The trek into the forest was a lot less scary the second time around. The brothers still refused to look at Sorin, but Annabeth was much more gracious. Conner once again waited for them in the small clearing, idling at the end of a dirt path. He tipped his hat and heaved up their backpacks with little effort, once again lashing them down for the long ride to the hotel. The brothers piled into the car, this time sans vampire, and settled in for the ride.

Cameron relaxed back into the plush seat, grinning at his brothers. "Well, good to know we all got invitations," he said, glancing at James.

"Yep," James said. He pulled a Gothic invitation with red ink splashed across the black background out of his pocket and waved it around.

He had been thrilled to receive the invitation to Mavis's one hundred and nineteenth birthday party, signed by Mavis, Dracula, and most importantly, Jonathan. He'd sent back his RSVP with the bat that had delivered the invite, and he'd set about packing. He was to leave that night by plane and get to Tilovask by sunset the next day in order to make it. The thought of calling his other brothers to see if they had received an invitation hadn't crossed his mind for more than a fleeting instant before he focused on the excitement at getting to see Jonathan again. So he was vastly relieved to see them all there, happy and healthy and gearing up to spend the weekend with monsters.

They chatted about their lives, which were all vastly different due to the places they'd settled, and overall had a good time as the car winded its way into the forest toward the hotel. When the car stopped, the door was quickly opened, and James stepped out to see Dracula, looking unchanged from the last time they'd seen him.

"Welcome," he said. "Come quickly. We must get you settled. The party starts in an hour."

Other monsters watched them warily as they grabbed their backpacks and hurried after the vampire. They were settled on the ninth floor, and they each had their own room, which was nice; the last time the brothers had been paired off in rooms.

"Get ready," Dracula said. "I'll be back before the party starts to get you."

"Thanks," James called as the vampire scurried away. Dracula turned and smiled before dashing away in a blur.

Each of the men took a long, hot shower then slipped into the required outfit, which had been provided by Dracula and lay spread out over each bed. As James adjusted his blue satin tie, he wondered where Jonathan was and when he'd get to see him.

Nearly forty-five minutes later, there was a curt knock, and James walked out to see Dracula standing in the hall. Evidently, he'd already knocked on all six doors because his brothers were also coming out. Each wore a fancy suit, but the ties were a different color for all of them. Blue for James, yellow for Cameron, purple for Owen, pink for Evan, green for Tyler, and orange for Blake.

They had no time for questions as they were whisked away by Dracula toward the elevator. After a rapid descent, Dracula ushered them through the ballroom where the party would be and into a side room.

"Wait here. When it's time, come out."

Dracula hurried away, and James asked as the door closed. "When will we know it's time?"

"When I have to go out and host the party for Mavis, of course," an amused voice said behind them.

The brothers spun around and there, reclining in the corner of the room, was their youngest brother. He looked sophisticated in his suit, a blood red satin tie set against his white shirt. His black jacket was thrown over the back of the chair, and he held a book in his hands. Snapping the book shut, he stood up and walked over.

"Good to see you all made it," he said. "We had to be sneaky. Mavis was shadowing us. If it wasn't for Wanda, we never would have got the invites to you."

James nodded as he looked at the man in front of him. He was no longer stick thin, and he actually had some weight on him. He had filled out nicely, and he had a healthy glow to his cheeks. His eyes were bright with interest, and he smiled at all of them.

"You guys will like this weekend," he promised. "I arranged a good menu for all involved."

"You arranged everything?" Blake asked, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Why?"

"I'm the party planner. I planned last year's party, too, but that was interrupted when Mavis threw me across the room into a table and everybody realized I was human. Drac's trying to make it up to her this year."

"Sounds wild," Cameron muttered.

James scanned Jonathan's face. "How are you doing?"

Jonathan smiled. "Much better," he replied. "I've worked through some of what happened to me with the monsters. It's still rough sometimes, but there's hope now."

The brothers sagged in relief. "That's great, Jonny," Evan said.

"So you're not going to disembowel us with a knife?" Tyler asked.

Jonathan dipped his hand in his pocket and pulled out a knife that was like nothing the brothers had ever seen before. Its blade shone in a way that was mesmerizing and ethereal, and it had symbols carved into it. It seemed to glow a little, and not from the candlelight that filled the room.

"Not if you play nice," Jonathan said, twirling the blade playfully.

"What is that?"

"A birthday gift from Quasimodo. It's a silver blade with enchantments so that I can defend myself from anybody who doesn't like me. Came in handy with a werewolf a few months ago and a kelpie with an attitude last month. Neither will be trying anything again soon."

"Dangerous life," Owen muttered.

"Exciting and fun," Jonathan countered.

The sound of a crowd milling into the ballroom filtered through the door, and Jonathan adjusted his tie and put on his jacket.

"Nearly time," he said.

"You seem excited."

"I am. If everything goes right tonight, I'll be very happy."

Before the brothers could ask what he meant, Dracula poked his head into the room.

"It's time, Jonny. Everybody's here."

"Sweet!"

Jonathan adjusted his tie again and made a face. "Still don't know how you wear such formal clothes all the time."

