"Yes. I'm so sorryit ended so quickly."
"So, are youintownlong? Will the others be joining you?" Iasked withpretend innocence.
"Ican't lie to you, Raven. We're all still here."
I was so relieved my friend was confiding in me about what I already knew. I would have hated for her to have turned out to be a false friend. She had accepted me as a vampire, and then when she found out my true identity,she accepted me for being a mortal. She was a better friend to me thanI'd beento her.And because she and Onyxdidn't have the historywithAlexander or the cunning actions and animosityof Luna, they were the type of vampire girl friends I'd longed for all mylife.
"I was so sad whenyouguys left," Isaid. "Iknew youhad to, but Iwas reallybummed. Iam relieved knowing you're still here."
"I wishwe could hang out," she said sincerely. "But don't tell Jagger you saw me if you run into him. Please."
"I won't," I said. I hated that he had a hold on her. He was providing her and her best friend withroom and board,and I'm sure she didn't want to jeopardize that. But Iwanted to hang out withthem and didn't want him to get in the way of my fun. "Why don't you and Onyx meet me tonight at the cemetery?"
"Yes, that's a great idea! We can have some girl time!" she said, giving me a hug.
Then Scarlet disappeared into the night.
Chapter 7 - Ghouls Night
I called Alexander and explained I'd be a little late for our date since I wanted to meet Onyx and Scarlet at the cemetery. He agreed it was a good idea to get information from the girls and invited me to the Mansion when I was finished. Though I was excited to spend some time with Onyx and Scarlet, I pined for any missed hours not spent with Alexander, since we were separated for all of the daylight hours.
When I arrived at Dullsville's cemetery I found the grimmest sight; deep within the graveyard Is potted two goth girls sitting on tomb stones, their legs dangling over the headstones--one wore white-and-black striped tights, the other torn black tights.
When they noticed me they both rushed in my direction.
"It's so great to see you, Raven," Onyx said.
"Jagger told us not to tell youwe were here--" Scarlet blurted out. "For Sebastian's sake, he said. We shouldn't have listened." Scarlet was remorseful.
"But he's giving us a place to stay--" Onyx said defensively.
"And Onyx has a major thing for him," Scarlet blurted out.
"I do not!" Onyx retorted.
"Don't lie." Scarlet was brazen.
"So what's the real deal?" I asked.
"Jagger plans to opena club called the Crypt," Scarlet said as if she was sharing breaking news.
"Will it be like the CoffinClub? Witha secret dungeon?" I asked.
Onyx nodded.
"He's hoping to invite vampires from around the area," Scarlet shared.
"There aren't vampires around this area," I said. "It's only Alexander."
"Well, Jagger wants the Crypt to eventuallybe as big as the CoffinClub," Scarlet said.
"But it's just not a good idea," I urged. "Not in this small town. Everyone knows everything and they all gossip. It will be harder to conceal yourselves," Iwarned.
"We are good at being secretive," Scarlet reassured me. "It's our life."
"I know," I said. "It's one thing to go underground ina bigger city. But here? People will find out easily--thenyou'll all be indanger," I told them.
"I don't know," Scarlet said. "We are always indanger. It's part of being a vampire ina mortal world."