I was taken aback. Two vampiresses, one flashing an onyx on her fang, were asking me what kind of vampire I was? I certainly couldn`t say that I was neither kind--and in fact, not a vampire at all.
We should remain private and pure, I answered emphatically. In the end, will mortals really accept us as we are? I think it`s best we remain true to ourselves so we don`t lose our identity. We are who we are for a reason. We don`t fit into their world, so why should we try?
I was talking as much about vampires as I was about myself.
The girls grinned in agreement.
We sensed someone listening to our conversation. We peered up and the two guys were standing behind us.
See, I said through a fake smile.
Do you mind if we sit down? the blond asked.
Of course not, Scarlet said.
It was then I spotted tousled dark purple hair in the chamber across from us.
Uh...I`m feeling dizzy, I admitted, referring to the revolving floor. I`ll be right back.
It was my chance to spy on Phoenix. I snuck out into the hall and hid in the shadows next to their lounge.
Phoenix, along with a gang of ominous-looking guys, was hovering around a stone table. Phoenix was quite popular. When he wasn`t slinking in the shadows, he was surrounded by club members. Jagger doesn`t know the true meaning of being a vampire, one said.
It`s time he steps down, added another.
And you are just the dude to take over, the first one said to Phoenix.
Yes, they all said in unison.
Tomorrow night, then, a voice declared.
I`ll meet him at the crop circle. It will be done, Phoenix finished.
I leaned back as far as I could into the shadows as Phoenix left the chamber and the menacing clubsters followed him. Phoenix was planning a revolt of his own. What would happen if he led the vampire club? Was he the kind of vampire who thought it necessary to lurk among the mortals? If he was planning to meet Jagger in the open, he was surely risking exposure himself.
I felt a vibration in my purse. I pulled out my cell. It was Aunt Libby.
Raven? Where are you? she asked, her voice concerned. I just checked the ghouls room and you weren`t there.
I took a wrong turn. I`m a few yards from the dance floor, I said truthfully, only it wasn`t the same dance floor she was thinking of.
I`m done with my reading. She said marriage is in the cards.
I`ll meet you at the tarot card booth.
I hung up. If the tarot card reader had been truly psychic, she would have informed my aunt of my real location. Fortunately her powers were really only good for taking other people`s money.
I returned to find the girls still immersed in cozy conversation with the martini guys.
Where did you go? Onyx said.
I got turned around. Even a ghost could get lost in these tombs. The blond beamed. A tiny drop of blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. Onyx wiped it off with her martini napkin.
I really have to go.
So soon? Scarlet asked.
Yes, I have to get back.