Crystal pulled me in close. I leaned in, still covering my face with my crossed arms.
“Life doesn’t always play out the way we plan it. That’s what makes it such a great adventure. You never know what is around the next corner.”
I tried to stifle the sounds of my sniffles.
“Tell me something,” Crystal asked. “If you were still mortal, what would you be doing right now?”
I didn’t need to think about it. The answer came out as quickly as she had asked it. “I would be at the café, waiting to meet my friend Fallon, like I do every night.”
“Ah! You see, you would have done the same old thing you always do. Where is the adventure in that?”
I hadn’t considered that I had been living in a bit of a rut of work, college, café, and friends. I had become a bit stagnant in my daily life. It still didn’t stop me from missing my friends or the comforts of home.
“But my friends...”
“There is no doubt that you had the best of friends. We all did. The start of any new journey is usually met with sadness for the things and people we will miss. Take comfort that they are still out there, alive and well. At some point, when you’re more at ease with yourself and what you have become, you may be able to see them again. You’re in a hard transition right now. It will take time to separate your old life and your new one. You have to concentrate on becoming more comfortable with the new you, right now.”
She leaned her head to my shoulder and stroked my hair slowly.
“Perhaps our arrival here was perfectly timed. You look like you’re in desperate need of some fun and excitement. How would you like to go out with me tonight?”
I lifted my head and wiped my tear-stained face. The idea of getting away from the house was tempting, but I doubted Lysander would allow it.
“We can go without Lysander,” she said, as if she had read my thoughts. “I’ll have a word with him.”
“Yeah, sure, let’s get out of here.”
Chapter 14
I DID MY best to wipe my face clean of tears before entering the house. The last thing I wanted was for anyone, especially Lysander, to see that I’d been crying. I rushed inside and made my way to the bathroom. Crystal followed close behind.
I grimaced at the reflection staring back at me in the mirror. Bloody trails of tears marked my pale face.
“Let’s get you cleaned up, and we’ll have a girls’ night out on the town. Do you have anything else to wear?” Crystal asked.
I looked down at my linen pants and pink camisole. “Um, no. I don’t really have much here. Lysander tried to collect some of my things after…”
“Not to worry,” she said with a mischievous smile. “I think I might have something sexy that will fit you.”
Crystal disappeared and returned quickly holding a silky blue and purple swirl-patterned halter top and a very short, pleated black miniskirt.
“Wow… um, thanks!”
Crystal winked, handing over the clothes to me.
I tied the halter top at the back of my neck. I felt a little awkward. I almost never wore skimpy clothes like this.
Crystal’s hand brushed against my tattoo as she helped me tie the lower portion of the halter at my mid-back.
“What a beautiful butterfly,” she said, running her finger over the tribal design.
“Oh, thanks. I forget it’s there sometimes.”
“Is it symbolic of anything?”
“Yeah, freedom.” I turned to look at her. “You know, a butterfly has to break free of its cocoon before it can fly. That kind of thing.”
“Then you should do the same. Break free of the weight of your old life and learn to fly with the new opportunities you have been given.”
I gave Crystal an understanding smile. “Thanks.”
“Now, if we’re going to be around people, we need to look the part,” Crystal said, grabbing a makeup compact out of a small black bag sitting on the counter. “Best not to attract any more attention than you’ll already get, wearing this outfit.” She gave me a quick wink and brushed powder on my face with a short, fat kabuki brush.
Jessie walked by the bathroom. Crystal spoke without turning to look at her. “Care to join us?” she asked, smiling as she held up the compact of face powder.
“Uh, sure,” Jessie said slowly with a hint of unease, as if she questioned our motives. “What are you doing?”
“We’re going to take Alyssa out for a night of fun.”
Jessie hesitated before responding, “Yeah, all right. Sure. I’ll go, too.” She took a few steps down the hallway, disappearing out of view. Her voice trailed behind her. “Give me a bit of time to get ready, okay?”
“Sure thing,” Crystal cheerfully replied, and continued applying the powder to my face. “Jessie is young, too, you know. She’s only been with us for a couple of years.”
