Chapter 3: Greer

Chapter Three

Greer

P acing across the floor, I try to settle my panic. It doesn’t help. I’m going to lose my shit. Having someone this close is a huge risk to keeping my hybrid status a secret.

I’m not even registered as a vampire.

My parents filed my birth with the paranormal council as half-siren, but I’m a whole different breed of monster now.

How am I supposed to pop into the town council to ask them to evict my unwelcome houseguest?

More than that…I can hear his blood pumping through his veins from all the way on the second floor. My eye twitches as I fist my hands and will away my claws that won’t stop popping out.

It took two tries, but I found Granny’s room. Sitting down on the edge of her bed, I bury my face in my hands.

Okay, I need a game plan, and the first part must include finding a way to survive without starving to death.

I’m unreasonably hungry. This level of desperation is something I’ve never felt before.

There’s no way around it…I have to find someone to feed from.

Black Cove has to be like Haven. There will be twenty-four-hour clubs and bars. I just need to find one.

Female sirens are curvy in comparison to most fae, but I’m a little thicker than average because of my human blood. Good or bad, happy or sad, I’m stuck this size forever.

Not that I’m displeased by my body. There will just never be a chance to lose those fifteen pounds that I’m always telling myself I’ll buckle down and wipe away this year.

My hands slide down the soft fabric of my dress as I head toward the line at the door of the club. It moves quickly, and the bouncer eyes me up and down.

“ID?”

“Wait, a human ID or?—”

“Go on in.” He nods to the open door, and I exhale in pure relief.

I’m going to have to find a way to update my status with the paranormal council, but they’ll ask for my maker’s information. Dammit. I don’t even know Cole’s last name. Pain radiates in my skull, making me stumble as I make it inside. The loud, pounding music doesn’t help, either.

My jaw aches as I open and close my mouth, trying to figure out what the hell is happening to me. Apparently, I can never think of Cole again. Almost every time I do, I experience pain.

Is that from the severed maker connection?

“Careful,” a low voice says as hands land on my shoulders. His accent almost sounds English, but not quite. It’s just the closest thing we have in the human realm to compare it to.

Everything tilts as I’m tugged out of the way, so more monsters can file into the club behind me.

My eyes fly up to a very tall man with white-blond hair and gray eyes. The long straight hair on the top of his head falls over his forehead as he appraises me carefully.

He’s fae, based on the cheekbones and slender-but-strong jaw. There’s also the black runes that line his neck, arms, hands…hell, even the sides of his head are covered. He has to be Unseelie. I’d almost guarantee it from the dark and dangerous vibe that effortlessly surrounds him.

My mouth waters as my gaze zeroes in on the vein on the side of his neck.

This is so bad .

“Sorry,” I squeak. “My senses got overwhelmed for a second. I need a drink.”

His gray eyes sparkle in the low light, and he finally gives a clipped nod. “You’ll find the bar behind you. Try the fae spring wine. It’s delectable .” Something about the way he says the word makes me shiver.

“Thanks,” I mutter as my fangs ache.

My face burns, and I spin away, desperate to escape his assessing gaze.

Maybe alcohol will help numb my senses?

It better, or I’m so freaking screwed.

“I hate to tell you this, sweetheart.” The vampire bartender chuckles. “But fae wine only works on actual fae. It’s not gonna fuck you up. That dye job is decent, but you can’t trick your DNA.”

“Got any other recommendations?” I ask as the handsome human at the bar next to me smirks.

“Of course, give me a second. I’ll hook you up,” the bartender says, spinning around.

“You know, there are perks to being clear enough that you can consent,” the man at my side says, grinning mischievously.

I tilt to face him. “Oh, yeah? Like what?” My teeth ache, and I pull a hand up to block them from view.

This is so bad, but my hunger is never going to be sated if I don’t feed.

“Want to dance with me?” the human asks.

Grabbing cash from my bra, I toss it down on the counter as the bartender drops my drink.

“Does that cover it and a tip?” I ask, still blocking my mouth from view.

He nods, tossing a ten back at me. “Enjoy.”

