Roxy looks back at me, clapping even harder, and I drop my head back to the ground, totally exhausted and now a little confused.
Did Charlie Chamberlain just help me get up those chairs?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
VIGGO RASSMUSSEN
First, there’s blood. Then you have music.
Vampire Falls. Season seven, episode three – “Say It Again”
After downing a couple of glasses of water and eating Fake McKinley’s protein bar, my heart has stopped racing from the surge of adrenaline that got me across those chairs and onto the stage. I’m not thinking about the other people who may or may not have helped me or whether they’re playing mind games. I’m not thinking about thatat all.
Bring Me the Ghost are on fire. Damon Van Schwartz on vocals was born to front a band, as well as to play Viggo Rassmussen. And do all his humanitarian bollocks, of course. Halfway through “Smile/Cry”, which is the percussion-heavy song that made me resurrect my drumming career, I got overexcited and bit my tongue, so now we’re having a little sit down. We’re at a table with a couple of Malcorr demons who’ve been shouting muffled accusations at each other and now face away, one with its arms folded and the other scrolling on their phone. Love is hard, even for Malcorr demons.
Damon Van Schwartz closes his eyes and whispers the opening lines of “Person of Mine”,from their second album, also from the season two episode, “Not Now”. The crowd screams and everyone loops arms, swaying to what is basically Viggo and Juliana’s theme song. I search the crowd and spot Charlie Chamberlain, Vivian pressed up against his side, shouting something in his ear. He nods, smiling at whatever she’s said. I turn to Roxy.
“Do you think he knew she was coming?”
“Obviously,” says Roxy, not even asking who I’m talking about.
“Why obviously?” I say, looking Vivian up and down.
Her dress is amazing; sort of Morticia Addams shaped but in bright, blood red. Her bum looks incredible. And her boobs. It should be illegal to have both a good bum and good boobs.
“Because they’re friends,” shrugs Roxy.
“Why are they friends though?” I say, curling my lip as Vivian starts dancing like one of the pros onStrictly.
“People probably wonder the same about us, babe.”
“Funny.”
Roxy leans forward and ruffles my (very sweaty) hair.
“And I’d tell them, Eliza Gellar, it’s because you’re so adorable, and not at all obsessive.”
“Obsessive?Me?How amIobsessive?” Roxy finishes her drink and raises an eyebrow. I turn in my seat and get as close to her face as I can, in case she didn’t hear me, not because I’m obsessive. “Tell me right now! What do you mean,obsessive!?”
Roxy shakes her head and laughs (whatis she laughing at?!) then stands and pulls me out of my seat.
“Time to dance, my low-maintenance friend.”
“Fine, but I’m not enjoying myself until you tell me what you mean byobsessive.”
Roxy grabs my hand and spins me round, which obviously makes me wildly enjoy myself but halfway through my spin I spot someone who isn’t. The guy in the McKinley costume is watching everyone from the side of the dance floor, alone again. I elbow Roxy and she looks round.
“He looks so lost,” she says, as he runs a finger along the inside neck of his mask. “I mean, as lost as a werewolf can look.”
“Right? I haven’t seen him with anyone; I think he might be here on his own.” He jumps out of the way of a couple ofvampires twirling each other round. I look up at Roxy. “Shall I?”
Roxy nods.
“You shall,” she says, nodding. “I’m getting drinks. See you in a minute.”
I walk over and have to stand on my tiptoes and wave in front of his snout before he registers me.
“Sorry,” he says, shaking his head and pointing at his mask. “I’m smiling at you under here. Hey.”
