Page 5

“Really? We’re super close but I live in California, so I don’t have the chance to visit too often.

” Holding out my hand he reluctantly shakes it, transferring his groceries to the other hand as best he can.

He shivers at my touch, his eyes untrusting.

“Trent.” I’d be lying if I said I didn’t squeeze his hand a little harder than I should’ve.

Despite what the stories might tell you, vampires don’t stick out like a sore thumb. We’re able to blend in without too much notice—it’s part of what makes us such a threat to humans.

But no matter how human I look, I’m not, and some are far more aware that a predator lurks behind my eyes. He seems to be one of those people. I can tell from the way his shoulders curl slightly inward, and how his eyes dart around like he’s taking stock of where he might escape to.

I don’t plan to kill him, unless he says something stupid, so he has nothing to be worried about. Yet.

“Nice to meet you, Trent. I’m Cory.”

The deadbolt unlocks loudly as he twists the key in and nudges his door open with his shoulder.

“Here let me help you.” I rush over and hold the door open all the way, taking one of the bags from him.

A plan formulates in my head. I don’t care for eliminating humans who haven’t done anything wrong, but sometimes it’s necessary to get what I want.

The man from the coffee shop definitely did something wrong when he touched my girl.

“Thanks, man.” Cory shuffles in and I smirk as the door closes behind me with a soft click.

“Nice place you’ve got here.” Gently placing the bag of groceries next to his on the kitchen island, I invite myself into his living room and glance around. I can tell he’s put out by my barging in.

“Yeah, it’s cool being in the heart of the city,” Cory answers dismissively, head in the freezer.

He puts away his refrigerated items and I walk toward the balcony.

Pushing open the sliding glass door I walk out, greeted by the sprawling city in front of me.

I’m pleasantly surprised to find Celine has her own balcony right next to this one.

Reaching out my arm I can easily touch the metal railing of hers.

An adorable table and chair set decorates the space with string lights twisted around the railing.

Eyeing her door, I see a piece of wood in the track preventing intruders from easily breaking the lock and entering.

My smart girl. Not that it would keep me out.

“Hey, uh not to be rude, but could you leave? I appreciate the help, but I have friends coming over.” Cory motions a thumb over his shoulder toward the front door in a get the fuck out gesture.

I can smell the fear on him and the confusion too. He’s not sure why he’s scared of me, just that he is. He’s certainly not the stupidest human I’ve encountered but he’s an idiot if he thinks I believe him.

“Oh yeah, of course. Silly me.” I hold my hands up and walk past. Halting in my steps when I pass him, I turn around. “Before I go I have one question, do you ever talk to Celine?”

“Sometimes.” He rubs a hand through his hair. “I tried to ask her out but she’s kind of frigid. Totally dismissed me without giving me a chance, but don’t tell your cousin I said that.”

“Hmm.” If Celine dismissed this guy, it must’ve been for a good reason.

I nod and roll my neck before fully turn back to Cory.

A cold smile slowly curves my lips. “Then I definitely don’t feel bad about doing this.

” A split second later, I swing my arm back to punch him square in the face for daring to say anything bad about her.

He falls back, entirely limp.

I kick his shoe.

Is he just passed out or ? —?

No heartbeat.

“Aw, fuck,” I say out loud, annoyance drenching my words.

Sometimes I forget to lessen my force. “Oh, well.” I shrug.

“This might be a new record of dead bodies in a twenty-four-hour period,” I muse, staring down at Celine’s former neighbor.

“I didn’t mean to kill you, at least not yet, but that doesn’t matter, does it?

” I chuckle to myself. “Like you can even answer me.”

With a sigh, I plant my hands on my hips and look around the apartment.

“Now”—I muse, tapping my foot— “how am I going to get rid of you?”

It doesn’t take me long to decide the side floor length window is my best bet.

I can’t throw him over the balcony as much as I’d love for Humpty Dumpty here to have a great fall.

Celine saw enough gore at my hands last night.

I don’t need her looking out her balcony to a mess below. Best to toss the ilk out the other way.

It doesn’t open and while it’s made from glass that doesn’t easily shatter it wasn’t made to withstand a vampire. I knock out the glass and look down into the shadowed group of shrubbery and trees, perfect for hiding a body.

I heft Cory’s body into my arms and carry him to the window. A quick check tells me nobody is around to see what I’m about to do.

“Look out below,” I say with a laugh, tossing him into the void.

Seconds later the sound of impact meets my ears, and I swish the curtains closed. Pulling out my phone, I send a text to one of my contacts to dispose of the body and fix the glass. I can’t have the cops sniffing around and alerting Celine to my shenanigans.

With a sigh I plop myself down onto the black leather couch and rest my head against the cushion. Staring at the ceiling my mind wanders to Celine who I’m now perfectly positioned next to.

As if summoning her, my sensitive hearing picks up on soft footsteps coming down the hall and the jingle of keys.

Jolting to my feet I peek out of the peep hole in my door and spot her walking down the hallway with a determined look in her eye.

She’s holding her phone to her ear, and I can pick up on her friend’s voice from earlier.

At least she was already in the building before I threw the body out the window.

“Ava. I already told you this is the perfect opportunity to snoop.” She sticks her key in the keyhole of her door and quickly opens it, leaving my field of vision which is way too soon after not seeing her for hours.

With a pout I move back over to the living room and continue to listen in on her conversation.

“Yes, our motives for going to the club might be slightly different but we can’t turn a blind eye to something like this and you know it. I can’t just let innocent people be taken and sold if that’s what’s happening.”

Now my interest is piqued, and I find myself leaning forward hoping she’ll give more information on what she’s talking about.

“I’m going to see what I can find out online about the club owner. We’ll get ready at your place if that’s cool with you?” There’s a rustling sound like she’s taking off her jacket before she continues, “Okay. I’ll see you later. Bye, Aves.”

I whip out my phone and search for a club opening in Chicago, quickly finding a news article detailing the grand opening of Vex tomorrow night.

What trouble are you getting into, Celine?