Page 8 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)

Hunter had finished working on Matt”s tattoo, and after tidying and cleaning his room and not being able to spend the evening with Gavin, he joined Taha, Luke, and Shelby at Matt’s bar.

Hunter loved coming here. No matter what day of the week one came, the place was always busy. The only food served here came in packets, and there was no dance floor. Instead, the back of the room had two pool tables and a dartboard.

There was the main bar area with tables scattered about and a jukebox. If you wanted somewhere quiet, there was a snug area with fewer tables and chairs that was always a lot quieter.

This evening, however, the friends were in the back at one of the pool tables.

“So how come you’re not out with your mystery man tonight?” Taha asked him.

“Gavin isn’t well today. I sent him some chicken soup to help him feel better, and anyway, he’s not my mystery man. He’ll be in the studio soon as I’m designing a tattoo for him.”

“Taha mentioned that you met him at the library,” Shell said before leaning over the table and taking his shot.

Hunter nodded, taking a drink from his bottle. “Yeah, I was sitting on the floor in the stacks as I do, and he was engrossed in looking at the books and didn’t see my legs. He tripped over them and fell in front of me.” Hunter smiled at the memory and shook his head. “My dream man literally tripped over my legs.”

“And fell into your lap?” Luke asked, smiling.

Hunter laughed. “Not quite, but nearly. That’s why I’m learning sign language, so I can understand him when he talks, and he doesn’t have to write everything down.”

“Is he deaf?” Taha asked.

“No,” Hunter said with a shake of his head. “Mute.”

“It would be worth us learning sign language, as well, so we can chat with your man and understand deaf or mute customers. I can’t believe none of us had thought about that before,” Shell said, sounding put out.

“I can send you the links to the place I’m learning from if you want,” Hunter offered.

The friends all said yes, before Taha took his shot. He stood up and looked at Hunter. “But something’s wrong. What is it?”

Hunter sighed. “I don’t know. A few times when we’ve been out, I swear someone was following us.”

“Why would anyone do that? What does your Gavin do for a living? Is it dangerous?” Taha asked.

Hunter shook his head. “No, he’s a computer game designer.”

“Is he good?” Luke asked.

“Really good. Two of his games are Vampire Academy and Atlantis Attack.”

Shell”s mouth fell open. “I love those games. Your man has some skill.”

Hunter smiled. “He really does.”

“But that still doesn’t explain why anyone would be following him,” Taha said. “Have you mentioned it to Gavin?”

“No,” Hunter said. “The first time it happened I wasn’t sure. But the second time, I didn’t want to scare him.”

“Are you sure they were following Gavin and not you?” Shell asked, leaning against the pool table and taking his shot.

“I’ve not felt someone watching me when I’m on my own, only when I’m out with Gavin. He told me he’s pretty much a hermit, and it took me a while to coax him out for dinner and coffee shop dates, so I can’t see that he would have made any enemies.”

“How about someone in the gaming world jealous of his success?” Taha questioned.

“Would people stoop that low?” Luke asked.

“Stranger things have happened. Tell you what, when your man is better, invite him here. We’ll let you walk with him, and we’ll follow a few minutes behind to keep an eye on you both and see if someone is following him,” Taha suggested.

“What if you find there is?” Hunter asked.

Taha smirked. “Then they’ll find out what a martial arts expert can do.”

Hunter laughed and held up his bottle. “Thanks.”

“Game going well, then?” Matt asked laughingly as he carried over more drinks for them.

“Just putting the world to rights,” Luke said, grabbing a new drink. “Thanks.”

“Did Hunt tell you someone could be following his man?” Taha asked.

Matt glared at Hunter. “No, he seemed to have forgotten that part. What the hell, Hunt?”

“I don’t know for sure. We’ve come up with a plan to see if someone is following him. I’ll bring him here and the guys will follow behind and see what happens.”

Matt nodded. “Good. If he is being followed, we”ll protect him. He might not know it yet, but he’s got us now as his protectors.”

“Operation Protect Hunter”s Man is a go,” Luke said, holding his bottle up. Everyone grabbed their drinks and clicked, sealing the pact.

* * *

The party wenton a long time; everyone was having fun, and no one wanted to leave. From somewhere unknown, Dave pulled out some party games: Twister, Connect 4, and giant Jenga.

“I would pay big money to see your father playing twister,” Kevin said to David and Gio sometime later.

