Chapter 19

Chris had Benji bring him a change of clothes before dinner, and I guess he changed his clothes in the car because the man across from me looks nothing like the emo vampire that has been living in my front yard for a week. He looks so handsome sitting with me in this fancy restaurant, wearing a dressy collared shirt with dress pants. All black, of course. I’m actually not sure he owns any clothing that aren’t black. His hair is slicked back, showing off his beautiful angular features. Sometimes, I fantasize about running my fingers through his black hair. I almost jump at the thought. Stop it, Dani!

I’m wearing a tight-fitting, pink dress that stops at my upper thighs paired with my tall, platform heel, black boots. Over it all, I wear my leather jacket to combat the chilled air outside. Outside, I look hot, but inside, I’m a mess. I still can’t believe I agreed to this, that I’m now sitting down to dinner in public with a man I claim to very much dislike. And the worst part of it all? I’m actually enjoying myself.

Our waiter places our food down in front of us before backing away. Chris ordered a glass of whiskey and a steak so rare that it’s oozing blood onto the plate. Even my steak, only cooked medium-rare, has much more color to it than his does. “Do you even eat human food?” I ask, staring at the undercooked meat, my stomach queasy at the sight. It’s quite gross.

Chris glances down at his plate, almost like he forgot it was there, and shakes his head. “Definitely not. Eating human food would make me sick. I just order bloody steaks when I’m acting like a human in public for the fun of it. A bloody steak.” He chuckles at his joke, that dimple making a well-timed appearance.

“Why not just order a drink, then? It’s a waste of food.” I ask, cutting a piece off my steak.

“I’m sorry, kitten. I didn’t realize you were a food conservationist.”

Without blinking, I lift my eyes to his and stare at him blankly. “I’m not.” I lift the bite of steak to my mouth. It’s delicious, and so tender that it practically melts in my mouth. I can’t help but let out a groan as I chew it.

“That good, huh?” He takes a sip of his whiskey as he stares at me.

I nod my head. “I haven’t had a steak in a long time.” My cheeks flush with embarrassment. I can’t believe I’m sitting with a vampire, at a table in a five-star restaurant, talking about steak. “Anyways.” I clear my throat and take a sip of my wine. “Should we keep the conversation off the topic of food so you don’t start looking at my neck? I suppose you could tell me about your silly ancient vampire lore now.”

His eyes widen as a grin spread across his features. “You really want to hear my stories? As I remember, you once called them made up.”

I nod, replying, “I really wouldn’t make me ask the question a second time, puppy.”

His smile stays plastered on his face. “You’re full of surprises tonight.” He leans in closer, tapping his chin with his finger as if he’s trying to think about it. “Where to begin?”

I cut another piece of the steak, waiting for him to start talking.

“This probably isn’t the best place to have this conversation, little kitten. People can hear us.” He glances around us at the restaurant filled with people.

I stop cutting my steak and look up to meet his stare. “I didn’t know you cared so much about what other people think.”

“I don’t,” He rubs his chin thoughtfully. “But a room full of humans with this kind of information may not bode well.”

I let out an aggravated sigh. “Are you really going to make me wait when I’m finally ready to hear it? I’m asking because I’m curious, and I want to know what could be waiting for me when Oliver ever shows up. If he ever does, that is. I’m still not convinced he’s going to.”

Chris’ eyes light up at my confession. “Fine. How could I say no to that?” He takes another sip of whiskey before he begins speaking, his voice low. “A very long time ago, thousands of years ago, although the exact date is lost, there was a man named Athan. He was a deranged, sick bastard. It’s believed that he would murder the people that lived in his village and drink their blood—sort of like his own fucked up sacrificial offering to whatever Gods he worshiped. He traveled all over the world, killing, raping, and just destroying pretty much everyone he came in contact with. One night, after killing a whole village while they slept and feasting on their blood, he prayed to his Gods. Legend says that his Gods appeared before him that night, and granted him a wish for his acts of wickedness committed in their name. He asked to become a God, like them, but one that could still roam the earth freely, able to commit his cruel acts as he saw fit, spreading his own brand of cruelty. The Gods granted his wish, making Athan an immortal being. A God, in his own way, and the first vampire.”

I stare at Chris, wide eyed, my clutched fork forgotten in my hand. “So, a thousand years ago, some crazy guy killed a bunch of people and became a God? That seems a little far-fetched. Who the hell did he even worship that would be so thrilled to have murders and buckets of blood laid at their doorstep?”