“And what about you?” I asked. I realized the question sounded rude about two seconds after the words escaped from my mouth. Thankfully, Crystal didn’t seem to take offense. She continued with my makeover without missing a beat.
“Oh, I’ve been around for a little longer,” she said, reaching for a tube of lipstick. “My husband, Andrew, and I were turned a few hundred years ago. We gave Rozaline and Nicholas shelter once in our home.”
“You let vampires into your home when you were human?”
“Well, we didn’t know it at the time.” She chuckled, and held my chin to steady my face while she applied the deep red lipstick. “They claimed to be lost travelers in need of shelter. We befriended them, and they turned us, offering us the opportunity to explore the world with them.”
“Wow, that’s pretty cool, I guess. Speaking of your husband, he won’t mind you going out tonight without him, will he?”
“No, of course not, Alyssa. Why would he mind?” She gave me a quizzical look before returning to her makeup bag. She dug through the contents, setting aside various containers.
I blotted the dark red lipstick with a tissue while her back was turned. “Most guys don’t want their women going out dressed like this, without them.”
“Not to worry, Alyssa.” She chuckled again. She turned and faced me, armed with a dark brown eye pencil. “Our marriage has seen the centuries turn. We are well beyond the simple and juvenile ideals of man and wife. We are partners and choose to remain partners without limitations on what each can and cannot do. I must say I do get a laugh at the modern concept of marriage. Most people can’t make it five years, let alone five hundred.”
She finished my makeup and picked up a brush and comb. I watched her reflection in the mirror as she slowly pulled the brush through my hair. She appeared to be enjoying each stroke, smiling serenely, like a mother doting on her small child. I was happy to be sitting there with her, and wondered why I had been so opposed to them staying with us in the first place. I never imagined that immortals, vampires no less, could be so kind.
She worked my hair into a tight, high ponytail, leaving a few choice strands to hang by my face. When she was finished I stood up, admiring myself in the mirror, pleasantly surprised at the reflection staring back at me.
I’m me again.
It was like she had given new life to my dead, blue-gray eyes. My face no longer appeared pale. Thanks to the makeup, it again carried a light peach tint with soft hints of rose at my cheeks.
“Acceptable?” Crystal asked, with a questioning look.
I turned back towards her with a smile so wide I was sure it reached my ears. “I look like my old self again. Thank you so much.” I threw my arms around her in a quick embrace.
Lysander appeared at the doorway to the bathroom. “Alyssa, I…” He looked momentarily stunned. His eyes grew wide as he stared at me. “You look…”
I smiled coyly.
“Lysander, can I have a word?” Crystal asked.
Lysander seemed unable, or unwilling, to look away from me. “Uh, words. Yes. What do you need, Alyssa, I mean, Crystal?”
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“I’d like to take Alyssa out tonight.”
I enjoyed the way he stared. I caught a hint of desire in his beautiful eyes and savored it for a moment, before winking flirtatiously and turning away.
“Lysander, did you hear me?” Crystal asked. “I’d like to take Alyssa with me tonight.”
“What?” He blinked and turned to Crystal. “No. I don’t think that is a good idea.”
Great, here he goes again. My smile faded.
“She is young and inexperienced. I don’t want her going out without me.”
Crystal laughed and patted Lysander on the shoulder. “Nonsense. You act as if I have not sired before. She will be perfectly safe with me. I’ll make sure she doesn’t get into any trouble.”
“She is my charge, not yours.”
“And smothering her will not teach her anything.” Crystal’s voice remained calm and firm as she spoke. “She must have freedom to develop.”
Lysander’s eyes flashed from Crystal’s to mine and met my pleading, hopeful gaze with a stern look. He took a slow, deep breath, and then reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Fine,” he huffed. Go.”
I bit my lip, trying to hide my excitement. I wanted to squeal like a teenage girl, but I couldn’t let Lysander see that.
He turned around quickly and disappeared from view. I heard the bedroom door at the end of the hall slam.
