Ritual

by Alex Duval

  Brad, Jason thought. That’s what she means. She doesn’t want to think about their breakup. Well, that’s just fine with me. “It’s a deal,” he said. “We’re all about the unreality.”

  “Good. Then let’s go,” Sienna said, standing up.

  “Where do we start?” Jason asked.

  “Bloomingdale’s for your mom. Then Armani Exchange for Dani,” Sienna said. “Or maybe Fendi. I haven’t decided yet.”

  “You’re already speaking a foreign language, as far as I’m concerned,” Jason joked. He stood up too.

  “Just pay close attention to me and I’ll have you shopping like a pro in no time,” she promised.

  Pay close attention to Sienna? That shouldn’t be a problem, Jason thought as he followed her toward Bloomie’s. Shopping with Sienna wasn’t actually as easy as Jason had thought it might be. In Bloomingdale’s, Sienna decided that perfume was the way to go for his mother. So she made Jason do a bunch of smell tests of different scents—which meant he had to try to stand still while Sienna waved the inside of her slender wrist under his nose, or lifted her hair and offered her delicate neck for him to sniff. All of which tested Jason’s resolve to be nothing more than friends with Sienna for the time being, to the limit.

  “You like this one?” she asked, spritzing on yet another scent.

  He sniffed at her and made a face, pretending to hold his nose.

  Sienna laughed and swatted his arm. “Fine. I’ll just pick one.”

  “How can you tell?” he asked. “Your left arm smells of one thing, your right arm smells of another. You’re like one of my sister’s fashion magazines—every page has some different perfumed card on it, so the whole thing just smells weird.”

  “I don’t know whether I should be more worried that you clearly spend a lot of your time reading fashion magazines, or that you think I smell weird!” Sienna teased.

  Jason tried to protest and explain that that wasn’t what he’d meant, but she just laughed at him and held out a tiny bottle of perfume.

  “This one,” she told him.

  He took it over to the cashier without bothering to smell it. If Sienna said it was the right one, that was good enough for him.

  “Let’s do one of your gifts next,” he suggested. “Who do you need to buy for?”

  “Well, the hardest one is my dad,” she told him. “Every year I manage to pick him something he doesn’t need or want.”

  “What are his hobbies?” Jason asked.

  “Complaining about how much money my sister and I spend,” Sienna replied. “That’s about it.”

  “I’ve got it!” Jason replied. “The perfect gift: a money clip.”

  “Michigan!” Sienna cried. “I’m impressed. That’s a great idea. There’s a Tiffany’s in this mall. They’ve got to have silver money clips.”

  “You could even get it engraved,” Jason suggested.

  “Look at you,” she cooed. “Thinking like a shopper already. I’m so proud!”

  “Yeah, well, just don’t tell anyone,” Jason said. “I have a reputation to protect.”

  “Oh, really? What reputation is that?”

  “The one where I’m clueless about stores and shopping—like all the other guys,” Jason replied.

  “Your secret is safe with me,” Sienna promised, leading the way to Tiffany’s.

  Jason wandered around the store while Sienna talked to the clerk about engraving. He couldn’t help noticing that there didn’t seem to be a single thing in the whole place for less than a hundred bucks.

  “Shopping for your girlfriend?” one of the salesladies asked him. “She’s lovely.”

  “Oh, no, she’s not my girlfriend,” Jason said quickly, shooting a glance at Sienna. “Yet,” he added.

  The saleslady laughed. “That’s the spirit! Well, if you want to win her over, you might think about getting her some jewelry. We have a lovely friendship ring….”

  “Friendship?” Jason glanced into the case at the ring she was pointing to. The ring was a delicate band of gold and silver intertwined. It would look perfect on Sienna’s hand. “I guess I could get her * friendship ring for Christmas,” he mused.

  “Ready?” Sienna asked; coming up behind him.

  Jason jumped, and exchanged a meaningful look with the saleslady. “Sure,” he said. “Maybe I’ll come back another day,” he murmured as Sienna headed for the door.

  “I’ll keep the ring for you,” the saleslady replied quietly with a smile.

