Well. All I need to do is start here. He took my fingers and kissed them, then worked his way up my hand and forearm. My flesh tingled as he continued to kiss up my arm and the nape of my neck. Then lean in...
Suddenly Alexander`s eyes turned red and he looked away. It`s time to go, he said.
Already? But we just got here.
We`ve been here for hours. It`s getting late, he said. I didn`t mean to--
But Alexander had already slung his backpack over his shoulder and taken my hand. I have a lot to do before I leave.
Can I help you pack? I asked, standing on my tiptoes like a child.
That won`t be necessary. Jameson is very organized.
I wasn`t ready for us to separate and there was nothing I could say to change his mind. Before I knew it we were standing outside Aunt Libby`s apartment.
So when I see you next, Alexander began, you`ll be outside the Mansion`s gates, just like the painting.
I will.
Alexander kissed me long. I`m glad you came to visit me.
It felt like I needed a crowbar to pry me away. My heart began to sink as he let me go.
I held the bus ticket in my hand. I`d gotten everything I`d come for--to reunite with Alexander and to finally know he was returning to Dullsville.
Thank you again for my present, I said.
Alexander waited for me to safely enter my aunt`s apartment. Once inside, I attempted to replace the key ring in my purse. Something sparkled--a long, old-fashioned, golden key. It was the Dungeon skeleton key.
The whole time Alexander had been in Hipsterville, he had been painting a picture of me outside the Mansion. During our separation, he`d been thinking about me living in Dullsville as much as I`d been dreaming about him on my trip.
And now, as I held the skeleton key in my hand, I was thinking about one more place-- an empty tomb overtaken by dancing vampires deep below Hipsterville`s new club.
Alexander was right. It was time to leave Hipsterville. But if, in fact, I`d be boarding a Dullsville-bound bus without promise of seeing or visiting a true vampire club again, I had to see the Dungeon one last time.
Chapter 13 The Dungeon
Aunt Libby`s fifteen-year-old navy blue Schwinn was no sexy Harley Night Rod. The tires were low on air, the handlebar was missing a rubber handle cover, and the back wheel squeaked with every revolution.
I peddled through Hipsterville and coasted down Main Street, steering around discarded trash left over from the festival. I locked the Schwinn to a bicycle rack outside the library, a block south of the vampire club.
I was hoofing down the sidewalk when I heard a motorcycle whizzing through an alleyway. I followed the sound, which seemed to be coming from behind the buildings. I wandered off the beaten path to a lit alleyway outside the Coffin Club, where I spotted a hearse parked next to a Dumpster. The car was familiar--a vintage black Cadillac with a silver bat hood ornament, whitewall tires, skull and crossbones on the left rear panel, and a skeleton hanging on the rearview mirror. The license plate`s county sticker was from Hipsterville and the license plate read: I BITE. It was Jagger`s.
Past the oversized garbage can, I glimpsed a rider with a black helmet parking his bike in the alley. I crept over as silently and quickly as a daddy longlegs. When the rider took off his helmet, he spun around. The shadows blocked him, but I appeared in full view. Even in the shadows, I could tell he seemed surprised by my arrival.
Phoenix headed toward me, gravely concerned. There may be trouble inside the bar tonight, he warned.
Trouble? That`s my middle name.
I`m serious. He placed his hand firmly on my shoulder. I strongly suggest you go home.
He glared down at me, brooding behind his sunglasses, his dark purple and black hair flopping seductively over them.
I had a feeling that if I stayed, there might be more trouble outside the club.
I nodded reluctantly.
Phoenix slipped into the Coffin Club through the back alley entrance. I was surprised he hadn`t parked in the VIP spot and sauntered into the club like a leather-clad prince. Maybe there was going to be a fight inside the club tonight and he wanted to make a quick getaway. I lagged behind him, and as the door began to close I stuck my foot inside the frame. The door was heavy as it slammed on my boot. I limped inside.