The brothers laughed.

“Me, too, but alas, I don’t think that will ever happen,” David said.

“Not like Seth, Dave, and Ian. Look at them,” Gio said, grinning over at the players.

Seth, Dave, and Ian were cracking up as Dave was trying to reach the red with his right leg. He fell in the process and landed on top of Ian, who collapsed on top of Seth, the three of them laughing like loons.

“I think we should go and rescue our mates,” David said, laughing while walking in their direction.

“Ian can rescue himself,” Kevin said as he followed them.

David and Gio helped their mates up and taking pity on him, Kevin helped Ian.

“Why don’t we have parties like this?” Ian asked Kevin.

“Because we don’t have parties, you know, being fierce mercenaries and all,” Kevin replied.

“Are you saying we’re not fierce?” Seth asked him with a laugh.

“You are, but your Dave is keeping it real,” Ian said.

“I really am,” Dave said with a giant smile that turned into a yawn.

“And very tired,” David pointed out.

Dave leant against him. “I really am. Do you think anyone would mind if I went off to bed?”

“Nope. I’m going to look for Creed and drag him off to bed,” Kevin said grinning. “See you all tomorrow,” And with that he walked off looking for his mate.

“I’m heading off, as well,” Ian said. “See you at breakfast.”

“Ian, if you want to bring anything to make the room you’re staying in feel like yours, help yourself,” David said to him.

Ian grinned. “Thanks, vamp. I might just do that.” And with that, he walked off.

* * *

Gavin had slipped awayfrom the party. Everyone was having fun and laughing, more so when Dave produced the games. Gavin tried to have fun, he really did, and he would lose himself in the party, but then remembered why they were having it in the first place and his happiness would fade.

Now he was sitting outside in the garden. Fairy lights were dotted around, giving a soft glow to the patio area. Gavin was sat in one of the patio chairs, his feet pulled up and his head resting on his knees. He looked towards the back of the garden where the woods were. But he didn’t see the woods, all he saw was the dead witch.

He heard a noise behind him and wiped his eyes before looking up to find Sean and Kayden standing by the table. Kayden was carrying a plate overloaded with biscuits, and Sean carried three drinks.

Gavin smiled at them and nodded to the chairs.

“Thanks,” Kayden said, sitting down next to Gavin and putting the plate of biscuits down.

Sean passed out the drinks before sitting down on Gavin’s other side and childishly leaning across Gavin to grab a biscuit.

Gavin gave a silent laugh and took a biscuit.

“You missed the fun. Dave, Seth, and Ian were playing twister and landed in a tangled heap, and David, Gio, and Kevin had to rescue them,” Kayden said, laughing at the memory.

“Look,” Sean said, grabbing his phone. “I took sneaky photos.” He opened the pictures up and showed them to Gavin.

Gavin laughed silently before signing.

Kayden translated for Sean. “The coven house is so much more fun since Dave arrived and made friends with the wolves.”

“I can understand that. Dave is awesome, and the wolves… I’m not sure what I expected them to be like, but fun-loving wasn’t it.” Sean sighed. “Truthfully, I’m glad Gabe made friends with them. We are so in over our heads with all the crap we found out. We knew Roberto and Kay were mad, but Elder Leonard was a surprise. I mean, how could we not know how evil he was?”

“Because he was good at hiding it,” Gabe said, walking over to join them. “Can I join you?”

Gavin nodded and signed.

“I know I could have just sat down, but that would have been rude,” he replied while sitting. “The party is winding down, and I couldn’t find any biscuits.”

Gavin pushed the plate closer to him before signing.

Gabe laughed and looked at Sean. “You took pictures?”

“Oh yeah, look,” he said, passing his phone over.

Gabe burst out laughing. “If ever we need to blackmail one of them, we can use those.” He looked at Sean and Kayden. “I’m staying here tonight. Do you want me to send you home?”

“No, Dave told us earlier we can crash in the same room we had last time. We can relax here and not worry about anything until we get home tomorrow,” Kayden said.

“Plus, after breakfast tomorrow, we can talk Vampire versus Witches,” Sean said, smiling at Gavin.

Gavin nodded and signed.

“Gavin said he can’t wait to start it. He was bored with the one he was working on,” Kayden translated.

“This one will be epic,” Sean said, grinning, picking up his drink, and holding it out to clink it with the others.