  “Let’s go to Black Cherry for your sister,” Sienna said as they left Tiffany’s. “It’s this great little boutique that has a bunch of different designers.

  Half an hour and one beaded evening purse later and Sienna was clearly just getting into her stride. “How about your Aunt Bianca next?” she suggested, looking around for a suitable store. “Did you have anything special in mind for her?”

  “I think I need a break from shopping,” Jason admitted. “I feel a little overwhelmed.”

  She gave him one of her long, sideways looks. “I forgot I’m dealing with a virgin,” she teased. “You’re obviously not ready for a full afternoon of shopping.”

  “Sorry,” Jason said with a grin. “Hey, how about we just refuel?” he suggested. “Food court?” He’d been having such a good time with Sienna that he’d actually managed to forget about his wound for a while. And he hadn’t thought about Dominic or the situation at school, either. He was in no hurry to call an end to the whole Christmas shopping experience—just the shopping part.

  “Sounds good,” Sienna agreed, and led the way, swinging her small purse as she walked. Jason felt happy just watching her. She seemed in a much better mood than she had before. Clearly their mission to get into the Christmas spirit was working. “What do you want to eat? Sushi? Or they have a pretty decent salad place here.”

  “No. No way,” Jason replied firmly. “I’ve had it with classy things. It’s holiday time, and this is a mall. There’s supposed to be a guy dressed in a badly fitting Santa suit, and multicolored Christmas lights all over the place, all clashing with one another. And there should be really loud, really cheesy music playing. None of this lovely classical stuff—it should be ‘Rudolph’ and ‘Frosty’ and ‘Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.”

  Sienna wrinkled her perfect nose, but her dark eyes danced with amusement. “Is that what the holidays are like in the flyover states?” she asked.

  “That’s what the holidays are like all over America. Don’t kid yourself,” he said. “You Malibu kids live in a little bubble.”

  “Probably true,” Sienna admitted with a laugh. “So where does that leave us, food-wise?”

  “Well, what we need is something really down home to counterbalance all this snootiness,” Jason said. He studied all the options in the upscale food court. It wouldn’t be easy to find typical mall junk food in this place. “There!” he cried. “Hot Dog on a Stick!”

  Sienna’s mouth dropped open. “You are kidding, right?”

  “Nope. We’re having corn dogs,” Jason said. “Come on.”

  “I thought that place was banned for anyone over the age of eight,” Sienna told him.

  “You’ve never had a corn dog, have you?” Jason asked.

  She shook her head.

  “Oh, you are in for a treat.” He walked up to the counter and grinned at the guy in the paper hat. “Two corn dogs. Oh, and an American cheese thing. My treat,” he added to Sienna.

  “It better be,” she joked. “I don’t think I’m up to paying for food that comes on a stick.”

  Jason handed her one of the dogs. “You’re going to eat those words. Corn dogs are the best things ever.”

  Sienna stared at it in dismay. “How am I supposed to eat it?”

  “However you want. That’s half the fun.” Jason took a humongous bite right off the top of his, letting the sweet fried corn bread melt in his mouth before chewing up the hot dog inside.

  Sienna went another way. She took a tiny ta
ste of the corn bread. “Yum,” she purred. “I see what you mean.” She began to carefully nibble all the way around the hot dog, taking itty-bitty bites. “That is good.”

  Jason winked at her playfully, as if to say “I told you so!”

  “What’s that cheese thing?” she asked when she finished her hot dog. “Give me some.”

  “I thought you disapproved of food on sticks,” he teased her as she devoured American cheese on a stick. “That also comes in spicy jack cheese with a saucy jalapeño flavor that I think your palate will love.”

  “You’ve converted me. I want everything on a stick from now on.” Sienna said, licking her lips. “What else is there? Popsicles …”

  “Shish kebabs,” he added.

  “All kinds of satay at the Thai place,” Sienna said.

  “Then there’s the fruit category,” Jason put in. “Chocolate-covered bananas on sticks. Caramel apples.”

  Sienna was laughing. “You’ve opened my eyes to a whole new world of culinary delights.”

