Chapter 10

Gertrude

I t's late when Vlad's meetings end. We have no time to finish what we were about to start earlier. My heart is on fire thinking about it, though. Vlad asked me to be his date. He wants more with me. Is this some kind of dream?

Vlad sighs at a quarter to eleven as his last appointment leaves. "It's time to go rejudge all the pumpkins for the Ball. We have to be quick so that they can place the jack-o-lanterns around the village square before the Ball begins at midnight. Are you ready?"

"Just a moment," I say, pulling out some glamour potions that I brought for just this occasion. I hand one to Vlad. "Let's get in our costumes first."

Vlad sighs in relief. "You've thought of everything. Honestly, I thought we'd have to just go in our day clothes, since we've had no time to shop for costumes."

"Where's the fun in that?" I ask. "It's the Halloween Welcoming Ball; we need to greet the holiday in style."

Vlad gives me a tired smile and then gently taps the potion bottles together in a silent "cheers." We drink the potions and a gentle, sparkling mist rolls down our bodies, changing our clothes into ornate masquerade costumes. Mine is a full ball gown of black gossamer. Delicate lace cobwebs are draped artfully all over the skirt and bodice and the whole thing is topped off with a lace domino mask with a cobweb pattern across the surface. My hair is curled in a gracefully cascading up-do, complete with a cobweb lace fascinator. Vlad's in a fitted three-piece tuxedo, but with four large black legs protruding from his back. His usual sunglasses are exchanged for a mask that covers the upper half of his face and has extra orb-like eyes on it, artistically arranged to make it appear like he has the face of a spider.

"We match," Vlad remarks after looking over our costumes. "A spider and a spiderweb."

"Guess it'll be pretty obvious that I'm your date," I tease.

"Good," Vlad says, surprising me with how serious he sounds about it. His right hand reaches out to grab my left, and threads our fingers together. The action is bold and it surprises me with how right it feels, even with the added intimacy, like we were always meant to be holding hands. "Let's go, sweetheart. They're waiting for us."

We walk through City Hall holding hands, the halls dark and quiet. Most everyone is already in the village square, waiting for the Ball to start. It feels nice to be alone in the quietude, after the day that we had, even though we have to hurry in our bulky costumes to get to the atrium.

When we arrive, the pumpkin farmers are all already there, all wearing different costumes as well. The huge pumpkins from before are now all carved in a myriad of intricate ways, glowing from the inside. I love the sight of them. Seeing jack-o-lanterns like this really makes me feel like Halloween is here.

"Welcome, everyone, to the re-judging of the pumpkins," Vlad says. "You all know my date, Gertrude Nightshade."

I blush as the scrutiny of the farmers all lands heavily on me and our still-held hands, but I like that Vlad is so open about us going to the Ball together. Like he's proud of it.

"Alright," he continues, "we don't have much time before the Ball starts, so let's get to judging."

Vlad pulls me along with him as we take a closer look at the jack-o-lanterns. We ooh and aah over them like we did the first time, but a little more enthusiastically. The farmers went all out in carving them. Some carved faces and some carved designs or patterns, but they are all beautiful and impressive in their own way.

"Which one do we pick?" I whisper to Vlad. "They're all perfect."

"It's definitely hard to choose," the vampire whispers back to me, squeezing my hand. "Which is your favorite?"

"Oh, no," I chuckle quietly back. "No way are you putting this decision on me. You're the mayor. It's your job."

He shoots me a grin. "It was worth a shot."

Straightening up from our huddle, Vlad announces, "Thank you, everyone, for participating. I'm now ready to declare a winner."

The farmers crowd forward, waiting for him to speak. The tension is palpable.

Vlad continues, "The winner of the pumpkin contest, and the jack-o-lantern that will sit on the top of the wishing fountain, is pumpkin number three, the black cat pumpkin!"

"YES!" Betty shouts jubilantly. "Eat that, losers! Thanksgiving is mine!"

The other farmers grumble and groan, but seem to take it in stride. At least better than they took being told the contest was a draw.

"With that taken care of," Vlad says, "let's get to the village square and begin the Halloween Welcoming Ball!"

There's a little cheer from the farmers and everyone surges out of the atrium, the giant pumpkins floating behind them, ready to be taken out and put on display.

Vlad squeezes my hand again and whispers in my ear, "Just one more speech, sweetheart and then I'm all yours, I promise."

The butterflies are back in my stomach at his words, but I don't have time to dwell on it. We have to hurry to the village square for the Halloween Countdown. It's almost midnight, so we need to hustle.

