Page 42 of Those That Don’t Exist (Hidden Vampires #1)

AURORA

M y head is spinning as we enter the ballroom of the charity function. My arm linked through Ty’s is the only thing keeping me grounded right now. After the last twenty four hours I feel like my world is being tipped on its axis yet again.

I barely kept it together on the walk here, the fundraiser on the far side of campus in one of the dance studios.

I couldn’t help but wonder what it'd be like to leave. Imagining it was the final time I’d see the old mishmash of buildings.

The last time I’d smell the fresh summer breeze mingled in with the river flowing metres away from us as we meandered along the bank to the function hall.

I tried to memorise everything. We’d agreed on a few more weeks, but I was already grieving the loss.

Another loss I would have to add to my ever growing list.

At least I’d have time to say goodbye. As I’d chatted to Claire earlier I’d been slammed with the thought that if I disappeared I wouldn’t be able to say anything to them. I would just suddenly be gone from their lives.

I couldn’t do it. I knew we’d be in danger if we stayed but I could handle Adicious.

I hoped.

I grab a flute of champagne from the waiter who greets us in the entryway and gulp it down. Ty offers me his, and I drink that too. If I’m going to get through this evening I need something to numb the overwhelming feelings inside me.

Claire gives me a look but is immediately jumped on by Bree. By the time she stops squealing in greeting I’ve plastered a huge smile on my face, and locked all the hard stuff away.

Bree drags all of us around the room, there’s a silent auction along one wall, and screens on another showing the dancers doing their thing.

We watch for a while, praising Bree for her achievements this year.

She also sneaks us into the adjoining auditorium to show us the set for the end of year finale.

She lights up, telling us she’s had confirmation that scouts from the ballet company in West Scotia are coming to her performance. The excitement in her voice is nearly too much for me, knowing I might not be here to see her succeed.

The final part of this tour is the buffet, which she and Claire dig into.

Ty excuses us from the food by twirling me out onto the dance floor where the band has started up.

He wraps me into his arms and starts leading me in a classic ballroom dance I have no idea how to do. It's a great distraction.

“Bree didn’t rub off on you then.” He grins at me as I try very hard to mirror the steps he does without tripping over my own feet.

“How do you know how to do this?” I don’t take my eyes off his feet for fear I’ll step on him in my stilettos.

“My parents insisted I learn. I grew up before club music was popular, remember.”

“Seriously? This was the only dancing people did before the war?”

“Ha, ha. No. I’m not that old. But Ballroom was popular. There were clubs which were more casual. Some played Jazz, and a few were experimenting with the electronic stuff but I preferred this.”

“Weirdo,” I tease, but in the next moment Ty pulls my arm, spinning me under his powerful movements, and all my bravado flees.

I let out a squeal, causing a few heads to turn in our direction. Ty chuckles at my ear before laying a kiss on my cheek as we come to a stop at the songs end.

“You did not tell me he could dance like that,” Bree jumps in at my side. “Can I borrow him?”

I step back quickly as the next song starts up. “He’s all yours,” I gesture, making a quick exit to the bar, and Claire, who’s already perched there.

I order a double shot of tequila and a gin and tonic from the barman.

“You’re not going easy tonight,” Claire observes as she takes a sip of her wine.

“I need it,” I mumble, slamming the shot. I glance over to where Ty and Bree are really going for it with a complicated looking dance. They’re laughing so I think they’re getting along, I note the competitive streak shining in both of them.

“Care to enlighten me? You seemed distracted on the walk over here, is everything ok?” Claire pushes, asking way too many questions I can’t answer.

I can hardly tell her there’s a pack of dickhead vampires who want to destroy my life and possibly kill the guy I think could be the love of my life.

Before I can think of something believable I notice Claire’s gaze track to Ty. “I know he seems great but if he’s done or said something…”

“No,” I jump in over her. “It’s not Ty. He’s amazing.

” I cringe at how that sounds. “Seriously, I’ve completely fallen for him, I love him.

” I keep my voice low because I know the vampire, currently twirling my other friend across the dancefloor, will be trying to listen in.

I’ve not said the words to him yet, but saying them out loud feels right.

“Love doesn’t mean healthy,” Claire says gently, fiddling with the stem of the glass in her hands. I know she’s referring to her ex. He was a manipulative piece of shit. Tried to get her to drop out of university because he wanted to go travelling.

