10. Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten
I strip out of my clothes and get under the hot water. After a few seconds, I feel my muscles, tight from a stressful sleep, relax. The fear intensified with every dream I had.
As I close my eyes, the leftovers of the dreams that haunted me the night before welcome me again. The first time I woke was after a nightmare about my granny. Her startled eyes made me cautious as she warned me over and over that I’m making a mistake. After I got up in a panic, I called to make sure she was okay and texted the nurse to keep me posted.
The second dream was no less distressing .
When I finally fell asleep again, I dreamed that John was attacking me, and I was powerless to stop him. He was pursuing me as I tried to flee under the night sky. I was all alone with a predator in my wake.
It only went downhill until I got out of bed and decided that I would no longer bother trying to sleep.
I wash my hair and my body, and only when the water gets cold do I turn off the shower. Reaching for the hanging towel, I wrap it around myself.
Part of me dreads the idea of walking back in there, to the bedroom. John was gone when I woke up, but I could feel his presence everywhere. His scent is haunting me, making me question my sanity for agreeing to this madness.
Am I weak to agree to this?
You are doing this to unlock your other side. My subconscious reminds me of my motives, making me cringe.
Blowing out a strangled breath, I pull on my clothes and open the door.
“Good. You’re ready.”
I raise my head and come face to face with John, who is sitting on the edge of the bed with a cup of coffee.
I reach out and take the cup. A shiver runs down my arm when our fingers brush. I hold the cup tightly between my fingers as a wave of heat rushes through me, making me feel weak.
“About last night, I was out of line” His eyes flash fire.The heat of the cup only intensifies my discomfort.Yea he was, but I can’t deny that part of me liked it. thought I would never actually admit it, but the way he touched me is going to scare me for life. I wanted it to continue but I shouldn’t have. I shouldn’t be feeling lust for this vampire, though I do.
It just lust Hailey, it will pass. My brain reminds me.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I say, “‘When do we start?”
“Now.” He stands up, breaking eye contact. I take a long sip, savoring the strong taste of the caramel latte.
“How did you know I drink caramel latte?”
“I know a lot of things about you, Hailey. Believe me, most of the things I know about you are far more interesting than your drink choice.”
“How?” I ask, but he only gives me a confused look, so I clarify. “How do you know things about me? I've never been one to stand out.”
He walks towards me until he’s too close. "You were born to stand out." My breath hitches as his palm caresses my cheek. “You were born to stand out, and your family did nothing to prevent that. It was their mistake. Their stupidity will lead to either your downfall or your growth. That remains to be seen.”
His words make me uncomfortable, and I'm almost sure my cheeks are as red as a tomato.
"We should go." He sneaks a half smile before turning away, leaving me alone in the room.
Recovering quickly, I follow him into the corridor. "Where are we going now?"
"To obtain the necessary materials for the spell."
"Do you have the list?"
"It’s back in the room."
"Don't you need it to get everything you need?"
"I remember it," he says and enters the elevator. I rush after him, taking a long sip of the coffee that has now cooled down.
"For the love of stars, you are smart." I exaggerate, making him smirk.
John's simple beauty strikes me. The way his eyes narrow slightly as his tongue slides over his lips just as they curve into a half smile makes me gasp. I can't help but wonder how it would feel to kiss him. Will he be demanding? Impatient? Or disciplined?
John takes the driver's seat in his car, and I sit next to him. He speeds through the light traffic. The dark shade that covers the windows makes my head hurt. I see the sun setting in the distance. When he kills the engine and we get out, it's already dark.
I turn to John, who was moving toward the Black Casino. Though I have never been here, gossip around this place travels fast.
"How do you know this contact?" I ask.
"Our paths crossed."
"What does that mean?" Why do I have the feeling he doesn't know this guy?
"It means he will give us what we want."
"And if he doesn't?"
"He won't have a choice."
We pass the guard stationed outside.The first thing that hits me is the smell. A combination of cigarette smoke, perfume, metal, money, and food makes me cringe. Then I notice the flashing lights, the TV screens, and the red carpet that leads to the sitting area. Everything around us screams money, making me embarrassed at my poor choice of outfit.
