Page 35 of Blood Lust

Anything.

“Very well, then I will support you from here.” Despite how hurt I had been just moments before, the smile Wren gives me now heals all of my wounds. She needs me to trust her. She needs me to let her take care of herself. They are right, a time will come one day when I won’t be able to be there, and if she grows too dependent on me, she will never flourish into the creature I know she can be.

I will not suffocate her.

I will build her damn wings from my peeled flesh and bones if it means I’ll see her soar.

The next night, when I watch her ride away with Charlee, looking like a haunting angel, I decide to bury myself in my art. I have been planning a new piece for some time, a surprise for Wren. She can watch me create something the next time. Heating my forge, and laying out all of my metal sheets, already etched with the markings of where I need to cut, I began to bend and mold the metal to my whims.

All the while waiting for my little bird to return home.

CHAPTER 11

THE SONGBIRD

Charlee insists I should try again. Convinced that a ‘change of scenery’ will do me good. I have reservations about it and think I will kill another human again. Oz tries to assure me it is less likely since I have just fed so recently, so I decide to give it a try.

It is going to be a girl’s night.

Oz agreed to stay home, thank goodness.

I let Charlee have her way with my hair, makeup, and clothes. She chooses something I definitely wouldn’t have on my own. Tight jeans, a cropped black shirt that shows my midriff, and the makeup is her usual glam goth style. I flat-out refused the heels and instead favored some black boots. It is not me by any means, which is apparently the point?

Charlee says I will be a ‘sultry seductress’ even though I feel like anything but.

It is nice to get out of the house. She drives me down to Callery on her bike. I should have known she would drive a motorcycle. It fits her personality. She manages the mountainside roads effortlessly, and though I’m reasonably certain we are going much too fast the entire time, I know she can’t lose control.

We make it to Callery in an impressive forty minutes, stopping in front of some hole-in-the-wall bar. Parking out front, Charlee smiles at me. “I come here a lot,” she boasts. “The people here don’t ask questions, and the humans are super easy to compel. I know you haven’t learned that yet so I’ll grab one you like for you, point me to them when you’re ready.”

“I’m scared. I don’t want to lose control again.” I bite my bottom lip, hoping to find a way to feed without killing, but not confident at all that I will find that way tonight.

“You won’t lose control. I know you haven’t merged with your primal self, so refuse her when she demands you let her take the helm. It’s your body, Wren. She can only come in if you let her. Use the control Chandra’s been teaching you, and I know it will be fine. Once we get your memories back, I’m sure we can find a way to fix this and get the two of you into one fluid consciousness. Until then, I’ve got your back, Wren.” Her hands on my shoulders feel like an anchor, keeping me from floating off in the current.

I take a deep breath and nod before following her into the bar.

The fact that she comes here frequently is evident by the greetings she receives from the workers and patrons alike. It makes me feel like I am on display as eyes slide to me when they realize Charlee hasn't come here alone. They are drinking me in—some with looks of interest, others with hunger.

It seems strange not to have a racing heart pounding in my chest to match my nerves.

Following the blond vampire to a corner booth, I slide in opposite her. I watch as she winks at two women standing near the jukebox. Both of them are beautiful. One has dark curly hair, and the other has straight light brown hair. They both look like they get regular makeovers from Charlee. Tight jeans hug their curves, their cleavage looks like it would spill out any minute. They are undoubtedly gorgeous. Grins wide, they make their way to our table and settle on either side of Charlee, treating her like she is a Goddess they are ready and willing to worship.

“Wren,” she says huskily, not noticing my gaping jaw. “These are my ladies. Danielle,” She introduces the woman with dark curly hair, playfully nipping at her neck. “And Sera.”

“That’s with an e,” the light brown-haired woman tells me, her tone dead serious.

Fixing my face, I ask, “So both of these lovely ladies are your….” I don’t know what to call them. Long-term reservations?

“My regulars,” she brags. “Watch.”

I saw as she takes each of them in turn by the chin, looks deeply into their eyes, and murmurs how the only thing they will remember from this evening is having drinks, sharing kisses with Charlee, and yearning to see her again. An arm around each of them, she turns her eyes back to me. “See? It’s easy!”

Easy for her, maybe. She’s walking around like sex on a stick, with people practically throwing themselves onto her fangs. I aspire to have her level of confidence one day.

“Look around, see if anyone catches your interest,” Charlee instructs.

Apprehensively, I do exactly that. Only a few people are staring at us now, most having resumed their conversations, their pool game, or taking long swigs of their drinks. I can see the appeal of this place for her. It’s small enough to have few people to deal with but busy enough to have a modicum of privacy and blend in.

The atmosphere is relaxed like the people either don't know or don't care that their lives can be snuffed out in mere moments by either Charlee or myself. I try not to stare as Danielle and Sera take turns making out with Charlee and each other. I don’t want to find something quite like that. I just want to be able to feed without killing someone.

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