  “See? Being cheesy has its charms,” Jason told her.

  “If only there was some ‘Rudolph’ playing, it would be the perfect cheesy Christmas,” Sienna joked. Then her expression grew serious. “Thank you.”

  “For what?” Jason asked.

  “For this—our afternoon away from all the depressing things that have been going on.” Sienna sighed. “It’s been a hard week. I haven’t had anyone to talk to about … anything.”

  Once again, Jason had the feeling that she was talking about Brad. Between their breakup and Belle’s going off to Mexico, Sienna was probably more lonely than usual. He found himself reaching for her hand, and forced himself to stop. It’s too soon, he thought. Touching Sienna at the moment seemed wrong. It had been less than a week since she’d split from Brad; she might think he was making a move on her because she was suddenly single. And he didn’t want to be that guy—the guy Brad and Van Dyke and all the other vampires apparently thought he was. He hoped that if he just waited until it was clear that Sienna hadn’t broken up with Brad only because of him, they’d all be able to be friends again. And then, when things had calmed down, maybe he and Sienna could think about dating. But for now, everything had to stay as it was.

  Sienna was watching him closely. She had to have seen his hesitation about touching her, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she just smiled at him. “Think you’re rested enough to hit Armani Exchange for your aunt now? I won’t be able to rest until I’ve got you through your entire Christmas shopping list.”

  “Let’s do it,” Jason said with a grin.

  As they wandered back out into the hallway, Jason felt as if he’d lost about fifty pounds. Things were still strained with Brad, but at least he and Sienna were getting along well. She still took his breath away, but it didn’t matter. They were friends. Just friends.

  TEN

  “Do you think this skirt is too short for a funeral?” Dani asked on Saturday morning. Her black, flowy skirt skimmed her knees.

  “It looks okay to me,” Jason replied, straightening the jacket of his one and only suit. “And if we don’t leave now, we’ll be late.”

  Dani frowned at her reflection in the hall mirror. “I guess I don’t have time to change.”

  “Why do you want to come, anyway?” Jason said. “It will only make you sad, and you hardly even knew Dominic. You don’t have to do this.”

  “Like you were such great friends with him.” Dani rolled her eyes. “You’re only going because you want to see Sienna.”

  “I’m going because it’s the right thing to do,” Jason replied seriously. “And I doubt anyone’s even going to notice what you’re wearing.”

  “Untrue. It’ll be like a fashion show,” Dani told him, pulling open the front door and heading out to the VW. “There aren’t any parties this weekend, so everyone’s going to treat this funeral as an excuse to look good.”

  “That’s not funny,” Jason replied.

  Dani turned to him, her eyes sad. “I know,” she said. “I don’t mean that people don’t care about Dominic’s death. But face it, we live in an image-conscious world. And this is Malibu! People will be mourning and primping at the same time.”

  Jason hoped she was wrong, but it turned out his little sister understood things better than he did this time. Dominic’s funeral—which was taking place at an oh-so-sophisticated and elegant funeral mansion—was packed with what appeared to be the entire population of Malibu, and they were all dressed to the nines. The men wore dark suits, but they were well-cut and expensive-looking suits. And most of the women were in beautiful little black dresses. Even Jason could see that they’d all spent a lot of time on their hair and makeup. It was the best-dressed funeral he’d ever attended.

  The vampires looked the most splendid of all, of course. They were all decked out in Italian suits and couture dresses, and they kept to themselves, sitting in a group at the front of the funeral hall. A few of the older women were wearing wide-brimmed black hats, and Dominic’s mother wore a black silk veil over her face. Belle sat nearby, dark glasses covering her eyes. She twisted her hands together in her lap, her usually smiling mouth turned down, her chin trembling.

  Jason spotted Sienna sitting with her parents next to Zach Lafrenière and his family. Brad was in the next row back.

  Aaron Harberts walked by with Priesmeyer. He slapped Jason on the back as he passed. “Hey, Freeman!”

  “Hey.”

  “I hear everyone’s heading out to the beach after the service. You coming?” Harberts asked.

