Page 54 of This Blood That Binds Us

Kimberly and I exchanged another glance as we started for the back of the line.

We’d spent the last few days preparing the best we could. Our hearts beat together in our collective spiral of anxiety. I had to keep a watch on my brothers and make sure they didn’t get too close, while also keeping an eye on Kimberly and William.

“Are we going to stand in this line?” Presley whined. “I’m already bored.”

Outside, the crowd surged at the doorway, with more people than I had thought. A wall of cologne and perfume hit me like a freight train. My throat was instantly dry from the inhale. Heightened vampire senses weren’t always a good thing.

“What do you suggest?” I said.

“Well, I did have one idea. The thing we used to do to sneak into the movie theater...” Presley shot me a wicked smile. “We even have a damsel now. It will be way more convincing.”

I frowned. “I’m not subjecting Kim to our stupidity. I mean, not unless she wants to be subjected to it?”

Her eyes searched us. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. But I guess I’m open to it.”

“You heard the woman! Follow my lead.” Presley put his cigarette out on the ground and threw it into his pocket. He pointed out into the trees. “Oh my god. What is that!?”

Innocent Kimberly fell for his trap, like I had hundreds of times growing up. She turned to look for the signs of dangers in the trees, and in one fluid motion, I leaned down to pick her up bridal style.

“What are you doing!?” she yelled.

“Shhh. Be chill. Act like you’re dead or something,” Presley whispered to her before cupping his hands over his mouth. “Everybody, move! Out of the way. We have a fainter over here! She needs to get inside!”

To my surprise, she played along, leaning her head into my chest and relaxing. Her warm skin emitted electricity against my chest, and I hoped she couldn’t feel my heart beating like a hammer.

I did my part in maneuvering us through the crowd. “Everybody, please move! We need to get her inside to get some air!”

A slurry of voices talked around us, most whispering their concerns and wondering if she was okay.

“Do we need to call an ambulance?” some said close to my ear.

“She’ll be okay. We just need to get her inside.”

Presley sounded so reassuring.

She was a natural, with her eyes firmly shut, her body limp in my arms.

We stepped through the entrance, and the music hit me even harder than the perfume had. I thought navigating large crowds was bad, but loud music would take some getting used to. I slowly tilted her out of my arms, letting her stilettos hit the floor. The venue held high steel beams strung with lights in every corner. I had imagined a sort of club with dance floors shifting colors, but everything was warm mahogany wood. The bar wastucked off into the corner, and the stage stood front and center. The DJ was already in place. Next to him was a winding staircase that led to the second floor.

The smooth groove of the music vibrated into my feet and up my spine. It felt powerful, igniting my senses.

I glanced at Presley to see if he was feeling as disoriented as I was. His wide-eyed smile told me he wasn’t. It was going to be a long night.

“And here we are. A fast pass to the fun.” Presley smiled, looking proud of himself.

“Do you guys do that kind of thing often?” Kimberly brushed off her dress and readjusted her hair.

“More than I care to admit.” I chuckled.

The venue wasn’t packed yet, and I didn’t see any sign of William.

“I’m going to go try to steal a drink from someone. Do you guys want anything?” Presley said, mid-sprint for the bar.

“No, we’re good.” I waved him off.

I turned to Kimberly, speaking louder. “A little birdie told me that you don’t drink.”

She smiled but never stopped searching the crowd. “No, I don’t.”