Exiting the building, I see a huge crowd of people already milling around in costumes. People and creatures from every neighborhood, ready to celebrate Halloween. The sky over the square is littered with floating candles, twinkling lights, and jack-o-lanterns, enough to light the whole square. A giant clock also hovers in the sky amid the lights, summoned as part of the decorations. It slowly counts down to Halloween. Just a few minutes and it'll be officially October 31st.

Bridget bustles forward, all business as usual. "Mr. Mayor, if you'll follow me to the stage, it's time for your speech welcoming the holidays and the official countdown."

Vlad gives me a conspiratorial smile, one that says, " What can I do? " and then we walk through the throngs of people to the orange and black stage off to one side. It's decked out with piles of smaller jack-o-lanterns and striped bunting. A band plays on one side of the stage, setting the mood. We get behind the stage and Bridget says, "Ms. Nightshade, you can stay back here with me. I made sure the podium is close enough to the back curtain that you two can be apart while Mayor Everdark gives his speech."

Right, I can't go on stage with him. That's what a wife would do and Vlad and I are . . . something. Something new and exciting, but not marriage. Yet , I say to myself, smiling secretly.

Vlad squeezes my hand again before letting go of it. I already miss it, but I've never been a clingy girlfriend and I'm not going to start now. Especially since I'm not even his girlfriend officially, just his date.

The back curtain parts and Vlad steps through, raising his hand up in a perfect politician's wave, before the curtains fall closed and I can't see him anymore. From backstage I hear the cheers of the gathered crowd and then silence falls, even the music going quiet.

"Ladies and Gentlecreatures," the vampire begins in his most mayorly voice. "It is my pride and pleasure to welcome another Halloween with you. Our neighborhood has been working tirelessly to create the perfect holiday both here and in the Human Realm. A night of magic and mystery, and yes, some scares. A night where anyone can be anything and everything is possible. We come here to the 175th annual Halloween Welcoming Ball to ring in the holiday in style. And that holiday begins in ten. . ."

". . .nine, eight," I count down with him, as the whole crowd joins in, "seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!"

"Happy Halloween!" everyone shouts.

"Have fun at the ball, everyone, and drink responsibly," Vlad announces over the microphone. "Happy Halloween!"

The music starts again and Vlad comes through the back curtain, beckoned by Bridget, who holds the curtain back for him so that he can exit easily.

I give him a welcoming smile. "Nice speech, Mr. Mayor."

Vlad returns my smile before reaching for my hand again. "Thanks. I like to keep it short and sweet. Especially since I have you waiting for me."

I give him my hand and we climb down the stairs behind the stage, making our way through the crowd to get to where the dancing is. It's difficult though, because Vlad is very popular and we get stopped every few feet by people wanting to rub elbows with the mayor and take pictures. Everywhere we go, I get curious stares. Everyone knows who I am, it's a small village, but up until last week I was with Harry. But Vlad just smiles and talks and doesn't let go of my hand, acting like it's the most natural thing in the world to have me at his side.

Finally, we get to the dance floor that's been set up around the wishing fountain.

"May I have this dance?" Vlad asks, his gaze smoldering, even as he smiles at me. The look in his eyes means something. Something that makes me squirm a little internally and my body come to attention. Something big is going to happen tonight, I can feel it.

"Of course," I reply. My hand is already in his, so it's an easy thing for him to just pull me out to the dancing throngs to join them. The band is playing a whimsical waltz and Vlad's arms come up around me to lead. He's an excellent dancer and I enjoy his twirling me around the dance floor. All the while, he gives me that smoldering stare and the promise in his smile. It almost feels like we're the only two in the square and I don't want it to ever end. But, sadly, it does, the last strains of the music coming to a close. Everyone stops and applauds the band before the next number begins.

"Another?" Vlad asks, holding out his hand to me again as we finish clapping.

I'm about to agree when I hear a familiar voice.

"Gerty!"

I turn and see my older sister, Beatrix, on the edges of the dance floor. She's wearing an autumn fairy costume, made of sparkling leaves, complete with delicate wings coming off of her back. Her usual light green hair is dyed orange, but it's in its typical bob. She must have used one of my glamour potions, because the wings look real. I haven't seen her all week, even though I've been at her usual stomping grounds, City Hall, multiple times.

"Bea!" I return, stepping off the dance floor to give my sister a hug. "I feel like I haven't seen you in ages!"

