Time kept moving forward. Radu left to the monster world to 'take care of things' two weeks ago. Draculaura had begged to come along, but that idea was firmly shot down. So here she stayed in the much too bright fairy tale realm, wallowing in her grief. Her new clothing had just arrived, so she sat on the floor of her tiny new walk in closet just staring at it. They were nice clothes, yes, but basic. Dresses and tops in light pink hues, skirts and bottoms in grays and blacks. Three new pairs of shoes, ankle boots, sneakers, and flats, all devoid of personality. With every day that passed Draculaura found something she missed about home. She missed Clawd, she missed her parents, her sister, Count Fabulous, the castle, her closet, her locker at Monster High, the photos tucked into the door, her textbooks, even the creepiteria food.
All gone. Snatched away.
Her sniffles turned into full-blown sobs again. It was a wonder she didn't cry herself out. Becoming nothing more than a shriveled husk. Just when Draculaura thought she couldn't cry anymore, it struck her again and again, a blow to her gut.
"Laura?" Amora knocked on the closet door.
"I'm-I'm finneeee."
"No you aren't." Amora flung open the closet doors. "This is nice," she glanced around.
"Yeah..."
"You miss your old room and closet."
"Yeah..."
"That's okay, let's get you some fresh air," Amora pulled her to her feet, wiping the tears from her face. "Come on."
The two girls stumbled into the hall just in time to see Christina leaving her bedroom. They hadn't seen much of her and had spoken to her even less. She always seemed preoccupied. Always ran off at the first chance but that hadn't stopped the two ghouls from trying.
"Hi, Christina."
Christina jumped, "Oh, hi," she awkwardly managed.
"Going somewhere?" Amora noticed the purse.
"Just to the bookstore."
"Speaking of books, do you think I might have a look at the grimness book?"
"Um, uh, maybe some other time, excuse me." Christina hurried away, disappearing in a burst of flames at the end of the hall.
"I don't think she likes us, Amora," Draculaura hoarsely whispered.
"Don't be ridiculous," Amora confidently shrugged, "To the courtyard!"
The two girls found a nice shady corner under an apple tree, weighed down with fruit the size of their fists, almost directly behind the fountain with crystal clear water. Birds flew overhead in vibrant colors, and squirrels and chipmunks scampered throughout the space like a storybook brought to life. Something that only made Draculaura long for home even more as she munched on an apple. Amora, meanwhile, made a show of filing her nails, but she had a scheming look in her eye, something Draculaura did not want to get caught up in. Again, she missed home, the courtyard of castle Dracula with its Gothic touches, the beautiful stone pillars that looked slightly worn down, strung with silky spider webs that caught the moonlight, swaying in the breeze.
Draculaura was brought back to the present by the sound of excited footsteps. Much to her surprise, Mallory burst into the courtyard. Instead of a Cinderella costume she wore a gingham dress faded with age, the sash untied and fluttering behind her. She stopped short upon seeing them, hugging her doll tightly to her chest.
"Hi," she whispered.
"Hi," Draculaura whispered back. "What have you got there?"
"Rosa," she patted the doll's copper hair, "We're going to have a tea party."
"That sounds fun."
"It is," Mallory smiled briefly before darting to the opposite side of the courtyard.
Perhaps not all her cousins disliked her after all. Draculaura relaxed with the thought.
...
Christina fluttered through the bookstore, a basket on each arm. Her mind was tumbling a mile a minute. She couldn't help but worry about her father, even though there was nothing to worry about and her mother had assured her of that fact several times over. Still, worry would eat at her until he came home. When Christina wasn't worrying, she was suspicious, increasingly so. Every time she went past her mother's study for whatever reason, her mother jumped, hurrying to shove whatever she was doing out of sight. Then there were her siblings. Mallory was a giggly mess, while Chase smiled like a lunatic.
I just know they're up to something.
But, she didn't know what. Besides, there were other things on her mind.
What a jerk! Swaggering around school like he hasn't ground my heart to fine dust.
The memory made her skin flush with anger as two more books found their way into her baskets. Fiction, spellbooks, cookbooks, guides to random subjects, magazines, and songbooks slowly filled her basket. Through it, she ignored the perplexed looks of bystanders. The books weren't causing the attention; it was how she effortlessly managed the baskets. As full as they were, one would require two hands, even when carried by one of the strong, princely types who milled about hoping to impress girls, but she managed two overflowing baskets without breaking a sweat. It was the same look they gave her in elementary school when she dusted the boys at any PE activity. They looked at her that way when she lifted the teacher's desk during cleanup time to retrieve the blocks she couldn't reach. What else could she do but ignore them?