I knew Lysander was mad at being forced to go against his will by Crystal, and I didn’t care. I was happy to be able to leave, even if it was just for one night. I wanted a little fun.
Crystal quickly readied herself, and the three of us, Jessie, Crystal, and I, set out for our girls’ night. We took Lysander’s Jeep to get us from the suburbs into the heart of the city.
Crystal drove us around while I pointed out various clubs. The drive took forever, as none of us could agree on a place to stop.
Finally, we found a small club located just off the main Strip. A bright neon sign flashed, and a large crowd queued at the door.
“What a wonderful-sounding place. ‘The Drink.’ Don’t mind if I do.” Jessie’s excitement was a little unnerving. Until she said this, I had almost forgotten that I was in a car filled with vampires. Her desire to drink meant some poor soul probably wouldn’t be going home tonight.
That thought reminded me that it had been a little while since I last hunted. Thankfully, the beast was calm; but I knew I would have to be on guard, careful to not give in while surrounded by so many people.
We parked and headed towards the end of the line, which stretched around the corner, almost to the back of the building.
Gentlemen waiting in the line didn’t hide their lustful gazes as we sauntered towards them. I could almost feel their eyes undressing me as I stood there.
My nerves got the better of me. I remembered Lysander’s advice and breathed through my mouth. I didn’t want to allow the beast inside to ruin my night of fun.
Jessie wasted no time, walking up to one of the ogling men. He was a tall, skinny man dressed in a royal blue button-down shirt and black slacks. She started up a conversation with him and within moments, they walked around the back of the building and disappeared.
“Where is she going?” I whispered to Crystal.
“Do I really have to tell you?” Her eyebrow rose slightly and her lips pulled up into a toothy grin.
“Oh, that.” Guess we don’t all hunt criminals.
We waited at the end of the line for Jessie to return. There was no sound of a struggle or any indication of what she was doing. Only Crystal and I knew the truth.
Jessie returned a few moments later, wobbling a bit, looking a little drunk. Her hair was slightly askew. She appeared to be counting out dollar bills. Jessie giggled and tossed aside what looked like a man’s wallet. “Only a hundred on that guy.”
She smiled as if nothing sinister had just taken place.
“Did you just… rob him?” I asked in shock.
“Well, he wasn’t going to need the money anymore,” Jessie snapped at me, pocketing the small wad of cash. “We need money, too. We’re not all rich elders, you know.”
I hadn’t thought about money, but it did make sense. We might not need food and drink, but we still needed clothing and shelter, and those didn’t come free. Lysander had not given me a reason, yet, to need money. In fact, he had not even mentioned it to me over the course of the last week.
“She meant no harm, Jessie,” Crystal cautioned.
I gulped down my revulsion. “No, I’m not judging or anything. I was just surprised. I just didn’t think of that. Sorry.” I hoped I sounded convincing enough.
Need or not, I couldn’t believe she’d just attacked, killed, and robbed a guy while we stood in line for the club.
What was worse, was the fact that I was already feeling the small pangs of my own hunger. All it took was the thought of blood to awaken the beast.
“Okay, whatever, it’s fine.” Jessie ran her hands through her hair, smoothing out the pieces that had been disturbed while she had fed. “Listen up,” she added smartly, “a frat guy waiting on line for a club usually has cash on him so he can buy drinks for ladies. Target them and you could get a couple hundred easy.”
She spoke so nonchalantly about killing a man and robbing him of his money. What she was doing made sense, but the complete disregard for the person she’d just killed made my stomach turn. At that moment she embodied the monster I was afraid of becoming. I worried that Jessie might sense my feelings. I nodded and forced a smile on my face, trying hard to hide my revulsion.
“Uh, let’s try and see if we can bypass this line,” I said, trying to change the subject. “Let’s head to the front of the line and see if we can get in without the wait.”
We sashayed to the front door. All it took was a little flirty smile and the burly bouncer opened the velvet rope. He smiled, waved his hand, and told us to go inside, ignoring the complaints of the angry people waiting in line.