“Thanks.” I grab the glass, taking a solid swig. My face contorts into a frown. “Oh, that’s awful.”

“Let me try,” the human says, snagging the tumbler. He takes a quick sip. “That is genuinely terrible.”

“If your offer still stands, I’d love to dance.”

A playful smile crosses his face. “Let’s do it.”

Dancing turns to grinding so naughty, my thighs clench around his knee that’s currently resting between legs.

“You smell sweet as fuck,” he growls close to my ear as he bends lower.

My entire body jolts. As far as I know, only shifters, and maybe apex demons, can produce that type of sound.

My head tilts as I move to study his face.

He’s gorgeous.

Most supernaturals are, so it’s nothing new to be surrounded by beautiful people, but he’s exceptionally handsome for a mortal.

His shaggy brown curls fall over his forehead as his dark eyes sparkle. “We could get out of here…”

“Yeah,” I agree, nodding wildly. “I want to do that.”

He chuckles, palming my ass. “I’m living for that level of enthusiasm.” He turns me and leads us toward the back doors instead of the front. “Don’t worry, pretty siren. I’m excited too.”

Ever since I was changed, my heart beats slower, but it seems to be racing at the moment. Whatever his name is pulls me in front of him and, even though he’s human, the crowd parts for us as he guides me from behind.

My overall body temperature is lower now, but I’m hoping he won’t notice. His hand hits the push lever for the emergency exit, and it pops open with no alarm.

Hmm. He seemed pretty confident that wouldn’t be a problem. Showing girls out the back is likely his MO, but it doesn’t bother me. Supernaturals are immune to all STIs, and now that I’m a vampire, I don’t have to worry about any pesky pregnancies popping up.

Not that I’m sure that’s where this is headed, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it.

He tugs me out the door and swings me around until my back hits the brick wall. My nose wrinkles, picking up the many unpleasant smells, but they all disappear as he shoves his mouth to mine.

A low growl rattles out of his chest.

If I wasn’t so lost to the way he devours me, I might notice that humans aren’t supposed to growl, but maybe he’s just a growly guy. Either way, my lady bits are really fond of that sound.

He wraps one forearm under my backside, lifting me off the ground. My feet circle his ass as my back slams against the brick wall. His scent makes my nose twitch, but his tongue works around mine in a way that makes it impossible to focus on anything outside of that.

My fangs descend, and one nicks the side of his tongue. I clutch at his back, trying to tug him closer, but he pulls back.

“You’re a vampire,” he says with wide eyes.

I thought he would have gotten the point when the bartender basically outed me for not being fae, but I guess this human doesn’t know supernatural culture like one of us would.

Although, he smells absolutely delicious for a human.

“I need you to look directly into my eyes.” I focus on trying to hypnotize him.

Vampires are able to mindfuck their victims, but no one taught me how to do it.

“Your eyes are beautiful,” he says as he complies.

A jolt of pure excitement vibrates through my system.

Holy shit.

Maybe I won’t starve to death just yet.

“So, I’ve only been a vampire for like a week, but I don’t think I’ve eaten…” My stomach bubbles, and it feels like it’s starting to eat itself. “At all. And I’m so hungry it hurts. If you could tell me that it’s fine that I bite you, I’d be eternally grateful.”

“Really?” he muses, licking his thick lips.

“ Yes .” It comes out a little hiss-like, and I grimace. “I promise to try not to kill you.”

“Works for me,” he says, sounding amused.

I feel like he should sound more docile or monotone, but I’m not about to debate his behavior when I don’t fully understand how compulsion works.

Burying my hand in his hair, I pull his head to the side with more strength than I knew I had.

“Are you sure you don’t wish to feed from me while we fuck?”

“Mmm, maybe.” I moan as my thighs tighten around his hips. “Just a little taste first.”

“As you wish,” he murmurs, palming my ass.

My eyesight goes hazy, and I’m sure my eyes are pure white to signal my monster is close to the surface.

I tilt my head and strike without a clue of what I’m doing, but my new vampire instincts seem to understand perfectly, because rich, warm blood pulses against my tongue.