Cryptic Cravings (Vampire Kisses 8)

The best two out of three wins."

A huge smile came overAlexander's face. He pulled the front door wide openand Sebastiansauntered inside. I gladlyfollowed the two upstairs to the Mansion's TV room.

That was it--no groveling or tearful reunions. No hugs or major blowouts. Just a face-to-face, over-in-a-minute reconciliation between two childhood best friends.

I sketched my ideas for the Crypt while two vampires battled out their angst against each other with computer-generated swords.

Chapter 8 - Interior Decorator

There were a few things I felt good at: sneaking into mansions, getting in the face of brazen bullies, and decorating in the style of the macabre.

I wanted to share my ideas with Jagger because I was sure that I could help out with the opening of the club. I could design, decorate, or even clean. I didn't care. I'd sweep floors if Ihad to. When I worked at Arm strong Travel, there wasn't anything I wanted to do--and I was being paid. However, for a chance to be part of the Crypt,I'd be willing to do anything--well, almost anything--for free.

The next night, before I headed to the Mansion to spend time with Alexander, I raced to the factory to plead my case for joining the Crypt's crew.

I found Jagger in one of the main factory rooms pacing and talking on the phone. When he caught sight of me, he quickly ended his call.

"I guess Sebastian told you we were here?" he asked.

"I figured it out on my own," I said triumphantly. "I want to talk to you about something."

"Yes?" Jagger seemed pleased. He dusted off anold chair and offered it to me. "Please sit down."

I obliged and took a seat.

"What can I do for you?" he asked intently. If Jagger wasn't so nefarious and creepyandAlexander's onetime enemy, he would actually have been sexy. His white hair was jagged and edgy, and his mismatched eyes were intense and mesmerizing.And there was something attractive about the word "Possess" that was emblazoned across his upper arm.

"I'd like to help youwithyour club."

"Really. . . ," he said ina tone that revealed he was clearlyas surprised as he was suspicious.

"I'm great at decorating. Icanhelp find funthings around town."

I realized I might be treading on his ego. After all, he did run the Coffin Club. Who was I to tell him he needed help to design a successful club?

"Of course, Iknow youare reallygood at it, too," I continued.

Jagger sized me up. "Icould use anextra hand," he finally said. "But what about your boyfriend?"

"I'm not sure he'll want to help."

"Yes, I guessed that. But will he mind us working so closelytogether?" Jagger whisked back his white locks confidently. "What if youwind up preferring mycompany?" He grinned, his fangs catching the light of the flickering candelabra and his blue and green eyes piercing through me.

But I wasn't interested in his romantic inferences. "I don't think that will happen, and he's not the jealous type."

"I imagine he knows about the Crypt?"

"Uh. . . yes."

"And what does he think of the idea? He didn't seem keenonit whenIbrought it up to him and Sebastianat his party."

"I don't think he likes it any more now than he did then."

"But you do?"

"I love the Coffin Club," I gushed. "And I want a place where I can hang out here in Dullsville."

Jagger beamed. His pale skin radiated with the glow of my compliments. He rose, taking in his surrounding as if he was imagining the new club.

"But there's that whole thing about . . . vampires," I said.

"That bothers you?" He leaned over me, his hair hanging sexily over his eyes.

"Yes." I did my best to confront him. "I think this club should be for mortals only."

"I thought that a vampire club would be up your alley."

Is tood up. "Uh. . . it is," I said sincerely.

"You want to be one," he said, stepping incloser.

"I know," I said, determined.

"You are in love withone," he said witha mischievous grin.

"Iknow, but he's different."

"From me?" Jagger brushed myhair awayfrom myneck.

Istepped back, bumping into mychair. "From the typical vampire," I said sharply.

Jagger laughed, having funwithhis little game. "Well . . . youseemed to blend inwiththe Dungeon," he said,confronting me again. "And that Phoenixguy."

Iplaced the chair betweenus, not saying anything. Ididn't like what he was insinuating, that Iwas attracted to Phoenix--someone other thanmyboyfriend--eventhoughthe realitywas that PhoenixwasAlexander.

"How canyoube inlove witha vampire and not want to have a club where he canattend?"

"You know I mean nefarious, unknown vampires."

"Do I really? You think Alexander is the only be nevolent vampire?"

"Uh. . . no."

"Or are you afraid that if he spends enoughtime around his kind, he might prefer their company?" he asked,putting his foot on the chair and leaning in. "He might be reminded of what he is missing."

That was something I hadn't imagined. I had only been thinking about two things--the potential danger of vampires mixing with unsuspecting mortals, and the risk of blowing the coffin lid off of the secret identity of my boyfriend, thus threatening his stay in Dullsville.

"Aren't you jealous of Luna?" Jagger asked coldly. "Don't you think it's weird--Sebastianmeets her and within an hour takes the extra plunge, so to speak?And Alexander has known you for how long now?"

"It's different, and you know that. I'm not a vampire. Luna is."

"So she is," he said. "Lucky Luna. So what kind of vampire would you be? The Sebastian kind? Or the Alexander kind?"

"Icame here to help, not to discuss myboyfriend."

"For which club? The mortal one, or the vampire one?" he asked. "I find it curious--perhaps more than a coincidence--that Scarlet, Onyx, and Sebastian have been suggesting a mortals-only club. You didn't happen to talk to them as well, did you?"

I wasn't about to admit that I had. "But they're right. This townis too small for anincreased vampire population.

Gossip spreads so quickly here. If the mortal patrons know it is safe, they will want to come. But if they get wind of anything nefarious, then they will want to shut down your club completely."

"You don't seem the type to worry about what others think."

"I worry about what their actions can do to myfriends. More vampires in this town--ones not so benign, such as yourself--" I said for good measure "--can under mine or even threaten the existence of the ones who already live here."