Chris nods, taking another sip of his drink before he answers. “Far-fetched is a good way to describe it, yeah. No one knows who Athan worshiped, or who granted him the powers he has. It’s just legends. Not many vampires that are around today claim to have met him.”

“So he could still be roaming the world? Just freely murdering people? If he’s as powerful as you say, then why aren’t we worshiping vampires already? Why wouldn’t he have made us his slaves?” I slip another bite of steak into my mouth, groaning again at the delicious taste.

“No one knows where he is. Some say he doesn’t exist, and some say one of the Gods he worshiped so earnestly killed him. Some of us think he’s in hiding, and others say he was subdued by soul shard dust and locked in a prison that’s impossible to escape. Personally, I believe that the last one is true. I think if Athan were walking around free for all this time, the world would be a much different place. He’s extremely powerful and power-hungry. He would have brought the world to its knees.” Chris is watching me intently over the top of his whiskey glass as he takes another sip.

He leans back in his chair, his finger circling the lip of his glass. “It’s just a theory though. Unfortunately, that’s not the end of the story. Before Athan disappeared, he was quickly rising to power, dominating every village he came across and committing the same atrocities he once did as a human, but on a larger scale. There were three human maidens that Athan took an exceptional liking to that he took with him wherever he went. His personal sex slaves, in a manner of speaking.”

I choke on my wine. “He had personal sex slaves?”

Chris chuckles at my reaction. “Yes, he had many, but he took a particular liking to these three, more than the rest. Legend says they were the most beautiful women to roam the earth, and Athan liked pretty things. After a while, the three maidens ended up pregnant and gave Athan his three children: Aeliana, Zarek, and Balor.” He grits his teeth as he says the last name.

Balor. I remember that name. He mentioned it before.

Chris continues his story. “His children, like him, are Gods in their own way. Demigods, you could say. Athan wasn’t exactly a present father so he never really told his kids much of anything about himself or what to expect as they grew up. As each grew into adulthood, they realized that they stopped aging once their immortality kicked in. Aeliana and Zarek didn’t take after their father’s ways much. Balor, on the other hand, was cruel and, in a way, worse than Athan ever was. They later learned that they could create more creatures like them, immortal with a hunger for blood, even though their creations would never be as powerful as they are. With that realization and their first raised vampire, the three sire lines were created. I share blood with Aeliana because I was sired by her bloodline. She’s the reason I can walk in the sun. Anyone who was sired by her blood has that ability, which allows them to live freely among humans. We can blend in.

“Aeliana was the only child of Athan to gain his capability to walk into the sun, though. Balor and Zarek’s lines don’t have that power, so they’re still bound to the night, and the sun will kill them if they’re stranded in its rays for too long. All of Athan’s children have certain powers of his, none of which overlap except for the immortality, and craving of blood part. Y’know, the standard vampire stuff.”

I’m just staring at him, completely shocked at just how much there is to take in. I never would have guessed their history ran so deep. That there are Gods and horrors beyond my imagination at play here too. Now, I sort of wish we weren’t sitting in a restaurant full of people because hearing all of this opens up my mind to so many new possibilities that, honestly, terrify me, which makes it really hard for me to respond to him normally. “Are Athan’s children still around today? And how does it work with the sire lines? How do you know whose blood you’re sharing?” I swallow hard, glancing around us to see if anyone’s staring at us or eavesdropping.

“Yeah, they’re all still around, but no one sees them much. They like to stay to themselves. As for the sire lines, it’s not really all that complicated because you don’t really know, unless the vampire turning you tells you beforehand, which they usually don’t.” He shrugs. “But there are general assumptions you can make about who your sire is based upon the abilities you have and general behavior. Like, if you can walk in the sun and not turn to ash, you’re definitely Aeliana’s. Anyone sired by Balor’s line is typically crueler in nature, and they multiply in great numbers. Nobody really knows why, but there’s talk of Balor wanting to raise an army to overthrow the other lines, mainly Zarek’s.”