Everything is fine, just fine. I'm not being stared at, my family isn't acting strange, and there aren't strange, slightly terrifying cousins popping out of random places left and right at home. I'm fine, just fine. It's FINE.
It was not fine.
...
"I'll be home tonight, how's the planning going?" Radu asked his wife with a smile.
"Splendidly, but, Christina's going to make me jump out of my skin."
"You don't think she suspects..."
"No, I'm just jittery."
"Vhere is she now?"
"The bookstore"
"Is she meeting friends there?" Radu smiled hopefully.
Alissa shook her head sadly. "I don't think she has any, not since Melinda left for that study abroad program."
"Oh," Radu's face fell before he regained composure, "And the others?"
"Chase almost broke the window playing soccer again. Mallory's been playing quietly, for her anyway."
"Amora and Draculaura?"
"Still adjusting, grieving."
"Ve all are."
"I'm sure they'll be happy to see you tonight."
"I'm sure."
...
Amora left to take a nap, or so she claimed. So, Draculaura wandered the grounds around the castle. There were miles of flowers to explore, trimmed hedges, and quirky statues hidden along the paths. Beyond those, she discovered a massive swimming pool with fountains, slides, multiple levels, and much more. Alongside the pool there were plenty of beach chairs with colorful umbrellas to relax under. Past the pool was a stable inside she found not horses but dragons. All unique, all sleeping. Only when she stepped out of the stable did she notice the stone barn next door. It was there that she found horses but even these were strange. Powerful beasts with fine silky, shimmery coats that did nothing to hide their rippling muscles.
"They're fae horses."
Jumping slightly, Draculaura saw Christina step from the shadows. She opened one of the doors allowing a horse whose coat was a pure void out. It didn't look friendly with its sharp teeth, swiveling ears, and powerful stride.
"This is Benevolence, my horse."
Only then did Draculaura realize her cousin had swapped her nice dress and heels for riding attire. Fancy riding attire. Swinging herself onto the horse's bare back, Christina turned to the open doors on the other side of the barn.
"Excuse me."
And Christina was gone before she could reply.
She doesn't like me.
What else could it be? Every attempt to speak to her elder cousin resulted in her fleeing. She was tight-lipped, spending most of her day shut in her room. Sometimes, when passing the door, music could be heard or the TV, but every time Draculaura knocked she received no answer.
This was sure to be a long, miserable summer.
...
Later, as the noon sun moved into evening shadows, Draculaura found herself in the same tower they'd arrived in. The mirror was gone, leaving the space empty. Nothing but white stones and mosaic floor tiles.
"What's up there?"
"Storage"
"Can I look? Please, Daddy, please?"
"If you be very, very careful."
Foolish to think the same was true here. Draculaura slumped farther under the window, recalling rainy days long past when she explored the dusty, cobweb corners of the upper castle floors, finding clothing, jewelry, books, and trinkets long forgotten. Closing her eyes did nothing to stop the tears from flowing, heart breaking again.
"Meow"
Slowly, much to her surprise, a pleasantly fat, fluffy orange cat slunk his way into the room. Sitting directly in front of her, his tail swished slowly from side to side as his large eyes seemed to take her in.
"Hello"
The cat moved swiftly toward her, placing his front paws on her chest with a soft purr.
"Where did you come from?" she petted him, tears drying on her cheeks. "You're very soft."
"I see you've met our king of the castle."
"Hi, Aunt Alissa," Draculaura looked up from the friendly animal that had settled into her lap.
Alissa sat beside her on the floor. An odd sight, considering the gown she was wearing, but then again, Draculaura had only a few experiences, most in early childhood, with elegant upper-class ladies.
"I wanted to check in, see how you're doing?"
"I-I-"
"Oh, sweetie,"
"I don't-I-I don't want-want-to-to-to cry anymore!"
"It's normal, honey, it's healthy," Alissa wrapped her arms around the sobbing vampire.
"I want my family back, This isn't fair."
"I know, it isn't fair at all."
It was on the tip of her tongue. All she had to do was confide in Alissa that Christina didn't like her, but she kept her mouth shut. Christina wasn't unkind or hateful to her. Just, just cold. Cold and unplesent. So she choked the words down, the truth a boulder in her stomach. Slowly, the tears stopped for a moment, drying in trails on her face. Alissa held her tight, brushing stray hairs from her eyes, drying her tears. Although comforting, Draculaura still longed for her mother's cool touch. Her perfect fanged smile.
"Mom, have you seen-oh!"
Christina stood in the doorway, a metal dish of cat food in her hand.
