Page 30 of Vameer

But before I find my mate, I need to understand the world I’m walking back into.

I release my gravito and drop.

A moment later, my bare feet connect with the earth. The vibration of my landing blends with the music coming from inside the building before me.

Even though I was curious to look at all the new things, I jumped past the large city.

I needed someplace smaller. More private. With fewer lights. But with enough people around for me to talk to.

And this place seems to fit my needs.

I think it’s a bar. From above, I couldn’t read the sign on the door, but the smell of alcohol permeates through the back door into the small grassy area where I’m standing.

It’s on the edge of town, the top floor looks like a residence, and there is nothing but vegetation behind me.

Voices blend in with the music, proving it’s not empty. So between the people who probably live upstairs and the people inside the establishment, I should be able to find someone who isn’t too frightened to talk to me.

While I ponder the best plan of action, I curl my tongue around the point of my fang.

I’ve run into humans who have seen vampires before. And depending on the experiences they’ve had, their reactions vary. But the humans who have never seen a vampire before… their reactions are usually much louder.

The back door of the bar opens. And I don’t have to decide how to get someone alone.

A man steps over the threshold, shouting over his shoulder. “Eejit.”

I tilt my head, trying to place the language.

He laughs as the door bangs shut, cutting off another man’s reply. But the quick glimpse inside the building confirmed what I already know. Things have changed.

Music I don’t recognize. Paved roads everywhere. Clothing made of materials I don’t know.

Things have changed a lot.

Then the man strikes a match and lights the end of a cigarette.

Okay, not everything has changed.

Hopefully humans still like money too.

In this spot, ten steps away, standing beyond the yellow pool of light from the lamp above the door, the man doesn’t see me. So I must make myself known.

I step out of the shadows. “Me gustaría comprar información.”

“Shite!” The man stumbles backward, thudding against the door, as he coughs out a cloud of smoke.

Oops.

He pounds a fist against his chest as he looks up at me with wide eyes. “Ya don’t even need them fucking teeth. You’ll end me with a heart attack.”

My brows furrow. “Irish?”

“Yeah, I’m fucking Irish.” He bends over, putting his hands on his knees, the lit end of his cigarette about to singe his leg hair. “But give me a fucking minute.”

I look up at the stars, verifying that I’m still in the southern hemisphere.

I am.

Not to mention I’ve traveled a greater distance today than his island is long, so to be in Ireland would be impossible.