He pauses to take another sip of whiskey, his eyes still not moving from mine. “Zarek gained the power over all of the elements from Athan. So water, fire, air, and earth. Everyone sired by Zarek’s line gains power over one of the elements. With Balor and Aeliana, you generally have to guess which of them sired you, but with Zarek’s line, they don’t just turn anybody. It’s pretty rare to be sired into Zarek’s line. You kind of have to be initiated so you pretty much know.” Chris sees my confused head tilt and explains. “Having the power to freely wield a wall of fire is greatly sought after, and terrible in the wrong hands. Zarek’s bloodline only really appears when Balor’s line is getting out of hand, so we don’t really know that much about them, or see them all that often.”

“Out of hand?” I ask. “What exactly does ‘getting out of hand’ mean for vampires?”

He grimaces a bit as he answers. “Balor wants to bring the human race to their knees, to worship him. So he’ll demand his sired commit mass murder, kill anyone and everyone in mass amounts, so he can create fear and hysteria among the humans and basically make them his subjects through terror. Zarek and Aeliana have always been able to stop him before he gets too out of control. Zarek’s line alone can pretty much annihilate a whole city if they wanted to.”

I haven’t really touched my food since he started talking, even though I’m staring down at my plate. I’m just frozen in my seat. I swallow hard. “You said that some people believe that Athan was taken down with a soul shard or something. I can’t remember exactly what you called it, but can’t that be used against Balor? To stop him?”

Chris’ lips tilt slightly at my absurd recollection of what that word is called. “Soul- shard dust. No one has known how to extract it for centuries, so much so that most young vampires think it’s an urban legend. It’s said that the dust is extracted from the bodies of the old Gods and mixed with the ashes of once-powerful, long-dead vampires. But no one really knows for sure anymore, even when it was obtainable it was still a rare commodity to come by. The last of it was allegedly used hundreds of years ago, and no one has been able to recreate it since. This shit was used to win wars, to torture captured members of the opposite side, and to dominate civilizations.”

My mouth feels dry as I try to ingest all of this new information. To think there was once a weapon so strong in existence that it could have taken down a God is mind-blowing. “What about it made it so strong to be able to do all of that? Not to mention, take down a God… or allegedly take down a God.”

“I’ve been told it feels like being a prisoner in your own body—at first your joints lock up, leaving you unable to move or talk for hours or sometimes even days. But that’s only the beginning of the fun. Once you start to regain movement, your mind is held captive for days beyond that. Held hostage by hallucinations of your past or bringing your worst fears to life. It’s really powerful shit. If we were able to get our hands on it now, I’m sure Balor would have been taken down long ago. Or he would have used it to take the other two lines down, who knows. It’s probably best that it’s no longer a weapon that can be used against us.”

“This is all… a lot.” I shudder, even though it’s warm in the restaurant.

“Do you want me to stop, little kitten? I don’t want to frighten you. I just want you to be aware of what’s awaiting you in the world, so you’ll be careful.” He smiles shyly at me before taking two big gulps of his whiskey and finishing the glass.

“No, it’s okay. I guess I should know these things. Since you don’t seem to be leaving my life anytime soon.” I lift my gaze from my plate to his warm brown eyes, my cheeks heating at his frank stare. “So you were sired by Aeliana, and Oliver… he was sired by Balor’s line? The evil guy.”

He laughs loudly. “Yeah, Oliver was sired by the evil guy. By Balor. I believe that’s why he’s acting the way he is towards you. Balor’s blood tends to make vampires a lot more cruel. Truthfully, when you’re first turned, it’s hard to control your hunger. It’s overwhelming and controls your every thought, and Balor’s sired are hit a lot harder by that. I think that may be a big reason Oliver didn’t try to come near you for two years. He would have killed you immediately, and accidentally, if he didn’t already plan to. But it seems like he wants to do that either way.” He shifts in his chair, giving me a sad smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. He looks uncomfortable, talking about this.

“I see.” I lower my lashes, trying to think of a way to change the subject from Oliver. Chris’ other powers. I raise my eyes to him quickly. “You mentioned you can walk in the sun because of Aeliana but that her sired line have other abilities. So that’s not your only power then, right? I remember what you did… to Oliver. You were doing something to him.”

He waves his hand towards me, and I feel blood rushing in my ears. It’s warm and so unexpected that I let out a gasp. He drops his hand, and the feeling stops, but my ears are tingling. “I can control blood. Powerful in its own way. Against a newer vampire like Oliver, I can stomp his dick into the ground, and he’ll have a much harder time trying to deflect it, as you saw, than against an older vampire, who have found ways to counteract it. For those who don’t have measures in place to stop me, I can control the flow of blood in your body, clot it in certain areas and multiple places, so you can’t move an arm, or any limb really, or just stop the flow everywhere, which can be very painful.” His face lights up with a playful look before it darkens into desire as he bites his lip, gaze fixed on me. “I can also make blood flow to sensitive areas in your body, making you instantly aroused and ready to come. Without even touching you.”