"Mrrow"
"Here you are, Ace," Christina set the dish nearby. Leisurely, Ace lumbered from Draculaura's lap to his bowl, stopping briefly to rub Christina's legs. "Enjoy," she stroked his back before turning on her heel to head downstairs.
Christina's cat is friendlier than her.
,
"Not again," Christina grumbled to herself, shifting the guitar on her lap to repair the snapped string, replacing it with a new one, "It's what I get for buying this old thing but it's worth it."
Learning a new instrument was better than moping around.
Knock, knock-knock-knock. Knock. Tap.
"Come in, Chase."
Chase's dirt-smeared face peeked around the doorway into the sitting room with a grin.
"Here, Bud," Christina handed him a wet rag, "Wipe your face and come sit. I have a surprise for you."
Chase scrubbed his face until it was pink and shiny, the rag disappearing with a wave of his hand as he sat across from Christina. The elder hybrid fought to get her guitar back in tune. Once her task was acomplished, she began to play a song Chase knew very well:
"Robin Hood and Little John, walking through the forest
Laughing back and forth at what the other'n has to say
Reminiscing this and that and having such a good time
Oo-de-lally, oo-de-lally, golly, what a day"
Chase clapped his hands excitedly, making Christina smile brightly, clearly pleased with her surprise. Robin Hood was easily her brother's favorite Disney film, just as Mallory's was Cinderella and hers was Sleeping Beauty.
"Never ever thinking there was danger in the water
They were drinking, they just guzzled it down
Never dreaming that a scheming sheriff and his posse
Was a-watching them and gathering around
Robin Hood and Little John, running through the forest
Jumping fences, dodging trees and trying to get away
Contemplating nothing but escape and finally making it
Oo-de-lally, oo-de-lally, golly, what a day
Oo-de-lally, oo-de-lally, golly, what a day"
Chase hopped up to hug Christina in thanks.
"Do you want to learn how to play it?"
Chase shook his head so vigorously that Christina worried it might fall off.
"Well, come here then."
...
They were all sitting down to dinner when Radu arrived home that night. The sight of her younger cousins rushing to hug their father made Draculaura squirm. Watching her uncle spin Mallory around and around reminded her of when she was small and her father would greet her the same way. She could feel the sadness welling up in her again. Clawing at her insides, begging to be let out. Amora grabbed her hand under the table, squeezing it tightly.
Was she feeling the same?
Draculaura had never seen Amora cry, but that didn't mean she was incapable of such emotion.
"Don't go away again, Daddy," Mallory ordered seriously, "I missed you too much."
"I'm afraid I'll have to go sometimes."
"No!" Mallory pouted. "Don't go."
Amora was about to cut off all circulation in Draculaura's hand.
Perhaps sensing the tension, Alissa cleared her throat, "Christina have you heard from Melinda, is she coming home for the summer?"
"She's going to stay with Glinda in Oz over the summer, she's invited me to visit."
"You should go," Radu smiled encouragingly. "I'm sure she's missed you."
Christina glanced at her cousins. "I'm not sure I should."
"You're going," Alissa declared. "That's an order."
"Yes, Ma'am, I'll let her know tomorrow."
...
Ten minutes to Midnight, Amora stood outside Christina's door. Although dates hadn't been discussed, and she had no idea when her cousin was leaving for Oz, she couldn't wait any longer. Her attempts to see the Grimness Book had failed; Christina was just too skittish.
This move was hard, terrible, and devasting. Just plain awful. But Amora knew she couldn't wallow in her tears forever as much as she may have wanted to. She needed something, something to lift her spirits, to help her forget her loss. She needed someone.
She needed Duncan.
And, she would have him. He could help her through this terrible grief. She knew it, but she needed the Grimness book to bring him here. The book that was locked in her skittish, soon to be leaving, barely spoke a sentence cousin's magical private library. Now, how to get inside undetected?
She tried the door but it zapped her, fingers scorched she sucked despertly to sooth the pain and keep from crying out. There was a cat door; would that be magicked? Tentively, she edged her foot closer, feeling the magical heat pulse. The flap only let in the cat, so that was a no-go. What to do?
Amora's eyes widened slightly in thought. Christina's room had several large windows, which she kept open to let in the breeze.
Ah-Ha!
That was it.
Creeping silently back to her room, she dove soundlessly from the ledge, transforming into a large, fiery bat mid-air before flying around to her cousin's open window. Landing inside, she held her breath. Christina's bed was only a few feet away, the hybrid sleeping soundly, arm wrapped around her cat.
