Cryptic Cravings (Vampire Kisses 8)

Then it hit me.

"What if he came back?" Iwondered aloud. "What if Phoenixmade sure that the club remained onlymortal? Except for you, Sebastian, and the others, of course. But the Covenant would remainclosed."

Alexander thought for a moment.

I was sure this was a great idea. "Phoenix was able to keep peace whenJagger was trying to make the Coffin Club nefarious and bring inmore vampires," Isaid. "Phoenixstood up against Jagger, withthe club members by his side, and forced him to keep the clubsters happy by keeping it a secret and civil club. He can do the same here by keeping it mortal."

"I'm not so sure . . ."

"And if Jagger doesn't want to listen, Phoenixcould threatento go back to the CoffinClub. He could shut down that club--Jagger's flagship location. Jagger wouldn't let anything jeopardize the CoffinClub again. Phoenixis ultimatelythe onlyone withreal power over Jagger."

Alexander fiddled with a dandelion in the grass.

"I'd love to see him again," Isaid, taking another approach. "That sexypurple hair. That hot rod motorcycle. Those tight black pants.And now that Iknow it's you," Isaid, sidling up toAlexander, "Imight evenbe able to give him that kiss he was looking for."

"Hey, don't be cheating onme withme," he teased.

"Oh, it would be so cool. The Crypt. Dancing together and hanging out withScarlet and Onyx. Dullsville has come alive since I met you."

I rested myhead on his shoulder as I fantasized about the Crypt;Alexander was lost inthought, too. I'd put a lot of ideas in his head. I decided to change the subject.

"Our birthdays are just around the corner," I said. "Becky wants to know what we're going to do."

"We should celebrate them together," he offered.

"That's what Isaid!"

"We could throw a joint party," he suggested.

"Really? That would be the best birthdayever!"

"And Ithink Iknow just the place,"Alexander said. "It's called the Crypt."

Chapter 6 - Club Rumors

The following day, Becky caught up to me after Language Arts class.

She ranup and grabbed myarm, bursting to tell me major news. "Iheard that Dullsville is getting a new club!" she said.

I was shocked. Gossip traveled so fast in Dullsville it was scary. But this breaking news had found its way to Becky particularly fast. I had to wonder if Jagger was spreading it himself.

"What did youhear?" Iasked.

"Just that there's going to be a club--for us!"

"A club? Here?" Iacted surprised, but reallyIwas. Not that there was going to be a club--but that the word was out about it already.

"Yes.And you don't have to be twenty-one to get in. It's going to be awesome!"

"Did youhear where it's going to be?"

"No, but as soonas Ifind out, I'll let youknow."

The irony was that Becky was telling me about the club I should have been telling her about all along. She was going to scavenge for information that I already knew. I felt guilty not telling her, but until I knew for sure about Jagger's true intentions, I didn't want to add gossip to the mill.

"I can't wait," Beckysaid. "It will be funto have a place to hang out and dance withMatt."

I froze. Myinnocent best friend was planning oncoming to the club--the one that Jagger would be inviting unknown vampires to?

"You can't go--" I blurted out. "I mean, I don't think it will be your type of club."

"Why not? It's open to everyone."

That's the problem, Ithought. Mortals and vampires, too.

Would I have to protect Becky from the modern vampire world forever? It appeared I would, at least for the near future.

"I'm just saying," Ibegan, "if the popular crowd is hanging out there, thenit's not going to be a funplace for us."

"It's supposed to be awesome. Matt and his friends will be going. I'm sure it will be fine--we canhang with just us.

We'll just keep to ourselves.And besides, clubs are dark and loud. I've seenthem on TV."

"Did you hear that there's going to be a place to rave?" a Prada-bee a few lockers away said to her friend.

"I've heard about it," the friend said. "But I don't have any info."

"It would be so cool. We don't have anywhere we candance.At least not without a fake ID." The Prada-bee laughed a snorty laugh.

"Where is it going to be?" her friend asked.

"I heard it's going to be in that abandoned church." The Prada-bee spoke ina whisper.

"I was told they're renting out the country club on Friday nights," her friend gushed.

"Who is `they'?" the Prada-bee asked.

I leaned in.

"I heard they're going to have it in the graveyard. Surely you'd show up," Trevor said, spotting me eavesdropping.

"Last to know, as usual?" he asked.

Ididn't evenbother witha response.

"Perhaps another highlyanticipated event youwon't be invited to?"

"What? Youhave to be invited?" Iasked, breaking myshort silence.

"For the opening, of course," mynemesis said. "Theyaren't going to let just anyone in."

"The yare my friends, not yours," I said. "Believe me, I can make sure you don't get past the bouncer." I shut my locker.

"Don't be so sure," he said. "I'm onthe VIP list." He slithered up to me so close Icould smell the peppermint gum he was chewing. "And if there is a new hot spot club, you'll be needing a date," he said coyly. He took my hand and before I could withdraw it, he wrote his number on my palm.

Becky passed me hand sanitizer and I did my best to rub it off.

So the Crypt's grand opening was byinvitationonly? Jagger was killer ongetting the buzzstarted. He hadn't even started to decorate. By the time he did open, he'd have the whole highschool lined up around the block waiting to get in.

And I wasn't sure that was sucha great thing after all. The students here would be exposed to unknownvampires.

Once the drinks were flowing and the heat of the dance floor kicked up, who knew which of these mortals would be hanging out with, kissing on, or being driven home by vampires from other towns? And though most of the students had contempt for me and had made my life here in Dullsville hell by either ignoring or teasing me, I couldn't let their materialistic lives be indanger.And if anyone inthis townwas going to fall preyto a handsome vampire, it was going to be me.

Beckyand Iwere hanging out onthe soccer field's bleachers shortlyafter the sunset. Iwas doodling inmyjournal,drawing pictures of what Iwanted the club to be like and ideas for gifts forAlexander's upcoming birthday. I was set to meet him inanhour, after he'd awokenand had dinner. Iwas killing time bydoodling as the soccer snobs competitively kicked the black-and-white ball up and down the field against the opposing Tigers.