Ok, I tried to post a link on the last chapter for the ring for all who are curious, but it didn't post. I can tell you how to get to the page, though! Go to Dragon weave (dot) com and scroll down until you get to Rings. Click on Gothic Rings. Scroll down the page until you see the one called Bathory Crystal Ring.

I'm glad to see that people actually read what I write! I've got two subscribers, a comment, and ten hits in twenty four hours! Maybe that is pathetic compared to some other stories, like Blood Minus which has countless hits and hundreds of reviews… But oh well! I'm excited and proud! So enjoy!

Black Rose

Chapter Two: The Risk

Thursday night, Alexander, Sebastian and I sat in the parlor, pouring over the instructions that Onyx had written.

"It says that to do the initial charging, you need to place the ring in purified spring water with sea salt and ground sage." I read aloud.

Sebastian continued, "Then you put it in the moonlight for a minimum of ten hours. The rest of the time, to hold the charge, you place it in the bag, filled with sea salt."

"To protect the ring from damage while in the rough salts, carefully wrap it in a piece of soft canvas or parchment paper." Alexander finished.

"Well." I said. "That seems rather easy to me. We've got almost everything we need. The fridge has some bottled spring water, and Jameson always keeps sea salt around for cooking. You've got canvas with your paints and stuff, right?"

Alexander nodded.

"Well, all we need is sage."

Sebastian piped in. "Actually, I've got some."

"Your mom?" Alexander asked.

"Yup. She gives it to me to line my coffin. Says it'll make it smell good."

Alexander chuckled.

"So we can start it tonight then!" I enthused.

Alexander and Sebastian set up an area for the crystal bowl to be placed while I used a mortar and pestle to crush the sea salts and sage. I felt like an old witch, mixing lotions and potions and spells beneath the moon light.

We poured some bottled water into the bowl and placed the ring in the center before sprinkling in the sage and salt. As soon as the moonlight hit the ring, the red gem seemed to begin to glow.

"Well it must be working then!" I said.

Later that night, Alexander, Sebastian and I sat out on the gazebo eating sandwiches. We gazed up at the night sky.

"If this works, Alexander," Sebastian said, "You could be gazing at a sunrise on Sunday morning while I'm tucking myself into a casket."

"You don't sound like you mind all that much." I said.

"I like the way I live, and if that means that I can't see the light of day, then so be it!" He leaned back in his chair. "From what I hear, the sun can be a bother any how. Burning your skin, making you sweat, it just doesn't sound fun."

I laughed. He'd taken the words right out of my mouth.

I snuggled with Nightmare in bed that night. I suffered a horrible case of anxious insomnia. I couldn't stand waiting until Sunday to test the ring, and I knew that Alexander couldn't either. The suspense was killing me!

I stood by Alexander's side as we watched Sebastian sink into his coffin. He gave Alexander a reassuring smile and waved as the coffin door closed. Alexander and I walked slowly down the staircase. I didn't understand why we were moving so slowly when we were both so anxious to see what would happen. We stood in the doorway of the mansion and stepped out into the open. I took Alexander's hand and smiled at him as the sky began to turn from indigo, to violet, to a light blue. I could see the sun begin to peek through the trees and gave Alexander's hand a squeeze.

But the moment the sun made its presence known, Alexander crumbled to the ground, writhing in agony. I watched helplessly as his skin began to sizzle and burn. I tried to scream, or cry out for help, but I couldn't seem to find my voice. I tried to run, to get Creepy Man or something, but I couldn't move.

A shadow came over me and I heard a familiar laugh.

"Burn, Monster Boy! Burn!" Trevor cackled.

I shot out of bed in a cold sweat, knocking Nightmare off of my bed and onto the floor with a startled hiss. I looked at my shaking hands and whimpered a little bit, just to make sure that I could still speak. The adrenalin was still coursing through my veins as I fumbled for my cell phone.

I texted Alexander as quickly as I could.

R U OK?

I waited anxiously for what seemed like hours, but I was sure was only a matter of moments for him to text back. The response was such a relief that I let go of a breath that I didn't know I had been holding.

I'm fine. What's wrong?

I quickly typed in a reply. Nothing. Bad dream I guess. NBD.

Are you sure? He messaged back, almost immediately. I melted inside at his concern. He was so sweet!

Yes. A little rattled bt I'm good. Going 2 try 2 sleep. Dn't kno how well itll work. Lol. My fingers had finally stopped shaking and I was settling back into my pillow.

Good night & Sweet dreams. I3U. Once again, I felt myself begin to melt.

I typed back an "I 3 U2" and went back to sleep, my phone on my pillow and my heart fluttering like a raven's wings.

I hope you've enjoyed this chapter! I had a very fun time writing it. I really hope that you continue to read, and I get down on my knees to beg you to look up my Fiction Press account, Darkness Of The Midnight Dawn. PLEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSEEEEEEEE?

Ok, enough of that. Keep reading please!