Page 51 of Those That Don't Exist
Five minutes later, no time for drinking blood, Claire and I are leaving the house, leaving Bree behind. She’s on a rest day to work on her routine plans.
Dashing to the campus together we barely speak but I’m so relieved to have my best friend back. The tension between us is completely gone.
Although, I have a much bigger secret now.
CHAPTER 20
AURORA
Matches is packed to the rafters. You won’t be noticed here if you can get away.
Maybe I’ll spare you a dance. ;)
Ihit send on the message to Ty and down the rest of my drink, my second double rum shot of the evening. Having drunk them in quick succession, I feel a little buzz.
Matches really is heaving tonight, it's right on the riverfront, an easy walk from the uni campus, making it a popular student destination.
Its fiery decor sounds corny but it’s actually one of the more decent clubs. Orange and yellow accents with red neon signs behind the crowded bar set off the darkened dance floor, strobe lights flashing across the space in time with the beat of the music.
A DJ residency here is competitive, only the best in the field get a slot, meaning the music is catchy as shit and well mixed. As proven by how crammed the dance-floor is already even though the night is still fairly early.
I scan the lower deck from my position on the VIP balcony Bree reserved for us and her ballet crew. Most of the group arealready dancing, including my housemates. They tried dragging me with them but I felt a little trepidation at being encased in so many warm bodies. I’d drunk the blood pack Ty had left me today just before we came out but I didn’t wish to entice the monster in my head.
I check my phone, there’s no new messages. In the week it's been since I’ve found out everything, we’ve only had brief moments together. it's been nothing more than quick check-ins and him dropping blood off for me. Or my less favourite option, him sneaking into my room without me knowing to leave the packets in my desk. After our night together he’s frustratingly sunk back into the shadows and hasn’t opened up nearly as much.
We’ve been messaging non-stop, mainly me asking every vampire related question that pops into my head, but I want more actual conversations with him.
How does alcohol affect us?
I hit send on the message. Its a little desperate I know, and yes I’m trying to get a rise from him but fuck it. I grab another drink from the small bar up here set up to serve the vip area guests. A straight double of vodka this time.
Red’s Stalker: Are you getting drunk?
The message pings my phone on the bar as I place the empty glass back on the surface.
No.
At least not yet.
I fire back.
Maybe I am a little drunker than I thought… The emotions I’ve had on a firm leash the last few days are starting to take over, frustration being at the forefront.
I’ve spent the last week reading any and all information I can get my hands on about the vampires which lived in this city. Plus, I spent an afternoon reading all the press reports, and the official pathology reports I was sent about my dad’s death.
I shoved the grief back, refusing to fall apart when I needed a clear head to understand this new world I’ve been thrust into. Going from sympathetic bystander to the accused is a bit of a mind-fuck.
And it's isolating. I know Ty says I can’t meet the pack but it means I only have him to talk to about this. He’s my only reference apart from the books I’ve been devouring.
Ty has been helpful in answering my questions but shot me down when I asked him to come tonight. He’s been cagey with the details on his pack too. He won’t disclose where they live or even how many vampires are living in this city. He says it's for my protection and I want to believe him. He was so open that night I didn’t expect him to go cold on me again.
And the flutter of attraction I feel every time his nickname lights up my phone, or I find the blood he’s stashed for me, isn’t helping.
A new message pops up on my phone and I scramble to pick it up hoping he’s changed his mind and is coming out. I’m quickly disappointed.
Red’s Stalker: Red, you can’t be inebriated and in close proximity to a lot of people. You could lose control.
I’m not feeling bitey
