for the costume and in a second had blurred into it; not bothering to enter the change rooms.
“You’re going as a vampire?” asked Ari, staring at the high collar of a black and red cape.
“What? Too much of a cliché?” he said, admiring himself in the full length mirror. “At least I won’t have to worry about prosthetic fangs.”
“I thought Halloween was about dressing up, and you’re just going to go as yourself?” she retorted.
Clyde winked at her saying, “Why go as someone else, when-”
But he was cut off speaking when Ari raised her pointed finger at his reflection in the mirror, and said, “but… but I can see you!”
“You can see? It’s a miracle!” Clyde said dramatically, his reflection waving at her sarcastically.
“No, I mean… I just thought-”
“-you just thought that because the movies say vampires don’t have a reflection then the real ones wouldn’t either?” said Clyde.
Ari nodded sheepishly.
“Well you can stop sleeping with that garlic bulb under your bed; the real vampires are much more difficult to kill,” said Clyde.
Ari stared at him, leaning ever so slightly closer, desperate for him to tell her more.
“Ragon hasn’t told you much, has he?” asked Clyde. Ari made to correct him, but Clyde cut her off saying, “Holy water makes us wet; churches are fine if you’re into that sort of thing, and silver,” he added, revealing a small locket from beneath his Dracula cape, “doesn’t really pack much of a punch.”
Ari laughed but was intrigued by his item of jewellery, watching carefully as he replaced it safely beneath his Dracula cape.
Just then Ragon exited a change room and Ari found herself gravitating towards him. He looked magnificent. He had changed into a pair of dark pants, which looked to be from the 18th century, and a white shirt with a button up vest that fitted snugly. He carried a large sword that reminded Ari instantly of prince charming. Her jaw had dropped when she had seen him, and she quickly closed her mouth when he looked at her expectantly.
“Oh Ragon honey, don’t you look dashing; just like the old days,” Sandra said, winking at him.
Sandra too had her costume on; she was wearing a medieval skirt, which showed off a pair of torn stockings and a tightly fitting red bodice that accentuated her curves. Ari thought she looked like a call girl from the 1900’s.
“I see you’re not dressing up either?” said Clyde, staring at her breasts which were pressed up by the corset.
Thomas moved over to his mate protectively and bowed. He was wearing a pirate’s costume, which consisted of tight black leather pants, a torn and ratty vest, and a patch over his left eye. His shoulder length dark blonde hair and clean shaven face, made him appear too unsoiled for his outfit.
Taking Sandra’s hand, he kissed it before saying, “I would pay every cent in the world for one night with you me lady.”
Sandra accepted his kiss cordially, but then pulled her mate towards her. Ari watched as Sandra fastened a section of his costume which had come undone back together. Ari’s eyes widened when, for a moment, she saw what looked like a tattoo going down the left side of his chest; she couldn’t quite make it out, but it looked like a list of names. When Sandra began kissing her mate passionately, Ari quickly averted her eyes, her eyes falling instead on Cambridge who was wearing a mummy’s outfit. Next to him was Larissa; she was wearing a golden ball gown with a large yellow ribbon around her waist.
“I just love beauty and the beast,” she said, admiring herself in the mirror after pushing Clyde out of the way.
At that moment Sandra moved over to Ari and taking her by the hand, said, “I have hung up something in here for you.”
Ari gasped when she saw the costume hanging before her, but quickly pulled the curtain closed and begun removing her jeans and sweater and shimmied into the dress Sandra had selected. When she pulled the curtain aside a few minutes later, everyone was waiting for her. Ari wore a long black dress, with large piles of tulle as a petty coat. The bodice was sleeveless and also black, and to either side of her were two large wings. A small silver and diamond mask sat snugly on her face, throwing her blue eyes into even greater focus.
“An angel?” asked Ragon, looking at Sandra incredulously. “You don’t think that will draw a little too much attention?”
“Oh Ragon, don’t be silly; the Elders wouldn’t let anything happen to one of their guests, besides, doesn’t she look just perfect?” said Sandra, her hands on her hips.
“Yes of course,” replied Ragon.
“How about this for Sameth,” Cambridge interjected, retrieving a fireman’s costume from the rack and showing it to the group.
Ragon inspected the bright yellow helmet, nodded once and then moved over to the counter at the front of the shop, where the attendant was waiting.
“I still think that fairy outfit we saw would have suited Sameth better,” Clyde muttered under his breath.
