Page 51 of A Velvet Kiss After Dark

Alexis and Seth remained in the tavern below near a fire that crackled in the hearth. They looked miserable and like they were ready for a fresh meal. Graham sat in a quiet corner alone, a pint of some beverage in his hand as he rested his tired forehead against the wall and cradled his abdomen.

Kane had left her alone to go do Lord knows what, and Tabitha was left to revel in a hot bath all alone, safely tucked behind a locked door. The tub was durable and made of metal that looked like tin, and a bar of sweet-smelling soap was given to her, though the texture was grittier than she was used to. She scrubbed her hair twice with it and washed her skin thoroughly before relaxing against the tub.

She let out the first relaxed breath since she'd arrived in Hell.

However, no sooner did the muscles and tendons relax, did she hear the tell-tale sign of Kane's heavy combat boots making their way to her from the hallway. Great, grumpy McFacewolf was back. Just in time to try to ruin her happy spell.

He knocked hard three times.

"Just a second," she called out and made quick work of drying off with the sheet that had been left beside the basin. She answered the door and ushered Kane inside. The room suddenly felt cramped and far too small. "Listen," she turned to him, "are you going to bathe now or do I have time to take a nap?"

He gave her a mean look and launched his backpack onto the bed before emptying its contents everywhere. He started to re-organize it thoroughly and expeditiously. He'd been in a foul move ever since she naysaid his hand-coddling. Oh, well. She wasn't a baby, and she did allow it, eventually.

"Listen," he said, "we can't linger here. We're on a time limit. Why don't you get dressed and you can wait downstairs with the Graham and the others while I wash?"

She was a little peeved he wouldn't look her in the eye as he spoke, but who cares. Anger is anger. She supposed they were in a bit of a tiff ever since they arrived here, and it'd only gotten worse after their argument. Plus, the townspeople had stared at her like she was a spectacle, and she didn't understand why; other than she was pronouncedly more pale, short, and human looking than the two huge werewolves and two tall, slender vampires practically barricading her in. "It was probably just the smell," she'd tried to tell him, sensing his jealousy, but he'd only scoffed at her.

"Fine, but you'll need to leave so I can finish getting dressed," Tabitha said, her teeth toying with her bottom lip in a nervous gesture.

He fished out a wrapped piece of granola bar and tore into it as he stuffed everything back inside neatly. He had a shirt and other things rolled into a tight bundle that she supposed were clean clothes set aside for him to wear. Good for him, she thought. After grabbing his backpack and shoving his arms through the straps, he stepped outside the door and waited for her to close and bolt it.

She made haste in getting dressed. The innkeeper had given her a bright fuchsia- dress that hung loose like a sun dress around her knees. It hung, unfortunately for her, off the shoulder, baring far too much skin, but it was perfect for the hot, detestable temperatures of Hell-realm. She made a plan to wash her regular clothes as soon as Kane was done bathing. She could let them line dry in front of the fireplace down below, she hoped, and be ready to leave in no time. Already, she felt like a million bucks. Between the thick, orange juice in the jug, and the fresh fruit that made her feel surprisingly parched, she felt ready to break bread and have a real, hearty meal for once. She needed to keep her energy up, because they'd be leaving soon. And, God knows how long they had to travel for.

Opening the door, she let him in, only to see him flinch as he caught sight of her. "That's what you're wearing?" he bit out.

She rubbed self-consciously at her bare shoulders. "Not ideal, I know, but I'm going to wash my clothes and put them back on." She detested the tight-fitting jeans and blouse she'd been in, but those clothes were her only belongings down here, and she'd take comfort over pretty any day.

"Just leave them here, and I'll take care of it."

"Uh, okay," she said nervously, and then quickly shut the door behind her. She'd only made it three steps before the door opened swiftly and Kane was once again beside her glowering.

He snatched her hand roughly. The man was getting more stressed by the minute. She rather hoped he'd be more relaxed after cleaning the blood and sweat off of him. "I told you before, you don't go anywhere without me. We're taking no chances, Tabitha."

He was so serious and so stressed, she relented. "Alright, fine."

Kane walked her down the stairs and sat her next to Graham, who wearily opened one eye to peer at her.

"Keep her safe with your life."

Graham grimaced. "I don't take your promise, mate. Too weak. Ask those two," he said, nodding towards Alexis and Seth.

The vampires sat so still and quiet, that they almost appeared as apparitions, like ghosts of old human beings. Tabitha almost chuckled. She chose to plop down at the table next to Graham and even managed a tight smile up at Kane. "There," she said. "All safe."

He growled at her, and it scared her. This was the angry werewolf-merc she'd always known. "Fine, just don't move a muscle."

She shrugged and pretended to find a fascinating spot on the wood table before her, scratching at the lines with her fingernail till he jogged away.

"Geez, what's gotten in to him?" she muttered.

"Eh, the man's in love, what do you expect?" Graham said, both dreary eyes open now and staring listlessly across the room.

Fortunately, they were the only ones in attendance, save for the innkeeper who moved behind a bar and in and out of a door behind it, working.

Tabitha spared Graham a patient glance, and then couldn't stop the laughter that bubbled out. She looked at Alexis and felt a pang of resentment fill her. The vampire was gorgeous. Long silvery hair, a perfect supermodel figure, a blood-leach, Kane would call her. Tabitha had never been a particular beauty: more like cute, adorable, spunky, and a little bit curvy where it counted.

"I didn't know Kane had a girl."

Graham laughed and scratched at the back of his neck. Now that she had bathed and he had yet too, she found herself scooting away from him to put some much needed space between them. "The man hates vampires, Tabitha."

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