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He smiled, his eyes lighting up. “You are very welcome.”
My phone buzzed in the hoodie pocket, and I fished for it. “I’ve got to take this, do you mind?”
“Of course not, you go. I’ll just wait here, though I can’t promise I won’t pinch your drink.”
I smiled and then headed back towards the door where there was a better signal and lower noise. A crowd of twenty something guys wolf-whistled me as I walked past, and I realised although Jack’s hoodie covered my top half, I still had on my stiletto boots and my rather flimsy skirt. The hoodie had ribbing around the bottom, which had clung inward and caused my skirt to ride up rather a long way. I was still decent but barely. I tugged my skirt back down again and ignored the catcalls.
“Jack? Is that you?”
“Yeah, it’s me. It’s sorted, and the crowd has dispersed. West is just clearing stuff with the concierge and getting the car, then we’ll come around and get you.”
“He’s getting the car? Why?”
“He thinks it would be better to get out of London tonight, now that everyone knows where you are.” There was a hint of annoyance in his voice.
“Jack, I swear that wasn’t me. I didn’t tell anyone where I was going except Jasper.”
“I know, it’s fine, I’m not annoyed at you. I’m just... tired. Go get a drink and stay inside. We’ll be there soon.”
He hung up, and I stared at the phone for a few moments. He did sound tired, but something told me it was more than that. I realised he hadn’t fed from me in a few days at least, and I was starting to understand that it was my blood that kept them going. Without it, they used their energy quickly. We hadn’t slept much in the last couple of days either. A pang of guilt went through me, and I made up my mind to offer them whatever they needed when we reached West’s hideaway. Even West. He’d had a good dose, but I assumed he’d used all that for healing the other night.
My thoughts were drifting as I made my way through the bar, so I wasn’t concentrating, and when one of the guys who had shouted as I’d walked past flung an arm out to stop me, it knocked me off balance and I stumbled. He pulled me into his lap, his hand immediately gripping my waist, the other on my bare thigh.
“Thanks for the rescue,” I said, trying to stand back up.
“Ah now, sweetheart, where are you going? Stay and have a drink.” His hand inched a little farther up my leg, and my stomach tightened.
“Sorry, already taken.” I jerked my head over to where Jabari was standing at the bar.
“Him? Come on, sweetheart, I’m much more fun than he is.” His grip tightened, and he wriggled underneath me, giving me hard evidence of his belief in that fact.
“I’m good, thanks.” I pushed his hands away and stood up. “Have a good night.”
I moved back towards the bar and took the vodka Jabari handed me, knocking it back. “Thanks.”
“Having trouble?” he asked, gesturing towards the guys who were still calling to me.
“No, just normal guys. Ignore them and they’ll get bored,” I replied, setting the glass back down on the bar.
“Another one?” Jabari queried.
“No, no really,” I answered, putting my hand on his arm as he went to wave at the bartender again. “My head is swimming, I think I’ve had way too much already.”
I swayed, and he caught me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders to keep me steady. The room was spinning, and I felt sick. Then I gasped and backed up, pressing us both against the bar as a thick black snake came towards me, sliding along the wooden floor.
“Tory, what’s wrong?”
“There’s a fucking snake!” I exclaimed, not taking my eyes off it.
“Where?” Jabari asked, looking around.
“There! Can’t you see it?”
“Tory, there’s no snake. Are you okay?”
“It’s right there!” I insisted, pointing at the ground.
“Tory, have you taken something tonight?” he asked. My eyes swept up to his briefly. He looked concerned.
