Cryptic Cravings

I arrived at the mill just after sunset. Jagger was right - there wasn't much to do to make the abandoned mill a place to have a rave. Just clear boxes and add some lighting. But Jagger had bigger dreams for his parties. He wanted the patrons to be comfortable and have a unique experience.

The transformation was shocking. A bar was placed in the middle of the northern-most wall. Several round tables, wooden chairs, and bar stools were covered with black velvet. It was truly magical how much they were able to do under the cloak of darkness.

I beamed with excitement as the abandoned factory was becoming the ultimate dance club. I found Sebastian and Luna overlapping limbs on a crate in the corner. It was obvious that with Luna around, Sebastian wasn't being the help to Jagger that Jagger was hoping for. "Luna, maybe you and Raven could get us some food at that diner," Jagger said. "Take my car," he said, throwing the keys to his sister.

Luna and I each tried to hide our reluctance. For both of us, it meant time away from our loves. And worse, time together.

Each vampire looked at us, seeing our reactions and waiting to see which one of us came up with an excuse first. "Sure," Luna finally said. "Let's go."

It was a thrill to ride in Jagger's hearse. A plastic skeleton hung from the rearview mirror and the vintage car's interior was perfectly amazing, with restored black vinyl upholstered seats. The black curtains in back were drawn closed, and I wondered if indeed there might be a body in the hearse. The silver bat hood ornament glistened in the moonlight.

Luna's candy-pink-nailed fingers gripped the black leather steering wheel and her hair cascaded over her shoulders as if she were on a photo shoot.

"So what are your plans?" I asked, trying to pry any info out of her while I had the chance. "Building the Crypt." "And who do you think will show up?" I asked. "I don't know. I'm sure Jagger has it all figured out." "You mean you don't know?" "Know what?" "Is it going to be like the Coffin Club, with an underground vampire hangout?" Just then she pulled into the parking lot. She withdrew a list from her purse. "You didn't answer - "

She got out of the car and surveyed the list like she was memorizing it for a quiz. She didn't even look up and continued to walk through the parking lot, ignoring impending traffic.

"Watch out, Luna," I said when a car came too close for my comfort. "What?" she said indifferently, reaching the curb and entering the restaurant.

When we stepped into Hatsy's Diner, all heads turned. Moms and dads gave us the look of "don't grow up to look like them, sweetie."

And though the guys in town preferred their girls in paisley, it didn't stop them from gawking at the new girl in ripped tights and a skirt that barely covered her bottom.

I was invisible as far as they were concerned. No one ever paid attention to me, but when Luna arrived at the counter, more than three waiters came over to help. She leaned over the counter and gave the soda jerk our order.

He quickly passed it back to the cooks and raced around to the shake machine. Luna got bored and turned to me. "So, what do you think of my new boyfriend?" she said with sappy eyes. I didn't want to tell her the truth and risk being mean. I thought Sebastian was great - but not for her.

"He's so funny and handsome," she gushed. "The best of both worlds." She twisted her hair between her fingers. "He's going to take me to Paris and Rome. What about Alexander? Where is he taking you?"

Alexander hadn't taken me anywhere - and we didn't have plans to go anywhere. "We talk about Rome and Paris, too," I said. "But we are far too busy for any of that right now," I shot back. "Oh yes, you are bogged down by school. I don't know how you manage." I don't, I wanted to say. "I think I might want to stay here with Sebastian." "He's staying here?" "For now. So I will, too." "For how long?" I asked. "As long as it takes." "As long as what takes?" She wasn't about to answer. Luna had coyness down to a science. "So, when do you think Alexander will turn you?" she said directly. It was the one question that burned inside of me. I wasn't about to tell her that. She already knew.

"Do you know - his grandmother was never bitten. You could become just like her. In that monument in the cemetery."

I was thrown by her statement. It was so harsh and brutal that I was taken off guard. I was mad for me - but even more mad for Alexander's grandmother.

But then I thought about what it meant - if that was my fate, too. And if it was, it wasn't so bad. Many people live their entire lives never finding true love. Grandmother Sterling had loved and had a wonderful family. And I had found true love at sixteen.

"It's a shame," Luna continued, "his grandfather died before they could make that decision." "But if he was a vampire . . ." I asked, surprised, "then how could he die?"

"There was a revolt. Decades ago. Vampires can die, too, you know. It's hard, but they can. And it's not a pleasant way to go."

This was information I hadn't heard from Alexander. There were rumors of a revolt in Romania and how that was the reason the baroness had built the Mansion on Benson Hill. But I thought it was just a rumor.

"She came here to protect her family," Luna went on. "Was it your family that started the revolt?" I asked cautiously.

"No . . ." She laughed with a cute cackle. "It was mortals. They are far more destructive than vampires. I thought you would have figured that out by now."

She drew a long sip from her strawberry-pink shake. "But is that what you really want? To spend your life waiting? It seems so pathetic." Her sharp words pierced me more painfully than fangs. "Well, I'll be sure to invite you to our wedding," she continued. "Wedding?" I asked. "Yes, when Sebastian and I get married." "You are getting married? But you just met. And you're not even . . ."

