Chapter 10 Scream
Scream
My stiletto boots clicked against pavement as we approached the bar. I’d spent all of yesterday at home watching cartoons and moping again while Ari went to school. There had been no sign of Dennis, which was refreshing. Now I was back to normal and ready to drink.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Ari asked for the millionth time.
“Why not? We only got kicked out once. It’s not like we’re banned for life.” I smoothed down my crop top and straightened my skirt.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. It should be fine.”
“It will be fine.” I grinned as we linked arms. “Plus, it’s already been three days. They might not even remember us by now. And look, no one’s carding.” I pointed to the door. The entrance and parking lot were both oddly empty tonight.
“That’s good, ‘cause I’m pretty sure I forgot the fake ID at home.”
“It’s okay. I have a backup.”
“You are so ridiculous—” she cut off and pulled me aside as a burly man stepped in our path.
“Sorry.” I twisted around to apologize since we’d barely avoided a collision, but he was gone. “That was weird.” I turned again and jumped—he was right beside us.
“You’re exactly what I’ve been looking for,” he said, eyeing us both. “How old are you?”
It was clear this wasn’t a bouncer based on his demeanor. We made to step around him, but he once again appeared in our path. Ari glanced at me in growing concern. I felt it too, but made sure not to let mine show. It was best to panic internally but keep exuding confidence.
“Twenty-two.” I gave a short response while Ari shot him a fleeting smile—a reflexive attempt to placate and escape—but he snatched her arm before we could leave. “Let go!” I caught her other arm as she struggled to break free.
Even with our combined force it was useless. He chortled and pressed a palm against me—I was knocked back by its sheer force. I’d barely fallen when he snatched my shirt and lifted me with one hand.
“I’m taking her with me. And you,” his grip tightened on my top, “can go.”
Ari cried out in pain as he squeezed her arm.
I was trying to wrench us both free but we weren’t budging.
His strength was impossible. Inhuman. He was like a brick wall.
He threw me full force—Ari screamed as I slammed against a car.
He took a tight hold on her neck, turning her scream to a strained whimper.
“What do you want with her?” I pushed away from the car and took a firm stance, ready to fight. It may be hopeless, but he sure as hell wasn’t taking Ari while I was still conscious. I pulled out the switchblade and flipped it open, then hurtled forward as he threw her aside.
He caught my arm mid-stab and flipped me into a chokehold while she staggered to the ground.
I tried to scream but he clamped a hand over my mouth.
I bit hard enough to draw blood but it made no difference—his grip turned my forceful scream to a muffled cry.
My blade clattered to the ground and Ari scrambled to snatch it up.
“What do you think that’s gonna do?” He struck it from her hands. “I’m a vampire, babe. Most of us here are.”
He tossed me forward and I collided with her, knocking us both to the ground.
I shrieked Dennis’ name before the man covered my face again, one hand over my mouth and nose while the other squeezed my neck.
He laughed while Ari pried at the hand blocking my airways.
A few seconds of struggling passed. My breathing was getting desperate. Ari was sobbing.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Dennis appeared behind us.
“Claiming a human.” The man let go and Ari dove to my side. I sucked a deep breath, thankful to be alive. “Why do you care?”
“These two are protected.” Dennis grabbed my arm and Ari’s, lifting us both in one effortless motion.
“One is yours, I can smell it. But this one isn’t.” The man took a step toward Ari.
“She’s off limits,” Dennis snarled, instantly between them.
“She has no binding,” the man said. Ari clenched my arm as his eyes snapped to her. “You’re not off limits, are you?” She took a death grip when his cruel smile returned. “Once I bind you, you’ll be mine.”
A loud thud sounded and I twisted to see the bar’s door had slammed open—Sean pushed past the security guard who’d finally appeared at the entrance.
“Take them in back,” Dennis said as Sean reached us.
Sean nodded and ushered us toward the bar. I stole a glance over my shoulder to see Dennis approaching the man, but my view was obstructed when we were taken inside. I looked around in a daze. It was as crowded and noisy as ever.
A few people turned to watch as Sean nudged us past the bar itself and through the employee door.
It led to a dark room. He flicked on a light to reveal countless boxes, bottles of alcohol, a few crates and barrels, a mini kitchen area, and a couch off to the side.
In the very back was a door leading to what I assumed was the back alley.
“What just happened?” Ari was the first to speak.
I adjusted my skirt, then brushed dirt off the back of her jeans while Sean watched us thoughtfully.