“So where is the party?” the elderly shop assistant asked, preparing the costumes and placing them into large plastic bags.
“At a friend’s house,” Ragon replied, clearly not wanting to divulge anything further.
“Well you all have fun,” she said warmly, handing the bags back them.
“Oh we will,” Clyde replied smugly, walking out the shop and towards his car.
When the two cars pulled into the driveway, Ragon slammed the breaks on suddenly, causing his car to skid along the gravel driveway. His eyes were wide and when Ari craned her neck to look around, she saw that there was someone sitting on the front porch of the house. Ari was just about to ask who it was, when Ragon got out of the car and blurred towards the man, wrapping his arms around him and hugging him warmly.
“You came,” Ragon exclaimed, waving for the rest of the coven to follow.
Back in the car Ari blinked a few times in confusion.
“Oh Patricks here,” Sandra said from behind her.
“What… another one? How many vampires did Ragon invite?” asked Ari.
Before anyone else in the car could answer however, the newcomer had raced to Ragon’s car and opened the door for Ari.
“Well that’s easy,” he said, continuing to hold the door open while Ari clambered out. “Seven vampires, plus one fabulous one, so I guess that makes eight!”
Ari looked up to see the 8th member of the coven. He was average height and build, with freshly combed light mouse blonde hair. His green eyes and long eyelashes seemed to compliment his outfit, which consisted of a pair of green casual slacks, a white sleeve shirt rolled up to his elbows, and an olive green patchwork vest. He was slightly older than the other members of the coven, looking to be in his early thirties, but dashing none the less. Ari knew instantly from his mannerisms, and the way he came over and kissed her on either cheek before admiring her nail polish, that he was gay.
“I am Patrick Handers, but you my dear may call me Patrick,” he said, bowing slightly and pretending to remove an invisible hat and hold it to his heart. “But never Pat.”
Ari blinked a few times, staring back at the flamboyant vampire. Recovering from her disbelief, she smiled warmly back. Why wouldn’t vampires be gay, she thought to herself.
“What took you so long?” asked Clyde, moving over to Patrick and slapping him on the back. “Ragon and I thought that you wouldn’t be able to make it.”
“I was away when Ragon’s request arrived at my residence in Prague. As soon as I returned to it, I left immediately. Alas, I thought I would be too late to be of any use,” he said, smiling at Ari widely, his small straight teeth gleaming at her. “Well, are you going to let me inside? I have been waiting out in the cold like a stray dog for the past hour or so. Your security is impeccable.”
Ragon moved to the front door and unlocked it.
After showing Patrick around the house, Ragon had explained everything that had happened in Patrick’s absence. Ar
i had expected him to be shocked, as had the rest of the coven members, when Ragon said that Ari wasn’t his source, but he had merely smiled at her curiously. After that each of the vampires paired off and returned to their bedrooms, all with the exception of Clyde, who had two girls to entertain.
When they were alone, Ari looked at Ragon. She had been waiting since before their trip to the costume shop to apologise to him. She wanted him to know that she hadn’t acted childish about being forbidden in the room; well she had, but only because she had no idea just how dire the situation was. She had no idea what the Final Death Laws were; and though she knew that Ragon had broken one by protecting her from Kiara, she didn’t realise that the two people who could end Ragon’s immortal life, had just invited them to a party.
“So is this everyone, or are there more vampires coming out of the closet?” she asked, before blushing furiously and adding, “Wait! That came out wrong. I mean… are there even enough rooms in the house for everyone?”
Ari hoped that her lame attempt at a joke would make Ragon laugh, and she was rewarded when his green eyes lightened and his face broke into a smile.
Ragon was laughing when he said, “Patrick will be staying in a coffin in the living room.”
“What?” exclaimed Ari, and when she saw Ragon laughing even louder, she scowled at him saying, “Very funny.”
“You seem to be less angry with me,” he said.
Ari breathed in and sighed. Now was her chance.
“Look,” she said, searching his eyes for understanding. “I didn’t realise how, um… your saving me would put you and the rest of the coven in danger. I’m sorry. I never wanted any of this.”
If she had any sort of courage at all, Ari would have asked why. Why was Ragon risking everything for her? Why had he saved her? Why hadn’t he just bitten her and lulled her to forget everything. Maybe Kiara still would have killed her, but then at least Ragon and the coven would be safe. But no, he had dragged his nearest and dearests into a fight, one which revolved around a girl… an ordinary human girl. Why?