Page 29 of Those That Don’t Exist (Hidden Vampires #1)

AURORA

Matches is packed to the rafters. You won’t be noticed here if you can get away.

Maybe I’ll spare you a dance. ;)

I hit send on the message to Ty and down the rest of my drink, my second double rum shot of the evening. Having drunk them in quick succession, I feel a little buzz.

Matches really is heaving tonight, it's right on the riverfront, an easy walk from the uni campus, making it a popular student destination.

Its fiery decor sounds corny but it’s actually one of the more decent clubs. Orange and yellow accents with red neon signs behind the crowded bar set off the darkened dance floor, strobe lights flashing across the space in time with the beat of the music.

A DJ residency here is competitive, only the best in the field get a slot, meaning the music is catchy as shit and well mixed. As proven by how crammed the dance-floor is already even though the night is still fairly early.

I scan the lower deck from my position on the VIP balcony Bree reserved for us and her ballet crew.

Most of the group are already dancing, including my housemates.

They tried dragging me with them but I felt a little trepidation at being encased in so many warm bodies.

I’d drunk the blood pack Ty had left me today just before we came out but I didn’t wish to entice the monster in my head.

I check my phone, there’s no new messages.

In the week it's been since I’ve found out everything, we’ve only had brief moments together.

it's been nothing more than quick check-ins and him dropping blood off for me. Or my less favourite option, him sneaking into my room without me knowing to leave the packets in my desk. After our night together he’s frustratingly sunk back into the shadows and hasn’t opened up nearly as much.

We’ve been messaging non-stop, mainly me asking every vampire related question that pops into my head, but I want more actual conversations with him.

How does alcohol affect us?

I hit send on the message. Its a little desperate I know, and yes I’m trying to get a rise from him but fuck it. I grab another drink from the small bar up here set up to serve the vip area guests. A straight double of vodka this time.

Red’s Stalker: Are you getting drunk?

The message pings my phone on the bar as I place the empty glass back on the surface.

No.

At least not yet.

I fire back.

Maybe I am a little drunker than I thought… The emotions I’ve had on a firm leash the last few days are starting to take over, frustration being at the forefront.

I’ve spent the last week reading any and all information I can get my hands on about the vampires which lived in this city. Plus, I spent an afternoon reading all the press reports, and the official pathology reports I was sent about my dad’s death.

I shoved the grief back, refusing to fall apart when I needed a clear head to understand this new world I’ve been thrust into. Going from sympathetic bystander to the accused is a bit of a mind-fuck.

And it's isolating. I know Ty says I can’t meet the pack but it means I only have him to talk to about this. He’s my only reference apart from the books I’ve been devouring.

Ty has been helpful in answering my questions but shot me down when I asked him to come tonight.

He’s been cagey with the details on his pack too.

He won’t disclose where they live or even how many vampires are living in this city.

He says it's for my protection and I want to believe him. He was so open that night I didn’t expect him to go cold on me again.

And the flutter of attraction I feel every time his nickname lights up my phone, or I find the blood he’s stashed for me, isn’t helping.

A new message pops up on my phone and I scramble to pick it up hoping he’s changed his mind and is coming out. I’m quickly disappointed.

Red’s Stalker: Red, you can’t be inebriated and in close proximity to a lot of people. You could lose control.

I’m not feeling bitey

I shoot back

Red’s Stalker: Yet. Red, please don't take any risks. Maybe you should go home?

Is he angry? That message sounds angry. It's like gasoline to the fire in my blood. Fuck him. I’m fine and I know what to look out for now, I can avoid hugging anyone.

No. Bree invited me out and Claire is talking to me again. I want to enjoy a night with my friends. You can’t be angry at me for enjoying myself. Goodnight.

I intend to put my phone away to go join my friends, but as I push off the bar and head to the stairs I can’t help but read his immediate reply.

Red’s Stalker: Red, I’m not angry. But you can't take risks like this.

Deciding I’m done, I put my phone in my pocket - yes my dress has pockets! - without replying. I finish descending the stairs and go searching for my friends.

I make my way through the edges of the dancing crowd rejoicing in the absence of any murderous thoughts.

See Ty, I can handle it .

Claire and Bree had been right up near the DJ booth when I spotted them from the mezzanine so I dive deeper into the throng. finding them easily enough, they cheer at my appearance, and drag me into the middle of their circle.

