Cryptic Cravings (16 page)

And if I wore it to school, Trevor would know I liked it, and he’d never wipe the gloating smile from his face.

And worse, if I showed it to Alexander, my boyfriend would be real y ticked off. Trevor ultimately had won his game.

No one would know if I wore it for a while. I imagined that he’d taken the time to have it ordered, bought it, and boxed it up, al while thinking of me. It was odd, to say the least. And odder stil that I didn’t want to remove it quite yet.

But then I got a text from Alexander. He must have woken up early, before the sun set, and was restless in his coffin. And then I remembered how real boyfriends behaved. The kind that didn’t kiss one girl and give presents to another. I quickly unclasped the bracelet and buried it, along with any pleasant thoughts of Trevor, in my dresser drawer.

Alexander, handsome in a classy suit coat and black jeans, arrived at our front door with a bouquet of flowers.

“But you already gave me flowers this morning,” I said.

“I couldn’t be there to see your face,” he said, handing them to me. “Now I can.”

I gave him a huge kiss and we stepped inside.

“Those are beautiful,” my mother said, coming down the stairs and wrangling an earring in her ear. “I’l get a vase.”

“I’d like to take one to dinner,” I said.

“You can wear it in your hair,” my mother said like a former hippie.

The last time I’d wanted flowers pinned on me was when Alexander gave me a corsage for the Snow Bal . I’d pricked my finger and he had made a strange expression I’d since come to find out was that of a vampire looking at fresh blood. I made sure not to tempt my boyfriend in front of my parents.

Instead of using pins and needles, Alexander was kind enough to clip the flower in my barrette.

When we got to the restaurant, it was hard not to think of the Crypt, even while so much fussing was going on. I was so anxious to get to the club. Even though we could sit down immediately, we’d be ordering appetizers, main courses, and desserts. It would be ages until we’d be able to meet the gang at the dance club.

Alexander must have sensed my anxiousness. He rested his hand on my twitching leg.

I was suddenly overcome with a sense of peace. I was relaxed. I scanned the table. I had a great mother and father, and though they never understood me, they stil were always there for me. My brother, Bil y, who was the biggest pest in the world, was texting Henry as if no one knew and would occasional y answer a question without even looking up. But stil , there he sat, celebrating my birthday. My best friend, who was there for me, laughing and gossiping since the day we met, and her boyfriend. And of course, the love of my life, my vampire soulmate, who had taken my blood as his own. I realized I was with the most gorgeous guy—holding his hand and wearing one of the flowers he’d given me in my hair. I didn’t want to be anywhere else.

And when that horrible moment came, when the waitstaff brought a candlelit dessert and my family and a few patrons sang “Happy Birthday,” and I blushed beet red, I kind of liked it.

I looked around the room as the single candle blazed in the sundae. I had a best friend, a family, and my true love.

What else could I want?

I real y had everything I wanted sitting at the table—except the one thing I’d been wishing for since I was in kindergarten: to become a vampire. I closed my eyes, wished, and blew out the candle to cheers and applause.

I wondered just how many more years I’d be making that wish.

As we got out of the Mercedes and headed through the back al ey to the Crypt, Alexander pul ed me aside.

“This is my real gift. I didn’t want to freak out your parents.”

“Then what were the flowers?”

“Just a prelude gift.”

“What is it?” I asked coyly.

“You’l see.”

He handed me a box. I only hoped it wasn’t a bracelet that said “Raven.” I wouldn’t know what to do.

I opened the box. There wasn’t a bracelet. Instead there was a slender silver eternity ring with petite black diamonds. The center diamond was in the shape of a smal heart.

Chil s ran down my spine. I almost fainted right there in the al ey of the Crypt.

“Alexander—I don’t know what to say. This is beautiful!”

“This way you’l always know that just because I haven’t turned you doesn’t mean we can’t be together forever.”

“How can you afford this?” I asked.

“How could I not afford it?”

“I’ve never had anything real—besides a pearl necklace my parents gave me last year for my birthday.”

“Just put it on.”

Tears wel ed in my eyes. Nothing I’d ever owned twinkled liked the ring I was now holding. I slid it on my right ring finger.

“It fits?” he asked eagerly.

