Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
It had been almost a week since George died.
Vail stayed in her room, and I busied myself cleaning up the living room, putting books back on the shelf, and sweeping up broken glass and feathers.
I brought blood to Vail in bed every evening and morning, gently suggesting she get out of bed.
On the fifth day, I begged her to shower and on the sixth day, she emerged on her own.
I almost jumped when she walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge, pulling out a jar of blood.
“You’re up,” I said, looking at her. She was wearing a long pullover sweater, and her hair was pulled into a bun on top of her head.
“Yeah, I’ve rotted enough.” She slumped down at the kitchen table, crossing her legs in front of her and unscrewing the jar, sipping the blood.
“I’m sorry,” I told her again, as I watched her drinking, staring into the kitchen.
“You’ve said that already. And it’s okay. George is gone, and he’s not the first friend that I’ve lost, and he won’t be the last. I just have to continue on,” she said, offering a small, insincere smile.
“I was going to go get more blood today, you’re running low. Do you want to join me?” I asked her, twirling my hair in an attempt to entice her.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Rosie. I’ve been thinking about it, and I need to make a potion to test blood before we drink. To check if the drug is in someone’s system.”
I needed a fresh meal. I couldn’t stand any more of her crappy microwaved blood.
“What if I drive out of town? Less of a chance the blood will be laced?” I offered her.
She nodded. “Just be careful.”
I drove through town, heading toward the highway, when I passed a bar with a line spilling out the door. Bouncers were checking IDs, letting in groups of college students. I glanced up at the marquee: The Winking Judge. I slowed down and pulled over down the street, finding a spot to park.
I remembered Connor telling me his band played most nights here, and I decided my meal would have to wait. Hopefully, I could talk to him and get more information about the Slayers.
But the second I stepped inside the bar, I regretted it. Was I truly walking into a place where I knew five Vampire Slayers might be waiting? I quickly shook off the thought. It wasn’t as if they would openly attack me in public. I would be fine.
The lights were low, and sweaty bodies danced closely together, the air thick with the scent of alcohol and human warmth.
Even though I appeared the same age as the crowd, I couldn’t help but notice the sense of immaturity about the way the students shouted over the music, laughing and arguing all at once.
I pushed through the crowd toward the bar, my throat felt dry and my skin itchy from the crush of humans. “Can I get a very bloody Mary?” I asked the bartender.
“We’re out of tomato juice,” he responded, busy pouring shots for a group of girls beside me.
Note to self: This bar is not Vampire-friendly.
I tried not to touch anyone as I made my way back through the crowd. I knew that if I got too close to a human and felt their pulse, it would be hard for me to control myself. I regretted coming here.
I looked up at the stage and watched Connor as he played.
His fingers glided effortlessly across the strings.
He wore jeans and a basic white tee, looking plain compared to Diana with her smeared black eyeliner and torn fishnet top.
Even then, my eyes couldn’t help but be drawn to him.
His hair was matted from sweat, and he looked up through it, scanning the crowd.
But his eyes didn’t land on me. Instead, they were fixed on a girl in the front row.
Her red hair glowed under the lights. Even from where I stood, I could see she was beautiful.
Diana stepped up to the microphone. “We are Sungods. This is our last song. Are you ready to tear this place apart?” She smirked, her eyes smouldering.
The crowd erupted as the band launched into their finale. Donovan played the drums like a thundering god; Ivy’s bassline perfectly paired with Diana’s voice. The music was a relentless assault on my senses, a celebration of chaos.
Sweat dripped from Connor’s brow as he poured his heart into every note of his guitar solo. Amidst the chaos, Diana leaned into the crowd, her face inches from the outstretched hands of admirers. I was amazed at how she could captivate the crowd the way she did.
With a final thunderous crash of instruments, the band finished the song, and the stage lights turned off.
I stood there, leaning against a pillar, waiting for Connor to notice me as he scanned the crowd once more.
But his eyes landed once again on the fiery redhead as he hopped off the stage and walked over to her.
She practically threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and giving him a big kiss.
I stood there in shock, watching Connor and this girl make out in the crowd of people. I felt foolish for coming here, thinking I could flirt with Connor for information. And I was mad at him for leading me on, whilst he had a girlfriend.
“Oh boy, there’s trouble,” a sultry voice said next to me. Diana stood there, her arms crossed as she watched Connor and the girl.
“Who is she?” I asked. My thoughts were a swirl of emotions. I wanted to leave, to get fresh air, but I also wanted to know more about the mysterious girl.
“Amber.” Diana pointed at her as she was practically shoving her tongue down Connor’s throat.
“Are they together?”
“Kind of? She’s Connor’s ex-girlfriend, or I guess girlfriend now. We can never really tell. She’s a part-time student and leaves town a lot. They break up, and then she comes back and acts as if nothing happened.”
“Hmm.” I pursed my lips, leaning back against the pillar.
