4. Chapter Four
Chapter Four
I pay the taxi driver and Rosie and I get out of the car. The neon lights from the club's sign shine across to the other side of the sidewalk. They’re strong enough to block out the burnt-out lights across the street. Usually, when I start my shift at Big Mike's club, I arrive in the last moments before it gets dark, and when I finish my shift, I leave through the back entrance that leads to a walkway straight to my apartment. I don't usually get to brag about the impressive decor at the entrance. And it is definitely impressive.
Besides the warm lights splashing everywhere, there is a red carpet from the entrance to the beginning of the line .
While inside the club is a modern style, the outside is more historical. The club is in the center of the French Quarter, and the building is a mixture of colonial Spanish and French styles.
"Hi, Connor," I say, nodding to him as we cut through a group of people.
"Hailey, Rosie." He nods back. "Not working today?"
"Today, we’re here to have fun," Rosie states, already sounding a little drunk from the excitement. We have a deal that every other weekend we will go out to blow off some steam.
"Well, have fun," he says, smirking.
We pass the long red curtains at the entrance and walk inside. Oh stars, I hate those heels. I bought them at the last Zara sale and they are so uncomfortable I want to die. I am so thankful that I listened to Rosie and we took a taxi here, even though the trip was short, the thought of walking all the way here could have been a nightmare.
The loud music makes me move to the beat as we make our way to the bar. People are starting to gather around the dance floor, letting themselves lose control when the song changes to a louder, faster one.
"Hello, ladies. What brings you to our humble bar?" Rick asks with a flirtatious smile, revealing perfect white teeth. He's six and a half feet tall, with blonde hair and bright ocean-blue eyes. Definitely eye candy.
He is fresh meat, as Rosie likes to describe all the new bartenders.
I wonder how long that will last. "We’re just here to let loose," I reply, bending over the counter and flashing a flirtatious smile of my own.
"That’s good! Wish I could join you."
"Maybe you can," Rosie says. "On your break."
"Maybe I will."
"Good. In the meantime, we’d like two martinis." I order our drinks while looking around.
"Sure thing." He turns to make the drinks.
Feeling a weird pull from behind, I turn my head to see only a crowded dance floor. A shiver runs down my spine. The feeling quickly intensifies as if daggers are piercing my back.
The books tell lots of things about vampires. Fast and strong. Travel like a mist. Super hearing.
Could he be here? Watching me?
I can’t shake the fear as I continue to scan my surroundings, not sure if I want to find him here among the crowd or not.
Can he hear me? Hear my heart beating so fast?
Please don’t be here. Taking a deep breath, I try to concentrate on anything but the striking fear trying to consume me.
"You okay?" Rosie's concerned voice pulls me out of my thoughts.
I look at her and nod, just as Rick serves the martinis. Taking the drinks, we sit in one of the empty seats at the far end of the bar.
"You know, Rick is really counting on you to take the first step," Rosie says with a smile.
"What? No. I don’t mix love and work."
"Who says anything about love?" She smirks, taking a long sip of her drink.
"No, no. I know we flirt occasionally, but…" Bopping my head to the music, I giggle, remembering the last new guy that started working here. Rosie has a habit of fucking every bartender in the club. Or at least tries to.
"Occasionally? You must be kidding. He looks at you like he wants to eat you whole."
"You're exaggerating, and regardless, I'm not interested. Yes, he's handsome, and yes, he knows it, but it's my workplace. I don't want there to be a weird atmosphere between us.”
She rolls her eyes dramatically. “Okay, if you say so, but I still think you should jump on it before someone else catches that fine ass of his.”
“If you want him, you can have him,” I say, bored with the subject.
“No, it’s you we are talking about. Besides, I can see you like him.” She has quite an imagination because I don’t know how she could have seen that since I feel nothing but friendship for him. Yes, he is sexy, and maybe if I was more open, I would have noticed him more, but I’m not.
"Let's change the subject, please," I say, slumping back.
Rose nods. "So, how is your grandma?"
"She wants to see you. Are you coming tomorrow for supper?”
"There's no way I'd miss her tasty dishes."
"Good, because she won't let you get away with not coming," I say, taking another sip of my martini.
"I love that woman." I believe her. As she says it, her eyes sparkle fondly.