“It’s like having the stars on my finger,” I said, jumping up and down.

I reached up to him and gave him the most passionate kiss I’d ever given.

“Get a room, dudes. Or at least a car,” Sebastian said, slapping Alexander on the back.

I showed Sebastian the ring.

“Are you getting married?” he asked. “Dude—”

“It’s not an engagement ring,” I said. “It’s an eternity ring.”

Luna spied the glistening ring and bore her fangs at me. The expression she wore spoke volumes.

“It’s time we get to the club. We’ve been waiting forever for it to open!” Alexander said.

When I turned down the al ey to the mil , I saw an image even I couldn’t have ever envisioned in Dul svil e. A long line snaked around the corner of the factory and led up to the Crypt. Every student in Dul svil e High was standing, texting, and gossiping in line, waiting for a chance, like me, to dance in a club. I was lucky to be in Sebastian’s and Luna’s company so we could walk past the sea of would-be clubsters and make our way to the entrance.

A sign in blood-red letters marked the entrance: CHECK ALL CELL PHONES, CAMERAS, AND MP3

PLAYERS. PHOTOGRAPHS PROHIBITED. A bouncer was checking al electronic devices.

When we entered, Sebastian and Luna disappeared into the Crypt while I stood spel bound. Alexander stood behind me, his hands on my shoulders. A lot had changed since I’d last been to the factory. The scene was truly magical.

Dul svil e final y had a place, besides the Mansion, where I truly belonged.

Gray arched columns made the once-flat ceiling appear curved. Lightning flashed against the windows, and thunder rumbled over the music as if there were a nasty storm outside the club. The center stage was magnificent.

It was in the shape of a large coffin. Headstone doorways had handles resembling skeleton bones. Votives and LED torch lighting hung on the wal s like a creepy tomb. The bar, too, was shaped like a giant coffin. Bottles covered in fake cobwebs were on wooden racks. The dance area was il uminated by candelabra chandeliers flickering LED lights. Two metal cages with twisted wrought iron were in the corners for dancing clubsters. Neon exit signs hung above al outgoing doors. An open coffin rested next to an erect one with signs inviting customers to step inside. For a smal price, a photographer dressed as a caretaker took pictures.

The conservative students raved about the new club. Any club party with loud music was the chance to let loose and be away from nagging parents.

“Wow!” I said. “This is what I’ve always dreamed of.”

I found Scarlet and Onyx already dancing.

While Alexander and Sebastian tried to find Jagger, I jumped onto the dance floor and rocked with my vampire friends.

I noticed Luna, off in the corner, waiting for Sebastian to return. She was a misfit, even in her brother’s club. Aloof and unfettered, she just observed the goings-on around her. Scarlet and I ran over to her and dragged her onto the dance floor with us. It was as if she was relieved, finally having some friends of her own to hang out with. It wasn’t long before her pink hair was tossing back and forth as we al danced to the morbid music.

Exhausted, I took a break. It was then I caught sight of the curious door—only tonight it was adorned like a grave marker and had a skeleton-bone handle.

“Do you know where Jagger is?” I asked Scarlet when we headed off to the bar. “I want to try that door again and I don’t want him to see me.”

“What?” She tried to shout over the music.

“That tombstone door. We stil don’t know what it leads to. This could al be a ruse for something nefarious underground.”

“You can check it out,” she said, uninterested. “I want to dance. I think I see Trevor.” She slipped into the crowd while Luna and Onyx continued to dance.

I made my way through wal -to-wal clubsters until I reached the grave marker door. There was so much going on, I was sure no one would notice me trying to sneak in.

I had put the key in and turned the lock when someone grabbed my hand.

“Time to dance,” Trevor said.

Before I could shake free I was back on the dance floor, staring at Trevor Mitchel .

Where were Alexander, Sebastian, and Jagger to protect me?

I stood motionless, with my arms folded.

“You can move better than that,” he said.

He put his hands on my waist and shook my hips back and forth.

“Get off!” I said.

“The dance doesn’t start until you do!” he said.

Then I thought, What difference does it make? I was as close to Trevor as I was to anyone else on the dance floor.

