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HAYLEY
Last Call
“GREAT SHOW, MY gems,” Opal says, beaming a brilliant smile. Her short neon wig glows in the streak of black light from the stage.
I wring the donor blood from my hair, wishing I didn’t accidentally taste the metallic concoction during the finale. Alexander surprised me by setting off the blood rain just for the hell of it. He likes to keep the audience excited and have a few unpredictable changes to keep them coming back for more. And unfortunately, I’m afraid it’s going to rain every night from now on.
“Crystal, Garnet, Jasper, Diamond, Aquamarine, and Amethyst, go ahead and return to your quarters. You’re excused for the night.” Opal kisses each one of the performers as she passes them, giving them a hug and ensuring they know how well they’ve done. She glances at the rest of us. “Quartz, Topaz, Emerald, Pyrite, and Ruby, I need you to clean up, take an hour to relax and put on the leopard costumes. Master Alexander has a special client that needs entertainment over a meal and has a thing for big cats.”
I inwardly groan, wishing that for once, Opal would choose someone else over me. I’m sure I’ll have to crawl around the floor and purr like a good big kitty until some fucker pounces and pins me for a bite. I know I headline at Vampire Nights, but I’m exhausted and starving. Alexander will force us to wait to eat until the private party so that his guests have the luxury to do so for us. He doesn’t do it to make us feel like we’re equals. He does it because apparently many vampires enjoy it like we’re some sort of pet, which if we’re in leopard print, it’s definitely the case. If they feed us, we’ll show more attention. Usually, that wouldn’t be true, but my stomach growls and I can already bow in defeat at the feet of whoever offers me a bite of whatever. I don’t even care.
Opal hugs and kisses everyone but me, and I can’t exactly blame her. I don’t think she’s ever tasted gen. pop. blood, and she has far higher standards than the fuckers that enjoy licking it off of me.
Reaching into her pocket, she pulls out a small foil-wrapped protein bar. I nearly lunge at her but refrain because even though she wouldn’t hurt me like Alexander would for being a bit aggressive, I respect her and don’t want to get any blood on her tight white dress.
“Eat it slow, my gem. I know you’re starving. Just don’t tell Alex.” She keeps her voice low. The use of her nickname for him, which she only ever uses in private, gets to me. I don’t know why, but in this moment, it feels too affectionate, and I’m still pissed at him for only giving me things he knew I hate all because I suggested Knox donate a gift to the staff. I knew that it would go to waste if he gave it to me because I don’t get to keep anything. Whatever.
I nod and give Opal air kisses in appreciation. She smiles and motions for me to head toward the showers, and I stuff the bar into my mouth, disobeying her suggestion to eat it slowly. I regret it immediately. Not because it makes me sick, but now I just want more. My stomach burns and complains, making it hard to focus as I cleanse my skin and wash my hair.
The others remain in the showers after I dry off, and I ignore Jasper sneaking past me to fuck Emerald. The two of them celebrate every show with a bang, and I don’t know whether to be happy or jealous. I wish I could have the kind of connection they do.
I push the thought away and return to the dressing room. The scent of something savory and buttery wafts through the air, twisting my stomach in hunger. I bow forward, clutching my middle.
“Hey, you.” A familiar voice sounds through the room, and I jerk my gaze from the floor and to Sawyer sitting in one of the vanity chairs, his tall frame making it look tiny in comparison to him.
I clutch my towel around my body. “You shouldn’t be in here. Master—”
Materializing in front of me, Sawyer cuts off my words with his hand, quieting me down. “I ran into Opal. She mentioned that performers can’t deny gifts, so I brought you something for your enthralling finale.”
I heave a breath, trying to get my body under control. “You got me a gift?” Why would he do that? What does he get out of it? “I don’t understand.”
“What’s not to understand? You did an incredible job, and I have the need to give you something for it.” Holding up his other hand, he shows me a paper bag with the logo of the Aris Hotel printed on it. The triangular statue looks just like the one I can see from my room window if I crane my neck enough, and it makes up the A while the rest of the letters are in a fancy script, hand-drawn by Opal what seems like forever ago when she talks about it.
“You brought me food.” This is a first. It’s like the delicious scent wafting around me turns my brain to mush. It doesn’t help that my stomach growls uncontrollably. Vampires have given me all sorts of gifts like flowers, jewelry, clothing, and shoes but never food.
He shrugs. “I thought you might be hungry. I know I always am after a workout.” His fangs flash with his words, and I can just imagine him guzzling blood, glistening with sweat, and looking...my damn thoughts. Why do I have the sudden urge to see him without a shirt?
“Oh,” I whisper, my emotions getting the best of me. “I don’t know what to say. I mean, thank you.”
He cocks his head and chuckles at my reaction. “You’re tearing up? Had I known you’d like this so much, I’d have filled this entire damn room.”
I blink my eyes, getting them in control. Laughing in embarrassment, I stretch up and get him to bend closer, so I can brush my lips to his cheek. “That would be a little much, but the staff would appreciate the leftovers. I’m only allowed to eat so much.”
Something strange and indecipherable crosses his expression, but I don’t know him well enough to figure out what’s going through his mind. Footsteps sound from the concrete hallway, and I hear Alexander yelling into the showers for the others to hurry up.
Sawyer whispers that he’ll see me around and vanishes, the haunting sensation of his lips caressing mine sending goosebumps over me. I stare at the closed door, clutching the bag of warm food in my hands. I’m torn between opening it and shoving whatever it is into my mouth or turning it over to Alexander.
My growling stomach wins, and I rush to pull out a buttered rosemary roll sitting on top of a takeout container of some sort of pasta and meat—things I never get much of and something only the personal donors of the wealthiest get to enjoy.
I tear into the roll and moan, the fluffy, warm, light texture so mouthwatering that I shove the whole thing in my mouth, chewing and swallowing as fast as I can. The door swings open, startling me, and Alexander stands in the frame and flares his nostrils. I quickly extend my arm, holding up the bag to him, praying that I’ve left no crumbs on my face.
“This was a gift from Sawyer for my performance, and he asked to see me eat one of the rolls. Please forgive me. I didn’t know what to do.” I hang my head, letting my towel loosen and fall from my wet hair. My heart rams against my ribcage under the intensity of Alexander’s scrutiny, and I lick my lips and swallow. My stomach now tumbles and threatens to make me sick.
Alexander hums under his breath. “Baby doll, you did fine.” His voice remains low as he strolls closer to me. “Don’t worry. I’m not angry with you.”
I release a breath and tilt my head up to meet his gaze. “Thank you. It was unexpected and after what you said about Knox—”
One second I’m in front of him, and in the next, my back slams against one of the wall mirrors, shattering it with the force. Pain stings my skin, and I gasp, trying to keep my cry from echoing through the room. Alexander extends his fangs and growls in my face, his eyes flashing like crazy.
