Page 1 of Creatures Like Us

Chapter 1

Asher

Theeveningpassesmeby in a blur. Hell,lifepasses me by in a blur. I know nothing about nothing, and that’s exactly how I like it.

“You all right, babe?” Lilith leans in and kisses my cheek, and I accept the shot of nondescript liquor in her hand. She’s gone all out this New Year’s: ripped stockings, killer makeup, and a tiny black dress with a leather harness framing her tits. As if that wasn’t enough, her massive platform boots make her appear way taller than she really is.

“Banging party, am I right?” Joshua chimes in from behind us.

“Would be better with some drugs,” Lilith drawls, evoking a smatter of laughter from the party crowd. She’s hot, but she can be a bit of a bitch at times. I still love her though; she’smybitch, and together, we’ve had a shit ton of fun these past few months.

“Weren’t you supposed to lay off that shit?” Joshua asks.

“We are,” says Lilith. “But come on, it’s New Year’s! A little bit won’t hurt.”

She’s right; a little bit won’t hurt. We vowed to stop after New Year’s—resolutions and shit—but it’s not even twelve yet, so it doesn’t count. We’re fine. Totally.

Flashing a boyish grin, I hold out a hand with a shiny fifty-dollar bill—courtesy of my parents’ deep pockets. Joshua sends a glance to the kitchen, where that huge, tatted bouncer guy is eyeing us suspiciously. Shit.

He’s got his tiny little boyfriend with him—what was his name again? Some kind of bird. Can’t remember. Anyway, I know that bouncer doesn’t like us doing drugs, even if the whole function of the biker gang he’s part of is supplying said drugs. Makes zero fucking sense. I want to tell him these exact words, but I’m not buzzed enough to dare. Once I’m high, maybe—not merely drunk. When I’m high, I don’t care about anything.

“Maybe later,” Joshua says.

Lilith makes a frustrated noise, and the worn wooden floor dips ominously as she jumps up and down on her platform heels. “Come on, babe!” She grabs hold of my hand and hauls me closer. I stumble into her, unsteady from all the shots I’ve had.

Next thing I know, we’re doing whippets in the upstairs hallway. I throw my head back, grinning breathlessly as the world swims before my eyes.

“One more?” Lilith asks, filling up another balloon.

I smile and nod. I always want one more.

Lilith remains by my side. Even when I’m going to the toilet, she ensures I make it back. Is she worried I’ll find some girl in the hallway to cheat on her with, or what? A ridiculous thought, but one I wouldn’t put past her.

I don’t know how many times I’ve reassured her that the girl who kissed me at a party a few weeks ago basically forced herself on me when I was way too high to realize what was going on.It only lasted a couple of seconds, anyway, before I caught my bearings and shoved her away.

It meant nothing—not to me, not to her, and it shouldn’t mean anything to Lilith either.

“It’s almost time!” someone shouts. “Everyone, get outside.”

We stumble out the door and into the freezing cold for the midnight celebration. Compared to the heat inside the house, the cold hits me full on, making my teeth clatter. Shuddering, I wrap my jacket tighter around myself.

“Ten?…?nine?…?eight?…?seven?…?six?…?five?…?four?…?three?…?two?…?one! Happy New Year!”

The sky explodes with fireworks, and my vision swims as I try to take it all in. I smile along with the others, laugh along with the others, but I feel nothing.

I slide my hand into the chest pocket of my jacket, palming the syringe there.

That scary bouncer didn’t think to pat me down, luckily enough.Don’t bring anything that can hurt, he said when he vetted us by the door, and a syringe can do quite a lot of damage. Not to mention if you load it up with a special little substance. It can kill, but it can make you feel amazing too.

“Want a hit, babe?” Lilith asks. She’s snatched a joint from someone. I receive it and take a drag.

I don’t discriminate—a high is a high, after all, but there’s one high I want most. If my count is correct and my memory intact, my last hit was almost twelve hours ago; I’m well overdue for another. The shakes are already coming on. Crawling all over my skin, the anxiety following suit. In a couple of hours, I’ll start sweating, and as far as I know, Lilith will too.

I told myself I’d quit, but hell, it’s New Year’s Eve, and it’s a party, and I just want to feelgoodtonight. I need it.

As if she read my thoughts, Lilith grabs my arm and whispers in my ear, “Got any stuff, babe?”

“No, but I can get some.”