‘You sent a dress?’ the Countess asked, clearly impressed.
‘She loves it,’ Ivy said.
Jackson’s mysterious text message, the perfect-for-Olivia dress, even the odd meeting in the mall could be explained by Jackson’s Valentine’s Day plan.
Ivy realised that S-U-R-P-R-I-S-E really spelled D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R. Olivia was with Prince Alex right now, thinking the dress was from him. She was also thinking that Jackson might not even like her any more. And to top it all off, Olivia had a date for the ball that wasn’t her boyfriend.
Ivy was going to have to find her sister before Jackson did and warn her. She decided to get him out of the way first.
‘Um, great!’ Ivy said brightly. ‘Why don’t I take you on a tour of the house and show you to your room?’
‘He’s in the east wing, near your father,’ the Countess said.
‘East wing,’ Ivy muttered.
As long as Olivia and Alex aren’t on the way to the east wing, we’ll be fine, Ivy thought to herself.
‘Why don’t we drop off your stuff before we find my sister?’ Ivy suggested and didn’t wait for a response. She grabbed Jackson’s elbow and steered him out of the ballroom and down the hallway. They passed a grandfather clock, ticking loudly. Ivy tried to control the simmering panic. Time’s running out, she realised. And I’m the only one who can fix this!
‘This is a beautiful room,’ Olivia said, looking up at the floor-to-ceiling shelves of books in the library. ‘I haven’t had a chance to look at it closely yet.’
Prince Alex gave her a curious look. ‘But we sat in here and talked yesterday,’ he said.
‘Oh, um, that’s right.’ Alex was thinking of Ivy’s impersonation, she realised. ‘But a collection like this can always be examined more thoroughly.’ She hoped that was enough to cover her slip-up.
She set the box with the dress down between them. ‘You’ve gone out of your way to welcome me to Transylvania, and I’m really grateful.’
‘I’m happy to,’ Alex said. Olivia tried not to wince. He really was such a nice guy and having to tell him that she only wanted to be friends made her feel awful.
She was just going to have to come right out and say it. ‘I am honoured to walk into the ball on your arm but –’
‘But not as honoured as I will be,’ Alex interrupted.
Olivia tried again. ‘I mean, I know that it’s Valentine’s Day –’
‘The day to spend with the one you love,’ Alex cut in.
This could not get any worse, Olivia thought.
She took a deep breath. ‘Look, Alex, I just don’t feel that way about you.’
Alex sat back a little and blinked.
Olivia rushed on. ‘I’m sorry not to have said anything sooner, but I have a boyfriend and –’
His eyebrows furrowed and he tilted his head to one side. ‘I know that.’
‘You know?’ Olivia was caught off guard.
‘Well, I didn’t know that you had a boyfriend, but I knew you weren’t interested in me,’ he replied. ‘You didn’t think I . . .’ Alex began and Olivia realised that he didn’t look hurt at all. Just confused.
‘Um, well, I . . .’ Olivia didn’t know what to say now.
‘Olivia, I think you are an amazing person – so positive and kind, even when some people disapprove.’ Alex smiled at her. ‘But I could not be interested in you romantically.’ He paused for a breath. ‘My heart belongs to someone else.’
Olivia was dumbfounded. ‘Who?’
‘You haven’t guessed?’ Alex said with a sad smile on his face. ‘I would have thought to someone as romantic as you it would have been obvious.’
‘Er . . .’ Olivia blinked. ‘I haven’t noticed.’
But at least it isn’t me, she thought, relieved that she wasn’t offending him at all.
‘What about the dress?’ Olivia asked.
‘What dress?’ Alex responded.
She pointed at the big box on the table. ‘That dress.’
‘I did not give you a dress,’ Alex said.
Now Olivia was completely baffled. ‘But if you didn’t . . . then who did?’
‘Don’t you want a moment to rest? A nap, perhaps?’ Ivy almost pleaded. She’d delayed Jackson as much as she could on the way up, but couldn’t keep it going forever.
He dumped his backpack on the red-patterned carpet and had a quick look around the bedroom. It had a beautiful view over the lake, dozens of old-looking framed maps on the walls and a gold inlay wooden dresser and wardrobe.
