Cryptic Cravings (Vampire Kisses 8)

"Are you kidding?" Alexander asked. "That is cool."

I kind of liked the idea. A mock covenant. Alexander and I could practice what it would really be like to have the ceremony and for me to be turned without it being a reality. Like posing for a picture with a wacky facade at a theme park. However, I'd be the only one in the picture. Luna was dressed in a frilly taffeta pink dress and black monster boots. Her baby pink hair cascaded over her naked shoulders.

"Happy birthday, Raven," she said. "Thanks, Luna."

"And happy birthday, Alexander." She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a peck on the cheek. "You'll soon find out what you've been missing," I heard her say.

"I can see why you're dying to have a covenant ceremony with Luna," I said to Sebastian. "She does look like an angel."

"She's a beauty," he said with a starry-eyed stare. Becky came up to me and Alexander. She stared at him like she was seeing him for the first time. She reached out to touch his arm as if she was trying to see if he was real. "What's up?" Alexander said. "Happy birthday," she said in a whisper. "But are you really eighteen?" "Yes," he answered, confused. "You're not really one hundred and eighteen?" "No," Alexander insisted. "What are you talking about?" She stepped back, then raced to Matt's side. "What's wrong with her?" Alexander asked. "That's what I've been trying to tell you. Becky found - " Just then Jagger motioned us over to a giant cake sitting on a table. "Time to make a wish."

The cake was a long sheet cake with black flowers and tiny tombstones on it. In blood-red letters it read, "Happy Birthday, Alexander and Raven."

It was really sweet that Jagger had taken the time to decorate this room, get us this cake, and arrange for this party.

Two candles were burning like tiny torches. Alexander and I looked at each other. We both made our separate wishes and blew out the candles. "Thanks, Jagger," I said. I gave him a big hug. He was taken aback by my affection but seemed grateful for it. We each took a piece of cake and then headed for the small dance floor. "So it's just us?" Becky said. "Who are not . . . ?" "You, me, Matt, and Trevor. But I still think Trevor is one, deep down," I teased. "Scarlet and Onyx?" "Oh yeah," I said as I danced. "Are we in danger?" "No - I carry garlic, just in case." "You do?" I shook my head. "You are safe tonight. Nothing is going to happen."

Just then Sebastian took a swig from a bottle. His mouth was stained with red liquid that he wiped off with the back of his hand.

"Is that wine?" Becky asked. "I'm afraid not." We continued to dance, and my friend tried to absorb her new reality without passing out. It was then she spotted two marks on Luna's neck. "I think I have to go to the bathroom," Becky said. "Are you okay?" I asked. "Yes," she said, starting for the door. "I'll go with you," I said, and followed her up the stairs and into the girl's bathroom. She splashed water on her face. "When did you know?" she asked.

"After Alexander's Welcome to the Neighborhood party. I was using Ruby's compact and he didn't show up in the reflection."

"That was months ago." "I know." "And you held this secret inside you for that long?" "I had to. For everyone's sake." "Who else knows?" "No one. It's so important that no one else know." "I'm not going to tell anyone. Who'd believe me? But I have to tell Matt." "He'll have to swear to secrecy." "He will," she assured me. She dotted her face and neck with a paper towel. "I know this is a dream come true for you. But for me - " "A nightmare?" "Pretty much. Your boyfriend and all these people I've come to know are vampires." "Can you believe it?" "And they sleep here?" "Yes, isn't that cool?" I said with a smile. "In coffins?" "Yes, you want to see?" "You are joking." "No, I'm not." We left the restroom and I pushed through the crowd of clubsters, Becky trailing close behind.

"I'm not sure I'm ready for this," she said when we reached the spiral staircase. "I almost fainted once. And these stairs are spooky enough."

"It's just down here." "Besides, don't you want to get back to the party? Matt is by himself."

"Alexander is with him." I'm not sure if that was comforting to Becky anymore. I, too, wanted to return to the party. I'd been waiting to celebrate for days, and in such a cool vampire way. But I'd also been waiting to share this secret with someone - anyone, especially my best friend - for so long now, it was comforting being able to reveal the load I'd been carrying alone.

"All right," I said. "I can show you later." Just then Scarlet arrived behind us. "What are you girls up to?" "Uh . . . I had to get something in Jagger's office," I said.

I didn't have to lie anymore, but I was so used to it, I wasn't sure what to say. Besides, I wasn't sure how Scarlet felt about Becky knowing she was a vampire.

"Cool. I have to go to our room, so we can walk together." She stepped around us and we followed her down the hall. "I just need to grab some fresh lipstick. Trevor rubbed it all off."

Becky hung back as Scarlet opened the door and popped inside. "Do you guys mind if I take off?" Scarlet asked when she came back out. "I want to head back to the party. Sebastian and Luna are going to have their mock covenant ceremony. You don't want to miss it."

"We'll only be a sec," I said. "Are you feeling faint?" I said to Becky when Scarlet had gone. "Sort of." "Then we'll stop." "I think this might be a dream," she said. "Hopefully I'll wake up any minute."

"Okay, but don't freak out if you don't." I opened the coffin room door wider so she could see in. There they were, five coffins in a row.

Becky screamed. Fortunately we were too far away from the Crypt for anyone to hear. "That's how they sleep?" she asked. "Yes." "And Alexander, too?" "His is black and it's at the Mansion."

Becky didn't move but remained fixed in the hallway. It was as if she expected one of the coffins to open and a dead person to jump out.

"No one is in them," I assured her. "They are all at the party." "They really sleep here? Even Sebastian?" she wondered aloud. "Yes, his is the one with stickers from different countries on it." "A vampire was interested in me?" It was too much for her to take in on one night. "Yes, he was." "I feel woozy again." She began to get weak-kneed, so I pulled her into Jagger's office. "A tarantula?" she said nervously. "And gravestone etchings on the walls?" "Maybe this wasn't the best place for you to sit down. But you should really catch your breath."