I stop breathing. He can do all of that with his hands? “That sounds… interesting,” I say softly. “Can you do anything else?”

“Besides the basic vampire powers that we all have, no matter which sire line we come from, that’s it. And by basic vampire powers, I mean enhanced hearing, sight, strength, and speed. And compulsion.”

I let out a shaky breath. “Oh, is that all?” I comment sarcastically.

He smirks at me, showcasing that dimple that makes me weak every time it shows up. “Yeah, that’s all.” He glances down at my plate of near-untouched food. “I told you I would be a good boy for you tonight, but it looks like I’ve ruined your appetite.” Technically, I stopped eating as I listened to his story because it was all I could focus on, not because it was terrifying. “Do you want to go home, kitten?”

I nod slowly, even though I don’t really want to go home. I probably should, though. Tonight was a lot for me already, and especially with all of this new information, my head’s starting to spin. “Yeah, we can go.”

He smiles brightly at me. “I’ll go pay, kitten. Wait right here.”

“Okay. Thank you,” I murmur softly. As Chris pushes his seat back from the table, I feel the fullness of my bladder and realize I should probably take care of that before we leave the restaurant. “Actually, I’m gonna go to the restroom first. I’ll meet you back out here.”

Chris nods and makes his way to the hostess to arrange to pay our bill.

I make my way to the bathroom in the back of the bustling restaurant. On my way there, I overhear snippets of conversations, drunken laughter, and happy cheers. But, as I open the bathroom door, all of the hair on my body stands up, and a shiver rakes down my spine. It feels like… it feels like I’m being followed. I turn around swiftly, but no one’s behind me. I’m completely alone in the narrow, dimly lit hallway. With a sharp inhale, I try to shake the sinking feeling of looming dread that begins to take over, and remind myself that Chris is here. He won’t let anything happen to me.

I make my way into the empty bathroom and relieve myself in the stall furthest from the door. As I stand to adjust myself, I hear someone enter the bathroom. The door shuts behind whoever entered, and then I hear the unmistakable sound of the door lock clicking.

My pulse pounds in my ears as I try to hold my breath so I make as little sound as possible. The clacking of heels on the dirty tile floor rings against the walls of the small bathroom, growing louder the closer that the person gets to my stall. I hear an eerie feminine giggle echo throughout the room, coming from every direction all at once, surrounding me. Panicked, I reach to cover my ears as a ragged breath escapes my lips, louder than I intended.

The red pumps stop in front of my stall, and the laughter quiets until it’s fully stopped. The room goes silent. There’s no sound other than my fear-laced breathing and my heart thumping wildly in my chest. I’m too scared to speak, too scared to move. I go still as a statue as I stare down at the red heels on the other side of the door, the toe of the shoe now facing inward like this person is staring at my stall door.

The woman begins to hum softly. It takes me a few seconds to recognize the tune of “Ring Around the Rosie.” She’s humming the song at a drawn-out pace that’s haunting. Ethereal. “Ashes…Ashes…” she whispers through the door.

I start backing away just before the door begins to rattle violently. At the sudden movement, I jump as far away as I can, slamming against the wall furthest from the stall entrance. I stare wide-eyed at the door. I can’t get any farther away, and I can’t get out of the stall. I am at this crazed woman’s mercy.

The door stops shaking, and the room is silent once more. “We all fall…” The steel door creaks, shuddering against her force and sheer strength. “DOWN!” she shouts as the door flies off its hinges, crashing loudly onto the floor.

An alarmed scream breaks from me as I flinch against the wall, but my shriek is drowned out by the mad woman’s maniacal laughter as she grabs me by the arm and throws me into the bathroom sink. My stomach slams into the sharp corner of the sink as all the air escapes my lungs. I’m trying to catch my breath, my raspy inhalations echoing around me, when I look into the mirror and see the woman stalking towards me with a wicked grin spread across her face.

