When I woke I had the immediate feel of being trapped. I glanced up to see what looked like a hunk of black wood hovering over my head. But it was also pitch-black, so it was hard to tell. There were soft cushions to both of my sides. I could hear someone else's breathing so I looked down and saw the outline of a dark figure. My pulse raced as I squinted to try and make out some features. As my eyes adjusted, I started to see what looked like white hair; then a pale face. The person appeared to be sleeping so I opened one eyelid; green eye. Opened the next; blue eye.
I sighed, not realizing I had been holding a breath in, and relaxed onto the person's frame. It was Jagger.
Laying my head on his chest, I couldn't help but notice the absence of a heart beat. Even more proof that he was a vampire.
...Vampire...
The word struck me. Here I am, lying on top of very gorgeous and very real, vampire. It was hard to believe the creatures of undead tales were suddenly real. No matter if I told Luna I thought they existed. It was still odd...
Jagger shifted underneath me and I lifted my head. Slowly, his eyes opened looking up at me.
Our faces were only inches apart. "Good evening..." he said, sleep heavy in his voice.
"Don't you mean good morning?" I asked, giggling slightly.
"Well, for me it is, to wake up and see you." He smirked.
So badly did I want to lean forward and kiss those pale pink lips, but I couldn't. There was still that awkwardness. I didn't want to kiss him if I wasn't who he really wanted.
"So what are we in?" I asked even though, by now, I had a pretty good idea.
"My coffin." he said, covering his mouth to yawn slightly.
"The one in your room?"
He nodded. I laid my head on his chest once again and looked around. Now I could see the color red faintly on the cushions since my eyes had adjusted as well as they were going to in the darkness. "So this is like a bed to you?"
"A little more than that, but yes." I felt his arms snake themselves around my waist and lock me in place. We lay several minutes in comfortable silence, simply listening to each other's breathing. "Wow," he said softly. He placed two fingers to the side of my pale neck. "Your heart is beating so loudly I can hear it."
My face flushed and he chuckled, obviously feeling the increasing pulse. A question tugged at my lips but I kept it forced back. Actually, several questions buzzed around in my mind, but a few in particular, stuck out. He could apparently see my struggle. He lifted his hand from my neck and ran it through my long black hair. "Say what's on your mind."
"I was just wondering," I said a little too quickly. Sighing, I finished, "Well, Raven...she soft of," I paused. "Hinted that..you well, liked her." Silence.
He watched me for a few moments then shook his head. Raising one arm, he lifted the lid of his coffin open, then sat up, pulling me with him. Looking down at me, he spoke, "That's quite pompous of her, don't you think? No I only look at her because it drives me mad wondering why Alexander hadn't turned her yet." He paused gathering his thoughts. "It's obvious that they both love each other and Raven is more than willing, but he wont do it."
I looked down into my lap, thinking. "Well I don't know much about the ways of vampires," I mumbled slowly, "But maybe Alexander is concerned that the vampire life wont live up to her expectations. Maybe he is thinking of her family, her friends..." It was kind of strange to think that my friend was so eager to drink blood and fly amongst the eternally damned.
He contemplated the idea. "Perhaps..."
I looked up at Jagger, another question in my eyes. "You don't like Raven, correct?" He nodded, watching me. Instead of asking what I really wanted, I kept it locked up. Now wasn't the time or place for such things. "Good." I said smugly then wrapped my arms around his neck. "Cause you're mine."
His eyes widened in surprise and a smirk fixed itself on his face. "Is that right?" I nodded fiercely, staring at him to make sure my point was known. Then with some mustered up courage, I leaned in and kissed him deeply. When I pulled away he chuckled. "Protective are you?"
I smiled and buried my face into his shirt. "Deadly."
The weekend passed in a blur. Mostly because I had caught a small cold and couldn't meet Jagger. Of course, when Monday came along, it cleared up.
Classes with Raven were filled with awkward knowing glances but no words were exchanged. I knew what she knew, and I had a feeling she could see that too.
Finally at lunch, outside near the gym, she confronted me. Before she even had a chance to speak, I answered her question for her. "Yes. I know. Vampires are real."
She watched me for a minute, then her expression slowly melted into a smile. "Even though I didn't say it, it feels good to get it off my chest. To finally have someone else know..."
Raven would make a perfect Vampiress. I could see it. She had the style, the passion, and the bite (even without fangs) to more than qualify.
"So did you know Alexander is a vampire?" I nodded.
"I also know that you want to become one as well, but Alexander isn't as eager." Confusion crossed her face.
"How did you know?"
"Jagger." I said simply.
Raven rolled her eyes and grabbed my arms. "Didn't we already talk about this? When did he tell you?"
I coughed, still a little leftover from my cold, then answered, "When I was in his coffin."
Her eyes widened in shock. I just stared at her. "You've already been in his coffin?"
"He's not like you say."
She groaned loudly like my mother did when she was frustrated. "You need to forget about the Maxwells. I'm telling you it's all some soft of plan to screw up mine and-"
I got seriously angry. "Raven! Not everything is about you." She let go of me and stepped back, surprised by my tone. Honestly, I was too. "Luna is my friend and Jagger is my boyfriend." Well I didn't really know if that's what you'd consider our relationship, but that's what I saw it as. "I don't know what history you have with them, but that past is the past and if you can't accept that then I'm sorry. If you need me I'll be at the Crypt." And with that I stormed off campus, past the sleeping guard, skipping the rest of my classes.
When I arrived at the Crypt, the front door was locked. It surprised me at first, but then I realized since it was so early in the day they would, of course, keep it closed. I circled around looking for another way in. Near the very back I found an open door and entered.
On the inside there was a large black altar with candles sat on both sides. Empty goblets sat on top and ancient Romanian words were carved into the black stone. So old in face that I couldn't really make out anything. Across the room I found a small set of stairs that led to another door and returned to the main club room. From there I traveled to Jagger's room and found the lights off. I flicked it on and noticed his coffin was closed. The light wouldn't bother him, seeing as it's completely black in there. I collapsed on the couch and pulled a pillow into my face.
I felt horrible. I didn't mean to yell at Raven; I just said what was on my mind. But still, I felt bad. Luna had been nothing but nice to me and while I knew Jagger was dangerous he hadn't put my life in danger. Just because they weren't on good terms with Alexander didn't mean they were bad people.
Sighing, I glanced at Jagger's coffin. It must be wonderful to be closed off to the world. I, however, knew that my drama in the daytime was cause by my fascination with a creature of the night.