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“You can’t watch the movie on the screen when it’s still light out,” James explained. “So that’s why I set it up here where it’s safe.”
“Smart.”
“Everyone else gets set up on the ground and we had to bring in a pickup for his idea,” Moon said under his breath. “People found it amusing.”
“We like amusing and fun,” I quickly said before there was an issue.
Everything was set up for a cookout, grills doing burgers and fryers off to the side. We went over there and grabbed what we wanted, everyone seeming happy with the options and having something fun on a Friday night.
We ate at one of the tables just so we didn’t make a mess or I spilled all over myself like a goober.
“I heard someone here was the head of making all the syrups for Coca-Cola,” a guy said from the table behind us.
“Yeah, I heard him tell one of the vamps,” someone else said. “He said if someone got him to the right facility, he knew where all the recipes were kept and how to mix them. The other part with making soda and the bottling plant isn’t what he dealt with, but someone has to know that side, right?”
“Did they verify it or was someone just pumping up their resume again?” James asked, turning and focusing on the humans.
The two humans twisted in their seats and looked at him, the second answering. “It’s legit. One of the vamps who can sense lies was right there. I guess one of the husbands of the princess vamp is trying to compile lists of stuff they can put back online later. He was focused on stuff she would like. The Irish one.”
Jaxon? Really? Huh.
“Thanks,” James said before sitting forward again. “Shit, that would be huge. I would give a nut to have a fucking real Coke.” He nodded when I blinked at him. “I know they weren’t good for you, but there was just something about a super cold Coke that just made you feel like a kid and made good food better.”
“Remember how you could have Sprite and it was fine, but if you had Sprite with McDonald’s fries it was like a whole new experience?” someone asked, a group turning around and facing us.
“That was true,” Moon confirmed. “Some spokesperson said it was the salt of the fries with their dispensers or something. It was one of my favorite treats.”
People kept talking all around us, James joining in and saying some things too. I listened like normal, but I felt as if I was getting colder and colder inside.
“Excuse me,” I whispered, James barely noticing as he talked with a few guys at the next table over. I quietly stood and went over to Tian of all people. “I can’t breathe. I feel like I can’t breathe. Please.”
“Stupid cat,” he mumbled before lifting me up and getting me out of there.
We didn’t go far. I wasn’t disoriented for even a moment like normal and I could still see the secured area, hear it.
I thanked him and leaned against a building, slowly taking in long, deep breaths before letting them out. I focused on nothing but the feeling of the building under my hand and breathed.
Simple enough, right?
Except when you felt like everything was spinning out and you couldn’t focus well and panic was clawing at you, something that simple felt impossible. But slowly I did it. I got back under control.
“Thank you,” I said to Tian as I slowly squatted down.
He didn’t say anything, probably just nodding like he normally did. We hadn’t said anything about what he’d done, and I was fully just chalking it up to a crazy time in his head that night. But there was something I wanted to know about.
“How did the experiment work? Did you get the result you wanted from my blood?”
He didn’t answer right away. “Yes, I was able to get a handle on the dissolving power without activating any other of my abilities that can be dangerous. I took down several miles of abandoned vehicles blocking highways that the gas had been siphoned from. It’s a powerful gift, but—you know how dangerous that can be as well.”
I snorted. That was the understatement of the year for sure. I was going to tell him that I was glad it worked out when Moon showed up with James.
“Inez, what happened? Did you seriously leave because—” James worried.
“Quit while you’re behind, idiot,” Tian warned.
I glanced between them and then focused on James. “Because what? Why did you think I left?”
He frowned. “Because I was talking with the other people and not giving you all of my attention.”
