Free Cryptic Cravings by Ellen Schreiber Page A

townspeople.”
    “They’l never know we’re here. Unless you tel them.”
    “I’m not going to tel anyone.” I was miffed that he’d even insinuate that I’d be a blabbermouth after I’d kept the biggest secret from anyone—that my boyfriend was a vampire.
    “I think it’s risky enough as it is—with al of you hiding out in this factory it raises suspicion and fuels gossip. I don’t think it’s a good idea to add to the mix by inviting new vampires.”
    “Then what’s the point of the club? What kind of business would I be running? Besides, I have a few things planned for this club to make it even more special.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You’l find out soon enough.”
    “A mortal club would be special al on its own. I don’t think you truly understand how amazing it would be for us to have a place to dance,” I said. “There isn’t one here. Nothing for anyone to do. And you’d stil make a fortune.
    There’s a lot of extra money these kids in town are willing to spend. Why would you want anything to get in the way of that?”
    “I’m not sure I like people tel ing me what to do,” he said, getting in my face. “Especial y people who want to be a member of this club—for eternity.”
    I’d pushed Jagger too far.
    “Does Alexander know you’re here?” he asked.

    “Yes, I do,” he said from behind me.
    I was as startled as Jagger was. I whipped around to find Alexander standing next to me.
    “You wouldn’t want anything to jeopardize our truce, would you?” Jagger asked.
    “And I’m sure you wouldn’t as wel ,” Alexander shot back.
    The tension was thick. I wasn’t sure which vampire was going to budge first.
    Jagger softened. “Your girlfriend was just convincing me how she could help me out.”
    I turned to Alexander, awaiting his reaction. I wasn’t about to let on to Jagger that I hadn’t told Alexander yet about assisting him in fixing up the club.
    “Yes, I think it’s a good idea for her to help decorate,” he said.
    Jagger was pleased. He had two antagonists al at once interested in his endeavor.
    “Here, let me show you around,” he said proudly. “With the girls pitching in and cooperation from my suppliers for the Coffin Club, this club wil be up and running in a few weeks. It doesn’t take any time to set up a rave—all you need is music and a place to invite people. But I want this to be more than a simple place to party. I want it to be a place to belong.
    “We’l have a stage, a dance floor, a bar, and as the club expands, so wil we,” Jagger said, giving us a tour of the factory and his vision of the Crypt.
    “What is this door to?” I asked, moving to a door on the far side of the room and twisting the knob. I’d seen on the blueprints that it led to the Covenant. It was locked.
    “Nothing,” he said, guiding me away.
    Perhaps Jagger had had a change of heart. With Sebastian, me, and now Alexander on board and tel ing him not to invite more vampires to Dul svil e, he might not want anything to jeopardize his success.
    “So you aren’t planning on spreading word about the club to vampires?” Alexander asked.
    “I think Raven’s right,” Jagger replied. “Why shouldn’t I fil the club with mortals?” he said with a wicked grin.
    I wasn’t sure if I’d real y convinced him or not. But especial y now that Jagger had explained the plans for the Crypt, I real y couldn’t wait until it opened.
    “I’m glad you’l be part of the club,” Jagger said. “You wil be the first on the invitation list, Raven. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Chapter 9

Freak Factory
    As soon as the torture of another dreadful y monotonous Dul svil e High day was over, I raced to the Sinclair Mil .
    Nothing was going to stop me from helping Jagger and his cryptic clique from decorating the decadent dance club. When I made my way inside the decaying building I saw that Jagger had already marked the floor with glow tape where the stage, dance floor, and