I let myself get lost in the beat, trying to forget my messages with Ty. I jump and twirl to the fast tempo, very much less graceful than Bree’s near professional dance skills. The skirt on my emerald skater dress flies around my hips as I swing them, letting the music move me.

Thanks to the blood I’ve been drinking I’m not using my glamour on my body anymore. I finally look and feel healthy again and I’m going to celebrate. I’ve even let some of the red back into my hair tonight. It's worth celebrating.

After several songs a guy from our group appears with a tray of shots in hand.

As he reaches us I see his gaze linger on Claire, on her tight purple mini dress.

Bree catches it too and I wonder if she had particular friends in mind when she asked about setting us up the other day.

She catches me giving her a questioning look and shrugs a shoulder as she grins at me.

Once everyone has a shot in hand we clink the tiny glasses in cheer’s but as I lift mine towards my lips an arm reaches over my shoulder, plucking the glass out of my hand.

I spin on my heels ready to yell at whomever is stealing my drink but I’m struck immobile. The male before me sinks the shot in one before offering me a smile that heats my insides like I had just drunk the alcohol he stole from me.

“Hello, Red,” Ty purrs, his voice somehow reaching me over the music.

He’s in a fitted black button down shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, and washed out black jeans which look like they’ve been tailored to fit his muscular thighs.

His hair is a damp mop of curls flopping over his head, fresh from a shower.

I’ve not seen him dressed up like this before, I realise, as my gaze does a second sweep of his body.

Dressed like this he looks every bit the predator of the night.

I swear I see the shadows thickening in swirls around his legs too.

He stretches over me again to put the empty shot glass back on the tray and I catch a whiff of his cinnamon scent.

“Like what you see?” he whispers in my ear before pulling back. He puts his fingers under my chin, closing my dropped jaw.

“That drink was mine,” I stutter over the words. With him looking this good my earlier anger is nowhere to be found.

Gods, dammit.

“I need to catch up.” He shrugs before stepping back so he can sweep his gaze down my body. Taking in my outfit, his eyes linger on my bare legs. The blush rises up my throat and covers my cheeks at his appraisal.

“You’re really here.” Maybe it's a good thing he stole my shot, clearly my brain is more inebriated than I thought if I’m going to keep speaking the obvious.

“Yes, Red, I am.” He steps closer again, placing a hand at my waist. I instinctively step forward, closing the gap between us even more, as he starts to move us to the music. “I managed to escape for a while, although I’m sure I’ll pay for it later.”

“I don’t want you to get into trouble,” I tell him sincerely.

“Oh, I think I’m already in deep trouble, Red.” His gaze locks to mine and my brain just stops. I’m caught in those crystal blue eyes and the only thing I can remember is when he looked at me with that much heat last weekend.

“I want you to be mine.”

“Is this the mystery guy?” Bree chooses this moment to bounce into our space, placing one of her hands on my shoulder, and the other on Ty’s arm, breaking the moment.

I have to laugh as her energy is turned up to the max.

“Are you the mystery guy?” she questions Ty directly as she does her own assessment of all six-foot-everything of him.

“Yes, this is…” I go to introduce them but then remember I’m not sure if I can tell her his name.

“Ty,” he finishes for me, answering my silent question.

“He’s gorgeous,” she tells me, but so loud I know he hears. Which is confirmed by the bashful smile breaking across his face.

“Nice to meet you, you must be Bree,” he says, turning to give her his attention.

“How could you tell?” She cocks her head in confusion.

“Rory’s description of you was spot on. Tall, loud and clearly protective.” He gestures at the way she has positioned herself in front of me. I also notice how it's the first time he’s called me by the nickname my friends use.

“Well, she’s been through enough. You better not be using her or I’ll…” I slam a hand over Bree’s mouth.

“Bree!” I admonish. I quickly remove my hand when I register the warmth of her skin under my palm.

“What?” She looks at me like I’m crazy. “He needs to know now I’ll kick his ass if he hurts you.”

I shake my head, trying to laugh it off. Ty seems amused too. We both know that even though Bree is nearly a full Fae she would not be expecting the formidable opponent of Ty’s true nature. Fae are strong but in a one-on-one I think Ty would have the advantage over my friend.