Jagger snatched it from his hand.
This one is mortal blood! he proclaimed. I told you! Taste it for yourself!
The confused group of immortals was now talking quietly among themselves.
I know who the mortal is! Jagger declared.
The crowd began to skeptically glance around. No one believed the person beside them might not be one of the undead. For a moment I didn`t either. Perhaps it was someone else he was talking about.
The ghastly group looked to Jagger for an answer.
Jagger was fuming with anger. The mortal is hiding among you. And she`s standing right there! he blurted out, pointing to me.
The clubsters gasped in disbelief.
My stomach caved in. At any moment the crowd of vampires was going to pounce on me.
Dragon pushed his way to the microphone. It doesn`t matter! he said, holding my ballot and the focus of the group. Phoenix has twice as many votes as you.
His already ghost white face turned paler.
Phoenix won fair and square! Dragon proclaimed.
The crowd cheered a deafening roar.
Jagger glared at them, then at me, his blue and green eyes turning fiery red. He threw the card down and stormed offstage.
One of his crew came to the microphone. We still have a mortal among us!
Calm down, Dragon said, but the white-T-shirt-wearing members grew restless.
The whole crowd turned their gaze to me, baring their fangs.
Remember why you voted for Phoenix, Dragon directed.
Scarlet and Onyx appeared bewildered.
I`m so--, I pleaded.
I thought you were our friend, Scarlet said, disappointed.
I was. I am. Just because I`m mortal doesn`t mean-- Jagger`s crew was closing in around us.
You lied to us, Scarlet argued.
Did I? I never said I was a vampire.
She`s right, Onyx defended. We liked her because she`s cool. And that hasn`t changed. In fact, she`s brave. I never would have hung out with vampires before I was turned.
I didn`t mean to--, I said to Scarlet.
Then Scarlet`s demeanor softened. It doesn`t matter to me that you are mortal, she agreed. I liked you because you are you.
The rest of the club was far less forgiving. Jagger`s crew encircled me.
She may reveal everything to the outside world, one said.
And destroy our anonymity! cried another.