The Afterlife of the Party

by Marlene Perez

  Jealous Vaughn was hot. He picked up a tester bottle and gave it a sniff, then reared back. “I think we have a winner.”

  Vaughn insisted on paying for the high-dollar perfume that smelled like eau de corpse flower, but it was a small price to pay if it meant we’d find Skyler.

  I dabbed on as much as I could without choking from the fumes.

  “Do you still have the charm Granny gave you?” I asked. He was going to jam with a band of vampires. I wanted to make sure he was protected.

  “Yes,” he said. “I keep it on me at all times.”

  “Close your eyes,” I said. Another protection spell couldn’t hurt. He did as I asked, and I dug out the fennel oil I’d found at one of the little shops by the beach and applied it to the pulse points at his wrists and neck. I took his hands in mine and whispered a simple, “Protect him.”

  His hands gripped mine tighter.

  “You can open your eyes.” He did, but he didn’t let go of my hands, just pulled me into a hug. We stayed wrapped together, not saying anything, until his phone buzzed.

  He checked it. “Almost time.”

  He was nervous. Distraction time. “We need a few pics on our phones of the two of us.”

  “We have tons of pics of us together,” he said.

  “Not of us together,” I said. “You know, all snuggled up.”

  “Good idea,” he said. His dimples flashed.

  We posed next to bougainvillea, avoiding the setting sun. Vaughn pulled me close, and I took a few shots.

  He handed his phone to me. “A few for me, too.”

  He tilted up my chin and leaned in. I trembled. Was he going to kiss me? Instead, we stared into each other’s eyes, lips almost touching, while the camera phone whirred.

  “I think we should kiss,” Vaughn said. “If we’re pretending to be a couple, we won’t want our first kiss to be in front of a bunch of vampires.”

  “O-Okay,” I said, my voice trembling.

  Neither of us moved at first, but then Vaughn’s arms encircled my waist loosely as he leaned down. His lips were gentle against mine, both of us tentative, our eyes open, like we were both surprised we were actually kissing. I know I was.

  When he deepened the kiss, my eyelids fluttered shut. I ran my fingers through his dark hair.

  Someone honked their horn, and I pulled away.

  “Th-That should be enough for now,” I said. My voice sounded breathless, shaky.

  “We should remember to do that every day,” he said, taking my hand like we were really a couple. I wasn’t sure if he was talking about taking photos or making out. I knew we were faking a relationship to find Sky, but a big part of me wanted it to be true. Did Vaughn want the same thing?

  Chapter Fifteen

  We left the Deathtrap at the hotel and walked the six blocks to the tryouts, which were being held at the Diablo Community Center, of all places.

  Vaughn didn’t let go of my hand, and I didn’t complain.

  “You know, being a musician is really the perfect job for a vampire. If only Travis could sing.”

  “Hasn’t stopped him so far,” Vaughn deadpanned, and I giggled.

  “The Drainers are awful,” I agreed. “You’ll probably be too good for them. And too good-looking. The groupies will be all over you.”

  “You can be my protection tonight,” he said. “You know I don’t like that kind of attention.”

  It was one of the things I liked about him. Some guys never seemed satisfied with getting to know one person at a time.

  Vaughn was gorgeous, but he’d never been the kind of guy to hook up with anyone who batted her eyes at him.

  Inside the community center, I spotted a vending machine. I was thirsty after our walk.

  I motioned to the machine. “Want anything?”

  “No thanks,” Vaughn replied. “There’s always a lot of people at an open call like this. I’ll get in line.”

  I put in my money and selected a Pepsi.

  Vaughn was right—there was a line, but it was going quickly. As usual, I scanned the area for Skyler, but no luck.

  I spotted Natasha carrying a clipboard and directing the people in line.

  She was dressed in white shorts and a white shirt with B Positive emblazoned across the chest. I was surprised by such a cheery message until I realized it wasn’t a message; it was her blood type.

  Another girl near her was wearing an almost identical outfit with B Negative across her top.