“A vampire tried to enslave you. That’s starting to happen lately. Ever since our politics went up for debate. We told you, remember?”
“He tried to enslave me?” Her voice was caught between a yelp and the verge of tears.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Me? What about you? Your neck is so red.” She gingerly touched it, frowning when I held back a grimace.
“It’s not that bad. I’m still so confused. Why did he say—”
“That most of the people here are vampires?” Ari finished. “Why didn’t you tell us that earlier? You should’ve warned us. Then maybe…” Her voice faltered at the familiar sound of chains.
“Dennis!” I beamed as he walked in. “Thanks for saving us.”
“What are masters for?” His fangs flashed in a boyish grin.
“Yeah. Thanks, Dennis,” Ari said.
“Also, you’re not my master.”
“Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.” He sat and ran a hand through the dark part of his hair.
“How’re you so calm right now? You looked like you were gonna kill that guy.” I tried to catch my switchblade when he tossed it, but it fell to my feet. I scooped it up and slid it back in my pocket.
“Oh, I did. He’s dead.”
“You really murdered him?” Ari asked, then averted her eyes when he looked at her.
“Where’d you put the body?” Sean was leaning against a wall with his arms crossed.
“Left it. I’ll take care of it later.”
Ari’s face twisted in disgust—they were talking like this happened everyday. “I think I’m bleeding,” she murmured, trying to see the back of her elbow.
“You’re not. I would know,” Sean said.
She dropped the arm to look at him. “You said they won’t mess with another vampire’s blood bound. Why was he attacking Emy, then?”
“Bind,” he corrected. “I didn’t think anyone would. We told you, our rules are kind of in limbo at the moment. Some vampires are more eager for change than others.”
“You’re bruising.” Dennis pushed off the couch and came to me. He brushed my hair aside, causing me to shiver. “And you’re getting excited, for some reason,” he added, running his fingers across my neck.
I couldn’t lie: as freaked out as I was, his calm-but-deadly demeanor was enticing, to put it mildly.
“Stop,” I whispered.
“Touching you or reading your thoughts?”
“Both.”
“Whatever you want, Vixen.” His hazel eyes danced with amusement as he stepped back.
“What are we supposed to do now?” Ari’s shaky voice cut into my inappropriate thoughts.
“I dunno what you guys want, but I plan on binding you.” Sean was more serious than usual. “If you’re okay with it, that is.”
I glanced at Dennis, wondering why he didn’t seem to care about Ari’s safety nearly as much as Sean did. He was back on the couch, barely paying attention to the lighter’s fire flickering across his thumb. His gaze was solely on me.
“I don’t know,” Ari said.
“I think it’s a good idea,” I said. “I believe them now that you’d be safer.
The guy said he could smell I’m bound—whatever that means—so he was gonna leave me and kidnap you.
Which means they,” I pointed to the guys, “weren’t lying.
At least not about that part. Being bound is annoying, but it’s also convenient sometimes. ”
“You didn’t think it was annoying a few minutes ago.”
“Exactly!” I agreed with Dennis’ comment and gave Ari an enticing smile. “See? Being bound literally saved our lives. Plus, you’d get to be by Sean all the time. You can’t say that’s a downside.”
“Shut up.” She shoved me away as I started laughing. “I’m not here to flirt. This is serious.” She bit her lip, watching Sean. “If you bind me, I’ll be more protected?”
“A lot more.”
“Will you promise not to read my thoughts or pop up all the time the way Dennis does to Emy?”
“The hearing thoughts thing is involuntary, but I promise I won’t purposely eavesdrop. And it’s not constant. It’s occasional.”
I tilted my head. Mine sure didn’t seem occasional.
“I would ask to talk to you alone Emy, but I already know they’ll hear every word we say from out there.” She nodded toward the closed door, where the lively bar would make it impossible for us to hear. The extra noise would make zero difference to them.
“You should do it. Honestly. I would say the same if we were alone. Promise.” I held out a pinky.
She hesitated before linking hers through. We both kissed the other end. To us, this was essentially a promise on a loved one’s grave.
“On a grave? A pinky promise is that serious to you?” Dennis asked.
“Stop doing that!” I snatched an empty bottle from a nearby crate and threw it—he laughed as it missed and broke against the wall.
“See, this is what I don’t want. You just said it’s not bad and now you’re throwing glass at his head.” Ari frowned.
“I won’t be that bad,” Sean said.
She shifted as all eyes fell on her. “Is it gonna hurt?”