Page 58 of Night of the Vampire
A few seconds later, I saw a faint light through the front windows.
Getting out of the car, I walked down the sidewalk until I stood directly across the street. From there, I could see into the front room and through another window on the other side set back from the front door. I watched as Lizzy's aunt walked back and forth across the kitchen. Walking up and down the sidewalk, I searched for Lizzy, but there was no sign of her.
Eventually, Judy came into the front room with a mug in her hand. She picked something up—the remote control—and turned on the television. In the blue light of the screen, I watched her, waiting, just to be sure she was alone.
Judy suddenly stilled with her drink halfway to her mouth. A moment later, her head turned slowly in my direction.
I took a step back into the shadows of a large magnolia tree, lowered my head and shoved my hands into the pockets of my sweater. My clothes were dark. There was no way she could see me, not standing where I was. The darkness was too dense.
Yet, she knew I was here.
I knew this because the hair on my arms stood straight up. It was her magic, probing the darkness. With a curse, I ran to my car. It only took me half a second to get there. Turning off my headlights before I started it, I threw it into reverse and backed up a full block before swinging around and leaving the Garden District.
I could only hope she hadn't gotten enough of a read to recognize me.
A few minutes later, I pulled up in front of The Purple Fang. Plenty of time for every single worst case scenario to run through my head. Every horrifying scene of what could have possibly happened to Lizzy to play in front of my eyes.
I'd waited enough.
Every one of my vampires was going to help find Lizzy. I would close down this fucking club if I had to.
With that thought in mind, I charged inside. It was early yet for club goers, which was good. There was only a small group of patrons, a birthday party if I were to guess by the crown one young woman wore and the decorations on the tables.
"Killian? What's up, man? What's happened?"
Elias was behind the bar again.
"My mate is missing. And you're going to help me find her. You all are." I swung my arm in an arc, pointing at Jamal and Brogan at a table near the entrance to the back room where the private dances took place, and Dae on the stage.
"I'm sorry. Your what?"
Elias's face was slack with shock.
"My mate. I'll explain later."
I had his full attention now. "You actually found your mate?" Leaning across the bar, he grabbed my arm. "It's fucking real?"
"Yes," I gritted through my teeth.
"Aww, man. Don't tell me that! I don't need no woman telling me how to live my life."
"Jesus fucking shite, Elias, we don't have time for this now! I'm closing down the club for the night. We have to find her."
"Yeah. Yeah. Of course." He started tallying up tabs. "A fucking mate," he muttered under his breath.
I caught Jamal's eye and indicated for him and Brogan to join me at the bar. Jamal elbowed Brogan and pointed his chin in my direction, never taking his eyes from me.
Something was going on there. I could see it on his face. But I had no time to worry about whatever the hell Jamal was upset with me about now. I had to find Lizzy.
Brogan took one look at me and hightailed it over to the bar, buttoning up his shirt on the way. This one was covered in bright blue birds and pink palm leaves. I don't think I would ever understand this guy's choice of "fashion."
Jamal followed him at a much slower pace, dragging his feet. As soon as he got within five feet of me, I knew why.
Lizzy's scent was all over him.
The world around me faded into an angry red haze, my fangs shooting down as I lunged for his throat with an animalistic growl. Hands grabbed me just before I reached him, two large bodies jumping in front of me and throwing me back against the bar.
One of the girls who'd just wandered up turned and rushed back to her group.
