Page 87 of Wicked Bite
“No.”
“Then why are you?” After three days stuck in my room, I’d been getting antsy for something to do. There were only so many days of binge-watching Criminal Minds a girl could take before everyone around her became a serial killer in her head.
Atlas Savage, the last person I expected to see at my door, had appeared there ready to take me out. He was already dressed in boots, jeans, a long winter coat, and hat. He’d handed me a pair of gloves and said, “Let’s go.” Let’s go. And that was it, we were out walking the streets of London. I’d always wanted to experience London during Christmastime. It was only a few days away, and the decorations were in full swing. White lights were strung from one side of the street to the other. They dripped down like glowing icicles, lighting up the whole street in warm twinkling lights. Every storefront was adorned with Christmas decorations—golden ornaments, bright red ribbon, garland, and lights. It was all so magical.
“I thought you might want to burn some energy off. Being trapped in the castle can be quite the experience.” He didn’t look down at me or even try to impress me in the least. Atlas was, at his core, whatever he wanted to be. He didn’t put on airs or a show. People either accepted him for what he was, or they didn’t. Either way, it looked like he didn’t give a shit.
“It’s nice of you.” I swallowed around the ache in my throat.
His brow furrowed and he scoffed. “Nice is not a word I’d use to describe myself.”
Flurries twirled down from the sky, and I could see every facet of each snowflake as it fell to the street. There was a buzz about this city. It wasn’t like New York in the sense that everything was all-go and no-play. It was more uplifting and happier, like an uber posh Christmas. Everything was elegant and tasteful. Music drifted from down the street and people smiled as they too sang along while walking by. Everyone was bundled in their scarves and hats. People stood next to red buckets, ringing bells as others dropped money in. I could smell each of them as though they were individual meals. Everyone had different blood, and it all appealed in some way, especially the ones that’d had too much hot cocoa.
It was curious to me that Atlas would want to take the time to do something like this. It was all so human and cute. “How would you describe yourself?”
“I’m a rather puzzling specimen.” He paused and turned to face me. “Do you plan on asking so many questions?”
“Do you plan on avoiding them?”
He glanced around as if not knowing what to do with himself. “Do females always talk this much?”
I could’ve been offended but I wasn’t. “So I see your experience is limited with the opposite sex. Good to know. It’ll help when I try to find you a girlfriend.”
“Oh, if love ever dare find me, I will do my best to go the other way.” He chuckled.
That was just sad to me. I may have gotten my heart broken, but if I was being honest with myself, I still wanted it. From the right guy of course. But I did with every fiber of my being. “Why?”
He shook his head. “Because love is a curse.”
“How would you know?”
“I’ve seen the effects enough. I think it’s something to be avoided at all costs.” He motioned to me. “Case in point. You love him, but does he love you?”
“Um . . . ouch, Atlas.” I gave his arm a little playful shove.
He looked down to where I’d pushed him. “No one has ever done that before.”
“What?”
“Pushed me.” He motioned to his arm.
I shrugged. “You deserved it . . . Going after my love life like that. Or the lack thereof.”
“You went after mine, which makes yours fair game.” He chuckled.
I sighed. “Fair point. But if you change the subject, then I will too. Deal?”
“Deal.” He pursed his lips and looked around. “Soooo, are you hungry?”
“No, I’m good.” I lied. Truth was, I’d tried almost all the blood samples that’d been sent to my room. I could only manage a few sips before my stomach turned and I wretched it all out. I knew I had to tell someone, but Atlas didn’t seem the sort for health confessions. When we got back to the castle, I would go see the good doctor. Until then, I’d be fine.
“Good. Then let’s have some fun.” He jerked his chin toward a tall white building with a black awning surrounding it. The building was three stories tall and looked like an old theatre with white columns running from one floor to the next. A glass dome sat on the top of the building, with an archways on either side of it. A huge line extended from the front door and wrapped around the corner.
My stomach burned and cramped, but I forced a smile. I wasn’t going to miss time exploring London because of a little stomachache. “Let’s.”
Atlas bypassed the whole line and headed straight for the door. The bouncer took one look at him and opened the rope to let him in. He walked by and right into the club. My vampire senses went into overload. Neon lights flashed across the room, blinding me. The walls were a bright red with golden trim. I tipped my head back, looking up at the three other floors all looking down on us. Lights blared from the stage, and the music filled the whole club. It was all too overwhelming, too much. People flooded in around me and I could feel the blood pumping in their veins.
Atlas melted into the crowd, and I felt the music take me. My body moved of its own accord to the beat of the music. Smells filled my nose, and the heat of the living called the predator in me. Starving didn’t even begin to describe how I felt. My fangs ached to come down and sink into the flesh. My throat burned and I needed to end the scorching pain. I spun around in a circle and danced my way through the crowd. I threw my hat and gloves to the floor and let my jacket fall off, revealing my tight black sweater dress. My hips swayed and my shirt rode up, exposing my stomach. I threw my hands over my head, letting my body move however it wanted.