"I kind of feel underdressed."
"We won't be staying for long."
The space is divided in half. The right part is a playground of neon and strobe lights from the slot machines. The left side decor is redder and blacker, and there’s a thick tension in the air.
Full of confidence, John takes the left toward the poker tables.
I follow, walking casually behind him as I try to catch a glimpse of everything. The beauty of this place is making me tremble.
The wall is decorated in a vintage style that makes me want to run my hand over the engraving and try to decipher the art. The huge chandelier in the middle of the hall is attached to a beautiful rosette and takes my breath away.
“Shit,” I whisper as I notice that John is up ahead, talking to the few unknown suits, while I’m gawking like an idiot.
I rush to stand by him, sneaking a half smile at the men in suits and trying to piece together the conversation I missed.
The man in the center of the three looks at me with an intrigued expression before looking back at John. "What exactly is it that you need?"
"We need a few ingredients that my informer told me I could find here."
The yellow in the stranger's green eyes glows, making me uncomfortable. He points towards the vacant poker table. "Let's sit down."
We follow as the three men sit around us, the yellow-green-eyed man still in the center.
“Hello. Are you ready to play?” the dealer asks. Casting a glance at John, I find his eyes locked on the mysterious man with a challenging look.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I wait for the tension to wear off. It’s stupid, I know. These two have a history. The murmur from the crowd and the clicking of the roulette wheel from nearby tables only adds to the feeling of dread inside me.
“Well, why not?” John finally says after what feels like hours.
The dealer starts to shuffle and deals.
“I need some ingredients. I heard you might possess some,” John says casually.
“May I ask where you heard of such a thing?”
“I try to keep my contacts’ confidentiality intact.”
“I see Will taught you well. I can appreciate that.” Looking at me intently, he asks John, “What is her purpose here? Don’t get me wrong, I love a pretty face. I never tire of looking at those, but she’s different.”
I swear he just sniffed me.
“She is not your business,” John growls possessively, making my cheeks burn .
“I could make her my business,” the stranger replies with a cocky smile, eyes not straying from mine.
Mastering all the courage I can, I say viciously, “I am not part of your deal. You will help us because, if not, I will take you down, but before that, I will make you suffer so hard you will beg me to stop.”
The man to the left stands up, making me jump in my seat. John moves to block his path when the stranger says, “Stop.” So simple, yet so effective. His puppet returns to his seat. “Robert, it’s okay. She won’t do anything,” he says in a surly tone. “You see, I run a business here, and you coming to threaten me and disturb my peace is no way to make friends.”
“We need the ingredients, and then we will be out of your way.” John straightens his suit before saying, “Will owes us a favor. It is time to collect.”
“Are you sure you want to waste his favor on some ingredients?”
“It won’t be a waste, believe me.”
He takes a folded piece of paper out of his suit pocket and holds it out to the stranger. The stranger straightens the paper and reads it carefully. “Well, okay then.” Pushing to his feet, he whispers to the man on his left and then turns to us. “Reece will take you there. And, John, I do hope our paths won’t cross ever again. ”
“I will make sure of that,” he replies bitterly.
In jarring silence, we follow him towards the emergency exit and down the hall to the last door.
“Wait here,” he orders before disappearing behind the door.
I take advantage of the fact that we’re alone to ask, “Who is Will?”
“Will is my sire.”
His sire? Okay. That I didn’t know. This information makes me curious about why he’d stay with his sire. Was his transition forced? I never heard of one wanting to be a vampire but forced. Either way, why would a vampire be loyal to his sire?
Instead of all the questions in my mind, I ask, "Why didn't you play the Will card from the beginning?"
"I wasn't sure he would agree and, regardless, I wanted to see your reaction."
“Are you enjoying it?"
"Sure, it made my cock hard."
His rudeness makes me cringe as tightness spreads in my chest. "Glad it excites you," I mumble, my eyes sinking into his. They have an ability to draw me in and make me lose myself.
Snap out of it.