Page 102 of Vampire so Virtuous
She cupped Eve’s neck in her hand, holding her still as she spoke into her ear. “We’re leaving. Right now. Let’s get Priya away from Mike, and then drag her to the exit if we have to.”
Eve nodded, her expression grave.
Cally pushed past Mike to reach Priya. Doing the whole mouth-to-ear thing that was so tiresome. “We’re going to the ladies’. Coming?”
Priya shook her head. “I’m fine.”
Cally leaned in again. “Come with us.”
She flicked her eyes to Mike and shook her head again.
Muffling her frustration, Cally leaned in one last time. “I didn’t want to say anything, but you’ve got something green in your teeth. Let’s get that sorted out, yeah?”
Priya was slipping off her stool before Cally had finished talking.
It was irritating to have to push through the crowd to reach the bathrooms when they could’ve gone straight for the exit, but they needed to talk to Priya first, and it was the only place they could have a conversation. Why did clubs have to be so loud?
Maybe she wouldn’t have minded if she were here to dance, but with her mood so off-kilter, the heavy bass beat was a torturous pounding in her head.
The bathrooms were against the side wall, fortunately nearer the exit than the bar, but still a struggle to reach with the crowds so thick. Didn’t theyhave capacity limits in this place? She shoved through the throng, Priya following, Eve bringing up the rear—almost like a sheepdog, ensuring their objective was carefully herded. Cally kept turning to check they were behind her, and Eve would nod her encouragement each time.
Eventually, they broke through and reached the bathrooms. A queue outside didn’t stop Cally; she walked straight past. One woman put out a hand, her expression irate.
“Sorry,” Cally grimaced apologetically, glancing back at Eve. “My friend has a tampon emergency.”
No objections followed, just sympathetic looks, and those who witnessed the exchange moved out of her way, guessing the urgency even if they hadn’t heard the conversation.
The bathrooms were crowded inside, but at least quiet enough to talk without yelling. Barely.
Priya went straight to the washbasins and mirrors, but Cally took her elbow and steered her into a corner. Eve helped, fencing her in.
“We’re getting out of here, Priya,” Cally gave it to her bluntly. “This place is shady, and I’m sorry to tell you, but so is Mike.”
Priya looked between them, eyes widening, expression falling. “What? No, I—”
“He said something to the barman, who put something in your glass. Did you see that?” Cally mentally crossed her fingers; Priya wouldn’t have seen, not only because it didn’t happen, but because the barman had hardly begun to pour her wine before they’d walked off.
But fear was a great motivator. Priya’s eyes widened again. “Are you sure?”
“Hundred percent,” Eve said grimly. “This is why Cally and I wanted to come with you tonight. There’s some not very nice rumors about the Discord group Mike came from. Lots of stuff happening to girls.”
Priya’s eyes welled with tears. “But Mike is—”
“Mike is known here,” Cally said firmly. “And it’s no coincidence the barman is in on it. They’ve got something going on.” She took Priya’s unresisting hand gently. “Let’s get you homesafely.”
Priya looked between them again, but her resolve seemed to crumble when Eve nodded too. She dashed her tears away. “All right.” Her chin lifted. “Thatbastard.”
“Hold on to that thought,” Cally said. “Let’s get out of here.”
She didn’t let go of Priya’s hand as they left the bathrooms, staying close to the wall where there were fewer people. It was a faster option than tryingto force their way through the dancers again. They arrived back at the entrance door, and there was no sign of Mike. They’d been quick; with any luck, he was waiting at the bar, expecting them to still be queueing.
The bouncer didn’t say anything, just opened the door when Cally pointed. He didn’t care who left, only how many were coming in.
But the bouncer on the other side wasn’t so indifferent. “Didn’t you three just arrive?” he asked, as soon as the door was closed and the volume had mercifully dropped.
Cally pushed Priya’s hand into Eve’s and shooed them on. “My friend’s had a bad personal situation, and we need to go,” she told him. “We were really looking forward to tonight, too.” She gave him a smile that was all charm. “I hope we can come back soon.”
“Girls like you are always welcome,” the bouncer said.
