Page 89 of Those That Don't Exist
I hadn’t detected any of the pack but it didn’t mean they weren’t around. They would be taking precautions in case I was still around, they knew how to keep themselves hidden. I keep checking over my shoulder and focusing on all the noise around me as I wait in the queue to get into the club. After what feels like an age I’m crossing the threshold and stalking to the main area.
There’s way too many bodies crammed tightly together in here for me to rely on my nose to find Red. The darkness and strobe lighting also makes it hard to see properly, even with my supernatural vision. Looking across the space I can’t see any sign of her signature flame coloured hair.
I remember her power.
Shit.
If she’s glamoured herself how the fuck am I supposed to recognise her? I have no real knowledge of the extent of her gift. She’s told me she can alter her appearance, I’ve seen the glamour she had in place to keep herself looking healthy but what if she’s altered her height? Body shape? What if she looks totally different?
I scrub a hand over my face and through my hair. She’s impossible to find in a crowd. That’s both terrifying and reassuring. The pack would have as much trouble locating her as I am right now. Hopefully more so as none of them will be as attuned to her as I am.
I walk aimlessly for a few minutes hoping to spot her before I reach the main entrance to the club, one which leads to a different street. I have no hope of finding her here and so I leave, changing my plan.
She’ll be heading back to her house anyway, I’m sure of it. If I head there maybe she’ll already be home. If not I’ll wait and hope I’m correct about the pack being unable to identify her. If she has indeed changed her appearance.
I make it five steps along the pavement before I smell it. Blood.
CHAPTER 34
AURORA
Blood.
There’s so much of it. My hands are covered in it, I can feel it running down my chin and throat. I’m desperately trying to close the wound but it's too deep, the skin is cut too jagged for me to seal it. I was only meant to take a mouthful.
The male was far too easy to get outside. There was a short discussion about taking our encounter to the toilets but I insisted on leaving. He didn’t argue for long. I played the role, hung my body off his frame, ground myself into him. He’d kissed my neck and jaw in sloppy open mouthed kisses. It made me feel gross but his scent kept my focus on the end goal. I’d needed to get him alone and I couldn’t think of another way than to make him think he had a shot at a cheap fuck with me.
I’d pulled him down the dark street across from the club. It was a narrow winding street, lined with closed cafes and cute little boutiques. The crooked buildings were some of the oldest in the city. The way they leaned out over the walkway offered me the cover I required.
I found a dark nook where two walls met and pushed my delicious treat into the darker shadows. I didn’t even know his name. I’m sure he told me at one point.
He’d grabbed me by the waist and hauled me flush to his body. He’d kissed my mouth, demanding entrance but I’d refused. Fangs aside I couldn’t have been less into this.
He’d pulled back to complain but I’d run my hand down his chest. He’d shut up as I got to the waistband of his jeans. Thankfully, I didn’t have to go any further to distract him as I moved my lips to his neck.
The moment my fangs touched his skin it was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. The rush threatened to buckle my knees. Raw power and need surged through me as I felt my teeth slice into him deeper with the ease of a knife through soft butter.
I’d pulled mouthful after mouthful from his vein, it was like the finest wine mixed with the warmth of the smoothest whiskey. Somewhere, a voice in my head had started telling me to retract my fangs.
Instead, I’d clamped down harder. I’d felt my teeth rip flesh and sinew. And still, I’d gulped down the life force now gushing from his body. He’d struggled against me but he was no match. I’d shoved him harder into the wall, pinning him with my body and muffling his screams with my hand over his mouth.
It was only as he’d gone limp beneath me I’d snapped out of the blood lust. And now we’re both crumpled on the floor, my hands on his neck, as I desperately try to stop the bleeding.
Thoughts rush around my head.What should I do? I can’t leave, he’ll definitely die. If I stay and get caught will I be discovered? Please stop bleeding.
Thankfully, I can still hear the faint pulse of his heartbeat. I keep focused on it as I push more firmly on the wound.What the hell am I supposed to do?
“Aurora, what happened?” Ty’s voice makes me jump as his body falls beside mine. Instant relief washes through me.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” is all I can manage in my heightened state.
“Shit. Did you bite him?” Ty’s hands join mine on this male’s neck. I can't answer so I nod quickly.
“Move back,” Ty orders as he takes over. I sink back on to my ass, legs still bent under me, and watch on as if I’m no longer in my own body.
Ty sinks down further to bring his mouth to the wound, I see him momentarily suck before he holds himself still. I can’t tell what he’s doing, all I can do is sit and stare. Ty’s mouth moves in small movements and he places a palm on the guy’s chest.
It feels like several more minutes before Ty sits up, taking a deep breath, his chest heaving. I stare at the wound in my victim's neck in astonishment, it’s healed significantly. The skin still looks angry and raw, almost like a burn, but the gaping hole I left in his neck is no longer there.
