“It’s worse than you realize. This is a blood den,” Nathan said grimly.
At that, Deborah scooted closer to me, fear showing as she stared at the wildly gyrating bodies in front of us. “I’ve heard of those. They’re supposed to be really bad.”
“You have no idea. Only the lowest of the low among our kind frequent places like this. Humans who wander into blood dens rarely survive. Most are drained and left for dead.”
Deborah covered her mouth. She pressed against my side, one hand clutching my arm in a vain attempt to find comfort.
I couldn’t help but look at the humans around us. The pain-filled faces. Terror in their eyes. Fear soaking the air and turning it acrid.
They never stopped dancing. I suspected they wouldn’t until they died—or a vampire came along to drain them.
“Don’t think about it,” Nathan advised me. “There’s nothing you can do to help them right now.”
I nodded, knowing he was right and hating it. “Do you know where we’re supposed to go?”
Nathan jerked his chin at the opposite side of the room and the door just barely visible. “I’m betting there.”
“Of course,” I griped, disgusted.
To get to that door, we’d have to fight our way through the throng.
“Stay close. Whatever you do, don’t leave my side,” Nathan advised.
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
The last thing I wanted to do was get separated in this place. I had a feeling it would end badly for me and Deborah.
Deborah nodded enthusiastically. “Don’t stray. Got it.”
Nathan touched her nose playfully. “Make sure your master listens, and I promise to do my best to ensure you live through this night.”
“No problem,” Deborah assured him with a look at me that promised retribution if I fucked this up.
With one last uneasy glance in my direction, Nathan forged onto the dance floor. I tucked Deborah in front of me, sandwiching her between us as we followed closely on his heels.
When the crush of bodies made it difficult to stay together, Deborah grabbed my hand in hers, using the other to hold onto Nathan’s belt so we didn’t risk getting separated.
Even then our passage was slow and difficult. There were too many people. The crowded dance floor making it nearly impossible to slip through without having to resort to force.
I ducked, nearly getting clocked in the face as a dancer flung her arms out, her movements possessing a frenetic energy that matched the pounding bass of the music.
“Aileen,” Deborah breathed, her hand loosening around mine.
Her eyelashes fluttered as she let go of Nathan’s belt.
I caught her before she could join the dancers. “I think maybe you’re the one he should have warned instead.”
Maneuvering quickly, I switched positions with Deborah so that I was the one holding onto Nathan’s belt with one hand and her with the other.
“You good?” Nathan mouthed over his shoulder.
“Keep going. We’re fine.”
Just had to make sure I didn’t lose my companion to the madness.
Nathan took me at my word, forging ahead.
Deborah’s gaze regained a little bit of focus as she looked around her in confusion. “What just happened?”
