Page 6 of Dark Awakening

"If this is about that damn fated mate's crap again—" I fire back, my voice spiked with a mix of anger and defiance.

"Why does it provoke such disdain in you?" Erik interjects. "True, none of our kind have discovered their prophesied mate in centuries...yet the ancient texts tell of them for a reason."

I lock eyes with him, my gaze sharp enough to cut through steel. "I've seen enough goddamn heartbreak and senseless suffering—lovers ripped apart—to fill ten fucking eternities. And you want me to buy into this fairy-tale bullshit that one single person can make you whole?" The words leave my mouth like venom, dripping with scorn.

Erik's voice turns solemn. "Our jaded experiences have biased us, 'tis true. But the persistence of mates in lore and prophecy over millennia...it must hold some kernel of truth."

I let out a harsh, mocking laugh, looking out at the pitiful parade of mortal couples on the sidewalks. Each one probably nursing their own private saga of love fucked over, partners snatched away, happiness flipped into heartache.

"Or maybe it's all a bunch of horseshit," I shoot back, "Just a pretty fucking fairy tale to keep the desperate and the delusional from facing the cold, hard shitstorm that's reality."

But Erik remains steadfast. "We should not dismiss the notion completely, brother. Keep an open mind to what may yet prove real."

"Damn right, Erik," I grit out, my brain a goddamned battleground. This whole fated mate crap feels ridiculous, but there's no shaking the ancient tales, is there? They cling like a persistent shadow, begging for a closer look.

"As per usual, you're on point," I concede through clenched teeth. "I'm caught between hope and skepticism here, brother. Which one will come out on top? Hell, if I know."

Sensing my conflicted spirit, Erik squeezes my shoulder reassuringly. "Have faith, Rhyland. If myth holds truth, our fated ones may still be out there, waiting to be found."

His words cut through the bullshit, lighting up some stubborn hope in my chest. Maybe this destiny crap has legs, even for hard cases like us. For a split second, I let myself picture it—some fantasy where love isn't a goddamn joke.

We roll up to Lucian's den, the thump of the bass vibrating through the night. Erik flicks me that 'bout-to-raise-hell' smirk. We're dressed to kill, itching to own the night. Somewhere in that hedonistic labyrinth, Lucian's running the show. Our eyes lock, all charged with the night's promise, and we head in to catch up with the golden boy of the nightlife.

Danica

8

Karma's the hottest freakin' spot in town, snagging partygoers from both sides of the grave with its otherworldly allure. Don't let the plain exterior fool you—inside, it's a full-blown carnival of the senses.

Cross that threshold, and you're baptized in a flood of light and sound. The dance floor is a living organism, pulsing to the heart-thumping backdrop as neon streaks paint through the darkness. It's where the lost become found, mingling in a mingle-mania of hungry eyes and eager bodies. No matter your blood type, Karma reels you in.

Bartenders work their magic, slinging elixirs for the living and potent crimson specials for the bloodthirsty clientele. Cozy nooks are private worlds where secrets and desires get exchanged under the low hum of the club. The bouncers are the silent guardians, making sure everyone's tastes are indulged without a hitch.

Here, vampires sneak off for a nip and a nibble out of sight, and the humans? They're diving headfirst into the taboo, thirsting for a walk on the wild side. The promise of Karma is simple—come for the vibes, stay for the sin, and leave with every desire ticked off your list.

Emily and I strut through—the dance floor's a cauldron of writhing bodies moving to the primal beat. The club is soaked in sex, and everyone's high on the vibe. We slink through the crowds, hips gyrating, laughter blending into the pulsating rhythm. This place is a freakin' aphrodisiac.

My eyes sparkle giddily as I watch two people wholly lost in their moment. The vampire is clutching her hips so hard, it almost looks painful—but from the looks of it, she is enjoying it! His movements are all too familiar; they remind me of my desperate longing for a different connection.

Celibacy? Ha! It’s more like being an eighty-year-old nun who gets no love! All I can do is watch porn and take matters into my own hands. It’s a pointless endeavor, but it’s better than nothing.

Amid the seismic vibrations of Karma's pounding sound system, Emily captures my hands, her voice rocketing over the bass's thunderous roar. "Let loose, Dani! Live a little – enjoy yourself!" Her lips twist into a mischievous smile as she tries to coax me into the night's wild abandon.

I can’t tear my eyes away from the twisted pair going at it in the corner. My head keeps nodding in answer to Emily’s declaration. As the pounding music thumps, Emily and I make our way through the crowd, our laughter and excitement blending seamlessly with the pulsating rhythm.

We reach the sleek, bustling bar, a haven amid the chaos. The bartenders, clad in black attire, skillfully mix drinks with precision. I slump against the counter, letting my eyes wander across the bottles of liquor that line the shelves behind the bar.

“Whatcha gettin’, Dani?” Emily yells above the thumpin’ tunes. She takes a quick peek at all the wild drinks and snickers.

We flag down the bartender, and he strides over with a swagger and a dazzling grin—Hello, handsome—“What’ll it be, sweetheart?”

Scanning the bustling bar, I spot only a pair of bartenders manning the front line. So I quickly order. "Something wickedly sweet," I suggest with a sultry undertone, eyes shimmering with an intoxicating challenge.

Behind me, Emily cuts through the cacophony with a shout, "Throw in a couple of shots with that!"

The bartender’s grin widens, and he gives us an approving nod. His eyes twinkle with mischief, “I know exactly what you two lovely ladies need!”

In a flash, he has taken his place behind the bar. His deft hands move quickly, seemingly creating our elixirs out of thin air.

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