"Mavis will be delighted," Dracula said. "Besides, we're already ignoring a bit of tradition. Humor me for this part."

"Yeah, yeah," Jonathan said. His expression grew nervous, but he headed out. "Come on. Follow me."

James and the others followed him out onto a small raised platform. Jonathan gave a sharp whistle, and the monsters fell silent.

"Hello all you monsters and monstrettes!" he called. "Thanks for coming out to Mavis's party. Hopefully, we can avoid the fiasco that happened last year."

There was laughter.

Jonathan continued. "Seeing as how nobody knew I was human and that crashed the party, I figured I'd let you know that there are other humans here this year, all invited and approved by Drac. These are my brothers."

He introduced each of them, and they waved cautiously as the monsters studied them.

"As a special treat for my brothers," Jonathan said, flashing a wicked grin. "I invited Sorin, the skinwalker who protects the forests around the castle from humans. I did not, however, ask him who he would be dressed as, so if they start screaming or faint, you know why."

There was an uproar of laughter as the brothers all paled and looked ill.

"Now, enough about my family. Let's get the birthday girl in here. Come on in, Mavis!"

Mavis swept into the room. Her black hair was longer now than it had been, and it hung past her shoulders. Her eyes were bright in her pale face, and a hint of dark red lipstick stained her lips. She wore an exquisite black gown that swept the floor with a cape billowing out behind her. The inside of the cape was the same shade of red as her lipstick and she waved. The crowd cheered, and she curtsied.

Jonathan glanced at Dracula, and the vampire smiled and made a gesture that his brothers didn't understand.

"I'm pleased to announce," Jonathan said loudly, and Mavis's eyes fell on him. He continued. "The Count has given me permission to give Mavis a special birthday gift, if she chooses to accept it." An excited murmur ran through the crowd, and many of the older guests beamed with excitement. The brothers were trying to register what Jonathan had said when he continued to speak.

"Mavis, you're the coolest vampire I've ever met. Out of the two I have met so far, anyway." There was a laugh, and Mavis flashed her fangs in a grin. A bit of color was in her cheeks as she stared up at Jonathan.

Jonathan swallowed and spoke again. "I would like to get to know you better, Mavis. I've asked Drac, and he approved. Would you like to court me?"

There was a tense silence as Mavis stared at him, her face a mask of surprise. Then she smiled. "Yes!" she exclaimed. "Oh, Jonny, that's a wonderful idea!"

Jonathan relaxed. "Sweet."

"Is that why you wore a suit?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.

Jonathan tugged at the tie. "It was one of Drac's conditions," he admitted. "Hope you like it because that's the only thing that'll get me back in one."

"I do. You look handsome."

Jonathan made a face. "Well, crap."

The room burst into merry laughter, including Mavis. Jonathan announced a game would begin in twenty minutes and that there were refreshments at the edge of the room. He hopped off the stage, and his brothers followed him. Mavis flashed past them all and she embraced Dracula, tears in her eyes.

"Thank you, Daddy!" she exclaimed. "Thank you so much!"

Dracula shrugged. "Jonny expressed interest in perhaps marrying you. He agreed to my terms. We'll check back in a year and see how things are progressing and what steps need to be taken."

Jonathan smiled at Mavis and reached out to hold her hand. "Can't wait. Already have the first date planned. Quasi's going to make pizza."

Mavis's eyes lit up. "Yummy! Who else is coming?"

"Randal, Samantha, and Wayne and Wanda," Jonathan said. "Randal said you'd never say yes. Guess I get to use his broomstick for a week."

"Is he a witch?" James blurted out, confused.

"Warlock. They use brooms, too," Jonathan replied. "Samantha's a witch. She wasn't stupid enough to place a bet."

Dracula shook his head, smiling. "You two behave yourselves," he said. "I've got to go check on Quasi."

Dracula left, and Mavis smiled shyly at Jonathan. Jonathan kissed her cheek gently then turned to his brothers.

"Hope you approve. Couldn't exactly ask Mom and Dad."

"Screw them," was the chorused reply.

Cameron yelped and leaped forward suddenly, turning to scan the area behind him. Nobody was there.

"What the heck?" he demanded.

"Hey Grif," Jonathan said.

Griffin laughed, and the sound moved across the circle to Jonathan.

"Drac ask you to tail us yet?" Jonathan asked.

"Not yet. Hasn't had the chance. But I'm sure he will. Just don't give him anything to worry about."

"Not planning to," Jonathan said. His stomach snarled, and he chuckled "I'm hungry. Let's go get some refreshments."

The brothers trailed after Jonathan and Mavis. Their hands were intertwined, and every time Jonathan looked at the female vampire, his expression softened. Their brother was happy, healthy, and was now courting a wonderful, thoughtful young woman. It was more than they had hoped for when they had left almost a year before.

As they watched Jonathan pass monsters with a wave and a friendly hello, each time receiving a word or two back, they were happy for him. Things were looking up for their little brother. And they knew they had made the right choice for the first time in years. It was a good feeling, they each thought as they began to enjoy the party.

Now only if they could avoid Sorin all weekend.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the fainters."

Well, crap.

And this is the end of What Makes a Monster? I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what you think in a comment or PM.