“Thanks. I’ve got to go.”
Getting in my rental car, I had no idea where to even begin looking for Scout and the boat she was probably already on.
So, instead, I drove to the bar. I was let in without hesitation, as I was Ginata’s VIP guest. I went straight to the bar, where an unfamiliar vampire was taking drink orders. He came over with a polite smile and asked me what drink I wanted.
“Actually, I’m looking for Landon. I’m supposed to be meeting him and his girlfriend,” I called out. The new bartender grinned wide.
“Ah, so you’re their fourth? Good for you.I hear good things about the girl. She’s Bloodborn.”
I clenched my teeth together and forced a nod. He looked uneasy but pulled out his phoneanyway.
“I’ll text him. You know you don’t have to hide here. You can take off the glasses.” He pointed to my face.
I blinked. I had grown so used to wearing them in public over the last three decades I often times forgot about them completely. I chose to leave them on.
The bartender went to help other patrons but,within five minutes,returned to me with a dock address.
“The party is there. Have fun.” He winked.
I fought the urge to rip out his throat and instead thanked him and quickly exited before I did something stupid.
The address was easy to find with my phone. Thankfully, I was there in thirty minutes, and the boat was still attached to the dock.
Lights were on all over,and music was blaring loudly from somewhere inside it. As I stepped out of my car, I noticed someone large standing on the dock.
Security.
I strolled over to him, hands in my pockets and everything. I smiled at him,but he didn’t smile back.
“I’m here to meet with Scout and Landon,”I told him.
“The party is full. Go back the other way.”
I opened my mouth and furrowed my brows. “I’m confused. They invited me here. For the—” I paused, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Fun.”
The man laughed, causing my blood to start boiling. “Fun? I’ve heard stories about the people already up there. Fun is not what they are gonna do tonight.”
I crossed my arms. “Yeah? And what are they planning?”
“Let’s put it this way, when that group is done with that pretty little Bloodborn, no one else will want her.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Red. My vision was turning red.
The man eyed me with suspicion and shook his head. He pointed to my car. “Leave. Before,I don’t give you the option.”
My tongue ran over my fangs,and I laughed out loud.
“I love your confidence. I suggest you move and let me on that boat before I make it the last thing you hear.”
He scoffed. “You? I’m twice your size, easily. What are you gonna do?”
I raised my fists up and cracked my knuckles. It’d been a long time since I dealt with an asshole like this. I grinned as I slid my glasses off. He looked at me with surprise,and I stepped forward. “Oh, I’m so glad you asked.”
27
The bottle felt hot in my dress pocket. The liquid inside the tiny vial burned my side almost as hard as it had when I’d been stabbed months ago.
