Iplaced the chair betweenus, not saying anything. Ididn't like what he was insinuating, that Iwas attracted to Phoenix--someone other thanmyboyfriend--eventhoughthe realitywas that PhoenixwasAlexander.
"How canyoube inlove witha vampire and not want to have a club where he canattend?"
"You know I mean nefarious, unknown vampires."
"Do I really? You think Alexander is the only be nevolent vampire?"
"Uh. . . no."
"Or are you afraid that if he spends enoughtime around his kind, he might prefer their company?" he asked,putting his foot on the chair and leaning in. "He might be reminded of what he is missing."
That was something I hadn't imagined. I had only been thinking about two things--the potential danger of vampires mixing with unsuspecting mortals, and the risk of blowing the coffin lid off of the secret identity of my boyfriend, thus threatening his stay in Dullsville.
"Aren't you jealous of Luna?" Jagger asked coldly. "Don't you think it's weird--Sebastianmeets her and within an hour takes the extra plunge, so to speak?And Alexander has known you for how long now?"
"It's different, and you know that. I'm not a vampire. Luna is."
"So she is," he said. "Lucky Luna. So what kind of vampire would you be? The Sebastian kind? Or the Alexander kind?"
"Icame here to help, not to discuss myboyfriend."
"For which club? The mortal one, or the vampire one?" he asked. "I find it curious--perhaps more than a coincidence--that Scarlet, Onyx, and Sebastian have been suggesting a mortals-only club. You didn't happen to talk to them as well, did you?"
I wasn't about to admit that I had. "But they're right. This townis too small for anincreased vampire population.
Gossip spreads so quickly here. If the mortal patrons know it is safe, they will want to come. But if they get wind of anything nefarious, then they will want to shut down your club completely."
"You don't seem the type to worry about what others think."
"I worry about what their actions can do to myfriends. More vampires in this town--ones not so benign, such as yourself--" I said for good measure "--can under mine or even threaten the existence of the ones who already live here."
"Alexander--"
"And now you, Luna, Sebastian, Onyx, and Scarlet."
He stood up and thought for a moment as he put the chair back bythe table. "But it seems to me that you would want this to be a place for you--to hang out with the ones you really want to be with," he said. "Really want to be."
I fantasized for a moment, imagined myself immersed in a world of vampires, dancing and sipping blood-filled drinks. It was an eye into the Under world that I wouldn't get by attending Dullsville High but only by partying with vampires and being accepted as one of their own.
"I know . . . but a club full of and attracting more vampires is not good for everyone else. My parents--my brother.The towns people."
"They'll never know we're here. Unless you tell them."
"I'm not going to tell anyone." I was miffed that he'd even insinuate that I'd be a blabber mouth after I'd kept the biggest secret from anyone--that my boyfriend was a vampire.
"I think it's risky enoug has it is--with all of you hiding out in this factoryit raises suspicion and fuels gossip. I don't think it's a good idea to add to the mixby inviting new vampires."
"Then what's the point of the club? What kind of business would I be running? Besides, I have a few things planned for this club to make it even more special."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
"A mortal club would be special all on its own. I don't think you truly understand how amazing it would be for us to have a place to dance," I said. "There isn't one here. Nothing for anyone to do.And you'd still make a fortune.
There's a lot of extra money these kids into wnare willing to spend. Why would you want anything to get in the way of that?"
"I'm not sure I like people telling me what to do," he said, getting in my face. "Especially people who want to be a member of this club--for eternity."