I try to force another scream out of my aching lungs. The woman presses her tall, slender body roughly against my back and covers my mouth with her hand, smothering the sound. “Hey, you’re Danica, right?” Her voice is high-pitched with a sharp edge to it. She lets out a small giggle as the hand covering my mouth grips tighter, her fingers pressing deeper into my cheeks as she forces my head around to stare at my reflection in the mirror. “Wow, you’re like, really pretty.” Her smile widens as she stares at me in the mirror, her eyes meeting mine just in time for her to see the shock spark across my eyes.

I try to speak, to scream, but it’s a muffled mess against her hand, as she digs her fingertips harder into my skin. Pain shoots through my face at her rough touch, and I can only stare at myself in the mirror, watching the tears form. I feel utterly helpless against this woman.

“I gave you a compliment and you have nothing to say? That’s rude,” she pouts as her other hand trails slowly across my abdomen. The touch is sensual, but it’s anything but arousing.

I clench my teeth and force a muffled shout into her palm.

“Oh, silly me. I guess you couldn’t talk, huh, pretty girl?” She releases her grip on my cheeks and caresses my face softly. Her other hand slips behind my abdomen, her arm wrapping completely around me, squeezing me tightly against her body.

“Who are you?” I rasp out. My mind races as I stare at our reflection in the mirror in complete fear.

She locks eyes with me. “Like what you see? Don’t be shy, I go both ways.” Her hands roam across my body—placing unwelcome touches against the most sensitive areas of my body. Even though this woman is insane, she is beautiful. More than beautiful, she is fucking stunning; her long, straight brown hair hangs loosely over her shoulder, and her eyes are the color of emeralds. The sinister smile sitting on her face reveals perfect, straight, white teeth.

She leans in to whisper into my ear, “To answer your original question, don’t you worry about who I am, little one. Not yet, anyway. You’ve made my God very, very upset with you. A small, puny, blood bag like yourself.” She’s cooing like she’s speaking to a child, her breath hot against my ear, her voice like razor blades against my skin. “I’ve been sent for you. Oliver asked me to take you alive. I didn’t understand why until I saw you. So beautiful.” She adjusts her feet behind me, and her roaming hands slide higher up, wrapping my hair tightly around her fists. Her hold is firm and unforgiving.

I hiss at her harsh grip, struggling against her painful hold. She shoves my face into the mirror. My cheek crashes hard against the glass, and I feel my cheekbone splinter under the force, and without thinking, I let out a shrill cry.

“Look at how pretty you are! Oliver does like pretty things. But, I’ve decided I will honor my God’s wishes instead. I’m going to taste you. Drain you. Cut you open and watch as your insides spill out in front of me.” She leans in and inhales sharply. “I’m going to play with your innards, pretty girl. Not today, but soon.” Her voice has lost its childlike tone, her words rough and vile. “How good you must feel, to hold the heart of two vampires. Makes me SICK!” With one last forceful push, she smashes my face harder into the glass before letting her grip on me go and backing away.

I press my hand lightly against my bruised cheek, watching her movements behind me in the mirror. I’m too stunned to move. I can’t even process what’s happening.

As I meet her stare, her eyes are now a deep crimson, her wide, sinister smile now showcasing elongated canines, sharp enough to rip and shred into me with ease. “You are nothing. Humans are just for eating and playing with. I will revel in watching the light leave your eyes. I’m going to bathe in your blood, then take Oliver back to my bed where he belongs.” She moans loudly as she tilts her head back, gliding her disfigured hand up her neck. Her fingers are much longer than they were when she was pushing me into the mirror, and where fingernails should have been, sharp talon-like claws took their place.

She snaps her head back to meet my stare, just as a single tear falls down my face. Behind us, something bangs roughly against the bathroom door. I jump, turning towards the door, breath coming faster as I begin to hyperventilate. The fear is all-consuming. God, I can’t breathe. I hear a shout beyond the door, but I can’t focus on it. Everything is muffled as I focus all of my attention on the psychotic vampire in front of me.

The woman laughs. “It seems like someone else smelled your pretty fear. It is delicious.” Licking her lips, she skips towards the door.

The door shudders and cracks, bending in the frame until it flies open, revealing Chris. Chris is here—he came for me. He enters the bathroom, darting straight towards me, but the woman is faster. She places her claws underneath Chris’ chin, making him stop in place. The crazy bitch giggles. “Ah, ah, ah. Not so fast, handsome. One wrong move, and my finger just might slip.”

Chris’ jaw tightens, as he stares at the woman with vicious intent. “What the fuck are you doing here, Amanda?”