Wow, it worked. Just like in the movies.
Eyes from all over the black-lit room zeroed in on us as we walked towards the dance floor. Men turned and stared. Women gave us the evil eye.
I allowed myself to breathe in the tantalizing smell of humans all around me. I momentarily lost the mental hold on the beast inside. Pheromones, sweat, and hundreds of perfumes filled my nostrils.
Damn, this place smells so good. Shit, why didn’t I hunt earlier? Okay, breathe through your mouth, Alyssa. Don’t mess this up. These are all innocents in here.
A syncopated bass beat thumped in my body like a second heartbeat, commanding me to move. I loved the feeling. Like a puppet on a string, I let it pull me out to dance. Laser lights, flashing strobes, and colorful spotlights lit the dance floor. My body swayed and rocked, matching the beat of the drum and bass music.
It was only a few moments before various men surrounded me and began to dance with me, each trying to rub against me, hoping they might have a chance to take me home.
A mix of sexual and primal instinct made me select and continue dancing with one.
I knew I shouldn’t get too close, but instinct begged me to breathe him in and savor his aroma. His scent was intoxicating, more so than others in the room: a sultry mix of cologne, sweat, and pheromones. He was mouthwatering, and I wondered if he would taste just as good as he smelled.
Erick had short, spiky blond hair, a chiseled jaw, and gorgeous emerald-green eyes. He wore a pair of loose carpenter jeans and a silky, black button-down shirt with a metallic blue dragon across the bottom.
We danced together, moving and rubbing our bodies rhythmically with the music. He pulled me in close and nibbled at my neck. The gentle graze of his blunt teeth felt odd after Lysander’s bite, yet it was still enticing. Erick whispered things we could do together privately in the VIP room—awakening more than just the bloodthirsty beast.
I gulped as his breath blew against my ear. Breathe through your mouth, I reminded myself as the hung
er inside of me whined and nagged, urging me to go further, to take a small taste. I knew privacy would be a bad thing. I needed to stay out in the public eye.
His heartbeat pulsed hard. I felt each tempting thump as he pressed his body to mine.
“Come have a private drink with me,” he urged.
“But I just want to dance.” No, no, no drinks. Bad idea.
“Please, baby, we can dance in there and get to know each other better.” His hands slid down my side.
Crap, I need an excuse. “I can’t leave my friend all alone.” Coming here was a bad idea.
“Where is your friend?”
I turned and pointed to the bar. Jessie sat with a full glass of some alcoholic drink in front of her and looked bored. “There she is, in the pink tank top at the bar.”
“Bring her too.” His breath blew against my ear again, sending a chill dancing down my spine.
Oh, this is a bad idea. I sighed. Why didn’t I hunt before we came in here? Jessie had spotted me looking at her. I waved her over and mouthed the word “help.”
“C’mon, let’s go.” Erick grabbed me by the hand and pulled me towards the VIP area.
I knew it was a bad idea. I knew I should have said no, but it’s so hard to do that when a cute guy is lavishing attention on you, calling you beautiful, and whispering of the dirty things he wants to do to you. I might be a vampire, but I was still a woman.
He immediately ordered a bottle of champagne as we walked into the room.
The VIP rooms were darkened corners of the club, curtained off with deep purple velvet, allowing for a little privacy. They contained a loveseat, two cushy ottomans, and two small drink tables set on either side of the love seat. Music was only slightly muffled in this VIP area. Jessie and I danced and pretended to drink the glasses we were offered. I had no need for champagne; the smell of Erick’s cologne was stimulating enough. Thirst nagged at me, but I fought it. Erick was an innocent and I didn’t want to live with that guilt.
Realizing that my thirst was starting to get the better of me, I tried to maintain a safe distance as we danced. Erick drained the first bottle of champagne himself, thankfully not noticing that Jessie and I weren’t having any.
Paranormal After Dark: 20 Paranormal Tales of Demons, Shifters, Werewolves, Vampires, Fae, Witches, Magics, Ghosts and More Page 452