"I've been in the Forgotten Neighborhood," she says apologetically, pulling back from our hug, but keeping her hands on my shoulders. "We're launching a new appeal with Christmas to open parts of their neighborhood to some of the Winter Forgottens to help with the overcrowding in the Forgotten Holidays. But I'm sorry I haven't been around. Especially when Gretchen told me that you broke up with that werewolf this week."

"It's okay," I assure her. "Your work is really important. I get that you can't always be there to drink with your little sisters."

"Hey," Beatrix chides, her hands still on my shoulders. "You're important too. This was just a lousy week for me. But I'm glad at least that you seem to be alright." She gives a meaningful look over my shoulder. I turn to see Vlad talking to a bunny shifter from the Easter Neighborhood in a wolf costume. He seems to feel my eyes on him because he glances over and gives me a sexy smile, before turning back to his conversation.

"It's just a date," I tell Beatrix, but I'm blushing.

"Uh huh," she says, not sounding convinced. "And how long has this been going on that you're the mayor's date to the biggest event of the neighborhood?"

"Well, it's a long story . . ." I hedge. I wouldn't mind telling my big sister about the hex, but not where just anyone could overhear me.

"Hey, Bob!" I hear a deep voice call over to us, interrupting my hesitation. Beatrix groans and rolls her eyes, turning toward a handsome cupid that's making his way over to us. He's wearing the typical clothing and colors of the Valentine's Neighborhood, that is to say pinks and red, but he's got a bubblegum pink domino mask on his face as a bare-minimum nod toward the evening.

"Bob?" I ask her, confused.

"My haircut," my sister clarifies, gritting her teeth. "He's been calling me that since I cut my hair."

"Who is he?" I ask, but she doesn't have a chance to answer before he's arrived where we are.

"Curtis Heartson, at your service," the cupid responds to my question with a flourishing little bow. "I work with Bob at City Hall."

"Work against, more like," scowls Beatrix. "Curtis here is a lobbyist for Valentine's Day. Though why a major holiday needs more concessions, I'll never know."

"There's always room for growth, Bob," the cupid says breezily. "You know that. Aren't you going to introduce me? You must be one of Bob's sisters, right?"

"No introductions," snaps Beatrix. "You don't deserve to know my family. Besides, she's taken."

"I know," Curtis returns easily. "I'm a cupid, Bob. I can sense a love connection."

I blush some more. A love connection? With Vlad? Really? Isn't it too soon? But the cupid has no reason to lie or exaggerate.

He continues, "No matter, I was going to come over to ask you to dance."

"With you?" Beatrix says darkly. "I'd rather be melted, thanks."

"What?" challenges the cupid. "Don't you know how?"

"I know how," my sister snaps again. "I just don't want to dance with you ."

"So hostile," tuts Curtis. "C'mon, prove it. I dare you."

Beatrix growls like I've never heard her do before. She's usually so level-headed. "Fine! But I'm stepping on your feet at least twice."

"I wouldn't expect any different," chuckles Curtis, leading my sister out to the dance floor.

That was interesting. I've never seen my sister like that before. I thought no one could get under her skin, but I guess I was wrong.

I'm about to turn back to see if Vlad is done with his conversation when I hear an unwelcoming voice call out to me.

"Gertrude! How good to see you!"

It's Calliope Aetos. She's dressed in a glittering fitted dress of scales. I'd think she was trying to be a dragon, but there's no wings, so most likely a snake, to match her writhing hair. Fitting, I think with a grimace. She's got her arm woven through Harry's, who's dressed in a suit with a plain black mask. They don't match as a couple, but that's not surprising. Harry never was one for dressing up. The medusa is draped on him, though, almost like a second skin, trying to show her claim.

"Calliope," I greet politely, even though I'd rather be anywhere but here. "How are you? Enjoying the Ball?"

She titters her mean-girl laugh that hasn't changed since high school. "Oh, I'm having the most marvelous time! Harry is such a good dancer. Well, I mean, you would know, wouldn't you?"

It's an inelegant shot at me, obviously trying to rub my face in the fact that she took my boyfriend, but I find, almost surprisingly, that I don't care. Not even a twinge. It's helped by the fact that Harry doesn't say anything, doesn't try to check his new girlfriend or defend me even though we were together for so long. How did I never see how spineless he was?

"Harry is a very good dancer," I say diplomatically. "I hope you all have a wonderful time."

I go to turn away, but Calliope keeps going. "Oh, we will. And it's such a shame that you've had to attend the biggest event of the year all by yourself. At least you have your sisters." She gives me a fake sympathetic look.

