Page 6 of Cinderella and Her Vampires (Dirty Paranormal Fairytale Haremlan 5)

I rolled my eyes. “Go on! Shoo!”

He shook his head and turned around, heading down the street. I was convinced he wouldn’t come back. Not anymore. Even still, I wanted to wait until the man was out of sight before heading back in. Then again, he was off my property and no longer my responsibility.

“You ready?” I asked.

He shrugged and gestured for me to lead the way.

“You sure he won’t be back?” Bobby asked as we stepped inside.

“God, I hope not,” I said. “I’ve had about enough of him to last me a lifetime.”

Bobby chuckled. “Well, he sure was a fun one.”

“Not my choice of words, but I suppose in a manner of speaking,” I said as I stepped behind the bar. Bobby took up his spot leaning against the entry to the bar and observed the crowd enjoying the free drink.

“Last Call,” I announced.

There were some disappointed sighs and sounds of having been letdown, but it was time to put this night to bed. Including starting the process of forgetting the raving lunatic trying to start a make-believe war.

2

SILAS

I wasn’t necessarily prone to mixing with humans, but I had found myself curious enough by them from time to time to venture out for a night or so. I never pushed myself to stay out longer. It was too much of a gamble. The thirst would challenge my willpower too much and the last thing I needed was to expose my kind. They already had suspicions, for sure. Superstitions that caution them against mysterious creatures of the night. And true, every day it became harder and harder to stay hidden, but I didn’t want to chance it and tip the scales out of my favor.

I knew my limits and I always stayed within them.

So, I took to the streets, walking aimlessly, blending in with the very creatures who were key to my own survival. Of course, I stayed to myself.

I ignored the cautionary glances that were cast my way as humans passed me by. Most humans were wise enough to give me a wide birth. Their intuitions were telling them that I was a dangerous creature… and rightly so. I would have been concerned if they wandered closer to me without my presence affecting them in any way.

Of course, I could turn the ability on or off at will. But I didn’t care to for the time being. I simply wanted to quietly observe the world around me. Plus, a part of me believed I was still clinging to whatever was left of my humanity. Not that there was much if any at all, in retrospect.

Downtown Boston was a maze of streets, buildings, and people. I never lost fascination over the structures which seemed to mark the passing of time. Everywhere I looked there were signs of bygone eras that gave me a strange sense of belonging. I had watched Boston grow into the city she was. In a strange sense, we were kin.

I breathed in deep, not that I needed to, and caught all of the familiar scents of the city. Nature which popped up in small parks, scattered like buckshot through the city; rain from the clouds covering the sky in a thick blanket, threatening a cold shower; perfumes and colognes of the humans which blended with the rush of their blood. But there was one other scent that stood out. One that startled me. One I wasn’t expecting.

My steps faltered as I sniffed the air, pulling in the scent, trying to place where I knew it from, and failing to recall a single memory. It was one that brought my senses to life. Normally, I wouldn’t be caught by surprise when it came to the aromas surrounding the humans and their world. But now that I had sniffed the sweet and spice with a delicate tang on the end, I couldn’t let it go.

I followed the scent, lured by a level of excitement I hadn’t felt in a long, long time.

Within moments, the world around me faded as the scent led me to a bar called Nightingales. I found the name interesting, considering what the bird was known for. Even more so, the scent I had caught before was stronger directly outside the door. Though I had no idea who the owner was of the enticing aroma, it definitely belonged to a human. Once again, I found myself intrigued by such a creature.

And I was completely captivated.

But I didn’t step inside. Not quite yet.

I decided to stay within the shadows that resided outside the bar, staring into the windows, fascinated by the people hushing their senses with alcohol. I was curious if I could pinpoint who was responsible for such an all-consuming scent, but such a thing was only a personal challenge.

The place was busy, bustling with laughter. Sweat and musk covered the air. My skin tingled from all the humans. A slight burn started at the back of my throat. The dry scratch of thirst.

I knew I should probably turn around and go home, but the scent that had captivated me held my curiosity. Then my sights settled on the woman bartender. She was beautiful and had captured my attention almost more than the scent that had brought me to her.

It was all her.

She was the one who had put off the scent. I was willing to bet everything I had on it.

I didn’t want to stay outside of the place any longer than I had, and I couldn’t stand the idea to walk away now. So, I turned off my ability to naturally repel humans. The last thing I wanted to do was draw attention to myself. Especially in a small building with as many people as there were around.

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