"Maybe Ishould tellAlexander I'm still here," Sebastiansaid. "What if he stumbles uponus, dude? He'd be, like,double mad knowing Ihadn't told him Ididn't leave."
"Whyare we talking about this now?" Jagger said. "We might have anintruder."
"Because this is just as important."
"Why don't you wait until the club is up and running?" Jagger asked. "Thenyoucaninvite him. Wouldn't that be cool?"
"So, I just wait for months?" Sebastian said. "That's not cool, dude. Not cool at all. I have to face him again."
Just then Sebastian stepped away from Jagger. He was standing in plain view of me. I held my breath. My combat boot was sticking out clearly in his sight line. Sebastian eyed it for what seemed like forever. Our cover was blown. I was unsure what he was going to do next.
"That's it--" Sebastian declared. He turned his attention away from my boot and stared in Jagger's direction. "I'm going to the Mansion."
"Now?" Jagger asked. "But we have to find out who--"
"You said it yourself. It could be anyone. We can make a clean sweep of this place later tonight. But right now I have to talk toAlexander."
Sebastian started to go.
"Hey, hold on," Jagger said, grabbing his arm.
I continued to breathe as shallowly as possible.
"If yougo--we'll all go," Jagger said. "Idon't want youto be the onlygood guyinthis situation."
"A trip to the Mansion?" Iheard Scarlet say.
I heard more giggles and voices as they went up the steps and out of the factory, then car doors shutting and two engines starting. When we heard the cars drive out over gravel, Alexander and I tiptoed up the steps and peered out of a window to make sure theyhad reallyleft and this wasn't a prank. The hearse was driving downthe bumpy road, followed bySebastian's Mustang. For a moment it stopped. Sebastianglanced back at the window where I was standing. He stared right up at me, sending horror-film-like shivers through my flesh. Then he turned away and drove off.
"Did yousee that?" Isaid toAlexander. He nodded and put his arm around me, relieved. Itried to catchmybreath,still nervous by our potentiallydangerous vampire encounter. I began to soak in the gesture of Sebastian's good deed.
"Sebastian maybe many things," I said. "But your best friend has still got your back."
Alexander and I went to the cemetery, where he cuddled me in his arms, trying to calm me down from our harrowing encounter, and we debated our next move. We sat together infront of his grandmother's monument,Alexander gently stroking my hair. It was still sinking in that he was so drawn to me in ways that most boyfriends aren't. He needed and craved me, thirsted for things about me that were onlyattractive to a vampire. Most girls at Dullsville High would be running away, but I was more attracted to him than ever.
Alexander had his arm around me but his thoughts were far away.
I could sense the ache he felt for the strain on his and Sebastian's relationship. If Becky and I were fighting--which hardly ever happened--we'd apologize within minutes. But they were guys. I was happy that Sebastian had the strength to talk to Alexander. Alexander was relieved to know that Sebastian made the attempt.
And we figured this much: Jagger planned to open a dance club for mortals and vampires in Dullsville, and Sebastian was going to be his partner.
"Do youthink Sebastianknows about the Covenant?"
Alexander shook his head. "He wouldn't be game for that."
"Evenunder their seducing powers?" Iasked.
"Well, maybe . . ."
"What do we do now?" Iasked.
"Iguess we have to stop them from making a CoffinClub here intown."
"Do we reallyhave to?" Iasked.
"Are youkidding? Whythe suddenchange of heart? Weren't youthe one trying to convince me that this could be dangerous?"
I sat up. "Ilove the CoffinClub."