"I talked to her yesterday." I stop and play with the olive in my drink. "About the vampire incident."
"What did she say?"
"She went crazy. Started getting angry with me and made me promise I won't agree to any deals with a vampire." I sigh heavily as I recall the conversation. Granny was so mad. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her like that.
"Well, maybe she’s right. She must know a thing or two about all of this stuff."
Throwing my hands up, I feel all air leave me in a rush. "You too? I can't believe it."
"Look, I know how much you want to get hold of your magic. I know it hurts knowing it’s there but too far out of reach, but maybe this is a trap.”
I take a deep breath. I know Rosie is right, and that my granny only wants what’s best but I can't shake the thought that this may be it. May be the solution I’ve been waiting for.
"I don’t know."
"If there was a way to get your family's magic back, don’t you think your grandma or her grandma would have tried it?"
"I don’t know," I repeat in a small voice. She’s right. And I hate it."
“Vampires are the reason for your family being cursed in the first place. Maybe it’s best to leave it as it is. I don’t want you to get hurt, you know that.” Her soft brown eyes pierce through my determination, making me cave. I lower my head, looking down at the floor.
“I know.” I take a deep breath. “I won't mention it again. You’re right. I don’t know him. He might be dangerous.” I can't help the bitter taste in my mouth as I say the words.
“Good. Now, let’s go dancing, shall we?” She finishes her martini in one gulp, and I follow suit before joining her on the dance floor.
I move my body to the beat, surrendering myself to the music. I’m everything and nothing in the same. I’m bold and fearless, full and empty, and I love it. I’m invincible because there isn’t a concern in the world that can touch me.
That’s until I feel him again.
This time, I know it’s him. I don’t know how, but I feel traces of magic. As I turn my focus on that, the feeling turns suffocating. The first time I encountered it the other night, I felt only the tip of it, but now I feel its full force. It’s like he wants me to be aware of his presence. Shivers travel down my body. The witch's magic is strong, and his presence is not helping, but instead makes me even more aware to his presence. I never felt my dormant magic this way, before I met him.
I stop moving, my eyes scanning each person near me.
His witch must be a powerful one because I can’t find him, but he’s here. I feel his heat hunting me. I'm the prey and he is the predator.
Shaking my head, I decide to let him have a show as I move closer to Rosie and whisper, “I need another drink. Want one?”
“I’m good,” she replies, grinding her body against a stranger. Rolling my eyes, I walk to the bar.
Rick is on the wrong side of the bar, flirting with a fake blonde. She pushes her cleavage higher; as if he couldn’t see it already. Even I can see it’s pretty good. Suppressing a snicker, I move to Benny, the other bartender, and order three shots.
“You okay, Hailey?” he asks while he pours.
“Yeah. I just need a drink to help me loosen up.”
“Since when do you need a drink for that?” he teases.
“You’re one to talk. Last time you were on the customer side of the bar, you couldn’t stop drinking.”
“They say that what you can’t remember isn’t true. Guess they’re right.” He smirks.
“You are hilarious today,” I say sarcastically before gulping the first shot. The strong taste of the whiskey makes me cough a little, but I welcome the burn. I need it. I need to feel light again .
Finishing the two other shots, I head to the dance floor again. I swear the lights are everywhere. The thick sensation I felt before vanishes, leaving me alone with the buzzing of the loud music in my ears. I like it. I raise my hands and start to jump, the pressure in my stomach loosening up.
All of a sudden, I feel Rosie's manicured hand on my shoulder. Startled, I take a step back.
“Are you drunk?” she asks.
“Aren’t you?”
“No. Pretty much sober.”
“That’s good. I missed you.” Even my words sound funny. I try to take a step forward to hug her, only to stumble. She jumps forward towards me.
“Sorry,” I mumble.
“It’s fine.” She takes hold of me, placing my heavy arm on her shoulder. “I ordered us a cab.”
“Thank you. You are so, so, so nice,” I say enthusiastically.
“Yeah, you aren’t so bad yourself.”
“I think I drank too much.” Suddenly feeling the need to throw up, I take a deep breath.
“I never saw you drink more than one martini. What happened? I thought you weren’t a drinker. ”
“I just needed it,” I say as we head toward the exit. The place is still packed, so I push myself between a bunch of people. Only when walk out of the door do I find myself breathing properly. I turn to say goodbye to Connor, but instead, I stumble forward right into Rosie’s back, and she lets out a squeal, making my jump. She turns to me and holds me tight.
