“I am glad to hear that,” he said. “I really enjoy our conversations. I find solace in your company.”
“Me too,” I replied, meeting his intense gaze, my pulse quickening.
Draven moved closer to me. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of my hair from my face. “I feel a strong sense of protectiveness toward you. You occupy my thoughts far more than I dare to admit.” My breath caught as his fingers traced along my cheek, “These were never here before,” he said, mentioning my freckles.
I looked away, embarrassed. “They appear when I am in the sun. I always thought they looked rather ... dirty.”
“They are beautiful,” he said, and his hand lowered and traced along my lips to the freckles above the top lip. “You are beautiful.” Draven’s voice was barely a whisper as he leaned in closer, our lips almost touching. “May I kiss you?”
I paused for a moment, my heart pounding in my chest, then I took a step back, bumping into the door of the bedroom. I reached for the doorknob behind me, and a small, sly smile played on my lips. I leaned toward him, my heart pounding.
“No,” I said softly and opened the door. “I do not wish for people to think I am a whore.” I added, before entering the room and closing the door behind me.
SEVENTEEN
January 8, 2010
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 areSungods. 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.
