Page 6

I’ve tried to break up with him, many times.

But he keeps coming back and it does help to have him around as it keeps other characters away.

But maybe this vampire can help me get away.

The voice whispers to me, in the back of my mind, telling me that vampires are stronger than shifters. Richer. Perhaps this one can help me. It is a dangerous thought and I know that but the world we live in is ruled by the strong. Survival of the fittest. Or smartest. Probably, the richest.

Even though shifters are bad, everyone says vampires are worse. My mom warned me about them, these predators who look so charming and smell so good, right up until they bury their fangs in your neck. They’re not human, they don’t feel anything but not all vampires are like that, I think. They’re not allowed to attack people anymore. I know it happens, from time-to-time but it’s not common anymore and they’re so attractive, at least this one is. Not to mention they’re cleaner. Shifters are known for owning weapons, not toothbrushes.

I move closer to the door. I can see a shape outside. My hand is on the door handle. I close my eyes briefly, take a deep breath and steady my breathing.

I open the door.

Of course it is him. Those blue eyes of his shining like lasers, burning into my soul.

“Ruby.”

He says my name like it’s a spell or something.

I nod, not trusting myself to say anything.

“You need to invite me in,” he says with a gentle smile.

“Do I?” I ask stupidly, knowing that I have to do this, but buying a bit more time for myself.

“Unless you want me to stay out here, where anyone can see?”

Oh, shit, I think. Danny. He might come over, I can’t have him seeing the vampire at my front door.

“Yes, yes, come in,” I say quickly and shut the door behind him.

“You live here?” the vampire asks in a soft voice, looking around the living room. I see it through his eyes, the ratty couch with the stained upholstery, the fraying carpet and the torn curtains.

“This is my life,” I say, and shrug.

“But it’s not really, is it?” he moves closer and I try to avoid his eyes, which seem to stare into my soul. I break the train of my thoughts, which are full of him. This is the way to stop the power he has over me. I turn away and force myself to say, “I’d offer you something to drink but you don’t want that, right? I am having a beer, though,” I say with a nervous chuckle.

He comes with me into the kitchen, where a cooler box serves as a fridge.

“No power?” he asks, looking around the kitchen.

“No power lines around here anymore.” He must be from the city, where authorities have kept up infrastructure like roads and electricity plants. Out here, we fend for ourselves. We are even more isolated than most. Shifters rule, running illegal bars and strip joints, making money off selling drugs and sex and anything else people are willing to pay for.

I swallow some of the beer and it feels good.

“You got what you needed from Tomás?”

He nods. “Thanks for your help.”

He pauses, “I hope I didn’t cause trouble for you at work?”

I nod, sit down at the kitchen table.

“I called my friend Grace and offered her some of the money in exchange for telling him that she came to the club but left when she saw a vampire was there.”

He nods. “Then I owe you money for that, right?”

“If you want.”