Chapter 10

Sebastian doesn't give me time to ponder his abrupt decision to dance. I'm half-dragged with him to the floor.

The bodies here don't move away as much, all too drunk or lost in the music to notice. I wish I had gotten to drink more. Luckily, I'm always up for a good dance.

I am surprised by how smoothly Sebastian moves to the music. Well, at least until I remember that he's also a musician. He's bound to have some level of rhythm.

The deep, pulsing beat of the music flows through my veins and I lose myself in it. Sebastian doesn't touch me as much now, only a gentle graze here and there. It's almost more a tease than the manhandling from earlier.

Closing my eyes, I let the sound wash over me, twisting my body to the bass.

I barely drank half of my drink, but I'm already feeling buzzed. I stumble a little and my eyes open as I catch myself. I look around, but I don't see Sebastian anymore. I must have lost him in the crowd.

Surprisingly, I don't really seem to mind all that much. I continue dancing, ending up in the middle of a group of creatures. Now this is who I pictured coming to the Monster club. Pale skin, dark eyes and hair, and a goth aesthetic.

I giggle at them, wanting to tell them about it, but I can't seem to speak. It doesn't bother me all that much though, I just want to dance.

The group that I'm dancing with are fun, they have such a nice calming energy that I want to sink into. One woman moves towards me and is dancing with only me now. Every so often, her hand grazes my arm and she looks at me with her black eyes.

Someone else is dancing behind me, and I feel them move in and grip my waist. At first, I don't like the feeling, but the woman looks me in the eyes again and I forget that it bothered me.

The person behind me starts to pull me back against them and I don't like it. I shut my eyes, trying to figure out what is happening. They grope at me, grabbing my boob hard. I scream out.

"You were supposed to keep her entranced." An annoyed voice says as the person behind me pulls my head back roughly, baring my throat.

"Stop! Get off me!" I scream, trying to pull away. Their grip is like stone though and there is nothing I can do to stop them.

I catch a glimpse of another one of the group launching themselves at me. I want to shut my eyes, but I can only stare as I see my death coming for me.

Hands grip at the shoulders of my attacker, picking him up and tossing him out of the way. My captor releases me, fleeing quickly, as Sebastian looms over me.

Sebastian holds out a hand to me and I fling myself at him. He pulls me close, holding me delicately.

I turn to see the woman with the eyes, but look away quickly. I think she had me in some sort of trance.

"Do not come near," Sebastian's voice is low but carries over the pulsing music. "One step closer, one more attempt to hurt her, and I will end you."

I bury my head in Sebastian's chest. The woman must have gotten the picture, because he holds me away slightly to look at me. He swipes his thumb along my cheek. Oh, I think I'm crying. Everything feels numb right now.

He lifts me as if I weigh nothing, turning to leave. A vicious growl rumbles in his chest, his body flashing hot for a moment. I tense as wings sprout from his back, along with the sound of tearing fabric.

Sebastian launches us into the air and flies us back to our seats up on the balcony. I know I'm in shock, because my reaction to the wings is not nearly what it should be. They're gone quickly once we land, his shirt a torn up mess that barely clings to him.

He barely notices himself though, settling me down on a seat and bending down in front of me. He pushes my hair back from my face, holding me softly. Keeping his hands there, he turns to a waiter and demands they bring water and napkins.

"I-I'm sorry," I mumble, looking down at the floor. "Y-You t-told me to st-stay with you."

"Shh…" He strokes away a rolling tear with his thumb. "You didn't do anything wrong, Sunshine."

I look up at him, my reality sinking in a little and I realize that I'm trembling.

"Come here," he pulls me against his chest. He strokes my back, and I sob into him. I know I should be embarrassed but I can't bring myself to feel it right now. All I am seeking is comfort.

"Drink a little water for me." There is a low command in Sebastian's voice that I don't question. I lean back and take the bottle that he offers. I sip at it a little while he grabs the napkins and dabs at my cheeks.

"Can I check you over?" He asks me. I nod, still sipping.

Sebastian runs his hands over my neck, lifting my wig gently to look closer. Then he checks both my wrists.

"OK, let's get you out of here." He takes my water bottle from me, setting it on the table. Sebastian wraps his arm around my shoulders, the other under my knees, as he lifts me up bridal style.

People keep their distance as we leave, but I hate their gazes on me. I burrow my head into Sebastian's neck and breathe in his calming scent.

The fresh air is cool when we get outside. Sebastian must have already called the car because we get inside quickly and efficiently. He sits down and keeps me on his lap.

"Do you want me to take you home?"

I lift my head, sniffling. "No, we said we would go to the hotel."

"That was before…" he shifts so that he can look at me properly. "Say the word, and I will take you home. Consequences be damned."

I shake my head, loosening my grip. I didn't realize that I had been grabbing his shirt so tightly. I pull away altogether, shifting to sitting on the seat next to him.

"No. I'll be OK. I was just in shock." He still has an arm around my shoulders and I use it to anchor myself. "Besides, I'd prefer not to be alone right now."

"Even if you're stuck with a silent, grumpy type?" He grins slightly, using my words from earlier to tease me. I push him away, giggling.

"I need to change this," he gestures to his torso.

Oh, yes he does, his shirt is torn from his wings and damp from my tears. Sebastian pulls away from me, moving to the back of the car to root through his bag. He pulls out a simple white t-shirt.

I don't even pretend to look away as he tugs his shirt over his head. His back ripples with muscles and I want to reach out and feel them. The white t-shirt he pulls on is tight around his biceps, the white contrasting against his dark skin.

Sebastian moves back to sit next to me, but he keeps his hands to himself this time.

"We should be there pretty soon, it's not far."