  Natasha bustled over with a supercilious air. “What do you think you’re doing?” she addressed me.

  “Waiting in line,” I said. Vaughn nudged me, and I added, “Is there something wrong?”

  “No sodas,” she practically screeched. “Don’t you know anything? The band doesn’t allow carbonated drinks like that anywhere near them. It’s even a rider in their contract.”

  I sighed and took one last sip before throwing the can in a nearby trash can.

  “Satisfied?

  She sniffed. “Name?”

  Vaughn sputtered, so I answered for him. “Johnny Divine.”

  He smothered a yelp of laughter.

  “And who are you?” she asked me. “Groupies aren’t allowed inside.”

  “Then what are you doing here?”

  She looked like she wanted to slug me with her clipboard, but Vaughn stepped in front of me. “She’s not a groupie; she’s my girlfriend.”

  Natasha put a hand on his arm. “Are you sure about that? We could hold our own audition.”

  My fangs started to come down, but I forced myself to stay calm. It wouldn’t do to blow our cover. And also, no fangs meant I could ignore that I was turning into a creature of the night. Besides, I’d noticed female vampires were a rarity.

  The males liked keeping girls as their donors but not as their equals. Figures.

  “Take your hand off him,” I said. “Please,” I added politely, but I let my eyes tell her what I’d do to her if she didn’t let go of Vaughn.

  She released her death grip on him and took a big step back. “This way,” she said. “The drum kit’s all set up.”

  As we approached, a cacophony came from the room she was leading us toward.

  “Don’t they sound great?” Natasha asked with every evidence of sincerity. Now, when I listened to Travis sing, I heard the deceit—the compulsion he wrapped in the music.

  “What I wouldn’t give for a set of earplugs,” I said to Vaughn, but Natasha heard me and glared.

  “Loud sounds are bad for your hearing,” I added quickly. Her scowl remained, but at least she seemed to believe me.

  “Do you read music?” she asked Vaughn. When he nodded, she thrust some sheet music at him.

  “Take a look at this,” she said. “You’ll be next.”

  He glanced down at the music, and I noticed his hands were shaking. Damn. His stage fright must be kicking in. I had no idea what to do to take his mind off his nerves. Well, no good idea.

  Which was why I tugged on his hand, pulled him toward me, and said in my breathiest voice, “Knock ’em dead, baby.” And then I leaned up and kissed him.

  He froze, but then his arms snaked around my waist as he pulled me against his hard chest, his head slanting to get better access to my mouth. And just like that, I forgot why we were here, forgot we had an audience, and perhaps forgot my own name. Vaughn wasn’t just a good kisser—he was an all-star.

  The only thing I wanted to do was get lost in Vaughn’s kiss, but someone let out a wolf whistle, and I forced myself to remember our goal. I gripped Vaughn’s wide shoulders, then pushed backward and ended our kiss. He easily let me slip from his arms, but his gaze remained unfocused.

  But then a grin slowly spread across his face as he ran his hand through his hair, then turned and strode toward the drum kit. M
y heart was pounding so hard, I didn’t trust my legs to walk, so I just stood and watched him take his place behind the drums while the guys in the band drank something red out of clear bottles before joining him.

  “So do any of the guys in the band have girlfriends?” I asked, trying not to sound like I was fishing for information.

  “Why do you want to know?” Natasha asked.

  I shrugged. “Just making conversation. If Johnny gets in, I’ll want someone to hang out with. If the other guys have girlfriends, I’ll have someone to talk to during rehearsals.”

  “The band doesn’t do girlfriends. I’m their number-one girl,” she said.

  I narrowed my eyes at her. “Do you date one of the guys?”

  She smiled. “I’m the leader of their fan club.”

  Oh, is that what they’re calling it?

  “I’m Tiffany, Johnny’s girlfriend,” I said. I was really getting into the jealous-girlfriend act. Too bad I was afraid it wasn’t just an act.

