Cryptic Cravings (Vampire Kisses 8)

"What?" She tried to shout over the music. "That tombstone door. We still don't know what it leads to. This could all be a ruse for something nefarious underground."

"You can check it out," she said, uninterested. "I want to dance. I think I see Trevor." She slipped into the crowd while Luna and Onyx continued to dance.

I made my way through wall-to-wall clubsters until I reached the grave marker door. There was so much going on, I was sure no one would notice me trying to sneak in.

I had put the key in and turned the lock when someone grabbed my hand. "Time to dance," Trevor said. Before I could shake free I was back on the dance floor, staring at Trevor Mitchell. Where were Alexander, Sebastian, and Jagger to protect me? I stood motionless, with my arms folded. "You can move better than that," he said. He put his hands on my waist and shook my hips back and forth. "Get off!" I said. "The dance doesn't start until you do!" he said. Then I thought, What difference does it make? I was as close to Trevor as I was to anyone else on the dance floor.

I let the song take over me and I danced my heart out. All at once I was lost, dancing with Trevor. His green eyes burned through me as if we were the only two on the dance floor. He put his hand around my waist and drew me to him, so close our bodies touched. I could feel his rock-hard stomach against mine. He stared at me intently and a

smile crept across his face. I was in his clutches. I knew any moment Trevor was going to kiss me. Suddenly Alexander was standing next to Trevor. There was no denying Alexander was ready to take him off the dance floor - physically.

"It's okay," I said. I pulled Alexander close. "That dance is over now. The rest are saved for you." Trevor watched me as I snuggled with Alexander. I checked back and Trevor was dancing with a group of girls, as if I didn't exist anymore.

The following morning I stumbled into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. My mom caught sight of my ring. "That's gorgeous. Where did you get it?" "Alexander gave it to me." "Sweetheart - that's real." "I know. Can you believe this? I don't deserve something this beautiful." "Maybe you're too young to get a gift like that," she said with a crinkle in her brow. "I just turned seventeen! And Alexander's eighteen. Too young?" "I didn't mean it like that." "I'm sorry I snapped." "Did he ask you anything when he gave it to you?"

"Like getting down on one knee?" I asked, slightly horrified at her overreaction to my good news. "No, he didn't. Why does everyone have to take this as more than it is?"

If she was this freaked out about a ring, I couldn't imagine what she'd say if I told her I wanted to turn into a vampire - for real.

"Maybe we should talk," my mom said. "About the birds and bees? I think we've been over that." "No, about your future. College. Getting out of town. Alexander." "What, now you don't approve of him?" "Of course I do. I think he's been amazing for you. I just hope you'll go to college."

"You met dad at college. It's not my fault that I met my true love in high school. Besides, can't I just enjoy my birthday present?"

"I just want you to make sure you are as focused on school as much as you are on relationships." "Well, you know I have never been focused on school." We both had a small chuckle. "If Alexander decides to study in Romania, I'm up for it," I assured her.

"It shouldn't be about what Alexander wants. That's what I'm trying to talk to you about." "Have I ever done anything in my life I didn't want to do?" I asked candidly. "Uh . . . no. I wish you had - it would have made my life a lot easier." "Have I ever succumbed to peer pressure?" I asked. "No. You are the antithesis of that." "Then why can't you trust me?" "Because I know what love does. It makes you think things - that the world is more romantic than it is." "Is that so bad? You have Dad, this house, and Billy and me." "You are right, but - "

"I've been pretty miserable most of my life. For almost a year now, I've really enjoyed this town. I have a great boyfriend and I've met a lot of people that I connect with. I haven't gotten into trouble and my grades have been pretty good."

"I was always hoping you'd be able to graduate and find a passion beyond . . ." "Vampires?" "Yes."

"I'll go to college, Mom. I want to be an editor for a fashion mag. You think Alexander would go out with me if I were just a slacker? He has standards, too."

"I know. Alexander is an amazing guy." "I want to show you something," I said. She followed me to my bedroom and I took out the bracelet buried in my drawer from Trevor.

"This could be my future," I said. "Where did you get this?"

"Trevor Mitchell." "Trevor? That is unexpected."

"I know . . . so when you worry about my future, you can think about this one, too," I said. "We could be having the same conversation about a different person. And do you know what it would be? A future with a gorgeous guy who thinks about himself more than anyone else. And guess what? While I'm watching him pursue his soccer dream, he'd be sneaking off with a leggy blonde cheerleader."

My mom sat on my bed, handling the bracelet. "I knew I'd found Mr. Right when I met your father. My mother wanted me to wait, too, and date different guys in college. And if I had, I wouldn't have been happy. I wouldn't have been in love. And I wouldn't have had you."

I heard my dad coming up the stairs. "Paul," she called to him. "Look what Alexander gave Raven." My mom proudly held out my hand to him.

"Moving a little fast, aren't we?" he asked. "Shouldn't Alexander be talking to me first - or should I be talking to him?"

"No one needs to talk to anyone," she said, softening the blow. "It was a special present Alexander gave Raven. And I think we should be happy for her and leave it at that."

My dad examined the ring. "Wow - is that real?" I nodded. "The boy has good taste. Although I already knew that," he said with a wink.

That evening I met Alexander just after sunset at the Mansion. With only a day until the joint birthday party at the Crypt, I didn't want anything to get in the way of it - including unwanted vampires. I was dressed and ready to go to the club, but when I met Alexander in his room, he wasn't ready. He was rummaging around in his closet.

Alexander had other plans. "Phoenix needs to come to the Crypt tonight," he said. "I'll have Jameson drop you off at the club."