The cat was judging her. Green eyes flashing in the dim light, his tail flicking back and forth.
Shaking slightly with nerves, Amora held her hands up placatingly.
Please don't wake her.
The cat began to paw at his sleeping owner.
"Ace...no...treats...now," Christina slurred, pulling her blanket over them both.
Quickly ducking out of the room, she found the door to the library cracked open. Soundlessly, she sprinted inside, noiselessly closing it behind her.
"Oh..My...Ghoul"
Astonishingly, the room was huge in a way that defied logic. It seemed from where she stood to be as big or bigger than the main castle library, with towering shelves and numeres cases. How would she ever find the Grimness Book in here? There were no signs; why would there be? Christina no doubt knew the layout and where everything was. Perhaps the answer was right in front of her then.
If I were scared by the book, where would I put it so I wouldn't have to see it? With this thought, she wound through the space, almost tripping on stacks of spellbooks tetering throughout, left there in some reading frenzy until:
"Where are you? Where are you... THERE!" she whispered, finally finding the most Sacred Tome of all Monsterkind: the Grimness Book of Records. She felt appropriately awed as she hefted the large book from the high shelf. The Book glowed briefly, recognizing her Dracula Family blood.
"I need a way to bring my Prince to me from the other realm", she quietly requested of it. The Book glowed, opened, and the pages turned rapidly.
A spell to bring him there. A spell which tied him to the book so that he could never leave Ever After. Never leave her! Oh, it was just perfect! Just perfect! The words on the page were gibberish, a lot of the letters turned this way and that like a bowl of alphabet soup, but the runic circles would be easy enough to draw, and from the looks of her surroundings, Christina had the supplies she would need. Ten minutes later, she propped the book on a table, and standing in the center of her drawing, she began to read aloud the text of the page glowing softly at first, becoming brighter and brighter as a cold wind began to blow, the ground shifting underfoot. Faster and faster the ground shook, harder and harder the wind blew, sending books flying, shelves rattled, the knick knacks hitting the floor but still she read on.
Until, there was a bang, like a fired cannon, and Duncan, in nothing but his boxers, was shot through a portal to crash into the legs of the table the book rested on.
The ground stilled, the wind died, and Amora dove for a bewildered Duncan, "IT WORKED! IT WORKED! I'M SO HAPPY IT WORKED!" he was so caught off guard that she managed to smother him in kisses without a care for the rucas she'd caused.
"What the...?! AMORA?...Mmmpph!" Duncan stammered awake in surprise as the succubus smothered him with kisses! "Wait-wait! What are doing in my...WHERE THE HECK AM I?! WHAT IS THIS?!"
"Oh, Duncan, my Prince! You're here for me!" Amora gushed, resisting his efforts to escape her embrace.
"AMORA! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"
Amora and Duncan both looked up to see a surprised and visibly upset Christina; Amora looked sheepish, while Duncan was surprised again to see a completely unknown ghoul; though he could tell she was at least part vampire.
"I'm sorry, Miss", he said. "I don't know how I even got here. My name is Duncan Rosenblatt. Last I knew, I was asleep in my own bed, then I woke up just like this(indicating being in Amora's embrace). Where am I?"
"Ever After." Tears were gathering in Christina's eyes.
"What is going on in here?" Alissa flashed into the room with Radu, "What are you girls doing up so late?"
"ASK HER!" Christina shouted angrily, "She broke in here, she invaded my private space and messed with my library!" Christina was beginning to cry, unpleasant memories flooding her mind. "No one comes in here."
"Oh, sveetheart," Radu pulled his daughter into a hug, "It vill be okay, I promise." he stared disprovingly at his niece over his daughter's head, "You broke in to use the book, didn't you?"
""I'M SORRY! BUT I HAD TO!" the young succubus cried, still embracing Duncan. "Duncan is my DESTINY! Then Clawdeen interfered, and everyone forced me to back off and 'compete' with her for him! But then we had to come HERE, taking me AWAY from him and ANY chance to be with him! IT WASN'T FAIR! I COULDN'T JUST FORGET IT AND LET THAT-THAT BLASTED SHE-WOLF JUST HAVE MY PRINCE!"
"Destiny has no say in this household whatsoever." Alissa pulled the two apart. "You go back to bed, young lady, we'll talk about all of this tomorrow."
Amora stomped from the room. As it turned out, Aunt Alissa could be scary. The way her eyes changed chilled the teen and stopped any argument.
But Duncan would be there tomorrow.
Duncan would always be there now!
...
Finally, Done! What did we think?
A big thank you to DRAGONDAVE45 for the help!
Review!