  “Yeah, you said you were his girlfriend already.” She gave me a catty smile. “But since I’m their fan club president, you’ll have to get used to me being up close and personal with your guy.”

  We’d see about that.

  Vaughn hadn’t even glanced at another girl, but they were everywhere The Drainers went. The Bleeders consisted of girls of every ethnicity, shape, and size, but they were all beautiful, and they watched Vaughn and me like we were the latest episode of Skyler’s favorite Korean drama.

  Another girl came up to Natasha and whispered something in her ear. I heard the words “Sky” and “sick.” Natasha frowned and glanced over at me. I pretended to be entranced by Vaughn’s biceps, which were, in truth, entrancing, but I eavesdropped like a mom right before prom.

  When the girl left, I started to edge away so I could snoop, but Natasha caught me.

  “Where are you going?” she asked.

  “Bathroom,” I said. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

  “But your boyfriend’s getting ready to perform.”

  The Drainers sounded like two tomcats fighting in a burlap sack to me, but if I was posing as the drummer’s devoted girlfriend, I couldn’t say that.

  I giggled. “Tiny bladder. I’ll be right back.” Then I blew Vaughn a kiss. “Good luck, baby,” I cooed.

  Travis lifted his head and sniffed the air.

  I hurried from the room. Skyler was here, but where would they have stashed her?

  I waited in the hallway until the other girl—the one who’d been whispering Sky’s name—left the community center, and then I followed her.

  She hurried along, not noticing me in the crowd of summer people strolling along the streets of Diablo. She ducked into one of the nicer hotels along the boardwalk.

  There weren’t many streetlamps around, but I got out my phone and texted Vaughn my location while I tried to figure out if I should go inside or not.

  When the girl didn’t come out again, I went to the front lobby and pretended I was waiting for a friend. Half an hour passed, and then Natasha hurried in. I ducked down, but she didn’t even look around, just headed for a bank of elevators. As soon as the doors closed, I watched to see what floor she got off on. The third.

  She came back fifteen minutes later, loaded down with luggage, with the other girl trailing behind her.

  They went straight to the front desk. “We’re checking out of room 313,” Natasha said. “Yes, under Mina Harker.”

  I rolled my eyes. Of course they’d use the name of a character in Dracula.

  Still, why were they using an alias? Did they think they were celebrities or on a secret mission of some kind?

  Something was wrong. The other girl’s lips were trembling, and she looked seconds away from freaking out. A few minutes later, they loaded their bags into a newish white Mini Cooper and peeled out of there. I made a face when I saw her license plate was #1BLEDR.

  My stomach was in knots. Natasha and her friend had fled like they were leaving the scene of a crime. What if something had happened to Skyler?

  I decided to check out the room. Something had freaked them out. I didn’t know how I was going to get inside, but fortunately the door to “Mina’s” room was open a crack, so I slipped in easily.

  The room seemed unoccupied, and nothing appeared out of place. I looked under the bed, but there were only a few dust bunnies hiding under there.

  I found Skyler in the bathtub, cold and still.

  The dread almost overwhelmed me, my heart threatening to jump out of my chest. She only wore a tiny thong and a stained T-shirt, and her skin was sickly white.

  I rushed to her side, my hands roaming over her wrists, looking for a pulse. Please dear God, please let her be okay. At first, I thought I was too late, but then I saw a shallow inhalation of her chest.

  “Skyler?” I begged, but she didn’t answer. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was so slow that I was worried if I called an ambulance, it would be too late. It was probably why the Bleeders had fled.

  Nobody wanted to hear that vampires were real. Nobody wanted to know that vampires were using up girls and then throwing them away. But I wasn’t going to let that happen to Skyler.

  I lifted her out of the tub, careful and slow, and carried her to the bed. I yanked down the comforter and then found the spare blankets and pillows and covered her with all of it. She needed to warm up.

