Эллен Шрайбер: The Coffin Club

“I took the liberty of cooking yours medium-well,” Jameson said, serving me. “I assumed you didn’t like yours as rare as Alexander’s.”

I glanced over at Alexander’s plate. The barely cooked strip steak was almost floating in a pool of blood.

“Mine is perfect,” I said with an oversized grin.

“Isn’t it a nice surprise that Raven has come to town?” Jameson asked, spooning out steaming-hot buttered peas.

“It’s the perfect way to wake up,” Alexander said with a twinkle in his eyes.

“Will there be anything else?”

“I think we are fine,” Alexander stated.

I scooted my chair even closer to Alexander’s. I couldn’t believe that my boyfriend, who had been so far away for so many days, was now by my side. All the pain I’d felt in the last month or so disappeared.

Alexander seemed ravenous as he tore into his bloody steak. I was reminded each time I was in Alexander’s company that I was truly dating a vampire. He had just woken up, while I, on the other hand, had been awake for more than twelve hours. Upon awakening, my boyfriend craved blood the way I craved a caramel latte.

There was so much I wanted to ask Alexander I didn’t know where to begin. As we continued to cut into our steaks, I pried for the info I’d missed over our time apart.

“Is Valentine here? What have you been doing? When are you planning on coming home?” I babbled.

“Slow down,” he said, tapping my hand.

“Tell me about Valentine. Is he okay?”

“Yes, Valentine is fine. He returned to his family.”

I paused, waiting to hear more. But Alexander just winked and took a bite of his sweet potato.

“That’s it?” I asked.

Where Becky and I would begin retelling a juicy event by “setting the scene,” followed by a description of clothing and dialogue, finishing with “overheard gossip” and our biased commentary, Alexander would simply provide one-word answers. How was I supposed to get a nitty-gritty fleshed-out story this way?

“Is Valentine here or in Romania?” I continued to pry.

“Romania, I guess.”

“Did you see Jagger?”

“Yes.” Alexander went back to cutting into his meat.

“You did? What did he say? Was he threatening? Where did you meet? In Hipsterville’s graveyard?”

“I showed up at his apartment at the Coffin Club. I have to admit, he was surprised,” Alexander began. “When he lifted the door open, he saw only me standing before him—Valentine was hanging by the elevator. Jagger was primed for an encounter, his fists clenched, his fangs flashing. But when he saw Valentine next to me, a wave of relief overcame him. I’d never seen him like that. Jagger was so happy to have Valentine safe I think all the blood rushed out of him.”

“Wow, you really are a hero,” I gushed.

“It was obvious Jagger had mixed feelings that I was the one who had returned Valentine to him. He’s spent so much time seeking revenge on me for not having a covenant ceremony with Luna he didn’t know how to respond. For the first time I can remember, Jagger and I weren’t rivals.”

“I wish I’d been there to see it,” I said.

He clutched my hand.

“After he hugged his brother,” Alexander continued, “Jagger extended his hand to me. It was then that I knew a truce was formed—between him and me and our families. Returning Valentine safely was more important than completing any covenant ceremony.”

“Do you think you guys will be friends now?”

Alexander shook his head. “Sadly no. We’re polar opposites and don’t have much in common. But now that things are peaceful between the two of us, it’s probably best for him and me not to see each other for a while so we can keep it that way.”

Alexander took a drink from his goblet.

“I am really glad you are here,” he said quietly.

“I am too!”

We locked eyes. For a moment it was as if we were the only two people in the world. Billions of people were shopping, driving, living, but the only person I was aware of was the gorgeous guy staring back at me.

Alexander leaned over and gently kissed me. I was so lost in his kiss, I didn’t realize my sleeve was sitting in my dinner.

“Here, let me,” he said, dabbing his napkin in his water glass and brushing off the butter stain.

“Can’t take me anywhere,” I joked. “So, when will you be returning to Dullsville?” I hinted. “Tomorrow? Next week?”

“I just have one more thing to take care of. It shouldn’t take much longer. I promise. Believe me, it’s lonely not being around the people you care about most.” Alexander gently smiled at me. I felt a twinge of sadness for him. In Romania he had his family. In Dullsville he had me and Jameson. But here in Hipsterville, he and Jameson were all alone. “How is your family?” he politely asked.

“Billy Boy misses you like crazy. You’re like a hero to him.”

“When I return to Dullsville, we’ll have to take him to a science fair or a screening of the original Star Wars .”

I laughed. “See? That is why you’re so special. You think about doing what he likes to do rather than doing something I’d like to do—like dragging him to a rave.”

Alexander smiled.

“And Becky?” he continued. “Is she still dating Matt?”

“I think she’s picking out her wedding dress as we speak. I’m sure she’s counting down the days until graduation so she can elope.”

Alexander laughed. “And you? Are you anything like Becky?” His gaze was so deliberate, it nearly bore through my soul.

For once I was speechless. I was as much of a giddy and googly-eyed girly girl as Becky ever was. But I couldn’t confess that I was weak-kneed in an “I’d tattoo your name on my heart if only my parents would let me” way. I had to appear at least remotely sophisticated.

Alexander, however, was waiting for my response.

“Did you hear that there are crop circles popping up in town?” I asked.

Alexander put down his fork. “Where did you learn that?”

“It’s all over the news. Do you think it’s aliens?”

He paused. “I guess it could be…”

“Well, my aunt Libby and I had a major discussion about it. Guess what my theory is.”

“Practical jokers?”

“I think it’s vampires, signaling the whereabouts of other vampires.”

Alexander’s eyes widened and he choked on his water.

“Are you okay?”

He nodded his head and covered his mouth with his napkin.

“It makes perfect sense,” I continued. “Who else is up at night while most mortals sleep? And who can see the circles better than bats flying over the horizon?” I said.

Alexander gave me a blank look.

But I was undeterred. “The only thing I haven’t figured out is what the crop circles mean.” I leaned into Alexander intently. “Are they warning other vampires to stay away or inviting them in?”

Alexander quickly broke our gaze.

Jameson burst into the room carrying a dessert tray, ending my investigation.

“Just in time,” Alexander said. “We’re finished.”

Jameson presented us with two perfectly delectable crème brûlées.

“It’s like eating at a five-star restaurant!” I complimented him.

Jameson’s pale flesh turned pink as he wheeled back our dinner plates.

“There is so much to do while we are here,” I said excitedly, digging into my dessert. “You’ll have to meet Aunt Libby. Then there’s Hot Gothics. And of course the Coffin Club!”

Alexander gave me a stern look. “Not the Coffin Club.”

“Don’t worry, I can get in. I have a fake ID.”

“That’s not what I meant. A club like that is not a place a girl like you should frequent.”