Chapter 40 #3
Pretty soon, everyone grew tired and thirsty for more shots—everyone except Nicholas. Mateo and the others weaved through the crowd, heading for the bar. Sean slurred his drink order at them, staying behind with Nicholas.
They danced arm-in-arm, back-to-back, hands in the air… singing along to the catchy hooks under the flashing lights. Nicholas lost himself, eyes closed, not missing a step when the music slowed.
He ran his hands up from his hips, through his hair, his body and scalp tingling from the sensation.
He didn’t notice when Sean’s back left his, his chest taking its place, or that the air tickling his neck was his friend’s breath.
Nicholas didn’t understand what was going on—what had been going on for some time—until Sean whispered it into his ear.
“You don’t know how much I want you.”
Nicholas’s breath hitched, eyes snapping open. A sea of bodies surrounded him now, more than he remembered being there. He spun to face Sean, something worse than dread written on his friend’s face. He hadn’t meant to reveal that.
Nicholas inhaled deeply, opening his senses wide, something he rarely did. He told himself the scent of arousal could’ve come from the multitude of bodies grinding together on the dance floor, not his friend.
Sean scrambled for something to say, reaching for Nicholas as he backed away. Nicholas yanked his arm out of reach, shoving his way toward the restrooms.
“Nicholas, wait!” Sean pulled him to a stop, drawing the attention of two guys exiting the men’s room.
“Let me explain.”
“Explain what?” he snapped. “We’re friends, Sean.”
“I-I have feelings for you,” he stammered, eyes glassy from the alcohol.
“Stop.”
“No, I have to tell you. It’s been driving me crazy.”
Nicholas could have easily shrugged him off, but he didn’t want to make a scene, and he didn’t want to embarrass his friend.
“You’re sweet,” Sean said, almost incoherently. “You wouldn’t hurt me. You’re not that type of guy.”
Nicholas fisted his hands. It had been the same reason Mateo thought he wanted him. Did anyone just want him for him? Not because they thought he was the safe choice?
Gabriel does.
The thought made his head swim, and all the feelings that felt more like madness came flooding in.
“I can’t do this,” he panted, squeezing his eyes shut. “I can’t.”
Nicholas opened his eyes to see Sean leaning in, and he turned his head in time for the kiss to catch him on the jaw.
Nicholas shoved him away—harder than he’d intended to—just as he was hit with the most agonizing pain.
It lanced through his skull, as cutting as the stroke of a whip, and he cried out while gripping the sides of his head.
His knees made a cracking sound as they hit the floor, the pain now spreading to his chest.
His vision blurred, his ears rang, and his back bowed as something sharp and hot tore into his gut, stabbing uncontrollably as he fought to breathe. His claws bit into his abdomen, gaze spotlighting the ground blue.
“Dude, are you okay?”
Nicholas hissed in the direction of the concerned voice. The man shrieked, footsteps fleeing as he screamed something about teeth.
“Fuck, Nicky. Are you okay?”
Mateo.
Nicholas could hear him, although barely. He felt around for his friend, grabbing his arm as he knelt in front of him.
“It’s an icebox in here, Nicky,” he said shakily. “Whatever you’re doing, you’ve gotta make it stop.”
“I c-can’t.”
The pain was too unbearable, like a blade dipped in fire, slicing its way to his heart.
Betrayal.
Anger.
Jealousy.
Mateo let loose a string of curse words, his breath icy against Nicholas’s cheeks.
“Nicky, please. You’re turning blue.”
His blood was so cold it scorched, melting his veins and everything near them.
“I’ve gotta get you out of here. The side door is right there. Can you stand?”
The searing pain dissipated just as fast as it came, leaving Nicholas gasping and clutching his friend. The music had cut off, hysteria taking its place.
“It’s the ice,” Mateo breathed, teeth chattering. “They can’t see you. It’s all the ice that’s scaring them.”
Sean groaned against the opposite wall, and Nicholas blinked, his inhuman sight returning in increments.
“Sean? Nicholas?” Alyssa screamed through the crowd.
“Shit. Put your teeth away,” Mateo whispered, blocking him from view.
Nicholas shook as if the earth quaked beneath him, but he got a hold of himself, ice melting along his fingertips.
Alyssa and Chelle came rushing over.
“Are you guys okay? It’s a circus out there. Something must have gone wrong with their HVAC system. We…” She trailed off when she spotted Sean. She and Chelle rushed to his side as Mateo helped Nicholas to his feet.
Nicholas staggered into the main area, gaze darting around the room. A few stragglers remained, wading through the small flood for the exit.
He turned toward the side door, movements uncoordinated but swift. Bursting into the frigid night air, Nicholas stumbled into the street, circling, wild gaze panning every recess and rooftop.
Mateo pushed through the door behind him, shirt askew.
“What the hell happened in there, Nicky? What was that?”
Nicholas turned to his friend, eyes wide with panic and unshed blood-tears.
“That… was Gabriel.”