The Coffin Club (Vampire Kisses 5)

I wasn`t sure what we were waiting for exactly--a celebration? A fight? After all, I was in a vampire club--we could be waiting for a sacrifice.

A few minutes later, Dragon took the stage holding a stack of parchment ballots. He awkwardly stepped to the microphone. He obviously appeared more comfortable confronting members by the coffin lid door than he did speaking in front of them.

He shifted back and forth uneasily and cleared his throat. The results are in, he declared, one hand in his camouflage cargo pocket.

The crowd burst into cheers. White-T-shirt-wearing members chanted, Jagger, Jagger while others shouted, Phoenix, Phoenix.

Phoenix and Jagger, flanked with their cohorts, entered the stage from opposite sides like prizefighters coming into a ring.

Jagger threw his arms up in the air while Phoenix folded his arms and hung back.

Dragon cleared his throat again. And now...what you`ve all waited for.... The Dungeon master is...

Everyone fell silent.

Then Dragon leaned into the microphone and yelled, The Dungeon master is...Phoenix!

The crowd cheered, although the members in white T-shirts were visibly disappointed.

I grabbed Scarlet`s hand. The girls wailed in delight and we raised our arms and danced.

Dragon stood twice as tall and three times as wide as Jagger.

It is time, Jagger, that you relinquish your Master Key, he demanded, and took the lanyard from around Jagger`s neck.

Dragon returned to the mike. This is one of a kind and can`t be duplicated, Dragon announced. It is the only key that can permanently lock or unlock the club, giving the holder total control.

Phoenix took to the microphone to thunderous applause and cheers while Dragon presented him with a shiny golden skeleton key.

The crowd cheered again as Phoenix nodded his acceptance. For our own survival, he began in his heavy Romanian accent, we must remain peaceful and anonymous. The Dungeon has become a perfect place for us to be ourselves. We don`t have to be violent to be vampires.

The crowd cheered with enthusiasm.

And what is most important is that we don`t look to one person as a leader. So as long as we remain on a peaceful path, I relinquish control to the real leaders of the club--you!

Phoenix high-fived his gang and stepped offstage and disappeared.

This is awesome! Scarlet yelled. Onyx and Scarlet clasped hands with me and we jumped up and down, giggling and cheering like a daisy circle. Onyx`s pigtails and Scarlet`s curls bounced like those of girls in a school yard.

Jagger hopped onstage and seized the microphone. Don`t be so ready to turn your club over to him! The noise died down and finally stopped. Everyone was confused by Jagger`s reappearance.

One of our members is a fraud! he challenged. In fact, she isn`t a member at all! We are a club of immortals and one of us is actually a mortal!

Whispers quickly spread throughout the club like wildfire. I was honestly so caught up in the moment, I gasped along with Scarlet and Onyx.

The voting result is null and void! Jagger argued. Phoenix is not your winner!

That`s weird, Onyx remarked to me. Who would want to be a mortal surrounded by vampires? Do they have a death wish?

I demand a recount! Jagger yelled.

Jagger`s gang stood onstage and examined the stack of ballots one by one.

The crowd was on edge as if they were waiting for an execution order.

Several of Phoenix`s supporters climbed onstage and surrounded Jagger`s crew.

One of these is not true vampire blood, Jagger said, waving the stack in the air.

Here it is! one of Jagger`s sidekicks hollered like he`d found a winning lottery ticket.

Jagger snatched it from his hand.

This one is mortal blood! he proclaimed. I told you! Taste it for yourself!

The confused group of immortals was now talking quietly among themselves.

I know who the mortal is! Jagger declared.

The crowd began to skeptically glance around. No one believed the person beside them might not be one of the undead. For a moment I didn`t either. Perhaps it was someone else he was talking about.

The ghastly group looked to Jagger for an answer.

Jagger was fuming with anger. The mortal is hiding among you. And she`s standing right there! he blurted out, pointing to me.

The clubsters gasped in disbelief.

My stomach caved in. At any moment the crowd of vampires was going to pounce on me.

Dragon pushed his way to the microphone. It doesn`t matter! he said, holding my ballot and the focus of the group. Phoenix has twice as many votes as you.

His already ghost white face turned paler.

Phoenix won fair and square! Dragon proclaimed.

The crowd cheered a deafening roar.

Jagger glared at them, then at me, his blue and green eyes turning fiery red. He threw the card down and stormed offstage.

One of his crew came to the microphone. We still have a mortal among us!

Calm down, Dragon said, but the white-T-shirt-wearing members grew restless.

The whole crowd turned their gaze to me, baring their fangs.

Remember why you voted for Phoenix, Dragon directed.

Scarlet and Onyx appeared bewildered.

I`m so--, I pleaded.

I thought you were our friend, Scarlet said, disappointed.

I was. I am. Just because I`m mortal doesn`t mean-- Jagger`s crew was closing in around us.

You lied to us, Scarlet argued.

Did I? I never said I was a vampire.

She`s right, Onyx defended. We liked her because she`s cool. And that hasn`t changed. In fact, she`s brave. I never would have hung out with vampires before I was turned.

I didn`t mean to--, I said to Scarlet.

Then Scarlet`s demeanor softened. It doesn`t matter to me that you are mortal, she agreed. I liked you because you are you.

The rest of the club was far less forgiving. Jagger`s crew encircled me.

She may reveal everything to the outside world, one said.

And destroy our anonymity! cried another.

She needs to make a decision!

You better turn now! one demanded.

You must decide for all eternity, one said seductively. You won`t regret it.

There is only one way to be a member! another ordered, his gold fangs flashing.

Our way is the best way, someone added.

We are offering you the chance for immortality. Would you rather be buried in a grave or just sleep in one?

Come join us. We won`t bite... one said with a laugh.

Scarlet linked tightly on to one of my arms and Onyx the other.

Back off! Onyx yelled.

The two girls held on to me like a prized possession, but I felt more like a pi�ata. They were no match for the angry mob of Jagger`s crew, and it took only a few moments before our hold was broken.

I stood alone, surrounded by bloodthirsty vampires. The rest of the club was motionless. Even Phoenix`s benign vampires, who wanted nothing more than a secure place to hang out, were now conflicted. Was I more of a threat alive--or undead?