  I knew of a healing spell, but it required a few ingredients and temporarily drained a witch’s powers, which might leave me vulnerable to a vampire’s compulsion. I couldn’t protect Sky if I was vulnerable—but still, I had to try.

  I didn’t know where I was going to find the things I needed, but a good witch made use of the ingredients she had available. There was a little coffee and tea kiosk in the room, and I rummaged through it.

  I found blackberry sage tea and tore the bag open, emptying the leaves into a cup. I poured in a packet of honey and then searched the room for the last few things I needed. Even though the decor wasn’t as nice here as the hotel Vaughn and I were staying in, there were still fresh roses in a vase by the window, and I tore the petals off three buds and threw them into the cup. Finally, I mashed it all together and recited, “Wrap thee in cotton, bind thee in love, protection from pain, free as a dove.”

  I repeated the spell over and over, until my voice grew hoarse and my energy began to fade. Finally, Skyler’s breathing seemed to grow stronger, and her eyes opened. “Tansy, you found me.” She inhaled. “I knew you would.”

  I slumped over, drained but relieved. She was awake, and her color looked better.

  Then I heard footsteps in the hallway. Was one of the girls coming back? I froze when the handle to the door turned.

  Dare I chance it? I rummaged through my bag, found my scissors, and snipped a lock of her hair, which felt brittle and dry. She didn’t stir, but I whispered, “I’ll see you soon, Skyler.”

  It was a promise.

  …

  I managed to shove the lock of hair in my pocket before Gary walked into the hotel suite. “Who are you?” he asked, giving me a suspicious look.

  My mind went blank.

  He grabbed my arm and hauled me to my feet. Exhaustion hit me, and I staggered. I tried to talk, but my throat had closed up.

  “Time for you to go,” he said. He shoved me out of the room and slammed the door.

  I needed water. My throat was tightening, like someone was squeezing it in a vise. I started to wheeze, frantically trying to force some air into my lungs.

  Black spots swam in my vision. I fumbled for my phone and typed out my location before I fell.

  I woke to the sound of Vaughn’s voice. “Tansy, I’ve been looking all over for you. Please, please wake up.”

  Where was I? My eyes snapped open to meet Vaughn’s gaze. I was laying a
cross his lap. We were on the floor in the hotel hallway, and he was cradling me in his arms.

  “It’s okay,” he said. “Don’t try to talk yet. Do you want some water?”

  I nodded, and he held up an open water bottle to my lips. I drank greedily. The pain in my throat eased.

  “How did you find me?” I asked. I sounded like I’d been sucking barbed wire lollipops.

  “You sent me a text,” he replied. “Don’t you remember?”

  I nodded again, not trusting my voice.

  We sat on the floor until I finally felt like I could breathe again.

  “I got the lock of Skyler’s hair,” I said. I told him what had happened, how I’d been too weak to fight when Gary had thrown me out of the hotel room.

  He ran a comforting hand down my back. “We have time.”

  “We do?”

  “I got the gig,” Vaughn said. “You’re looking at the new drummer for The Drainers.”

  “That’s good news.” I snuggled my face into his neck.

  “All good?”

  “It will be,” I said. “Once I give Travis a trim.”

  I needed to cast the spell as soon as possible. I wasn’t sure Skyler had much time left.

  Chapter Sixteen

  I walked into Vaughn’s first practice with The Drainers, trailing behind him. I tugged on my violet micromini, trying to make the hemline a little longer. I’d paired it with tall white boots, which concealed the drumstick I’d used to kill Fang. I felt safer when it was with me.

  There was a long whistle. “Fresh meat,” the keyboard player said.

  Armando was the most traditionally handsome guy in the band, with high cheekbones and flirty brown eyes, but inside, he was as rotten as the other two.

  Vaughn glared at him. “She’s off-limits.”

  Travis jumped off the stage. If I had tried that move, I would have broken something. I blinked, and then he was standing in front of me. Incredible vampire speed, check.

  “Who’s this?” Travis asked. His gaze crawled over my body. Vaughn drew me closer to his side.