Alexander didn't answer. Instead, he placed his hand on my shoulder.
"That's not fair. I don't want you to leave the Mansion again. Ever…," I continued.
A tear welled up in my eye.
"How long will you be?" I asked.
"As long as it takes," he said, trying to comfort me, but his own dark eyes were sad.
"I can't be without you, not for a second, much less a sunset," I said, my heart breaking.
"Neither can I, but I have no choice. Valentine cannot stay here any longer, for his own safety, mine, and all of Dullsville's."
I knew what Alexander was doing had to be done. However, that didn't mean that I had to like it.
"Take me with you to Hipsterville. Then we won't be apart for a moment."
"You have school—"
"It's the weekend, and we have teachers' prep day next week. I can stay with my aunt Libby. I'm sure Jameson can convince my parents. He's very charming."
"I'll be going places that you shouldn't know about. Places that aren't safe for a mortal like you. It's best for both of us that I'm the one who leaves."
Leaves? I was crushed.
Then Valentine's own words earlier tonight in the cave about Alexander's innermost thoughts came back to me. Maybe by leaving, Alexander felt he was protecting me, too.
"This isn't about Valentine, is it?" I asked, my words breaking in my throat. "It's about what Valentine found out when he read your thoughts."
Alexander turned toward the moon.
My eyes filled with tears. I grasped his arm. "I'm happy to know that you thirst for me the same way I thirst for you. I want us to be together—in your world."
"I know, but—"
I put my finger on his lips.
"That's always been my dream. Since I was a little girl. My middle name is 'Vampire.'"
Alexander took my hand in his. "I never meant to put you in any danger—and that's all I've ever done since I met you. Valentine is right. I am a threat to you—on many levels."
"I've never felt threatened by you—only loved. You are no more a threat than Trevor."
"Trevor can't take you into the Underworld. And now that you know that I've struggled with…that I've even considered taking you there…," Alexander said in a serious voice. "Now that I'll be leaving for Hipsterville, I can at least be assured that you will be safe—from the Maxwells and from me."
Alexander's sullen eyes turned even darker.
"You are going to take Valentine to Hipsterville and then never return," I said.
Alexander didn't reply.
"Then Valentine and Jagger have gotten their revenge! They've turned nothing more than rambling thoughts against us. They've gotten exactly what they wanted. They've destroyed you—and me!"
Tears streamed down my face.
I stood on the stairs, preparing to hear the door slam behind me.
Instead I heard nothing. But I felt the same familiar presence I'd felt behind me when I'd snuck into the Mansion. I felt a warm, gentle hand on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Alexander still standing there, a tear in his eye. My gothic guy, my vampire-mate. He stood before me like a knight of the night.
He took my hand in his and held it to his lips.
"Raven, you understand that I cannot survive without the darkness, blood, and my coffin."
"I know…," I said, choking up.
"Since I've moved into the Mansion, I learned something."
"Yes?"
"I cannot survive without you."
I smiled through my own raining tears. I fell into his arms and wrapped my arms around his waist.
Alexander caressed my hair. I gazed up into his dark, mysterious eyes. He kissed me.
"Jameson is waiting," he said softly. "I'll be back before you even miss me."
"I miss you already."
It took all my strength to tear myself away from Alexander.
Tears dripped down my face as I ran toward the car, already feeling his absence. Alexander could be away for days, weeks, even months.
"Why are you crying?" Billy Boy asked when I hopped into the Mercedes. "You'll see him tomorrow."
I pressed my hand to the window. I could see Alexander standing on the Mansion steps, his hand also raised toward mine, his shadowy image getting smaller and smaller as Jameson drove us farther away from the Mansion.
The car pulled around the gate. I turned around. The Mansion door was closed.
Alexander was gone.
THE END
Acknowledgments
I am grateful to these amazing people—Katherine Tegen, my wonderful editor, for your friendship, talent, and making my dreams come true!
Ellen Levine, my fabulous agent, for your outstanding advice and continued guidance in my career.
Julie Lansky at HarperCollins, for your great suggestions and firsthand knowledge of marathons.
My father and mother, Gary and Suzanne Schreiber, for being the best parents in the world.
My brother, Ben, for your support and enthusiasm.
And Eddie Lerer, for being my Alexander.