‘Beautiful,’ he said and then turned to leave. Ivy needed more time.
‘I came to see Olivia, and I don’t want to waste another minute,’ he declared.
Ivy sighed. Jackson was going to find Olivia alone with Alex, who was probably spouting poetry to her this very second. Maybe, she thought, if I steer him clear for long enough, she’ll be back in our room.
‘OK, let’s see if we can find her,’ she replied cheerfully. She led him out of the hall and paused for a moment, pretending to be considering which way to go. Then she turned away from the nearest staircase.
‘What do you think of this?’ Ivy asked, pausing in front of a painting of a flower pot.
‘It looks like all those flowers are dead,’ Jackson replied.
‘Mmm,’ Ivy replied, pretending to consider it. ‘The artist must have been commenting on the whole genre of still life. What is life when it is still?’ She had no idea what she was saying but she hoped it sounded good.
‘Yeah, that’s deep,’ Jackson said, not engaging. ‘Can we find Olivia now?’
She stayed in front of the painting for another moment. Jackson looked like he was going to run off on his own. She tried to keep him up on the third floor as long as she could, but he caught on when they passed their second staircase.
‘Shouldn’t we go downstairs?’ Jackson asked.
‘Um, yes, but the first two were . . . under construction,’ Ivy lied.
‘Really?’ Jackson didn’t look like he believed her but he followed her down one of the middle staircases.
When they made it to the ground floor, they had a choice, either to walk through the main entrance or to go the long way, past the kitchens. There were people buzzing around everywhere – extra catering staff, people carrying crates of wine glasses. Preparations for the ball were in full swing.
The long way it is, Ivy thought. ‘Let’s go in this direction!’
But after turning a corner into a second hallway, her super-vamp hearing picked up the sound of Olivia’s voice in a room ahead of them – followed by Alex’s.
‘Um, actually,’ Ivy said. ‘I’ve gone the wrong way – let’s go back. I think there’s a statue back there that I should have pointed out to you.’
Jackson stopped and crossed his arms. ‘Ivy, are you hiding something?’
‘Uh . . .’ Ivy winced. Her Night Stalker skills had deserted her. ‘Of course not, I just . . .’
‘You took me to see the portraits of the family horses, and then offered a viewing of the incredible feat of raking the gravel on the front drive. I’ve seen every potted plant in the house and, while fascinating, I know more than I ever wanted to about the history of the Lazar family. Now you want to retrace our steps for a statue. I’m no detective – although I have played one – but it seems to me like something funny is going on.’
‘No, no!’ Ivy wanted to smack her forehead but that would give the game away. The worst thing she could have done was get up his suspicions – well, the worst thing besides leading him straight to Olivia and Alex.
The sound of Olivia laughing floated clearly down the hallway.
‘Olivia!’ declared Jackson and headed in that direction.
‘I–I think that was just the TV,’ Ivy stammered, hurrying after him.
‘I don’t know why you’re being so weird,’ Jackson said, pausing outside the library door.
‘Have you seen the lake?’ Ivy tried as a last-ditch effort.
‘It’s really beautiful –’
But Jackson was already pushing open the door. Wider, wider . . . Oh no! Ivy could see Olivia giving Alex a big hug – and so could Jackson.
Olivia’s boyfriend stood in the open doorway, watching her embracing someone else.
It doesn’t get any worse than this, Ivy thought, peeking from behind her fingers.
Chapter Nine
Olivia turned to the door and gasped. She pulled away from Alex and blurted out the first thing that came into her mind. ‘What on earth are you doing here?’
Then she realised that sounded rude. ‘I mean, hi, Jackson!’
She’d only been comforting Alex, but she could guess what it must have looked like to Jackson. She hurried over to give him a hug but he seemed stiff and didn’t really hug her back.
Olivia looked at Ivy, who offered a sympathetic shrug.
‘Surprise,’ he said but Olivia could see he was staring at Alex. Staring hard.
‘I’m Alex.’ The prince reached out to shake Jackson’s hand. ‘Olivia has just been singing your praises.’
‘It’s true,’ Olivia said. ‘I was just saying how much I wished you could be here for Valentine’s Day. And here you are!’