“I’m not sure how Connor feels about Amber, though,” Diana said. “Every time we bring her up, he shuts down our judgement as if he owes her something.”
“He seems to be enjoying himself,” I replied, my gaze still fixed on the pair.
“I thought he liked you,” Diana said. “I heard him asking you out at the lake.”
As I watched Connor entwined with Amber, a torrent of conflicting emotions surged through me. I had convinced myself that my interest in Connor was purely utilitarian, a way to gather information about the Slayers. But seeing him in the arms of another woman ignited an unexpected burn.
I felt exposed, vulnerable in a way that I hadn’t expected. I scrutinized Connor’s every move, trying to decipher the nuances of his body language. The laughter, the embraces. I didn’t know Connor well enough to figure it out, but I knew humans well enough to know that she turned him on.
Diana’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Did you ever find your friend? The one you were looking for the other night?”
“Yes,” I lied, keeping my voice steady.
“Glad to hear,” she said, smiling. Did she know more than she was letting on?
I smiled back. “Anyway, I should probably get going.”
“Don’t go! We should hang out,” Diana insisted.
“I don’t want to be out too late,” I cut her off before she could protest further. With a quick goodbye, I turned and left before Connor could spot me.
Frustration gnawed at me as I stepped out of the bar. My stomach felt tight with hunger, and my mind raced, a tangled mess of thoughts. I needed to feed.
I hurried to my car. The engine roared to life, and I sped off, windows down, the wind slicing through the air.
The rush of the night air freed my thoughts momentarily.
I drove until the city lights faded, then pulled off onto a gravel patch beside a forest. The trees were dense, and without thinking, I ran.
I’d always felt comfortable being surrounded by trees.
The tranquil forest sounds grounded my thoughts in ways nothing else could.
I slowed when I neared a stream, and a flicker of light in the distance caught my eye.
I moved toward it, and I emerged into a campsite.
The warmth illuminated a couple sitting by the fire.
Jealousy clawed at me as I watched them, and the moment I caught scent of their sweat, the hunger inside me twisted. The monster took over.
I felt my fangs grow past my lips as I approached the couple. No one would hear them all the way out here. Seizing the man from behind, I grabbed the scruff of his shirt collar and sank my teeth into his neck. The girl screamed, but her cries were muffled by the rush of memories flooding my mind.
A surprise birthday party. Waves crashing around ankles in the ocean. Stargazing. Soft kisses on skin.
I was too overwhelmed, too hungry to push his thoughts aside. With a sudden, sharp motion, I broke his neck.
I heard the girl run.
Good. Dinner and a show.
Once I had drained the man’s body, I tossed him aside and chased after her. I was faster than she was, faster than any human. I caught up to her quickly, and in her panic, she tripped. Pouncing, I landed on top of her and spun her around to face me.
“Are you afraid?” I asked, seeing the fear in her eyes. Vail would be so disappointed in me, playing with my food. “Don’t be,” I said softly, running my hand down her face, catching a tear on my finger. With a swift moment, I ended her life too.
Vail screamed when I walked through the front door.
“Did you walk home like that?” she asked.
I turned to examine my reflection in the hallway mirror. I was covered in blood from head to toe, my fangs still out, and my hair was matted.
“No, I drove,” I said, plopping down on the couch and putting my feet up on the coffee table. “It’s also 3 a.m. and everyone in town is asleep.” I felt a twinge of annoyance.
“Please don’t sit on the couch like that, you’re filthy.”
“Too late.” I picked up one of her spellbooks and flipped through the pages. “I have a body in my trunk if you want to help me collect the blood.”
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.”
“Rosie, what happened tonight?” She pushed my feet off my coffee table.
“I said nothing. You’re being a pain in my ass,” I shot at her, getting up from the couch and walking away.
She called after me, “I thought you had this under control!”
“Yeah, well … I guess I don’t!” I admitted, slamming my bedroom door behind me.
I sat down on my bed and looked down at my hands. Dried blood settled in the creases of my fingers, and a wave of emotions surged through me. Tears began to flow, and soon escalated into gasping sobs, my throat constricting for air.
Vail knocked on my door and opened it, not waiting for my response. She came over and held me in her arms, placing my head against her chest.
“Do you at least feel better?” she asked softly.
“No.” I felt like I was drowning inside.
“Come on, let me help you.” She led me into the bathroom and started the shower for me. I took off my clothes and stepped in, watching as the water turned crimson and swirled down the drain. I stood there until the water turned cold and reluctantly stepped out.
I went back to my bedroom, and Vail appeared again with a mug in hand. “I made you a potion to help you sleep,” she said, handing it to me.
“Thanks.” I took it and climbed into bed.
“I also drove your car around the back and brought the body to the garage. I will deal with it.”
I nodded, but a sickening wave of guilt rose in my chest. Vail had come back into my life, and once again, I was letting her clean up my messes. I closed my eyes, exhaustion weighing me down.
Vail pressed her lips to my forehead. “Love you,” she said softly and closed the door.