I wonder about that as I stand in the queue, ignoring the approving—and not-so-subtly disapproving—stares I get from other people in line. Not my problem that they didn’t have a werewolf and a mage to go shop for them. I bite back a smile at the thought. Sam is like the personification of every guy I wanted to be when I was working through my sexuality as a teen. Hot and composed and stylish and powerful…
I grew up to be a little different to that. It’s fine. I’ve got what I’ve got, and at the time, it’s not like I knew that being a vampire was an option. Probably for the best. I already went through an iffyInterview with the Vampirephase when I was fifteen.
But yeah. Their whole pack seems to have such an interesting dynamic, and I really want to be closer with them, toseethat up close if nothing else, but I don’t want to lose whatever I have with Vlad and the rest of the Hunt, either. Vlad’s and my relationship has been strained over the past few months, but what does that mean in the grand scheme of things? The faintbond between us pulses. Some kind of fae connection, rather than the usual sire-turn bond.
I let it slip from my mind as I reach the front of the queue. The beat of the music reaches me from beyond the door and, despite everything, excitement fizzes in my stomach. When I first figured out how to sneak out of the base, clubbing was basically all I wanted to do, and it’s been a few years since then, but I enjoyed it.
The bouncer doesn’t so much as smile as he checks my ID, but he doesn’t pat me down either, so I grin and walk inside once he waves me through. We’re here early enough that entry is free, and I slip past a group of women on a hen do as I attempt to find the bar.
The club is split into two main rooms—one louder, lights flashing, people already on the dance floor. I don’t feel a hint of anything supernatural in there, so I take a turn around before I slip out again and head for the other.
Music still plays in this one, but it’s a little quieter to my ears. The dance floor is smaller, and there are seats, kind of like booths, along one wall.
There are at least five vampires in here, too. Two—a man and a woman—are swaying together on the dance floor. I’m certain they’re not drunk, but they’re acting like it. Another is behind the bar.
Four and five are in one of the booths. Well, one is standing outside, dressed like any bodyguard I’ve ever seen on TV. The other is Jakob. I stride over to the bar, doing my best to act as though I’ve hardly noticed any of them. He perks his head up all the same, and I feel his eyes on me as I slip between two humans and rest my elbows on the bar top.
I don’t think he has fae magic, even if he’s working with one of them. Wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t. I don’t think the fae like to share, our Huntsman aside. The bond between me and Vladpulses again, and I don’t feel his vampire presence, but I know he’s in this room with me all the same. Sure enough, he appears in my periphery further down the bar. Hopefully, no one will work out what he is.
One strange vampire stumbling into this club is one thing. Two is suspicious, no matter which way we slice it.
The woman on my left gets her drink, and the bartender turns to the man on my right. I’ve been so focused on Jakob and Vlad that I don’t even realise he’s talking to me until he rubs a hand over my shoulder.
“Sorry?”
“I asked what you were drinking,” he says, tone affable. The bartender narrows his eyes at me. He knows I’m a vampire; I’m not hiding that. “Let me get you one.”
I grin. I think Jakob’s still watching me, and I need an in. Anything I can get. “Sure! Gin and tonic?”
“Nice choice,” the stranger says, and he nods at the bartender, whose suspicious expression twists into straight-up annoyance before he turns to get our drinks. “I’m Steve. What’s your name?”
“Quinn,” I say and instantly regret it. Didn’t think to come up with a fake name earlier, did I? I really should have, considering I’m supposed to get close to Jakob at some point.
“Pretty name, pretty face…” Steve winks as the bartender sets our drinks down in front of us. He’s still eyeing me suspiciously, and I have to assume he works for Jakob, considering this ishisclub. “What brings you to Margate?”
“Oh, you don’t think I’m from here?”
“I think I’d have noticed you before if you were.”
I grin and take a sip of my drink. He’s trying, and it’s not his fault I’m not interested. I tilt my head, taking a good look at him. He appears to be in his late thirties, maybe early forties, andwhat I can see of his body through his tight jumper and jeans is not too shabby at all.
But I’m not interested in a human. I’m not interested in anyone who isn’t Vlad.
Still, I smile again when he looks right back, and out of the corner of my eye, I notice that Jakob’s bodyguard has edged a little closer. Under orders? I hope so.
“Just thought I might check out the city,” I say with a shrug. I lean against the bar, angling my body so Steve thinks he has my full attention. Just play it like I don’t wanna pay for drinks all night. I’ve done that before. Easy-peasy. “Got any recommendations?”
“Well, I happen to know a very nice house not far from here. Stone’s throw from the beach. Three large bedrooms…”
“Getting ahead of yourself, aren’t you?”
“Never said it was my house.”
“Oh, so a friend’s?Reallygetting ahead of yourself there, Steve.”
He laughs into his drink, and it sounds real. The energy coming off him feels genuine enough. He’s just a nice guy looking for a good time, and he might think he’s far older than me, but there’s definitely someone here who’ll be into that.
We chat for a bit as we finish our drinks, and all the while, my attention is on Jakob’s bodyguard, edging closer in my periphery. Does he think he’s being subtle? Maybe he is. No one else seems to have noticed—no one but Vlad, who is nursing his own drink against a back wall. He looks like he’s watching the dance floor, but I know better than that, too.
