Cryptic Cravings (Vampire Kisses 8)

"Remember whenwe were here at the game withSebastian?" Beckyasked, referring to whenAlexander's best friend first arrived in Dullsville.

"Uh-huh. . ."

"I took a picture. Of you and him."

"Yes . . . I remember," I said. Then it hit me what Beckyhad just told me.

"Well, the weirdest thing happened. Iwas flipping throughthe photos onmyphone and he's not there."

"You must not have saved the picture," I said. "I do that all the time."

"No--that's not what Imean. He isn't inthe picture."

That was what I was a fraid of. "You probably moved it," I told her.

She picked up the phone and showed me. "Look."

I saw a picture of me, smiling and angled, as if I was leaning my body against someone. Only there wasn't anyone else in the picture.

"Isn't that odd?" she said, perplexed.

"Well . . . maybe he shifted out of view."

"I don't remember him doing that."

"Or maybe youmoved the camera. That happens to me all the time."

"I know. But the wayyouare sitting--if he had moved, youwould have fallenover.And there is still this space.And if I moved--thenthere wouldn't be all this blank space where he'd been. Ican't figure it out."

"Looks like they are going to score . . ." I said, attempting to change the subject.

"Don't youadmit it's weird?" she stressed.

What was I going to say? You took a picture of a vampire. What do you expect?

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Ithought youof all people would freak out. It's almost like out of a scarymovie."

Becky shoved the picture in front of me again.

"Yes. It is weird. But I'm sure he just moved awayat the last minute. That's all."

I returned to doodling in my journal.

"I guess," Becky said. "But I'm saving this picture. I was hoping to have a picture of Sebastian.At least I have a cool one of you."

The game was over and I saw Trevor hanging out by the trees. He was resting his arm against a trunk and was posing in a seductive way that led me to believe whomever he was talking to was of the female persuasion, and of the pretty kind. It was unlike Trevor to be secretive with his women, so I became curious. As he continued to talk and pose, the girl remained hidden in the shadows. After a few minutes I noticed something illuminated by the field lights--bright scarlet hair--the kind that came from a bottle, not used on any of the girls at our high school.

"Where are yougoing?" Beckyasked as Ileaped over the bleachers and raced downthe metal stairs.

So that's who's leaking the info. Jagger must have put her up to it, Iimmediatelysurmised. If Trevor's onboard,then Jagger is sure to have a crowd. Jagger knows Trevor will tell the whole school, along with the whole town.

"Oh, Scarlet!" I said.

She looked surprised to see me, and stepped even further back into the shadows. Trevor also seemed taken aback by my presence.

Just then Matt called to him as the team headed toward the gym. Trevor paused. It was odd for him to have two goth girls in his company. He was used to being surrounded by preppy, conservative types. He was reveling in his rebellious attraction to us.

"I've got to go. . . ." Trevor said reluctantly. I knew he wanted to staywithus, but it would have to remaina fantasy for him.

The way he lingered in front of us by the tree, it was as if he wanted to kiss one or both of us, but he wasn't brave enough to make a move on Scarlet in front of me. And he knew if he kissed me, I would slug him.

"Is that Trevor's number?" she asked, noticing the smudged digits onmypalm.

"Yes, and Itried to burnthem off. Itold you--he's not what youthink he is." Ipaused for a moment.

Whenwe were alone, Isaid to her, "AfterAlexander's party, youall just left."

"Yes. I'm so sorryit ended so quickly."

"So, are youintownlong? Will the others be joining you?" Iasked withpretend innocence.

"Ican't lie to you, Raven. We're all still here."

I was so relieved my friend was confiding in me about what I already knew. I would have hated for her to have turned out to be a false friend. She had accepted me as a vampire, and then when she found out my true identity,she accepted me for being a mortal. She was a better friend to me thanI'd beento her.And because she and Onyxdidn't have the historywithAlexander or the cunning actions and animosityof Luna, they were the type of vampire girl friends I'd longed for all mylife.

"I was so sad whenyouguys left," Isaid. "Iknew youhad to, but Iwas reallybummed. Iam relieved knowing you're still here."

"I wishwe could hang out," she said sincerely. "But don't tell Jagger you saw me if you run into him. Please."

"I won't," I said. I hated that he had a hold on her. He was providing her and her best friend withroom and board,and I'm sure she didn't want to jeopardize that. But Iwanted to hang out withthem and didn't want him to get in the way of my fun. "Why don't you and Onyx meet me tonight at the cemetery?"

"Yes, that's a great idea! We can have some girl time!" she said, giving me a hug.

Then Scarlet disappeared into the night.

Chapter 7 - Ghouls Night

I called Alexander and explained I'd be a little late for our date since I wanted to meet Onyx and Scarlet at the cemetery. He agreed it was a good idea to get information from the girls and invited me to the Mansion when I was finished. Though I was excited to spend some time with Onyx and Scarlet, I pined for any missed hours not spent with Alexander, since we were separated for all of the daylight hours.

When I arrived at Dullsville's cemetery I found the grimmest sight; deep within the graveyard Is potted two goth girls sitting on tomb stones, their legs dangling over the headstones--one wore white-and-black striped tights, the other torn black tights.

When they noticed me they both rushed in my direction.

"It's so great to see you, Raven," Onyx said.

"Jagger told us not to tell youwe were here--" Scarlet blurted out. "For Sebastian's sake, he said. We shouldn't have listened." Scarlet was remorseful.

"But he's giving us a place to stay--" Onyx said defensively.

"And Onyx has a major thing for him," Scarlet blurted out.

"I do not!" Onyx retorted.

"Don't lie." Scarlet was brazen.

"So what's the real deal?" I asked.

"Jagger plans to opena club called the Crypt," Scarlet said as if she was sharing breaking news.

"Will it be like the CoffinClub? Witha secret dungeon?" I asked.