Free The Vampire Christopher by Rashelle Workman Page B

ea led with red wax, a SW was stamped in it. “Cool,” I mumbled, breaking it, and removing the thick, white cardstock . Emboldened in black , and lined with silver were these words:
     
    You are cordially invited to attend a
    Masquerade Ball
    Honoring the sixteenth birthday
    Of
    Snow White
    On
    November 17 th
    Beginning at 7:30 pm
     
    There will be dinner and dancing.
    Formal dress required .
     
    … a nd some other stuff. My mind couldn’t g et over the words, Masquerade Ball .

Chapter 2
     
    S ee, I didn’t dance. The last time I tried, I tripped over my partner’s feet, and ended up breaking his wrist. Needless to say, we still weren’t speaking, and the not-so-graceful event happened in fifth grade.
    At the idea of dancing in front of a bunch of people , terror caused m y upper lip to tremble. “A Ball ? What is Professor Pops thinking?”
    They shrugged, grumbling incoh erent words that I took to mean they weren’t excited about the party concept either.  With petulant faces, and irritated glares, they shuffled around , getting mugs for the coffee, creamer, and sugar . The kitchen smelled divine—not that I was ever a real big coffee drinker. More of a hot cocoa girl. But the aroma filled me with nostalgic memories of my mom, m aking me miss her all the more.
    “Here you go , ” Heathcliff said, setting a mug of murky liquid in front of me .
    I was about to decline , but got a whiff of it. It wasn’t coffee, but tea. My bloodlust tea.
    “Thanks . ” I smiled . Their blood wasn’t a distraction this morning. I wondered if that had something to do with me drinking Chace’s blood last night. Self co nsciously, I tugged the scarf fa rther up my neck , and caught D orian watching , his eyes flickering to my neck, the scarf, and my mouth. His examination told me what he thought. A slow tendril of heat started in my belly and worked its way up . I silently prayed he wouldn’t say anything, at least not in front of his brothers.
    “No prob , Snow,” Heathcliff said . He went over and poured himself a cup of coffee.
    Gabe cleared his throat , and I turned my attention to him , taking a sip of tea.
    “So you need to pick out a dress in the next co uple of days, and let Pops know, ” he said .
    “If it ’ s any consolation, we’ll be wearing t uxes,” Heathcliff said irritated , reading the terrorized look I was sure coated my face .
    I giggled at his agitation , swallowed some tea , and then said, “You’ll look amazing in a tuxedo.” I rotated to include Bart, Dorian, and Gabe. “You all will.” I pulled the book closer, and flipped through the pages. All of the dre sses were beautiful , airy, and light . I couldn’t imagine trying to move around in something so elegant.
    The gu ys crowded around , each commenting on which one they thought would suit me be st. I cringed at wearing any of them , and considered speaking to Professor Pops.
    Gats by jumped onto a chair, and onto the counter, rubbing his body along one of my arms.
    “ Hey , boy. What do you think of all this? ” I set him on the ground . The g uys were still occupied with dresses, well, probably the models in side the dresses, and I smiled. “I love yo u guys,” I blurted. They looked over, their expressions amused . I laughed , embarrassed by my sudden outburst .
    “Love you too, Sno w,” Bart and Heathcliff returned .
    G abe gave me a curious look. Dorian came over and stage whispered , as he tugged on my scarf . “Love you too.” I shoved him away, trying to keep my flush from showing . I didn’t want Gabe thinking it was Dorian’s comment that made me redden, and I certainly didn’t want to tell them it was because of what I’d hidden under my scarf. Casually, I fixed it so the soft, blue scarf better covered my neck. I’d sooner die than explain the bruises they would think were hicke ys. And technically they were.
    Dorian added, “Love your shirt, too. ” He poked his pointer finger into my chest. I looked down,