I inched closer. I pulled back the sheet to reveal whatever was being hidden. I stepped back in disbelief. Chrome frame. Handlebars. It was a motorcycle.
What on earth was it doing here? Maybe Alexander had bought a Night Rod after admiring the bike outside the club.
But I felt heat emanating from the motorcycle as if it had just been ridden.
I took a long breath and discovered something sweet permeating the air. It was the smell of Obsession.
I sensed a familiar presence standing behind me. I glimpsed down at the floor behind me. A shiny motorcycle boot was blocking me.
I spun around and gasped.
Alexander was looking at me, his soft chocolate eyes staring soulfully into mine. He was wearing a leather motorcycle jacket and pants and holding a purple wig and sunglasses in one hand.
I stood frozen.
My eyes welled up.
“It was you all along.” I wiped a tear away from my cheek. “It was you who saved the Coffin Club—and me.”
Alexander pulled off his motorcycle gloves and extended his hand, his spider ring almost glowing.
He pulled me into him and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“This is why you had to stay in Hipsterville so long?” I asked. “Not for the art festival but for the Dungeon?”
He nodded.
“But why the disguise?” I asked.
“Jagger and I finally had come to a truce. Not only was it important to me—but to my family. If he noticed I was in the Dungeon, he would have known that once I’d heard his real intention for the club, I’d try to thwart his plan. I know it sounds strange, but I found it comforting knowing that Jagger and I were no longer nemeses. If I’d shown my face, I’d risk restoring another feud. But someone needed to stop him. And since I couldn’t, I had to find someone who could.”
I gazed up at Alexander, realizing for the first time why I’d been so drawn to Phoenix.
“It’s time to return home, together,” he replied, and kissed me with the intensity of two very mysterious vampires. Then he licked his lips and flashed his fangs and grinned. “For eternity.”
Acknowledgments
I’d like to thank the following people for making such a difference in my life and helping make my dreams come true:
My fabulous editor, Katherine Tegen; my awesome agent, Ellen Levine; the terrific Julie Lansky at HarperCollins; my loving parents, Gary and Suzie; my writer-mentor brother Mark, and supportive brother Ben; and my Alexander, Eddie Lerer.
About the Author
Ellen Schreiber was an actress and a stand-up comedienne before becoming a writer and moving to her own Dullsville. She is the author of TEENAGE MERMAID, COMEDY GIRL, VAMPIRE KISSES, VAMPIRE KISSES 2: KISSING COFFINS, VAMPIRE KISSES 3: VAMPIREVILLE, and VAMPIRE KISSES 4: DANCE WITH A VAMPIRE. She is also the author of the fully illustrated manga about Raven and Alexander, VAMPIRE KISSES: BLOOD RELATIVES.
You can visit Ellen at her website: www.ellenschreiber.com