Ivy forced the thought out of her mind. She had promised her grandmother she would put her best foot forward. Forcing an Olivia-style smile on her face, she continued up the impossibly long and curving walkway that led to the main building.
‘Wallachia Academy was founded by Vladimir Ivanov, the longest-living vampire of all time.’ Horatio Two trailed one step behind her, reciting the school’s history. They passed a large stone sculpture of a stern-looking vampire riding a stately-looking horse. ‘The Academy,’ he continued, ‘has produced some of the finest vampire thespians, artists and Nobel laureates. In fact, it was right here under this very stone archway that Shakespeare wrote his first sonnet.’
‘Shakespeare was a vampire?’ Ivy spluttered.
Horatio Two leaned in and lowered his voice. ‘In an early draft of Romeo and Juliet, the Montagues were based on a very well-regarded family here in Transylvania.’ Woah! Just wait until I tell Sophia, Ivy thought. She’ll be amazed! Then Ivy’s heart sank a little bit – she had no idea when she’d be seeing her friend next. Ivy felt cast adrift without her old friends, and so far she had no new friends at all.
The sound of their footsteps echoed on the black-and-white marble floors as Horatio Two led Ivy inside to a cavernous reception area.
‘You may have a seat, Miss Vega.’ He gestured to a row of what Ivy could only describe as thrones. At least, they were the plushest chairs she had ever seen in a waiting room. ‘Your guide will be with you shortly.’
Ivy climbed on to one of the red velvet chairs, feet dangling awkwardly. The room was deadly silent and Ivy took the opportunity to look around. A sparkling chandelier hung from the ceiling and a full-sized coat of armour stood guarding the doorway. Ivy felt very small and – worse – she realised she was slouching in the swanky chair. One does not slouch one’s body in such elegant surroundings! Ivy thought, practising her best Wallachia-appropriate way of talking. She sat up straight, tapping her fingers on the chair’s slick mahogany arm, then went back to slouching. She would sit how she liked – fancy room or not! Ivy sighed, shaking her head. Maybe she was overreacting. She had almost started an argument . . . with herself . . . in an empty room . . .
Talk about over-thinking things!
But she was still confused about the entire situation. She wanted to know more about her vampire self, but she definitely didn’t want to have the ‘Ivy’ beaten out of her.
‘I heard you were visiting today.’ Ivy jumped in her seat, turning to the door in time to see Petra slinking inside.
Instantly, Ivy felt better – more positive. ‘Are you going to be my guide?’
Petra wore a pristine, classical-style school uniform, one that Ivy was not looking forward to wearing. The whole red pleated skirt and knee-high sock thing was so not her style. Petra grinned wickedly. ‘I will be . . . in a minute.’
Just then, a receptionist with a tight bun and shiny black shoes clacked into the waiting room carrying a clipboard. ‘Ivy Vega?’ she asked.
Before Ivy could respond, Petra was skipping her way over to the woman. ‘Miss Dina,’ she said sweetly. ‘Excuse me, but there’s been a slight change of plan.’ She reached over and pointed to a spot on Miss Dina’s clipboard. ‘Ursula can’t make it and she asked me to take today’s tour. Is that all right?’
Ivy held her breath. She realised from the way Petra grinned a moment ago that her new friend was probably lying. But Miss Dina just scribbled something on her clipboard and said, ‘Very well. Make sure to have Miss Vega back on time, please.’ If lying were a sport, Petra would be a professional! She managed to get one past an adult vamp!
Petra winked at Ivy. ‘Follow me,’ she said, beckoning with one finger. Ivy sprang out of the chair and followed Petra through the great double doors and out into an arching hallway with flickering lanterns.
Maybe this place wouldn’t beat the ‘Ivy’ out of her. Petra still seemed to have plenty of personality. Even if a part of that personality happened to be a talent for telling lies.
Olivia leaned against the massive doorway of the Great Hall in the Lazars’ home. She remembered the Valentine’s Ball from earlier in the year. The hall had been decorated with deep red roses and candles that cast a romantic glow throughout the room, but the most memorable part of the evening had been when her bio-dad had been reconciled with his parents after years of not speaking. Tomorrow, it would be the scene of the wedding of Prince Alex and soon-to-be-Princess Tessa. Olivia tried to imagine what it would look like once all the preparations were finished.
She nervously inched inside, watching the servants arrange the rows of chairs and polish the huge black vases that lined the aisle, waiting to be filled with flowers.
A statuesque woman stood in the centre of it all, waving her hands like a conductor. ‘No, not there!’ she directed. ‘Move it over five centimetres; five centimetres precisely.’ She pointed to one of the vases. ‘No, not like that. Oh, here, let me do it.’ The terrified servant scurried out of her way.
She must be the wedding planner, thought Olivia. But she’s dressed like she’s going to a funeral. Olivia studied the vampire’s tailored black suit. A very expensive funeral!
Suddenly, the woman span around. ‘You!’ She singled out Olivia. ‘Are you with the caterer?’ Olivia straightened, shaking her head. ‘No? Then what are you doing here?’
‘Um . . .’ She held up the camera she was carrying around her neck. ‘I’m the guest photographer for VAMP magazine and, well, my sister and I are doing a big feature on the vampire royal wedding. I wondered if I could take some photos. We want to chronicle the massive effort everyone’s putting into getting things ready for the big day.’ Before the wedding planner could protest, Olivia added, ‘Oh, and I totally agree. The vase looks better there. You have a great eye!’
The corners of the woman’s mouth twitched. ‘I guess I don’t see why not – as long as you keep out of the way.’
‘Great!’ Olivia said. ‘You won’t even know I’m here. I promise.’ She stepped back, but in doing so nearly tipped over a vase. Olivia gasped, managing to steady it just in time. The woman lifted an eyebrow. ‘Starting now!’ Olivia squeaked, feeling her shoulders hunch up to her ears. She retreated slowly to an unpopulated corner of the hall.