  “Definitely,” Dani answered for Jason.

  “What up, party people in the place to be?” Adam said, coming up behind them. Dani smirked.

  “It’s not a party,” Jason insisted.

  “I know. You’re right.” Adam pulled at his tie, looking uncomfortable. “I’m sorry. I always act inappropriately when I’m nervous.”

  Jason nodded. “It just seems all wrong that Dominic’s dead. You’re not supposed to die young. You’re supposed to get your whole life to live.”

  Dani squeezed his arm. “I see Kristy and Billy. Do you mind if I sit with them?”

  “Of course not,” Jason said. She gave him a little smile and took off to join her friends.

  “You think I can change before we hit the beach later?” Adam asked.

  “Why? Having trouble with your formalwear?” Jason asked, taking in Adam’s suit.

  “My dad made me wear it,” Adam grumbled. He shot a look at his father, standing in the back of the room with a few uniform cops. Jason was surprised to see Tamburo behind them, leaning against the door-frame. He was the only one in the entire room not dressed in mourning clothes. Instead, he just wore his typical jeans and boots, and he hadn’t even bothered to shave.

  He’s not even pretending that he’s here to mourn Dominic, Jason realized. He’s just here to see if anybody acts suspiciously.

  Tamburo’s eyes turned to Jason, as if he could feel that Jason was watching him. He gave a casual nod, and Jason nodded back. Then Tamburo returned his gaze to the other funeral-goers, studying each one in turn.

  “Wow. This really is a big event, huh?” Jason said to Adam. “Vampires, cops, and everything in between.”

  “Anyone who’s anyone is here,” Adam agreed. “Personally I’m wondering about the rituals of a vampire funeral. What do you think they do?”

  “I think they mourn,” Jason said sharply. “But then again, most of these people look as if they’re just here to be seen, so maybe I’m wrong about that.”

  “That’s the way it is in Malibu,” Adam said simply. “Everybody wants to show off, no matter what. It doesn’t mean they don’t care about Dominic.”

  A tall man in a black suit stepped up to the podium and cleared his throat to signal that the service was about to start.

  “We better find seats. I don’t think we non-dentally enhanced types are welcome over there,” Adam said, nodding at the all-vampir
e section.

  Jason glanced over. It was eerie to see almost all the DeVere Heights families in a block like that. It was kind of like looking at a living sculpture garden. All of them were almost supernaturally beautiful, each in their own individual way. “Sienna told me that vampires can manipulate their appearance,” he whispered to Adam. “That their natural appearance is more beautiful than what they show us.”

  Adam studied the vampire section. “Looks like they’re letting their true selves shine through for today.”

  Jason nodded as he gazed around the place. All the other Malibu people that had come to the funeral, trying so hard to make an impression in their expensive clothes, they simply didn’t stand a chance. The vampires were stunning, and they didn’t seem to have noticed that anybody else was even there.

  As the service went on, Jason found himself staring at Sienna. He’d seen her look this gorgeous once before, when she had first told him that she was a vampire. She’d let him see her true beauty then, and it was just as mesmerizing now. Her black hair glimmered in the dim light, her skin was sheer golden perfection, and, all of a sudden, Jason felt like the biggest idiot in the world.

  Why had he ever let himself think that Sienna would want to be with him? Look at her, surrounded by the otherworldly people she belonged to. She was one of them. He wasn’t. End of story.

  Then she turned. Her dark eyes met his across the sea of faces, and she smiled.

  A sizzle raced through Jason’s body, and all his doubt disappeared. It didn’t matter what she was or what he wasn’t. They were made for each other.

  “I cannot wait for the weekend,” Dani said from the passenger seat of Jason’s Bug on their way to school on Monday. She raked her fingers through her hair, trying to keep the windy convertible from ruining her careful styling.

  “It’s only Monday,” Jason pointed out. “Isn’t it a little early to be wanting a weekend?”

  “Duh. The charity ball is this weekend,” Dani replied. “If the curfew doesn’t ruin it. And I know you have to be interested in that.”