Page 12 of Before We Burn

His suit is one size too big, his shoes don’t match, and he looks like he hasn’t fed in a few weeks. “Who are you running from?” It’s a guess, but I am almost positive he is in some type of trouble. Ellie brings over my drink, a sneer on their face as they slide it to me.

The man looks at me carefully, his smirk growing into a wide grin. “You’re observant; I like that. But I’m not running. I had a bit of an accident and had to get out of where I was fast, and these are the things I was able to collect.”

Right then I’m grateful I had withdrawn from everyone else's minds and decided to hide in my own. If I had to hear one measly thought in his head, it would send me over the edge.

I don’t care to continue the conversation—his willingness to admit being involved in some bullshit was enough for me. I don’t want that, especially not now.

“I’m not interested. And if you care for a little advice while you’re passing through, Credence is where vampires come for protection, hoping they can sneak under the radar and live their lives how they want. You coming into the city like this is only going to draw some of the elders' attention, and you do not want that my friend.”

He leans forward, his arm resting on the bar while his eyes search my face for something as the lights flicker and a sharp sting radiates through my leg. I stifle a groan. He can control electricity. Great.

I’ve had enough. I take the toothpick from my drink, that still has a pickle on it, and stab him through his hand. I’ve always wondered if these were thick enough to break skin. Now that curiosity has been answered.

Constantine decides to make her appearance at that moment, the entire room going silent while my spoiled-milk friend leans back in his chair, frightened. People know there is something dangerous about her. They also know she is older than the rest of us. Most vampires her age refuse to fraternize with younger vampires, deeming them unpredictable.

Her eyes roam the room, her movements slow and controlled, the only sound in the space is the click of her vintage heels. Her long strides are similar to those models you would see on runways in the earlier years, while her hair is long and cut into a shaggy style like we are in the 1970s. Her makeup is simple, highlighting her high cheekbones and fox-like eyes.

She actually got ready to leave her lair today.

Once she stops next to me, I smile at her. “Took you long enough,” I mumble, taking another sip of my drink as she shrugs. Her attention catches on the man sitting in the seat next to me.

I look at him as he gawks at her, his mouth hung low and eyes wide with interest. Connie is known for being irrational—one second she loves you, and the next she wants to kill you.

“You don’t want to entertain her; she’ll kill you,” I say between sips. It’s an empty threat, but it works. He snaps out of his trance-like state and looks back at me.

Connie laughs, forced like she is playing a part. She knows I called her here for a reason, so maybe making our business seem less important is a strategy. Or maybe she’s in a sadistic mood—I never know with her. We both agreed it was best for me to stay out of her head.

“Can you entertain me, Marzana?” She raises a brow and skims her fingers along my shoulder. Everyone's attention has shifted to me now, and I groan. This was not what I came here for, and I am not interested in playing games. Not with Constantine, and not with this random man who won't leave me alone.

“I do well for myself, thank you. Besides, he was just leaving.” I look at the man and give him a silent signal to leave. He raises his hands in defeat, getting up quickly as Constantine assumes his seat.

Ellie leans over the counter and eyes Connie slowly. I know they had some history. Ellie told me things ended badly—they got in too deep and Constantine didn’t want that with anyone, not even them. But there is still love there. I see it in the way Ellie’s eyes light up and Constantine smiles back at them.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you in here. You know I miss you. What can I get for you?” I roll my eyes, not ready for this to play out. I have serious business to talk about.

“Not right now, Ellie. I came to catch up with a very good friend, and I’m already late. I doubt she’s happy with me. Give me a second with her, and maybe we can talk later.” Constantine winks, and I raise my brow.

That was something I didn’t expect to hear come from her. She tries to avoid Ellie as much as she can. Even going as far as completely avoiding her favorite spot when they started working here.

All the regulars think Ellie is the one for Connie, that together they could be happy. But even though vampires don’t adhere to whatever sexual rules humans do, it would create red flags in the world where we have to blend in. At least that’s the reasoning Connie gave me when I questioned her. I figured it was more of her not knowing how to be vulnerable, which I relate to.

“The usual?” Ellie asks Constantine, and she nods. She turns her attention to me once Ellie disappears into the back to make her favorite blood martini with a splash of olive juice—repulsive in every way.

“Tell me. When’s the last time you got laid or had a chance to relax?” Constantine doesn’t even look at me as she asks. I roll my eyes, impartial to the jab as Ellie brings her drink then slips down to the other end of the bar.

“Please, Connie, not now. I have something important to talk about—something that must stay between us. No one can know.” In typical Connie fashion, she shrugs, looking to the end of the bar then back to me.

“I’m all ears for you, Marz. Just remember, so are others.” I look around the room, noticing everyone’s brief glances and subtle nods toward us as they chat about their days. I look down at my drink, tired of people not minding their business. Two friends can’t even talk over drinks anymore without the entire world listening in.

“Something bad is going to happen Connie—” I whisper, taking a moment to pause and look around the room. People are still watching us, and I grind my teeth. I speak even lower. “One of my students. She might be a se—” Connie hisses loudly, cutting me off before I finish my sentence.

“Don’t say anymore,” she says, her voice sharp and stern. “The walls have ears, Marzana. You of all people should know that.” She takes a sip of her martini, a low moan coming from her, and the whole room seems to take a breath.

The conversations stop, the silence their moment of realization before the chatter resumes. Their voices all raise an octave, the once low and intimate setting now turned into a loud, rambunctious one. Some people begin to kiss while others begin to undress.

“Did you have to do that? They could’ve just talked.” She shrugs as a wicked smile appears on her face.

“My power is supposed to be seduction, Marzana. I seduced them into letting their desires control them for a night. They all wanted to do this; I just gave them a little push. Besides—” She shifts in her seat, crossing one long, thin leg over the other and smiles at me. “I have to maintain my image. If we tell them what my true gift is, we lose the upper hand.”