Oh, dear stars. I’m okay, right? Yes, I’m okay.
When I realize that, I break into uncontrolled laughter.
“Haliey, you’ve lost it,” Rosie says, but who cares? I feel lighter, and I like it.
Opening the door to my room, I cross the short distance with clumsy steps and land face-first on the soft bed. Without taking my clothes off or pulling the comforter over me, I fall into a deep sleep.
Everything is black. Until it’s not.
Not sure where I am, I look around. Slowly, the black vanishes, and I realize I’m standing on the street that leads to Mike’s club, where I work. The streets are empty and a sudden cold sensation rushes down my body, making me shiver. Biting down a curse, I move forward. It’s like the wind from behind me pushes me toward the club.
Stretching the sleeves of my shirt over my fingers, I enter the club .
Inside, music is playing. When I look around I find that the place is empty
“Hello?” I call, but my voice is swallowed by the loud music.
Entering farther, I sense a movement at the bar end of the hall. With cautious steps, I advance, only to stop abruptly.
“Oh, good. You’re here.”
What the fuck?
It’s the vampire. I’m not sure if he’s happy to see me. Looking to the side, I don’t recognize the place. Where am I?
Leveling my gaze back at him, I put my hands on my hips. "What's going on here?"
"I'm just trying another method to convince you that you should agree to my help."
“What the fuck? Who do you think you are, entering my dreams?” I snap, feeling anger bubble inside me.
“I’m happy you know it’s not real. I wouldn’t want to explain this whole thing. It’s too complicated.”
“I’m not some stupid kid who needs things explained. I know who I am.”
“Please sit. I promise not to bite.” His eyes light up.
He’s fucking flirting with me. He’s got some balls!
With anger stirring inside me, I take a step forward.
You shouldn’t piss off a vampire, Hailey. That wouldn’t be wise. I repeat my mantra to myself over and over as I take a deep breath to calm myself. Taking a seat on the far end of the couch, I level my eyes to his again. I remember reading about pulling people from dreams. The only way to disconnect is through the witch that's casting the spell. I guess that means this is avertable.
"So, tell me. How do you mean to convince me?" I ask, nodding to him to speak. His beautiful eyes turn bright gray before turning black.
"Straight to the point; I appreciate that about you."
"You don't know me to appreciate anything."
"You could say I'm a sharp-eyed kind of a guy." He smirks.
"Vampire, you mean," I grumble.
Ignoring my remark, he says, "I know that all the women from your bloodline usually lose themselves to insanity. I know you have to fight through the pain of your loss every minute of the day as you feel an intense emptiness where your magic used to be. You feel its handprint but can't reach it. Is that right?" His voice is calm and sympathy dances in his eyes, making me scowl. I don’t need his pity.
"These are just assumptions. Hardly an indication of a sharp eye," I point out sarcastically.
"You' re right. I do know it makes you angry that you don't have access to your magic, though. I also know that you tried everything you could to find the solution to the curse, and every time, you failed. I know your mother chose a different way to deal with her madness and that, deep down, you’re afraid of ending up like her."
I feel only rage as my hands clench. One moment, I'm sitting on the couch, and the next I’m rushing at him. I’m more than ready to put him in his place. It’s stupid, but I can't help it. I don't know what to say. I need this all to stop. I need to break away from the dream. It feels too much.
He meets me halfway, crashing into me, our bodies colliding. The speed sends me backwards, and before I manage to hold on to something, he grabs me tightly and prevents me from falling.
"My mom isn’t crazy," I protest. "We don’t go crazy." At least, I don’t think so. None of the books mention anything like that.
"I'm sorry, but that's the truth," he whispers, his hot breath tickling my face.
"Please stop. I just need you to stop," I plead. A burst of shivers consumes me, paralyzing me when all I want is to get away.
Helplessness is a nasty feeling; one I hate.
Up close, it's as if his eyes bore into my soul, seeing my fear and panic. "Until we meet again." He lowers his lips to mine, barely touching me, but enough to make the anticipation creep in. A sudden curiosity to feel his lips dancing with mine takes over.
All too soon, everything vanishes. I wake up, startled.