I almost laugh. How has she not changed since high school? How did these mean-girl jabs ever work on me? She's trying to intimate that I'm somehow pathetic, but really the only pathetic one here is her. Calliope is the one with a stolen, jobless boyfriend. She can have him, as far as I'm concerned. It may have only been a week, but I've firmly moved on.

I'm about to say something to that effect, when an arm goes over my shoulders in a blatant possessive gesture.

"Sweetheart," Vlad says, his voice almost a purr, "I believe you owe me another dance."

Calliope and Harry's eyes both bug out.

"You're here with the mayor?" Calliope asks shrilly. Harry looks between the two of us in confusion, a little anger on his face.

"Like I was going to say," I say sweetly, "I'm not alone, as you can see. Thanks for your concern. I really do hope that you have a great Halloween."

I go to follow Vlad back to the dance floor when Harry finally speaks for the first time this evening. "You know, Gertrude, you kind of look like a slut, moving on so quickly. Didn't even take you a minute before jumping on the next guy." His words slur a little and it's obvious he's been drinking.

My fake sweetness vanishes at his words. I knew that Harry wouldn't be happy if I was dating his old rival, but I didn't think he'd be this nasty. At least not in public, but I guess the alcohol has loosened his tongue. I round back on the werewolf and the medusa. "Like you moved on from me? Before our relationship was even over?" I ask hotly. "I'm allowed to be happy, Harry."

"Hey," he says defensively, looking around nervously. A few people have started looking at us, overhearing the exchange. "I'm just trying to be a friend and let you know when you look easy. People could start to talk, you know."

"Insult her one more time," Vlad growls darkly, violence in his voice, "and see what happens."

"Hey, man," Harry says arrogantly, obviously feeling emboldened by the fact that we're in public and thinking that Vlad can't follow through on his words, "if you're happy taking on my sloppy seconds, then be my guest. But I . . ."

Vlad lurches forward, like he's going to beat the stuffing out of Harry and the drunk werewolf cringes back. But I put my hands on Vlad and push him backward.

"Don't," I say. "He's not worth it." I appreciate that Vlad is willing to defend me, but he's a public official. He can't go around beating people up, especially in public at the Halloween Welcoming Ball. It would torpedo his career that he's worked really hard to have.

When Harry realizes that he's not about to be in a fight, he laughs. It probably is meant to sound arrogant, but it comes out a little nervous. We all know who would have won if they fought. "C'mon, Calliope," Harry says. "Let's leave these losers. They deserve each other."

"If anyone's a loser, Moonkin, it's you," spits out Vlad before Harry can make his escape. "Gertrude is the sweetest, kindest, hardest-working witch in the neighborhood. You never deserved her and you have my gratitude that you were stupid enough to break up with her and give me a chance. I'm not going to blow it."

With those words, Vlad takes my hand and we leave my ex and my old bully behind. My heart and mind are racing. Does Vlad really mean that? Does he really think all those things? He leads me through the square, weaving amongst the people and I can only see his back, not his face. Was he just defending me or is that how he really feels?

We veer around a corner, coming to the back of City Hall in a decoration storage area. There's big crates blocking anyone from seeing us and we're alone. I can hear the party going on just feet away from us, the music still playing in the air, but it feels like we're in our own world.

"I'm sorry," blurts out Vlad. "I shouldn't have engaged with that asshole. But I couldn't believe that after how shamefully he treated you, he had the nerve to say those things . . ."

"It's fine, Vlad," I reassure him. "Harry's a rude drunk, always has been. But I don't want to talk about him."

"Really?" the vampire asks. "What do you want to talk about?"

My stomach flips and nervous energy fills my veins. But I need to be brave. "Us," I say. "I want to talk about us."

Vlad's eyes hood and smolder in his mask. "What about us?" he asks huskily.

"Did you mean what you said?" I query shyly. "Do you want a chance with me?"

The vampire breathes out heavily, closing his eyes. When he opens them again, there's a wealth of emotion shining in them. "All I've ever wanted was a shot with you, Gertrude. A chance to make you happy. I've been crazy in love with you for years. You may think that this spell of yours was a terrible mistake, but I couldn't be happier that it brought us together. Please, tell me that I have a shot."

My heart is beating like crazy. "Vlad Everdark, are you asking to be my boyfriend?"

Vlad steps closer to me, our bodies almost touching. My neck cranes up to look at him, his face dipping down toward mine. "Gertrude Nightshade," he says in a low, deliberate voice, "I'm asking to be your everything."

I don't know who moves first; it could have been both of us, but we crash together, our lips locking, and then we are kissing, pouring passion into each other and nothing else matters.