Page 77 of Inked & Bloodbound
Her eyes flick up to mine, and she recoils, covering her mouth with her hand.
Cass. Your eyes.
They’ve ignited with the same terrifying, burning amber I get during feeding. They burn like matches in the darkness. Reflecting like cat eyes on a desolate highway caught in the beams of a car headlamp.
They’re a stark reminder that I’m a monster, and not a man.
I know. It’s just the blood I can smell. It’s okay. You’re okay.
She takes in a sharp breath through her nose and blows it out through pursed lips slowly. She’s trying to calm her accelerating heart, but it’s no use. I can hear it humming against her ribs like a vibration.
When we reach a set of double doors, I give her one last squeeze, square my shoulders, and push ahead. A wave of sound rushes over us, drenching us in the heavy bass that thuds through the ground and bounces off the walls.
Deep scarlet couches and booths line the walls. Lit by buzzing crimson bulbs nestled in tasseled light fixtures. Cherry neon light dripping off every facade.
Naked bodies, men and women, writhe and twist inside oversized neon bird cages suspended from the ceiling by thick silver chains, and leather-clad vampires watch in awe from underneath. Flicking their eager tongues over their lips like hungry serpents watching their blood-soaked limbs dangling between the bars.
Other humans are splayed across tables—legs spread wide as hungry mouths drink from femoral arteries, necks arched in submission, wrists offered like communion wine.
Human waitresses in sheer black lingerie weave between tables carrying trays of champagne flutes filled with blood. Some drink from crystal goblets, others feed directly from scantily clad prey who kneel beside their chairs like loyal pets.
You’d think it was a free-for-all were it not for the hoards of suited men standing like sentries in the shadows. Dressed in all black with leather harnesses containing cattle prods and pressurized canisters ofsilver spray. Ready to leap into action at a moment’s notice and defend the human merchandise from an overzealous vamp or shock a bratty bleeder back into submission. Her thoughts crash into mine and even her internal voice is shaking.
Holy shit, this is?—
I know amore. But I need you to act like you belong. We both do.
When we reach the bar, Lily studies the shelf of blood-filled carafes. She’s still afraid, but I can feel her toughening up. She holds herself taller and pulls away from me just a little.
A striking ebony-skinned female vampire with yellow glowing eyes and an intricate purple braid that reaches her waist flashes her fangs to greet us.
“What can I get y’all?” she says in a voice heavy with a deep southern twang. “Is it your first time here?”
I’m about to order, but Lily cuts in. “It is, yes. What do you have on tap?”
“A beer?” she asks, raising her eyebrows and looking at me. “What do you normally like?” She’s not asking Lily. Of course. What the human wants doesn’t really matter in a place like this. It’s all about what the vampire wishes to taste in the blood.
“Pale ale,” I say. “Anything with citrus.”
“Very good. Anything else for you, sir?”
I nod toward Lily and bare my fangs as I smile at her.
“No, thanks. I’m all set.”
The bartender nods. “Alright, coming right up. If you change your mind and want to sample one of our resident bleeders or want to book a private room, speak to one of the guys in black. They’ll hook you up. I only work the bar.”
“Out of curiosity, what kind do you have in stock?”
“Like I said, I only deal with the bar, but we’ve got everything from chinawhite to fent. From benzos to brown. A good range of cocktails and combos too.” She leans in and winks conspiratorially. “There’s even a redhead who only drinks Japanese whiskey and codeine, and I hear she’s exquisite if you’ve got the money to spend.”
“How delicious,” I lie, and Lily huffs in response.
The vamp turns to grab a beer from the fridges under the bar, and I catch sight of Lily’s livid reflection in the mirror on the back wall. Her face is sour with disgust, but I have no time to guard her feelings right now.
Remember, this is a vampire bar.I warn.It’s about what the vampire wants. I know there’s messed-up shit happening here, but you need to hold your nerve.
Fine… I mean, I know. I’m sorry.