I was sure this was a great idea. "Phoenix was able to keep peace whenJagger was trying to make the Coffin Club nefarious and bring inmore vampires," Isaid. "Phoenixstood up against Jagger, withthe club members by his side, and forced him to keep the clubsters happy by keeping it a secret and civil club. He can do the same here by keeping it mortal."
"I'm not so sure . . ."
"And if Jagger doesn't want to listen, Phoenixcould threatento go back to the CoffinClub. He could shut down that club--Jagger's flagship location. Jagger wouldn't let anything jeopardize the CoffinClub again. Phoenixis ultimatelythe onlyone withreal power over Jagger."
Alexander fiddled with a dandelion in the grass.
"I'd love to see him again," Isaid, taking another approach. "That sexypurple hair. That hot rod motorcycle. Those tight black pants.And now that Iknow it's you," Isaid, sidling up toAlexander, "Imight evenbe able to give him that kiss he was looking for."
"Hey, don't be cheating onme withme," he teased.
"Oh, it would be so cool. The Crypt. Dancing together and hanging out withScarlet and Onyx. Dullsville has come alive since I met you."
I rested myhead on his shoulder as I fantasized about the Crypt;Alexander was lost inthought, too. I'd put a lot of ideas in his head. I decided to change the subject.
"Our birthdays are just around the corner," I said. "Becky wants to know what we're going to do."
"We should celebrate them together," he offered.
"That's what Isaid!"
"We could throw a joint party," he suggested.
"Really? That would be the best birthdayever!"
"And Ithink Iknow just the place,"Alexander said. "It's called the Crypt."
Chapter 6 - Club Rumors
The following day, Becky caught up to me after Language Arts class.
She ranup and grabbed myarm, bursting to tell me major news. "Iheard that Dullsville is getting a new club!" she said.
I was shocked. Gossip traveled so fast in Dullsville it was scary. But this breaking news had found its way to Becky particularly fast. I had to wonder if Jagger was spreading it himself.
"What did youhear?" Iasked.
"Just that there's going to be a club--for us!"
"A club? Here?" Iacted surprised, but reallyIwas. Not that there was going to be a club--but that the word was out about it already.
"Yes.And you don't have to be twenty-one to get in. It's going to be awesome!"
"Did youhear where it's going to be?"
"No, but as soonas Ifind out, I'll let youknow."
The irony was that Becky was telling me about the club I should have been telling her about all along. She was going to scavenge for information that I already knew. I felt guilty not telling her, but until I knew for sure about Jagger's true intentions, I didn't want to add gossip to the mill.
"I can't wait," Beckysaid. "It will be funto have a place to hang out and dance withMatt."
I froze. Myinnocent best friend was planning oncoming to the club--the one that Jagger would be inviting unknown vampires to?
"You can't go--" I blurted out. "I mean, I don't think it will be your type of club."
"Why not? It's open to everyone."
That's the problem, Ithought. Mortals and vampires, too.