Cryptic Cravings (Vampire Kisses 8)

"I want to show you this," Becky said. She led me into an alcove away from dancing clubsters. She held out her phone. "Remember the picture I took at the soccer field again of Sebastian? He didn't show up in any of the pictures. He's clearly missing."

"That's all?" I asked. "Yes, that's weird. But maybe there is something wrong with your phone." "I got to thinking. Maybe the rumor wasn't just a rumor." "What do you mean?" I asked. "All the signs. For so long now. I can't believe you - of all people - haven't noticed." "What are you saying?" I asked my best friend.

"These are the pictures of the workers I took before Jagger told me not to take pictures." She showed me her phone again. There were no workers in view.

"Maybe they were out of the frame," I said. "Everyone? All the pictures I took of you are perfect." "Maybe it's time to buy a new cell phone. I think we have to get back - "

"And then this one." She took out a camera from her purse. "I used my camera this time. I took it tonight. It is of Jagger, Luna, and Sebastian."

"You weren't supposed to take pictures. . . ." She held out the camera, shaking in her hand. There wasn't anyone in the picture. I didn't know what to say. "Maybe it's the lighting?" I tried. Becky's face was determined. "It's not the cell phone. It's not the camera. It's them!" "Becky, you aren't making sense - "

"That's why Sebastian bit Luna at Alexander's party. That's why I've only seen them during the night and why they don't go to school. They can't. They are - "

"I have to get back - " She reached into her purse again. "Then it won't matter if I throw these cloves of garlic on the dance floor."

I imagined it then. One by one, Alexander, Jagger, Luna, Sebastian, Onyx, and Scarlet breathing in the garlic fumes and gasping for breath. All laboring to get fresh air. Finally each one, falling to the floor. . . .

I reached for her purse. "No - you can't! You have to take that out of here! They won't be able to breathe!" Becky was stunned by my reaction. Her face turned ghostly white. She pulled out an empty hand. She could barely breathe herself. "Raven, I don't have any garlic. . . ." I covered my mouth in horror. "So it's true," she said faintly.

My best friend knew - about Jagger, Luna, Sebastian, Onyx, and Scarlet. And if I couldn't prove her wrong - or worse, lie to her - then it would be only moments before she realized the truth about Alexander, too.

My head swirled with excuses. The camera doesn't work, it's the lighting . . . but when I opened my mouth, no words came out. Instead I nodded, as if I'd been waiting for her to tell me those words forever. In fact, I must have been. She was my best friend and I'd kept the biggest secret from her - something I'd never done. And now she'd found out on her own, and I couldn't keep the secret any longer.

Her lower lip quivered and she wobbled in place. "Becky?" I put my hand on her shoulder. Becky began to succumb to her dizziness. Her knees buckled and she started to fall. I quickly grabbed her with both hands, trying to keep her standing. "What's wrong with her?" a clubster asked. "She feels faint," I said. "Let's give her some air." I held her up and guided her over to the bar, then helped her sit down. "We need some water," I said. I hugged my best friend. "It's okay, Becky. You'll be okay. We'll be okay." The bartender put a glass of water on the bar. "I'm not thirsty," she said, pushing it away. "Drink it," I said, handing it to her. Becky gulped it down.

For a moment we girls sat in silence, processing what had just happened. Becky had just learned my boyfriend's true identity and now I had to deal with my best friend holding this secret knowledge. "I'm scared, Raven. I'm really scared." Tears began streaming down her face. Her house of Hello Kitty cards was falling down in front of me. I was left breathless.

"And this picture, too," she said, scrolling her phone. "It's the one your mom took tonight with me and you and Matt and Alexander. OnlyAlexander isn't in the picture."

I couldn't speak nor look at the picture my friend was holding out, shaking in her fingers. "So, does that mean - Alexander, too?" I didn't answer.

"It's funny, really. I've never seen him in the daylight. Not once. And those pictures from the Snow Ball, he didn't turn out, and now tonight. . . ."

I nodded. I knew she was frightened. For her, for me, for us. For the town. Even for Alexander. "You tried to tell me once underneath the staircase at school. But I laughed at you."

"I would have laughed, too." "Is it possible to be a good vampire?" Becky said. "I think Alexander's proof." Matt raced over. He noticed Becky's pale complexion. "What's wrong?" "Becky feels faint," I said. "I think you should take her home." "But they're going to have your celebration," she muttered. "You've had enough for tonight," I said. "Matt, do you mind?" I asked. "I think she needs some rest." "I don't want to leave," she said. "I want to stay. I want to know everything now." "What do you want to know?" Matt said. "What is she talking about?" "I want to know more about vampires," Becky said. "And Raven knows everything there is to know." "Are you sure you're okay?" Matt asked. Becky looked at me with a knowing smile. "I don't want to be left in the dark anymore." I insisted Matt sit with Becky while she continued to drink her water and I went to find Alexander. "I have to tell you something," I said when I finally found him by the club's entrance. "It will have to wait. Jagger wants us to join him for the VIP party." Jagger unlocked the Covenant door and waved us over. Becky and Matt trailed behind.

We walked down darkened, crooked wooden steps. When we reached the bottom we could clearly see the room Jagger had been hiding.

Twinkling tombstones lined the walls and morbid music played. "Happy birthday!" everyone cheered. Sebastian, Luna, Scarlet, Onyx, Jagger, Trevor, and a few others who must have been friends of Jagger's from the Coffin Club applauded.

"And look at this. A covenant altar. Perfect for parties," Jagger said. A wrought-iron, spooky spiderweb-designed trellis was beautiful. Underneath it lay a coffin with two antique pewter goblets adorned with bats.

"We are going to have a ceremony tonight. Just for kicks," Sebastian said. "A mock ceremony to unite us with our girlfriends for eternity. I'm going first, then it's your turn."