12. Briar #2
I stand in front of the mirror, adjusting the short black dress.
It clings to every curve, long sleeves, a high turtleneck with a daring keyhole cut-out right over my chest, showing just enough skin to feel dangerous.
A heavy silver chain choker sits tight around my throat, a long chain dangling down with a ring that rests between my breasts.
I added a matching chain belt that hangs low on my hips, the metal cool against my skin with every movement.
Thigh-high black stockings disappear under the hem of the dress, and my favorite chunky combat boots complete the look.
My long black hair falls straight and sleek.
Dark smokey eyes and deep purple lipstick finish it.
The black feather mask on top, I add drops of fake blood on my clothes and some on my face and add the fake canines.
Vampire Queen on the go.
“Shit, you’re lucky I’m not into girls,” Lucille whistles as she walks into my bedroom.
I turn and let out a low laugh, looking her up and down. “Right back at you. Damn, Lu.”
She’s wearing a short ripped black skirt with a long-sleeve top that bares a strip of her upper waist, lace stockings with tiny black bows at the top, and Mary Jane platform shoes that make her even taller.
Her makeup mirrors mine but with blood-red lipstick that looks lethal under the low light. Same type of mask and I add the blood.
I take one last look in the mirror, heart hammering. The cut-out on my chest feels too exposed, the chains too loud, but I force myself to stand taller. This is the version of me I fought to become, the one who doesn’t hide.
Even if part of me is terrified of who might be waiting in the dark tonight.
I stare at my phone. No new texts. Nothing but silence since last night.
I wonder if he was just scaring me… or testing me to see how I would break.
I hide the slice of cake deep in the fridge behind the milk and yogurts, making sure Lucille doesn’t see it, then follow her to the car.
The drive to the party is filled with Someone Like Me by Ice Nine Kills blasting through the speakers, the heavy music pumping us up. Or at least trying to.
“Remember—” Lucille says as we turn onto the long dirt road leading to the old warehouse in the middle of the woods. “—don’t be alone. Stay where everyone can see you and don’t go off with any guy.”
“Yes, I know,” I reply. “But I want you to have fun. Get some hot dude, please.”
She shakes her head, laughing. “We’ll see.”
The first thing we notice is the lights cutting through the dark, moonless sky, two bright beams mirroring blood-red eyes in the distance. Cars are parked haphazardly outside the old warehouse, everyone dressed in black. Vampires, werewolves, skull masks, and sexy kittens moving through the fog.
The warehouse itself is all rusted steel and rotting wood, ivy crawling up the walls. We step out into the cold night air and head toward the entrance. A few guys whistle as we pass. None of them look like the man in the picture. But it’s just a picture…
Inside, the place feels out of this world. Old couches, wooden chairs and tables scattered around, makeshift bars serving beer and whiskey. The DJ booth is an old truck with massive speakers on either side. People are already dancing, making out, laughing in the crimson glow.
“Two beers.” Lucille orders. I nod. Whiskey is too strong tonight, I need to stay sharp.
We drink, dance, sing along, and for a little while I let everything go. No stalker. No flowers. No fear. Just the music, the smoke, and my best friend.
A slow song starts and a guy dressed as an old-school vampire asks Lucille to dance. I nod and smile, giving her space, but stay in her line of sight as we agreed.
I head to the bar for another beer. It hits my bladder fast. I catch Lucille’s eye, point to the bathroom, and mouth “Pee.” She laughs and nods.
I wait in line, do my business, wash my hands, and step back out into the hallway.
The moment I round the corner, a gloved hand clamps over my mouth and a strong arm wraps around my waist, pulling me into the shadows.
I scream against his palm.
The greenest eyes I’ve ever seen lock onto mine. Black messy hair falls across part of his face. A black mask hides the rest. He’s tall, broad, dressed entirely in black.
My legs buckle. Tears spill down my cheeks as I scream again into his hand.
“Shhh…” His deep voice slides over me, low and dangerously intimate. “Easy, my love. I told you I wouldn’t hurt you.”
He leans closer, breath warm against my ear, the words slow and reverent, almost worshipful.
“You look like night itself given form, a dark queen born to rule the shadows.”
He leans closer, his mask rubbing my face gently, his manly scent fills my lungs.
“You belong in my darkness, where even the light can’t find you.”
He spins me slowly until my chest is against his, my head hitting solid muscle. I look up and meet those forest-green eyes. There’s a smirk in them that glints like a predator’s in the dark.
“Did you think about my proposal, Briar?” he asks, eyes never leaving mine.
I shake my head frantically.
“Too bad,” he murmurs, almost tenderly. “I could make every filthy, shadowed fantasy in that pretty head come true.”
A violent chill races down my spine. His voice is pure dark silk—deep, commanding, edged with something unhinged.
He’s twice my size and strong. I can’t move an inch.
I try to speak. He tightens his hold.
“Behave,” he orders softly.
He slowly moves his hand from my mouth to my throat, not squeezing, just resting there, a heavy, possessive warning. His fingers brush my skin.