Ugh, really? Ian sighed when he saw the time. Already half ten. An early night had been in his future. But this was Cate, and he knew how this vampire stuff had affected her.
Yeah, sure, he replied. What time?
About 11.30? Got to clean up a bit after the bar shuts.
Ok. See you later.
Fuck, he was gonna be so knackered in the morning.
After watching the end of his programme, Ian changed back into his jeans and got ready to go out. He set off in plenty of time, not wanting Cate to have to wait for him. A light drizzle had started to fall, and the streets were emptier than Ian was used to. He didn’t normally walk around at this time of night unless it was a Friday or Saturday. The lack of people was unnerving.
For the first time since Blake had told them about his new job, Ian felt uneasy walking out and about on his own.
Every noise had him jumping slightly and casting furtive glances all around him.
Not that he was likely to see it coming if a vampire chose to attack him. The thought sent a chill down his spine.
The truth was, apparently it hadn’t actually sunk in that vampires existed. Yes, he’d believed Blake, but... It hadn’t seemed all that real until he’d got out on the streets, on a dark, miserable night where he seemed to be one of the few people out there.
Fuck me, I’m in a scene from a horror movie!
He was the one who ran upstairs instead of out the front door, the one who suggested splitting up was the best idea, the one wearing a red shirt in aStar Trekepisode.
Stop it.
He laughed and shook his head.
Jesus, Ian. Get a grip.
To get to Cate’s bar, he could either go the long way round or nip through behind the back of the shops and save about ten minutes. The rain had picked up, and he was wet and miserable, but standing at the mouth to the darkened shortcut, it looked about as appealing as running naked down the street.
Nah.
Rain or not, no way was he walking down there. It was dark, dingy, and screamedEnter and die. Well, maybe not that last part, but Ian’s imagination was on overdrive now.
A noise startled him, coming from somewhere further into the alleyway, and that was it.
Ian turned on his heel, straight into a firm, unforgiving wall of muscle.
“Whoa, fuck. Sorry!” His heart leapt to his throat, beating a mile a minute. Stumbling back, he put his hand to his chest and looked up into amused brown eyes staring back at him. Whoever he’d bumped into was tall, broad shouldered, and kind of hot. “You scared the shit out of me.”
The guy cocked his head to one side, a smirk appearing. “So I see. Your heart’s positively racing.”
Alarm bells went off in Ian’s head. How the fuck would he know that?
He took a step back.
It couldn’t be.
“I didn’t hear you approach.”
“I’m stealthy.” The guy winked, and Ian tried to subtly check his pockets for the spray Blake had given him, just in case he wasn’t fucking crazy.
His other hand curled around his phone.
“Right, then.” He found the spray in his front zip pocket.No chance of sneaking it out of there!Taking another step back, Ian moved to go around him. “Sorry again. I’d better go. I’m late meeting someone.” He tried for a pleasant smile, hoping he didn’t look as terrified as he felt.
“Whoa, there.” The guy put his hand on Ian’s arm to stop him, his grip light for now, but Ian felt the promise in the press of fingers. “Where are you off to?” He closed the distance between them, and Ian swallowed down his rising panic. He needed to keep a clear head. Maybe this guy was just looking to mug him. Maybe he was a creepy robbing wanker and not one of the undead.
