Read Online 3 Vampireville by Ellen Schreiber - Free Book Online Page B

Mansion and tore up the broken cement stairs to the front door and anxiously rapped the serpent knocker. Alexander opened the door. I was greeted by my handsome boyfriend, standing in a black-and-white bowling shirt and black jeans with hanging silver chains, wearing a smile that could melt any sixteen-year-old vampire-obsessed goth. Before he even had a chance to say hello, I blurted out, "I've got major news. I've found the coffins!" "That's awesome! Where?" "I'll show you," I said, grabbing his hand and leading him out of the Mansion and toward the Mercedes. Alexander drove me to the edge of the Oakley Woods, and we hopped out of the car. "Jagger's hearse was right here," I said, pointing to a pile of wood chips. We followed fresh tire marks leading out of the woods, which turned into muddy tracks heading up the street. "They must have left in the hearse. If we move quickly, we can remove the coffins."
    Alexander parked the Mercedes outside Henry's house and we crept through the backyard. "There it is," I said proudly, pointing to the treehouse. Alexander and I watched for any signs that Jagger and Luna might still be inside. There were no candles flickering, or movement from the white-curtained windows. "This is the pulley Henry used to hoist his furniture into the treehouse," I whispered, holding the dangling rope. "Jagger must have used it, too. This is how we'll get the caskets down." "Stay here," Alexander said. "If you see anything, don't hesitate to take off. I can handle myself." I glanced around. "But�" When I turned back, Alexander was gone. Once again Alexander was protecting me. Didn't he know we could move the coffins quicker if we both helped? I searched around the tree and found no signs of Luna or Jagger. I tiptoed up the ladder and entered the treehouse.
    "What are you doing up here?" Alexander asked. "I thought we had an agreement." "We did. But I missed you," I said, giving him a quick hug. "Besides, I've been up here before and I can show you around." Alexander shook his head, went to the window, and peered out. "We don't have much time," he said. "Where are they hiding? In the petri dishes?" "No, silly." I pulled the black curtain open. The darkened room was different from what I'd seen a few hours earlier�the coffin lids were open! I peeked into Luna's casket. It held a neatly made pink satin comforter with a black lace border, a pink faux fur pillow, and a black Scare Bear plush. The gravestone etchings Alexander and I had seen at the linen factory lining the rustic elevator were now tacked up to the slanting treehouse walls. The antique candelabra and pewter goblet Jagger had used at Dullsville's cemetery during his attempted covenant ceremony were resting on the floor. A black duffel bag and a Little Nancy Nightmare backpack were shoved in the corner. Next to them was an open box from the Coffin Club, loaded with blood-filled amulets from the mortal clubsters�the only way for the pair to survive without drawing attention or blood from Dullsville's mortals. Then I noticed a blood-red party-size cooler. I knelt beside it and fingered the edge of the white Styrofoam lid. What was being chilled inside? Packets or bottles of blood? Transplanted organs? A human head? I took a breath and began to lift the lid. "Raven!" Alexander said. I almost jumped out of my own pale skin. "I need you to hold the door open for me," Alexander whispered. "I'll have to drag the coffins through." "Let me help you," I offered. "I'll do it," he said, always the gentleman. "I don't want you to hurt yourself." Alexander started to close Jagger's coffin lid when we heard voices coming from outside. "That might be Henry and Billy Boy," I said. "We can't let them up here." "Stay here. I�ll divert them." I hid in the shadows and, naturally curious, began to further search the teen vampires' hideout. A plastic end table was turned into a goth makeup counter. I examined Luna's neatly arranged pink and black eye shadows, gray