I let the song take over me and I danced my heart out. Al at once I was lost, dancing with Trevor. His green eyes burned through me as if we were the only two on the dance floor. He put his hand around my waist and drew me to him, so close our bodies touched. I could feel his rock-hard stomach against mine. He stared at me intently and a smile crept across his face. I was in his clutches. I knew any moment Trevor was going to kiss me.

Suddenly Alexander was standing next to Trevor. There was no denying Alexander was ready to take him off the dance floor—physical y.

“It’s okay,” I said. I pul ed Alexander close. “That dance is over now. The rest are saved for you.”

Trevor watched me as I snuggled with Alexander. I checked back and Trevor was dancing with a group of girls, as if I didn’t exist anymore.

The fol owing morning I stumbled into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee.

My mom caught sight of my ring.

“That’s gorgeous. Where did you get it?”

“Alexander gave it to me.”

“Sweetheart—that’s real.”

“I know. Can you believe this? I don’t deserve something this beautiful.”

“Maybe you’re too young to get a gift like that,” she said with a crinkle in her brow.

“I just turned seventeen! And Alexander’s eighteen. Too young?”

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“I’m sorry I snapped.”

“Did he ask you anything when he gave it to you?”

“Like getting down on one knee?” I asked, slightly horrified at her overreaction to my good news. “No, he didn’t.

Why does everyone have to take this as more than it is?”

If she was this freaked out about a ring, I couldn’t imagine what she’d say if I told her I wanted to turn into a vampire—for real.

“Maybe we should talk,” my mom said.

“About the birds and bees? I think we’ve been over that.”

“No, about your future. Col ege. Getting out of town. Alexander.”

“What, now you don’t approve of him?”

“Of course I do. I think he’s been amazing for you. I just hope you’l go to col ege.”

“You met dad at col ege. It’s not my fault that I met my true love in high school. Besides, can’t I just enjoy my birthday present?”

“I just want you to make sure you are as focused on school as much as you are on relationships.”

“Wel , you know I have never been focused on school.” We both had a smal chuckle. “If Alexander decides to study in Romania, I’m up for it,” I assured her.

“It shouldn’t be about what Alexander wants. That’s what I’m trying to talk to you about.”

“Have I ever done anything in my life I didn’t want to do?” I asked candidly.

“Uh . . . no. I wish you had—it would have made my life a lot easier.”

“Have I ever succumbed to peer pressure?” I asked.

“No. You are the antithesis of that.”

“Then why can’t you trust me?”

“Because I know what love does. It makes you think things—that the world is more romantic than it is.”

“Is that so bad? You have Dad, this house, and Bil y and me.”

“You are right, but—”

“I’ve been pretty miserable most of my life. For almost a year now, I’ve real y enjoyed this town. I have a great boyfriend and I’ve met a lot of people that I connect with. I haven’t gotten into trouble and my grades have been pretty good.”

“I was always hoping you’d be able to graduate and find a passion beyond . . .”

“Vampires?”

“Yes.”

“I’l go to col ege, Mom. I want to be an editor for a fashion mag. You think Alexander would go out with me if I were just a slacker? He has standards, too.”

“I know. Alexander is an amazing guy.”

“I want to show you something,” I said. She fol owed me to my bedroom and I took out the bracelet buried in my drawer from Trevor.

“This could be my future,” I said.

“Where did you get this?”

“Trevor Mitchel .”

“Trevor? That is unexpected.”

“I know . . . so when you worry about my future, you can think about this one, too,” I said. “We could be having the same conversation about a different person. And do you know what it would be? A future with a gorgeous guy who thinks about himself more than anyone else. And guess what? While I’m watching him pursue his soccer dream, he’d be sneaking off with a leggy blonde cheerleader.”

My mom sat on my bed, handling the bracelet. “I knew I’d found Mr. Right when I met your father. My mother wanted me to wait, too, and date different guys in col ege. And if I had, I wouldn’t have been happy. I wouldn’t have been in love. And I wouldn’t have had you.”

I heard my dad coming up the stairs.

“Paul,” she cal ed to him. “Look what Alexander gave Raven.” My mom proudly held out my hand to him.

“Moving a little fast, aren’t we?” he asked. “Shouldn’t Alexander be talking to me first—or should I be talking to him?”