Page 40 of Realm of the Wicked

I groaned, silent compared to the pulsing bass across the room. I could track her. She might need a hand if she was stumbling home in the dark, drunk. But if she was alone, tracking her might be obvious.

Fuck, I was a mess. The me from a century ago would probably laugh in my face if he found out I was this torn up over a human.

Well, the evening had been a complete failure. I turned back toward the entrance, avoiding the stare of my new fan who didn’t seem to take the hint, when a flash of red caught my eye.

Stella disappeared down the hallway toward the bathrooms. I took off in her direction, telling myself I just needed one look. One look to make sure she was okay, and then I’d be off. She’d be okay without me.

The music faded slightly as I turned the corner, down the dark hallway lined with old records, allowing the unmistakable sound of sloppy kissing to take over.

‘No.’

I could just make out Stella’s voice, and while the protest was slurred, it was there. Whatever was happening down the hall, Stella didn’t want. I crossed the rest of the hall in little time, raging at the sight in front of me. At the far end, tucked away in the corner, was Stella with her back pressed up against the wall. A man in a dark jacket had her cornered, kissing her neck while she actively tried to push him away. I needed to keep my anger in control. Making a scene in the bar wouldn’t do anyone any good; Stella would see me, and it’d be a big mess to clean up all those memories. I needed to stay in control.

‘Stop!’ she slurred. ‘Fucking stop.’

‘Come on, baby, you’ve been making eyes at me all night. I’ll make it good for you.’

Red flashed in my eyes, and I wanted to snap more than ever. Instead, I forced myself to walk calmly toward the pair. In an attempt to relax my fists, I stuffed my hands into my pockets.

‘I think she said no,’ I said. ‘I’d leave her alone if I were you.’

Stella turned her face in my direction, obviously drunk but relieved. Snapping his head to face me, the man she was with glared. ‘And I think this is none of your business. Back off if you know what’s good for you.’

He was walking a fine line, and I couldn’t wait for him to step over it. I wouldn’t make a scene unless I really had to, but if he was the one to instigate it… well, who could blame me?

I sighed. ‘Listen. Obviously, you didn’t hear me the first time. But she said no. And I said, leave her alone. I’ll give you another shot to do either of those things.’

‘Fuck off.’ He leaned into Stella again, ready to kiss her neck, the skin that deserved to be worshipped, not abused, and she shot me a look of desperation. If only she knew who I was.

I grabbed him by the back of his cheap leather jacket and flung him against the wall, away from Stella. His head hit the wooden wall with a thunk, but before he could sink to the floor, I yanked him up by his throat. Holding him against the wall, he choked and gasped as I pressed him harder, the wood beginning to crack around him.

‘I told you to let her fucking go. But you just couldn’t listen, could you? You know, I tried to keep my anger in check, really. So everything from here on out is your fault, and your fault alone.’ Keeping hold of him with one hand, I looked at Stella. ‘Are you okay?’

She nodded with wide eyes. ‘I think so?’

I shook my head, the man clawing at my hand now. ‘It’s a yes or no question. You’re either okay, or you’re not.’

‘I’m okay now.’

I nodded, somewhat reassured she hadn’t sustained any long-term damage. My anger dimmed, and I found myself back under control. I turned back toward the bigger problem of the night. His face was turning purple, and I cursed, dropping him to the floor. ‘For fuck’s sake, why’d you have to be such a pussy?’

‘You… you choked me, man!’ He coughed, his voice little more than a croak.

I rolled my eyes. ‘I would’ve done a lot worse if Stella said she wasn’t okay. You got lucky.’

‘Fuck, man, she’s just some drunk whore. If you really wanted a turn that bad, you just needed to ask. Probably wouldn’t be the first time she’s been shared.’

I didn’t know if it was the man calling her a whore that made me snap, or the casual assumption he’d share her.

The growl that erupted out of my chest was something that I hadn’t heard in years, since I was feral and uncontrollable, and here it was again, just the same as it was all those years ago.

‘What the fuck did you just say?’ I snarled.

He coughed again, rubbing his throat as he sat up. ‘She’s a fucking whore, man. Get over yourself.’

Stupid. Humans were stupid, and had no sense of danger; there was no other reason for this jackass to be this dumb. I didn’t understand how he couldn’t sense who I was, somewhat. Cats always managed to figure out who I was without much difficulty, but this idiot?

I yanked him up, hauling his sorry ass to his feet once more. I held his collar tight in my hands, letting his feet barely scrape the ground. ‘You really should learn to watch your mouth. One day, you’re going to run your mouth to the wrong person. Unfortunately for you, that day is today.’