‘Here I am,’ Jackson said with a cold stare. He shook hands with Alex but didn’t look happy about it. Olivia had only ever seen him look angry once, and it was in a movie when he’d played an evil robot. ‘What’s going on, Olivia?’
‘I know it looks bad,’ Olivia began but Alex stepped in.
‘There’s been a mix-up,’ he said. ‘Olivia thought that I was interested in her and was just telling me how she was your girlfriend.’
‘So why all the hugging?’ Jackson asked Olivia.
‘We’re just friends,’ she said. She could feel her face blushing. ‘There’s someone else he wants to be with, but he hasn’t told me who.’
She looked into Jackson’s eyes, hoping that he would understand. Please don’t be mad. We haven’t done anything wrong. She forced herself not to look away, knowing how guilty that would make her look. After a moment, his face softened and a small smile appeared.
‘Surprised?’ he said.
‘Definitely surprised!’ Olivia breathed out with relief, and gave him another hug. This time he hugged her back.
Ivy piped up. ‘Alex, why don’t you and I leave the two lovebirds alone?’
‘Very good,’ he said, bowing. ‘I haven’t spent much time with you this visit.’ As they walked outside, Olivia heard him say, ‘Tell me, Ivy, do you read poetry?’
As the door closed behind them, Jackson sat down on one of the big leather chairs and pulled Olivia on to his lap.
‘I’ve missed you,’ Olivia said. ‘You should have told me you were coming.’
‘That would’ve kind of ruined the surprise,’ Jackson replied, his blue eyes sparkling.
‘What about all the publicity for your book?’ Olivia asked.
‘Nothing like as important as seeing my girlfriend on Valentine’s Day,’ he said and Olivia felt her heart thumping faster.
‘It didn’t seem that important when I saw you at the book signing.’ Olivia remembered how miserable she had felt when he’d walked away to that VIP party.
‘I know. I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘When I’m working, I’m always pulled in a hundred directions.’ He grinned. ‘The trouble was that I knew I was coming here and so I had in the back of my mind that it wouldn’t matter because I’d be seeing you soon. Didn’t you get my text message?’
Olivia poked him in the side. ‘Yes, but that didn’t help! I didn’t know what it meant.’
He grinned. ‘Well, I’m full of Valentine’s Day surprises. First, there was the dress . . .’
‘Which is so perfect,’ Olivia said.
‘And . . .’
‘And . . .?’ Olivia sat up.
‘And there’s an even bigger one.’ He looked like he’d just won an Academy Award.
‘I don’t see how it’s possible to be bigger than showing up out of the blue in a whole different country and choosing the most exquisite dress I’ve ever seen,’ Olivia countered.
‘Ah, well,’ he said. ‘If it’s not possible, I’d better call the whole thing off, then.’
Olivia poked him again. ‘Tell me!’
He gave her a big hug. ‘My parents are viewing houses in Franklin Grove as we speak. All three of us are tired of the crazy Hollywood scene, and they agreed that Franklin Grove is a beautiful place to settle.’
Olivia gasped. ‘What?’
‘I want to go to a regular school, have regular classes.’ Jackson looked into her eyes. ‘I want to be near you.’
Olivia felt like she was floating somewhere near the ceiling. ‘You’re moving?’
‘And I’ve told Amy that I’ll be doing fewer events and more studying.’
Jackson beamed and Olivia beamed back.
‘Oh my goodness,’ Olivia said. She jumped up and did a little happy dance. ‘You are the BEST!’
‘I was hoping you’d say that,’ Jackson said.
Olivia closed her eyes. Things couldn’t have turned out more perfectly. Not only did Jackson go all out for Valentine’s Day, he was moving his whole life just to be near her!
‘Why is your dress in the library?’ Jackson asked.
Olivia grabbed the box on the table and clutched it to her. ‘Because I thought Alex had given it to me and I couldn’t accept it. But now that I know it was you I am never letting it go!’
‘Good,’ Jackson said. ‘You’ll be the most beautiful girl at the ball tonight.’
Olivia nodded, but then it hit her. She had agreed to go with Prince Alex.
Eek!
‘Actually, Jackson, there’s something I need to . . .’
But Jackson grabbed her in another hug and she didn’t want to spoil the moment.
It can wait, Olivia thought.
