The Coffin Club (Vampire Kisses 5)

My aunt, powerful and independent, appeared to turn to mush in Devon`s presence. She seemed to be entranced by him, just like an unsuspecting audience member is riveted by a hypnotist.

Then I began to question...no, he couldn`t be...The spell he had my aunt under--was it love or something more Underworldly? After all, Hipsterville was experiencing an increasing population of vampires. And he was unusually pale for an earthy-crunchy type and happened to show up just after sunset. Someone tapped me on the shoulder.

I turned around and saw my favorite Nosferatu.

Alexander! I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a tight squeeze.

I wanted Alexander to dip me back and press his fang-filled mouth on my neck, but instead he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek--an appropriate display of affection in front of my aunt and her date.

I`d like you to meet Alexander. This is my aunt Libby and Devon. I was so proud to show him off to my aunt. She`d never known me to have a boyfriend, since I never had one. I suddenly felt grown up.

He`s so adorable! Aunt Libby gushed as if Alexander weren`t standing right in front of her.

You are even more beautiful in person, Alexander kindly complimented her.

The two men shook hands and I watched them closely. I had my suspicions about Devon, and I wondered if I could sense anything by their interaction. But there was nothing unusual in their introduction.

The four of us set out to stroll through the festival. My aunt and I shared our cotton candy with our dates. Alexander and I walked hand in hand while Aunt Libby hung on Devon`s every word. We moseyed in and out of the booths, modeling and pointing at anything and everything we fancied.

Two girls, one dressed in a long corset gown, the other in a My Chemical Romance T- shirt, leggings, and checkered flats, entered a booth ahead of us. It was Scarlet and Onyx.

I left Alexander at the pottery booth, approached the girls, and tapped them on the shoulder.

Simultaneously they turned toward me. I realized I didn`t have an explanation for Alexander or Aunt Libby as to how I knew these two goth girls. In one moment Onyx and Scarlet would be giving me a huge hug and I would have to explain the origin of our acquaintance. They obviously didn`t go to Dullsville High. They weren`t distant relatives. And explaining I`d met them at a vampire club was most especially not going to fly.

But when our eyes met, their expressions appeared vacant.

Have we met? Scarlet asked.

My heart dropped. I felt the same feeling I had in school when I was five and tried to play kickball with catalogue cutout neighborhood kids and they took the ball from me and went inside. For the last two nights I`d partied with these girls, and we`d instantly bonded like we were old friends. I had clearly been mistaken. Then it hit me. They were fearful of my revealing their identity.

I thought you were someone else, I said knowingly, but still saddened.

We get that all the time, Scarlet said.

The girls eyed Alexander, who was now catching up to me.

Onyx gave me a quick wink before they turned and walked away.

Who was that? Alexander asked, grabbing my hand.

I think I saw her at the Coffin Club, I said truthfully.

Speaking of which, what did you do last night? he asked.

Well, you`ll never believe it.

You went to the Coffin Club! he exclaimed.

How did you know? I asked, bewildered.

He pointed to the faded bat on my hand. Oh, that... I said.

Raven, I`d asked you not to go. I don`t want to appear like an overprotective boyfriend, but...Promise me you won`t go back.

It`s not as sinister as it sounds, I defended. I went with Aunt Libby. In fact, it was her idea.

Alexander seemed surprised yet relieved.

Did I hear someone say the Coffin Club?` My aunt, a few feet away from us, spun around and proudly displayed her black fingernails. We had the best time ever! We drank Insane Asylums. I felt at least ten years younger.

Alexander smiled. I could tell he was imagining my aunt trying to conjure up ghosts at the bar.

Maybe we should go, my aunt suggested to Devon. Have you been?

I waited desperately for Devon`s answer. Though he was older than the combined ages of two average clubsters at the nightspot, I wouldn`t have been surprised if he`d checked it out.

I was intrigued to hear his response.

There`s supposed to be an underground club inside. A real vampire hangout. He laughed.

Alexander and I locked eyes.

We didn`t see that when we were there, my aunt admitted. Sounds like fun.

It`s just something I heard, he said to me.

How would Devon know about the vampire hangout? I could only fathom he must have visited it himself.

We continued on and passed a booth with blown-glass ornaments and figures.

We`ll catch up to you, I called to my aunt, and pulled Alexander inside.

Alexander studied the artisan blowing glass into a tiny elephant.

I have strong suspicions about Devon, I whispered.

What do you suspect? he asked, mesmerized by the flaming torch.

That he`s a... Then I turned his face toward mine and mouthed the word vampire.

Alexander laughed and returned to watch the artisan sculpt the tiny trunk.

It`s possible, I persisted.

Yes it is.

See? Then you believe me! Devon doesn`t like to have his picture taken, and Aunt Libby says his stares are hypnotic. He didn`t show up until after sunset, and now he`s talking about vampire clubs.

So what if he is?

Then we have to warn her.

All at once Alexander wasn`t interested in the sculpture. You don`t want your aunt dating a vampire? His midnight eyes couldn`t hide the sadness inside him. I was making Alexander feel that same awful feeling I`d felt when Scarlet didn`t acknowledge me or when my classmates ostracized me. After all, Alexander was a vampire, and I`d just told him I didn`t want my own aunt dating someone of his kind.

I didn`t mean... I said, reaching out to him.

But you did, he argued flatly.

No--that`s not what I meant. Then I realized I had meant it. My eyes welled up with tears. Alexander led me away from the crowd and in between two booths. He sidestepped a puddle of Coke while I despondently plunged right into it.

He brushed away a tear that had trickled down my cheek.

I didn`t mean to offend you, I began. I`d never--

I know, he said, then continued in a soft voice. Raven, you have reason to be concerned. It`s not like dating someone outside your religion, class, or comfort zone. Vampires by nature are deadly to mortals. It`s what I`ve been trying to tell you since we met.

That`s why I said what I did. But you aren`t like that. So maybe Devon isn`t, either.

First of all, we don`t know what Devon is or isn`t.

If he is and he`s like you, then it would be awesome!

Or he could be like Jagger. That`s why I`m protective of you. Don`t you understand?