Page 48 of Those That Don’t Exist (Hidden Vampires #1)

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T here’s so many people it's hard to single out any one scent but I’m a determined mother fucker. Striding down the main strip of bars I catch something, pausing so suddenly the person behind me doesn’t see me stop and crashes into me.

I growl at the drunken idiot, shoving them on their merry way as I inhale again. It’s a whisper of her, deep and earthy. I follow it down a side alley where there’s a back entrance to one of the clubs. Why would she go in there? To hide?

I hadn’t detected any of the pack but it didn’t mean they weren’t around.

They would be taking precautions in case I was still around, they knew how to keep themselves hidden.

I keep checking over my shoulder and focusing on all the noise around me as I wait in the queue to get into the club.

After what feels like an age I’m crossing the threshold and stalking to the main area.

There’s way too many bodies crammed tightly together in here for me to rely on my nose to find Red. The darkness and strobe lighting also makes it hard to see properly, even with my supernatural vision. Looking across the space I can’t see any sign of her signature flame coloured hair.

I remember her power.

Shit.

If she’s glamoured herself how the fuck am I supposed to recognise her?

I have no real knowledge of the extent of her gift.

She’s told me she can alter her appearance, I’ve seen the glamour she had in place to keep herself looking healthy but what if she’s altered her height?

Body shape? What if she looks totally different?

I scrub a hand over my face and through my hair. She’s impossible to find in a crowd. That’s both terrifying and reassuring. The pack would have as much trouble locating her as I am right now. Hopefully more so as none of them will be as attuned to her as I am.

I walk aimlessly for a few minutes hoping to spot her before I reach the main entrance to the club, one which leads to a different street. I have no hope of finding her here and so I leave, changing my plan.

She’ll be heading back to her house anyway, I’m sure of it. If I head there maybe she’ll already be home. If not I’ll wait and hope I’m correct about the pack being unable to identify her. If she has indeed changed her appearance.

I make it five steps along the pavement before I smell it. Blood.