His glasses and hair cast a shadow over his face, making him hard to read. I wasn`t sure if he broke a smile. By his body language, I knew he was serious. It is best that you leave. Membership to our club comes at a very high price. But perhaps I can explain more over a drink.
No thanks. I already have a boyfriend.
Then he is a very lucky guy, he complimented me. My name is Phoenix Slater, he said, extending his hand and grabbing mine. And you are?
Leaving, I said, pulling my hand away.
I had made it halfway to the Dungeon door when he slithered his arm around me. Angry, I spun around but wasn`t prepared for who I now confronted. Staring back at me were one metallic green eye and one ice blue eye. Jagger Maxwell.
I gasped. It had been a few months since I`d seen Alexander`s nemesis up close and personal.
Jagger looked exactly the same--white hair with red tips, as if they`d been dipped in blood. Three silver rings pierced his left ear, and a tattoo on his arm read POSSESS. He was holding the dark hoodie.
He closed in on me like a spider to a fly.
What are you doing here? I asked, moving back.
What are you doing here? he demanded, slithering close.
I thought you were in Romania.
I thought you were in Alexander`s arms.
I came here to see--
Yes? He watched my lips intensely, waiting for my response.
My aunt.
Does your aunt belong to this club? he asked, mocking me. What is she, forty? Fifty? I don`t see anyone dancing with a walker.
She`s not here, doofus, I said. She lives in town, but you`d better--
I have no interest in your aunt. You, however... He inhaled deeply, as if he were breathing me in, then licked his deadly pale lips. I`m curious why you are here. This club is for members only. But once you join, membership lasts for an eternity. Unless...
Unless what?
Unless you`ve already joined. Before I had a chance to stop him, he placed his cold hands against my chin and turned my head from one side to the other, inspecting my neck.
Let go!
I didn`t think so. You really shouldn`t be here. This is not a place for your kind.
I don`t have a kind.
Too bad. Isn`t this what you`ve always dreamed of? He stared into my eyes and traced the neckline of my dress with his black-tipped fingernail. He licked his lips and flashed his fangs.
Phoenix pushed between us. He and Jagger locked eyes before Jagger backed away.
Dozens of clubsters gathered around, half on Jagger`s side, the others flanking Phoenix, as if awaiting a deadly fight.
I didn`t know which side to choose. Even though I knew Jagger was nefarious, I at least had an idea of who I was dealing with. But as the tension grew between the two, I knew it was best to leave.
I escaped and hid behind the black curtain a few yards away. When I caught my breath, I peered inside the slit in the fabric.
I wasn`t quite sure what kind of club I`d stumbled into, but I had an idea. Blood-filled drinks, flashing fangs, a club where membership lasts an eternity. There was only one way to be sure.
I reached into my purse and pulled out Ruby`s compact. I angled it behind me. I took a deep breath and peered into the reflected glass. I froze. The crowded club and dance floor were empty.