“I just wanted to play. Don’t worry. I haven’t sunk my teeth into your girlfriend, yet. But I will. It is his Majesty’s will, so it shall be done.” Amanda strokes Chris’ cheek with her clawed hand. “I’m going to play some more before I collect my prize,” she whispers, leaning in closer to Chris.

Chris growls before carefully tilting his head to look at me. I’m a trembling mess, my knees shaking so violently that I lose my balance and drop to the floor. I’m trying to suppress the sobs threatening to break free, but my entire body shakes with the effort it takes to keep quiet. “Things will not end well for you if you come back for her, Amanda. She is mine. No one touches what is mine, and walks this earth freely. I promise you that.” His voice is deep and gravelly, like subdued thunder.

I lift my head to meet Chris’ harsh stare. I know he means every word. That I’m his. I don’t have the fight left in me to even try to correct him. I just want to go home. I want him to make her leave.

Amanda laughs in his face. “You think you can take me? You’re already flinching with my claws against your skin. Do they frighten you?” She steps towards him, edging closer into his bubble. “I’ll see you both soon.” Her claws retract, her fingers shortening, and, in seconds, her hand looks normal once again.

Once her hand is back to normal, Chris doesn’t waste time with her, instead pushing past her to drop to his knees in front of me. He lifts my chin with two fingers, and I can feel him trying to catch my gaze, but I can’t handle looking at him when there’s very real danger at his back. I peek my head around his to see what that crazy bitch is doing, but there’s no trace of her. Amanda is gone.

Chris places both of his hands on my cheeks, gently turning my head so all I can see is him. “Are you okay, little kitten? I’m so sorry it took me so long to get to you.” His eyes search mine in panic, his thumbs stroking softly against my skin.

I inhale deeply as I close my eyes, letting his touch soothe me. As soon as I let myself feel safe in his arms, I can’t hold back the tears a second longer.

“Look at me, Dani. I’m here. I got you.” His breathing is ragged, matching my own.

I open my eyes and place a trembling hand to cover his against my cheek. His touch is grounding. Calming. Comforting when I need something to hold on to, to hold me together. I lean into his caress and let out a shaking breath. “I-I… I’m so scared. Who was that? Chris, I… Why is she after me?” I stammer the words out.

“I know, kitten. I’m so fucking sorry. I feel how scared you are.” In one swift movement, Chris stands, lifting me into his arms. My arms wrap around his neck, my legs around his waist, so I can bury my face against his neck and cry harder. “Fuck, I hate hearing you cry, Dani.” He strokes his fingers up and down my spine, briefly calming me. “That’s Amanda, one of Balor’s chosen. She’s hunting you, although for what, I don’t know. But I will find out. And she will die. Anyone who hurts you or scares you in any way will die a fucking painful death. I promise, I will keep you safe.”

I nod my head against his shoulder. His voice is cold, as he threatens the lives of everyone who would cause me harm. Although Oliver broke me and made me lose trust in men’s promises, I believe Chris. In this moment, I believe that he will do everything in his power to keep me safe. I have to believe it. “I want to go home,” I murmur.

“Okay, let’s go home. Can you walk?”

I shake my head, holding him tighter and inhaling deeply. His scent, whiskey, and musk, is soft and reassuring—comforting. I exhale and feel a little bit lighter.

“I’ll carry you then. Always.” He whispers the ‘always’ into my hair and readjusts his grip on my back. “Ah, but that won’t do. Let’s not give the restaurant a show, kitten.”

“What?” I lift my head as I feel one of his hands reach toward my ass, the other still firm on my back. “What are you-”

With one hand, he pulls my dress down lower to cover me fully. “I would also like to add, if I catch a man looking at your bare ass, I will kill them, too.” I scoff, resting my head back down on his shoulder. “Hold on tight.”

He strides casually through the restaurant, carrying me in his arms. Small murmurs carry to us, and I see a few of the patrons staring at us in disgust. Fuck them. I give them all the middle finger as we exit the building.

As soon as we enter the cold, crisp autumn air, Chris tightens his arms around me and starts running. I’ve never moved so fast in my life, outside of a car, where everything around us is just a blur. How can he even see where we’re going? My hair whips wildly around my face with the force of the wind, and I’m squeezing his neck so tightly that, if he were human, he wouldn’t have been able to breathe.

Chris comes to an abrupt stop at my doorstep, breathing even and steady. It only took us minutes to arrive.