Amanda Marrone - Slayed  

AMANDA MARRONE is the author of Uninvited, Revealers, Devoured, and Slayed for teens, and the Magic Repair Shop series for younger readers. She grew up on Long Island, where she spent her time reading, drawing, watching insects, and suffering from an overactive imagination. She earned a BA in education at SUNY Cortland and taught fifth and sixth grades in New Hampshire. She now lives in Connecticut with her husband, Joe, and their two kids. You can read more about Amanda Marrones work at www.amandamarrone.com .

I stare at my reflection in the elevator doors as Kiki and I head up to our apartment. I still cant believe you found the dress.

Kiki somehow located the light purple dress I had in my binder for my fantasy prom date. I felt a little silly wearing it home though.

Kiki waves a hand dismissively in the air. Liar! I saw you loving the stares you were getting.

I smile and point a foot out in front of me to admire the jeweled high heels she bought too. Maybe a little. Ill pay you back for the shoes when I get my first paycheck. Now that the cast is off they finally put me on the schedule. With Tyler, of course.

Hey, its my treatall of it. Happy birthday.

Well, Im a little overdressed for the restaurant we made reservations for, but what the hell. I just hope Tyler wont feel funnyI told him it was casual.

She looks me up and down. I dont think hell mind.

Well, you need to get dressed up too, so I wont feel out of place.

The elevator doors open and we walk down the hall to our apartment. She rifles through her purse and then looks at me. I think I left my keys on the countercan you get the door?

Sure. I fish out my keys and unlock the door. Tea lights are draped around the house plants and hanging from the ceiling. A cardboard pineapple tree stands next to a small table covered in a pink paper table cloth. A punch bowl sits on another table with bowls of chips and dips.

What is this?

She beams at me. Its prom.

What?

P-R-O-M. Prom! She runs to the counter and docks her iPod. Music blares out of the speaker and she quickly turns it down a bit. Hmm. Theres something missing, she says loudly.

On cue Tyler walks out of my bedroom looking slightly embarrassed in a dark gray tuxedo. A purple rose is pinned to his lapel and in his hand he has a corsage made up of more purple roses mixed with babys breath.

Wow. You look stunning, he says quietly.

Tears prick my eyes.

Whats the matter? he says nervously. He looks at Kiki. Did I say something wrong?

I throw my arms around him and bury my face in his neck. You said everything right! I pull away. You guys are the best.

Tears stream down my cheeks.

It was actually Tylers idea. I was telling him about how you were always moaning about missing the prom. The setup is all me, though. Oh, and theres one more surprise.

I dont need anything elsethis is perfect.

She smiles smugly. Just wait. She runs out of the apartment and I hear her knocking on Sams door. Suddenly the hall erupts with barks.

I shake my head. No.

I turn to Tyler whos laughing. Yes.

Kiki leads in with a small white dog on a leash. Its not a puppy, but I thought with our schedules wed be better off with an older dog that doesnt have to go out every two hours.

I kneel down and the dog rushes over to me and sniffs my hand. I reach out and melt as I stroke his incredibly soft fur.

I dont know what to say.

Kiki picks the dog up. Say hello to Fang.

I run my fingers down his silky ears. Hello, Fang. I lean in and let him lick my chin and cheeks.

Kiki puts him on the floor and heads toward the door. Since I dont have a date, I feel kind of funny going to the prom. Im going to take Fang to Jerrys apartment so we can run lines.

Are you ready for opening night? Tyler asks.

Yup! Thank goodness I got the boobs doneI was made for this part. Well, with a little help from Dr. Marx. But A Chorus Line has never seen a better Val. I sing the crap out of the Tits and Ass song, if I do say so myself. But Ill leave you two alone. She looks at me. Dont do anything I wouldnt do.

She leads Fang out and I turn to Tyler. He holds out the corsage. May I?

I shake my head and take it from him and put it on the table. Theres something I want to do first. I take his hand and lead him to my room. I point to the bed. Sit.

He grins, his eyes locked onto mine.

I reach behind and slowly unzip my dress, and let it slide down my shoulders.

His mouth opens a little as he takes a jagged breath. I watch his eyes roam my body as I carefully step out of the dress pooled around my feet.

My pulse quickens as I walk slowly toward him. He stands up and wriggles out of his jacket and tosses it aside. I reach out and start to undo his bow tie, leaning my chest into his. I pull off the tie and throw it on top of his jacket. I tilt my chin and gently bite his lower lip as I unbutton his shirt. Hes breathing hard as I slide the shirt down and off his arms and then put my hands on his bare chest. I look up at his face and stare into his eyes.

You have the most gorgeous eyes, I say.

I love you, he whispers as his hands slide down my waist.

I can feel his heart pounding and I push him down on the bed. I love you, too.

Arent you going to take your shoes off?

I turn the light off. Nope! I slide onto the bed next to him and we wrap ourselves around each other.

Happy birthday, babe, he whispers.

As his hands move around my body I almost laugh. Tyler Harker is my boob guy after all.

JK: Youre a former child star and youve recently made your Broadway debut in the most recent revival of A Chorus Line. What prompted you to open a huge can of worms and petition for Gabes Law?

Kiki: I lost someone near and dear to me to a vampire attack, and realized it was time for the world to finally be informed about what is out there. Nine out of ten people will never meet a vampire, but if people were given even the basic information about them, my boyfriend, Gabe, might still be here. There are other paranormal creatures people should watch out for toowhy not let the American public be forewarned and prepared?

JK: Arent you worried about the backlash? Congress has said outing vampires will change how people go out at night, crippling the economy.

Kiki: Knowledge brings power. With the newly released information, people are getting the facts about how they can protect themselvesand getting the garlic spray Ive helped patent. The public has everything they need to ward off any potential attacks. I have friends in the slaying industry and theyve noticed a tremendous decrease in fatalities. Gabes Law is helping save lives. And my show has been sold out every nightnot bad for a revival!

JK: What about all the bogus remedies and protection sprays popping up?

Kiki: Only buy ones with the FDA approval seal on them.

JK: Obviously you disagree with The Ankh Societys claim that vampires are harmless, but they really believe people and vampires can coexist. What would you say to them?

Kiki: Vampires kill. The Ankh Society would like us to believe getting bitten by a vampire is a harmless way for the creatures to feed without killing and for its members to have some funbut the bottom line is, a creature without a soul cant be trusted. And the bite is as addictive as heroin. I know someone who lost his mother to just such a scenario. Vampires and humans are never going to be a good combination.