“I mean it, it’s not Ty,” I reassure her. “I think I’m feeling the pressure of finals. I’m burnt out after this year. It’s been a lot.” I trail off on the last bit, it's the closest I can say to the truth.

“Oh sweetie, I’m sorry.” Claire puts a hand on my arm. “I didn’t even think. It’s coming up on the anniversary of your dad’s death isn’t it?”

And with that smack of a reminder I down the G&T in front of me and gesture to the bartender, I want a refill.

“I honestly hadn’t thought about the date, I meant getting through this past several months.” But now I’ll add it to my list of things to be emotional over.

“Oh gods! I assumed. Sorry, Rory.” Claire squeezes my arm gently before I can lift the refilled glass to my lips.

“It’s ok, I know you didn’t mean to.” I pull in a deep breath, plastering a gentle smile on my face. The last thing I need is to cry tonight, and in public.

Claire removes her hand and tilts her glass towards me. “Let's cheer to that. We’ve nearly made it. In a few weeks our lives can begin.”

We clink glasses and I gulp the drink down. The alcohol is finally starting to have an effect on my bloodstream, my emotions quieting to a dull ache.

“What are we celebrating?” Ty asks, joining us. He slides his arm around my waist as he steps close, pulling my back to his chest so I’m leaning into him. Bree comes to Claire’s shoulder.

“Fresh starts,” Claire replies as I put the empty glass back on the bartop.

“Have you sobered up?” Ty’s voice purrs into my ear a while later. We’re dancing once more, the band having finished their set, a DJ now in charge of the music. The men around us have mostly lost their ties and jackets, and some women have ditched their heels as they let loose to the beat.

I twist in Ty’s arms so I’m facing him.

“Yes, it's annoying how quickly alcohol burns through my system now.”

He chuckles at my pout. Getting drunk probably wasn’t a wise move, but I’d needed the momentary relief.

“How about we drink something else instead?” Ty raises an eyebrow in question and I immediately stop dancing.

“You don’t mean…”

“Why not, Red? You have the equipment now.” His eyes dance with an excitement I wish I felt.

Instead there’s a knot of anxiety in my stomach.

Honestly, I haven’t thought about this, the blood packets satiate my hunger and I haven’t felt murderous since the night I got my fangs and nearly bit my best friend.

Ty steps closer, brushing my cheek with the backs of his fingers. He lowers his lips to my ear again so I’ll be the only one to hear him.

“Don’t worry I’ll be there to help you control it. Don’t you want to know what it feels like? To sink your fangs into warm flesh rather than plastic.”

My canines extend in an instant.

Ty twirls us in a move so he’s once again at my back. He places a kiss on my neck. Pressing the sharp points of his fangs against my skin, making me shudder.

“How?” I breathe into the space in front of us as I grind back into him. A mix of thirst and lust starts to swim in my veins. Maybe this could be fun.

“Him,” Ty whispers against my ear and I glance over my shoulder to see where he’s looking. I follow his gaze to a man near the rear of the room. He’s with a group of guys but no one’s paying him any particular attention. I nod slowly.

“Take a slow inhale. Try to distinguish his scent,” Ty instructs.

“But there’s so many people in here.”

“Focus on him and try to lock on. He’s fully human, and doesn’t reek of alcohol.”

I honestly try but my nose feels overwhelmed with all the scents I’m picking up. I clearly need to practise this when I’m in a packed room.

I don’t stop attempting to single out the guy as Ty moves us across the dance-floor.

“You’ll need to bite quickly and take only one swallow,” Ty instructs as he twirls me again.

“Won’t I leave a wound?” Anticipation is growing in my bloodstream, but there’s an excitement sparking too.

“Take a mouthful then lick the puncture marks. Your saliva will seal the wound.”

“Just like that?” It sounds simple.

“Just like that.”

I look up at Ty again to see a predator before me. I don’t think I’ve seen his eyes so dark, so laser focused as he is right now. Each movement he’s making is lithe and smooth to the onlooker but with every brush of our bodies I can feel how his muscles are poised to strike.

Once we’re in front of the group, Ty asks one final question, “Ready Red?”

Before I can answer Ty is spinning me harder than he has all night and I find myself in the arms of an unsuspecting human man.

It happens so fast but instinct takes over. As we stumble to catch our feet my focus lands on his neck. I grab the front of his shirt and lean into the swing, toppling us both to the ground.

My fangs make contact with his neck on impact and blood hits my tongue.