Tessa held the mirror up behind Ivy’s head so that she could see the spiked fan of hair that she’d styled to splay out from her bun.
‘It’s fantastic,’ Ivy said. ‘Thank you.’
‘It’s my pleasure,’ Tessa replied. ‘You look stunning. Do you want to see the whole thing together?’
Ivy stepped in front of the full-length mirror. The dress Georgia had loaned her was a strapless black silk bodice with a full skirt. The toes of the Victorian lace-up heeled boots poked out from under the hem. With her heavy black eyeliner, Ivy looked like a fashion goth.
‘The dress is gorgeous,’ Ivy said, pulling up the bodice. ‘But I just don’t look like me.’
She wished she could throw on one of her own skirts and feel comfortable. It’s what she’d wanted ever since she’d arrived in Transylvania.
Just then, the computer on her desk pinged with a new email. Tessa helped her with the cumbersome skirt over to the chair.
The subject heading was BE MY VALENTINE and the email just had a link and the words, ‘Love, Brendan.’
‘Who’s Brendan?’ Tessa asked as Ivy clicked on the link.
‘He’s my boyfriend,’ Ivy replied, smiling in anticipation of what he’d sent her.
The link went straight to a video clip.
‘Hi, Ivy!’ said Brendan on-screen, pushing his hair out of his face. He leaned in closer. ‘Is it on?’ he asked himself and then sat back. ‘Yup, it’s on. OK. This is my Valentine’s video for you, because I wish you were here and I love you.’ He smiled and the image clicked over to a big picture of the Franklin Grove gang outside the Meat and Greet: Ivy, Brendan, Olivia, Sophia and Camilla. A song started. Ivy knew it right away: ‘Stalk You Tonight’ by the Dark Violets.
Photos flashed on the screen: Ivy and Brendan playing air hockey, Ivy and Brendan’s sister Bethany playing with Bethany’s gothified Barbies, Ivy and Sophia having a black pen fight in which Sophia drew a big bunny on Ivy’s bicep.
Ivy hugged herself as the video went on, making her feel happy and homesick at the same time. At the end, there were three photos
in a row: Brendan standing in his backyard making an ‘I’ by standing up with his arms above his head, making a heart with his arms over his head and then pointing at the screen with a huge grin.
‘I love you, too,’ Ivy whispered, stroking the necklace at her throat.
‘He seems like an awesome boyfriend,’ Tessa said, giving a deep sigh.
Ivy nodded. The necklace was a nice Valentine’s Day present, she thought. But that was perfection.
‘Tell me about Jackson,’ Tessa said. ‘He must be a pretty amazing boyfriend, too, to fly all the way out here to surprise Olivia.’
Ivy nodded. ‘They are totally meant to be together, although Olivia was a little worried that he’d forgotten Valentine’s Day altogether. I’m glad he’s here to work everything out – and I’m glad the whole Alex and Olivia thing is out of the way. I mean, he’s a prince!’
Tessa winced. ‘Yes, I suppose a prince and a normal girl is a silly idea.’
The tone in her voice made Ivy’s spy senses perk up. Slowly, a pattern began to form in her head. She remembered Alex glaring after his mother was rude to Tessa over the tea, and how wistful he was talking about playing with Tessa on the fountain when he broke his arm.
Olivia had said: someone else he wants to be with. Ivy thought of all the times she’d seen Tessa upset and all the tension between her and the Queen. When Alex skated away on the lake, it could have been because he couldn’t face her – because he was hurting.
‘It’s you!’ Ivy declared. ‘You’re the “someone else” Alex wants.’
Tears filled Tessa’s eyes. ‘It’s true. We’re in love. We grew up together and had always been really good friends. Then, last summer we went horseback riding together in the woods.’ Tessa smiled through her tears. ‘We stopped for a picnic in a field of daisies and he kissed me. It was the most romantic, wonderful moment of my life.’ She sniffled. ‘But his mother has forbidden us to be together.’
‘That’s awful,’ Ivy said, putting her arm around Tessa.
‘She’s dead against us because my family were servants.’ Tessa’s eyes flashed. ‘She’d rather make her son miserable than allow a commoner like me into her family. It would almost be better if I were a human.’
06 Love Bites - My Sister the Vampire Page 10