"I'm eighteen. Romeo and Juliet betrothed their love at sixteen. And no, we aren't getting married today. But eventually. I'm sure Alexander is kicking himself, seeing all he could have had that his best friend has now. A partnership in a club. And a girl who isn't afraid to be bitten."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not afraid." "Aren't you? It seems like you are waiting an eternity - for eternity." "You don't know anything about it," I said through gritted teeth. "So if you both are so serious and so in love, then when is your official date?"

She knew what Alexander was like. She knew he wasn't going to turn me anytime soon, and she was shoving it in my face.

"We don't need that to show how much we care for each other."

Page Break "Those are just excuses. Commitment. That's what it's all about. Taking that covenant together. Bonding yourselves together for eternity. Isn't that what we are all looking for? Maybe Alexander wasn't ready to do that with me, but it's obvious he isn't ready to do that with you, either."

Now I was boiling mad. I felt like dumping my shake on her head right in front of the whole town. Anger welled up in my boots all the way through my torn tights and raged up my spine.

"Eternity is forever, but marriage? That's even longer," she said with that cute girlie giggle. "What if I told you that Alexander planned to turn me? On my twenty-first birthday. In the cemetery, in front of the whole town!"

"Then I'd tell you I think you're making it up." I fumed inside. "Besides, we can ask Alexander all about that turning at twenty-one when we get back."

I was horrified at the thought of returning to the factory and Luna asking Alexander about something we hadn't really discussed and I had just now made up.

"And I'll ask Sebastian about your wedding, too," I shot back. Luna froze, frostier than her pink shake. It was then I knew I'd caught her, too. "Well, for now, we'll just consider our discussion a secret between friends."

The waiter placed two large bags of food and a carton filled with shakes on the counter. Luna grabbed a handful of napkins and her shake and headed out the door and left me to struggle with the rest. When we arrived back at the mill, I bolted out the car door, leaving Luna to carry the load. Only it backfired. No one was glad to see me. The vampires were hungry and she got the credit for the bounty. Each ravenous vampire took his or her meal and tore into the food while I picked at mine, having eaten three times that day already.

It was very obvious that Sebastian was head-over�CDoc Martens for Luna. He doted on her so much it made my stomach turn. I knew he was mesmerized by her, as she did have a hypnotic glow around her. However, if Alexander wasn't interested in her, then I wondered why I was so jealous of her.

Scarlet also seemed preoccupied. I sensed a loneliness emanating from her. We all were coupled up. There were obviously three couples here - Luna and Sebastian, Alexander and me, Jagger and Onyx - and each couple was in a stage of romance, whether one had been bitten or not. And there was one single vampire girl. Scarlet, however, longed for a mortal just as I did for a vampire. She was pining for Trevor, a conservative mortal who was a player on and off the field. I knew Trevor wasn't good for her, for so many reasons. And at the end of the day, if he was going to be with his antithesis girl, someone goth, it probably would have been me.

The advantage I had was the sunlight. Something Scarlet, oddly enough, longed for, and I detested.

Instead of giving me a good-night kiss at my front door, Alexander came inside. I think we both needed some private time together since all our nights were being consumed with the Crypt and being on the watch for the possible Covenant. Alexander didn't hang out in my bedroom a lot. I preferred the Mansion, with its magnificent space and style, and it was also minus two doting parents and one pesky little brother.

But having Alexander in my room felt amazing. My little space didn't seem so morbid after all. Alexander brought life to it. And having him there was exhilarating. The way he walked around, examining and touching everything on display, was like he was touching me. I watched him look closely at my knickknacks, books, and music as if he was trying to get to know me or see into my soul. I felt safe with him here. Nothing could bother me - not physically or emotionally. And as tough as I was, it was nice for a moment to let my guard down and feel safe because of someone else for a change.

Alexander sat on my bed, like a gentleman would, if it were acceptable for a gentleman to sit on a lady's bed. But I pulled him over and made him lie beside me. I imagined what it would be like if he could cuddle with me as I fell asleep here, just as I did with him in his coffin. But that wasn't going to happen anytime soon, especially when we'd often get interrupted by Billy Boy, looking for attention.

"Wow - I don't know how you sleep like this. I worry about you all the time," he said tenderly. "What do you mean?" "Open - exposed. Anyone - or anything - could come into your room. You aren't hidden from danger." "What would come into my room?"

"I don't even want to think about it. I'm miles away from you and . . . it's just not safe. Not from the sun, I mean. But from people. There are so many things that can happen if you're not secured." "We have a security system." I caressed his hair playfully, but Alexander was serious. "I know. But don't you feel strange looking up and knowing anyone could watch you sleeping? Especially since you can't see in the dark."

I thought about it for a moment. I'd contemplated many things from the vampire's viewpoint, but this was something I hadn't.

