“I got Jeremy to cover my shift. I hated how we left things the other day.” I kissed him quickly. He relaxed and turned in the direction of all of his guests. They slowly made their way through his house and downstairs to the basement. Resting his large hand on my lower back, he led me along. I forced a smile as he introduced me to this person or that person.
“Scout, this is Norman, and his familiar, Jessica.” A vampire with dark bags under his ruby eyes and long blond hair extended his hand. I shook it along with the young girl beside him. She barely looked of legal age. The red ribbon she wore to signify her symbiotic relationship with her vampire keeper was around her neck. It was simple. Red with some gold lining.
We walked down the stairs together, the four of us. Norman and Arsenio were in deep conversation, leaving me feeling like I had to try to talk to the young girl. Familiars made me uncomfortable. I had told Arsenio this on more than one occasion.
“How long have you been with Norman?” I asked politely. The dark-skinned beauty smiled and glanced up at her keeper.
“For almost a year now.”
I blinked. She did not look old enough to have been with him an entire year. My eyes must have revealed my thoughts, for she laughed and answered them.
“I’m twenty. We met online.”
My eyes went wide, despite myself. She had seven years left before she could turn. Seven years of letting him feed on her as much as he could without killing her. Why would someone choose that?
The moment our feet hit the ground floor in the basement, I excused myself, fleeing as fast as I could.
Arsenio’s basement was huge. It covered his entire house. When I had met him, he took me down here to show me in detail all the work he had done to make it fully finished.
There were two rooms with an open floor plan. The main room was more of a dance floor. A DJ played music in the corner, while the second, smaller room held the bar and furniture for people to relax and converse without watching the men…play. My first time, I had stayed there for the most part. I didn’t have the stomach strength.
The decor was red and black, with stage lights in the middle of the room, in preparation for the night's main events. Just seeing the area made my stomach turn with nerves.
Lips tight, I scanned the room, looking for Desiderio. Silently praying to myself that he decided not to come after all.
Feeling out of place in a room full of energetic, excited people, I went to the bar and ordered a drink. “Tall, no ice.”
The bartender nodded and quickly poured me a glass of blood. I wasn’t necessarily thirsty, but it kept my hands busy. He popped a black straw in my glass and slid it to me. I thanked him and turned to continue people-watching.
As the time went by with no sight of the vampire with the different colored eyes, I began to relax some. However, the clock on the wall was edging toward midnight. That was when Arsenio would start the night’s main event.
My boyfriend found me shortly after I ordered my drink. He insisted on keeping me by his side. He wasn’t possessive, but he knew this wasn’t my comfort zone.
“I just want to make sure you’re having a good time!” He shouted over the music blaring from the speakers. Even the music made me uncomfortable. I preferred rock music, but the DJ had been playing pop and rap all night. I rested my hand on his chest and then patted his tattoo over his shirt.
“I am.”
“Are you going to watch tonight?” he asked. The people we were standing with looked at me with interest. Instinct had me beginning to shake my head, but I caught myself.
“I don’t know yet. You guys can be vicious.”
That caused the group to laugh loudly. I glanced at the clock again and saw we had thirty minutes left. It was then that the smell of cinnamon invaded my senses. My heart stopped beating, and I turned quickly.
With that stupid smirk on his face and his hands in his pockets, Desi stood, staring at me. He was dressed-nice. Most of the men, including Arsenio, were wearing vests under their jackets. Overall, the colors were dark. Black dresses, red ties. Desi had chosen to wear a white dress shirt. His suspenders and bow tie were maroon, and his pants were black. I didn’t see a jacket in his hands, so he must have gone without.
Arsenio turned to see what caught my attention and boomed excitedly when he saw his friend. “Desiderio! You made it!” He let go of my waist to rush to Desi and hug him.
Desi laughed and patted him on the back. “I did. I had to find dress clothes.” The words came along with an eye roll. I couldn’t help the smile that formed. He looked like a fish out of water. I noticed then that he had kept the sword earring in, and his hair had been brushed back.
“You look good! Although wearing white may have been a poor choice. Make sure to stay away from the splatter zone.” Arsenio laughed. The others around us joined him again. I didn’t.
Desi stepped into our circle then, and I didn’t hear another word from them. Everything was dulled as my attention was focused on Arsenio and Desi. While everyone was chatting about how excited they were to see the show, my boyfriend whispered to Desi about participating.
“What do you say? Me and you? It’s been too long since I’ve had decent competition.”
I pulled on Arsenio’s arm, but he ignored me. My eyes shot over to Desi’s. He was looking dead at me as his friend spoke to him. “For old times sake. I think the guests will have fun betting on us. Hmm?” He wiggled his eyebrows. Desi didn’t respond. Finally, I had to leave the circle completely. I had warned them both.
I stood off to the side, empty glass in my hand, watching the two men continue the conversation. Arsenio waved me off with a smile and wrapped his arm over Desi. Desi never stopped watching me.
