CHAPTER 9

The Hale Manor was a Gothic-themed structure that resembled a dark version of the dollhouse Dandy kept in his playroom. It was floor after floor of architectural magnificence, and Dandy reminded himself to take the longer routes home from now on just to be able to see it more often. The gate was one of those new sliding gates from Hollywood, California, and Dandy and Wednesday tried to keep as sober as possible as the guard looked out at them from his booth.

"Miss Wednesday?" The guard said through the intercom. "Mighty late coming home."

"Just open the gate, please, thanks Bertram." Wednesday struggled to keep her voice flat. "Are mother and father home?"

"Not yet, Miss Wednesday." Bertram pressed a button that made the gate slide to the sides. "They said they'd be in an auction somewhere in Orlando. Before they left, they asked me to note what time you arrived."

Dandy looked at his watch, showing nearly midnight. "And what time did I arrive?" Wednesday asked as she passed, indifferently shoving a twenty in Bertram's breast pocket.

Bertram smiled triumphantly. "Before nine in the evening, of course."

"Good." Wednesday walked next to Dandy along the straight driveway that lead to the fountain in the center of the entrance. It was a cold night in Jupiter, especially up in the manors and mansions up the hills, and Wednesday internally cursed herself for picking the wrong dress and kept close to her friend for warmth, but quickly remembered that she would never let him in her manor and stopped just by the fountain. "Sorry, my parents don't allow me to have guests."

"Really?" Dandy frowned. Why, how will they know? He had a feeling about Wednesday, and he looked at her and realized it was the same look he had when he was fourteen and bought off the television and hid the toy in his room and he was hoping his mother would never notice."Well, as long as you're safe. I believe this means I bid you goodnight, Wednesday."

"Goodnight, Dandy." Wednesday smiled. "I had fun."

"Wonderful." He smiled back as he took a few steps backward. "Goodnight, my dear—hope you can walk without tripping."

Wednesday rolled her eyes and laughed as she walked to the door of her home. Her head was spinning and all she could her was the thump of her own heels and the constant wheezing in her ears. She opened the door and quickly staggered in.

"Holy cow." Her drunkenness made her a split second too slow to realize that Dandy was right behind her, staring at the secret she tried to keep. She turned and gasped, looking at the awed smile that slowly crept on his face.

Wednesday's house was lined with weapon after weapon, the walls filled with armor and weapons. The foyer was an elegant dark Some were hanged on the walls by hooks, while a few old-looking ones were on pedestals and caged in glass. Dandy stepped inside like a child in a candy store. "Now I know why the Hales never invite anyone over."

"Is it obvious?" Wednesday laughed dryly. "Also a reason why my parents have never been drunk—yes, you can touch that."

Dandy picked up a revolver in front him. "Is it loaded?"

"No," Wednesday swiftly took a knife out of its case and hurled it across the room, missing Dandy by a few inches. "But they're all real."

Dandy smiled at her, as though looking at an old friend. "You don't trust your guests with a house full of weapons?"

"I don't," Wednesday shrugged as she watched Dandy remove the knife lodged on the wall. "But my parents would rather have a house of weapons than social company."

"You trust easily?" Dandy walked in front of her and pointed the tip at her bare throat. "You'd trust me?"

She took a step forward so the tip was already pressing her. "Why shouldn't I?"

"I could give you a list of reasons why not to trust me." Dandy taunted, undaunted.

Wednesday didn't falter either, tilting her head into a condescending smile and Dandy grinned as he pulled back the knife. "You can keep that—my parents aren't that into knives anyway. That one was used by one of the Huns in Ancient China."

Dandy admired the knife, brushing a delicate finger on its blade. Its hilt was a dark red, like the possible blood it once shed. Or will shed, now that it's mine. "Your parents wouldn't mind?" Dandy asked casually as he tucked it in his back pocket.

"I told you, they're not into knives." Wednesday pursed her lips as she started walking towards the steps. "Okay—they're mine. Why do you think I can throw?"

Dandy widened his eyes, looking at Wednesday, who looked too feminine to be any good at what he did. He saw her taking a step at a stair. "I should go now. Good night, Wednesday."

She turned and smiled. "Good night, Dandy. I trust you won't tell anyone about what lies inside Hale Manor?"

"Of course not." He promised, bowing low before making his way to the exit. A new dagger in-hand, Dandy made a mental note to pay a visit to town and test out his new toy.