"I didn't mean to scare you. It's one of the reasons I want to . . ." "Yes?" "It is one of the reasons I'd want you to be a vampire." I sat up. "Really?" "It just seemed odd to me that mortals would prefer to sleep that way." "That's not what I meant." I leaned into him eagerly. "I just feel funny - you here, not totally secured. But I guess it works for your kind. It always has." "Yes, but back to what you were saying." I hoped he'd go back to talking about me becoming a vampire. "I want you to be safe, that's all," he said, squeezing my hand.

From Alexander's perspective, we mortals lived open, vulnerable lives. He was hidden away from the sun and predators. Even if someone were to find the coffin, he was locked inside.

"It's weird. You can see all these things and hear all these noises. No wonder you have insomnia." "I have insomnia because you aren't here with me. So . . . if you really want me to be safe, maybe it's time." "I'd just feel safer if you'd start sleeping in a coffin." Just then my door creaked open. Billy's expression turned to surprise. "Get out!" I said, hopping off the bed. "Uh . . . we are making up lyrics to a song." But that didn't keep Billy out. Instead he was totally interested. "You're writing a song? That's so cool. I want to hear it." "It goes, 'Safer in a coffin, and if your brother doesn't leave, he'll be in one, too.'" Billy just frowned. "It's okay, man," Alexander said. "What's up?" "What are you doing in my room?" I snarled at Billy. "I'm one step away from bringing back Nerd Boy."

My brother wasn't bothered by my threat. He was under the Alexander spell. Like a kid in the company of a professional athlete, Billy was enamored byAlexander's presence. Alexander was the big brother Billy never had. And in kind, Alexander was always attentive to my brother, as kind and focused on him as he could be.

"Isn't it past your bedtime?" I finally asked. I could see Alexander had a longing for my younger sibling, as if he was missing one himself. He seemed delighted by the attention.

I let the two talk for a few more minutes before I led, or rather pushed, my little brother out of my room. Alexander and I had enough distractions to deal with and I wanted my precious alone time with him. I thought now would be a good time to bring up what I'd learned from my conversation with Luna at Hatsy's Diner. I sat on the bed withAlexander and entwined my fingers with his. "Sebastian really likes Luna," I said.

"Yes, I can see that." "No. I mean they've talked future and everything." "Yeah . . . ?" "I think they are going to get married." Alexander laughed. "Sebastian? I don't think so." "Luna seems to think so. And the way he drools all over her, I wouldn't be surprised. . . ." "You don't know Sebastian that well then." Alexander continued to laugh. "Well, maybe he found the right one," I said. "For today." "I think this is different," I tried to tell him. "How?" "Because he bit her." I looked him straight in the eyes. But Alexander wasn't impressed. "But didn't he say the same thing about Becky? That she was different?" Alexander asked. "I guess . . ."

"Do you know how many times I've heard him say that?" Alexander said with a grin. "That's what vampires do, they bite."

"But you don't." "Not yet . . ." He lifted my hair from my neck and nibbled it, sending me into giggles.

Then he took my hand. "Sebastian's only heard me say I was in love once. About a girl I met when I came to this town."

My heart melted. Alexander was truly dreamy. His soulful eyes stared into mine and I kissed him with all my love. When we finished our embrace, I thought again about our conversation. "But with Luna - Sebastian seems to be sure this time," I said. "And he's acting on it - though impulsively," I lamented. "Raven, I don't live my life based on what everyone else is doing. I never have. And I thought you didn't either. That's one of the reasons I'm so attracted to you."

He was right. Why did I have to live my life differently - or expect things for Alexander and me because of anyone else? I'd been living according to my rules since I was born. And now, because Luna came to town, I was going to adjust my whole existence to keep up with hers? And worse, I was trying to do the same for Alexander.

But I couldn't get past her. She struck me to the core. It wasn't rational but emotional. "It's normal to be jealous sometimes," Alexander said. "But what are you jealous of, really? A guy who meets a girl and, without a thought, bites her at a party? What if Sebastian goes to another party? How will she feel then?"

I guess I was jealous that Luna was a vampire and I was still a mortal. That she was bitten and I wasn't. And that she thought she was getting married . . . and I still wasn't sure. But was I brave enough to say all those things to Alexander? To confront him out of fear and not out of love? And because of one impulsive person and another shifty one, to make him prove things to me he might not be ready to prove?

Alexander pulled me to him and took my face into his hands. "I hope that biting you isn't the only way I can convince you of my love for you. It's not that I don't want to. And it's not that I don't think about it every day. I've loved you from the first moment I saw you."

He stared so deeply into my eyes that I could see myself in them. For a moment, I was saddened, realizing he couldn't see his own reflection in mine. And if I was turned, I wouldn't be able to see myself in his anymore. But not seeing reflections didn't seem to bother him. He wasn't asking me to change. He loved me the way I was, and no guy had ever done that before.

He drew my face to his and kissed me deeply, kissed the jealousy away, and I was flooded with a sense of love and an even deeper eternal desire.