Both vampires shook on the deal. "Now someone has to fix that crop circle," Alexander said. "If someone flies over it - they'll be looking for your club," I told Jagger. "Anyone in town could have done it," Jagger said. "Well, we know one person in town who is going to fix it," Alexander responded emphatically. Jagger rose and picked up his keys.
It was exhilarating to be a part of the motley mobile club. Passing motorists stared at us as we drove from the factory through the winding roads that led to the Batemans' farm. Cars were still parked on the narrow road outside the Bateman home. We all parked a half-mile away and waited in our cars, killing time until the coast was clear.
"Do you really trust Jagger?" I asked Alexander. "Do you think now he really will keep the club for mortals?" "I'm not sure. He's a sneaky guy. There is no telling what he'll do. Even with all the talks we've all had with him, he was stillplanning on making this a vampire club."
"What should we do?" I asked as several visiting cars from the farm headed home.
"I don't think we can let our guard down," he said. "I think we still have to watch his every move. And if you see or hear anything, let me know." One by one the cars left the farm and eventually the Batemans' house lights went dark.
Scarlet and Onyx remained in the skull Beetle parked in a grassy hideaway, ready to honk if they spotted the lights switch back on.
I followed the vampire guys to the fence until Alexander stopped me. "You stay here just in case. You can be our lookout."
I hated not to be in the middle of the action, but I knew that I was needed at my station. I climbed up the wooden fence, and from my vantage point I saw part of the crushed crops. I waited as Jagger, Sebastian, and Alexander headed through the field. Jagger attempted to erect bent stalks, but it was a useless mission.
"Something has to be done," I heard Alexander say. "But what am I supposed to do?" Jagger huffed. "Figure out something," Sebastian charged. "We have to stop them before they come," Alexander said. "This has to be fixed, somehow." Sebastian pulled out a few instruments he'd packed underneath his jacket. "I have an idea," Alexander said.
In less than an hour they'd fixed the circle by making an "X" through it. This way it would be clear to any low-flying vampires that Dullsville wasn't a place for them to visit.
Alexander, Sebastian, and Jagger headed back toward me. I ran ahead to tell the others. I saw Luna in the front seat of the Mustang, chomping on gum and reading a magazine.
"They're finished," I said. "Great," she said, leaning on the car door. "I can't stand any time away from my Sebastian." I started off for Scarlet's Beetle when Luna stopped me.
"Do you mind doing me a huge favor?" She batted her eyelashes at me. She held out the magazine, her bony, pale arm in sharp contrast to the darkness. "Could you stick this in the back of the hearse for me?" Normally I wouldn't want to do anything she asked of me. That was one favor I was willing to do. I was all about hearses.
I opened the back of the hearse and placed the magazine on the flatbed when I noticed something that wasn't a coffin - a long plank and more than a dozen feet of rope.
Jagger had made the crop circles and Luna wanted me to know it. It was clear she took pride in informing me that she and her brother were the nefarious type. Their game wasn't totally over. We'd still have to keep our eyes on him.
I was ready to blurt out my discovery when Alexander, Sebastian, and Jagger returned to their cars. For once they all appeared like three best friends just coming back from a night out on the town. Not wanting to spoil their moment, I shut the hearse door. As Sebastian gave Luna a kiss, I hugged Alexander extra hard. I was still skeptical of the Maxwells' future tricks, but for now I drew comfort in knowing I had the ultimate prize - Alexander.
Chapter 12 - Mortal Makeout
I shared my discovery with Alexander that evening, and we decided to keep the information between the two of us. We were both disappointed in Jagger, like we'd been with Sebastian. Both vampires seemed to let their own needs get in the way of what was best for others. I had wanted to see the good in Jagger and wasn't wholly convinced that he didn't have something else up his tattered sleeve. What it was, neither Alexander nor I knew. We just were aware that we had to be vigilant.
In the meantime I spent the following day at school doodling layouts for the Crypt. My imagination was wild with images of coffins, gravestones, and neon bats.
When I arrived home, my brother was yelping about some newsworthy event on the TV and dragged me into the family room.
"You have to see this," he said. "They struck again! Look." "More crop circles?" I said, almost having heart failure. This time Junior Bateman was on TV. "There it is, a big X. It wasn't there when we went to bed," the boy said. "This time we had a video camera out," the father said. Oh no, I thought. We were going to be in trouble now.
He showed the footage, fast-forwarded. "There isn't anyone on the video!" the boy cried, excited and horrified at the same time. "The aliens, they are invisible!"
"That is creepy," Billy Boy said. "I'm sure there is an explanation; I can't wait to meet Henry at Math Club and figure it out."
"There's only one explanation," I said truthfully. "Vampires." My family shot me a quizzical look, and I rose and left for the mill.
I headed to the Crypt to wait for the vampires to rise. When I arrived, I saw a small truck parked outside. I didn't find anyone when I entered the main room. I was imagining myself dancing around on opening night when I heard hammering coming from downstairs. I tiptoed over to the Covenant door and turned the knob. It was locked. I pressed my ear to the door and I could hear more hammering. If the Covenant wasn't going to be used for a vampire club, what was it going to be used for?
I was wiping off the Crypt's bar when I heard the door unlock. I turned to look and a burly workman with a tool belt exited the Covenant and locked the door behind him.
He nodded and passed me by before I could say anything. I dropped my towel on the bar and raced after him, but by the time I caught up with him he had already started his truck and was taking off down the gravel road.
When I returned, I was determined to get through the door. I stuck my boot against it and pulled, hoping the old lock might break, but it didn't budge. I had a bobby pin adorned with a skull stuck in my hair. I took it out and jimmied it into the lock. As much as I pried, the lock didn't come loose.
Scarlet found me fiddling with the knob. "I didn't realize you guys were up," I said, shoving the pin in my pocket. "Yes, some of us are still sleeping. We had a really wild night." Onyx wandered out. "Good evening, Raven." "Hey," I said. "I'm glad you both are awake."
When I realized no one else was following them, I returned my attention to the door. "What does this door lead to?" I asked her.