Page 77 of Dark Awakening

His silken voice seems to smoke and curl around me. I turn to grab the Glenfiddich 1934 from the top shelf, thankful for the brief escape from that stare tracking my every move. My hands threaten to shake as I pour two fingers neatly into a rock glass etched with the bar's logo, but I steady them with effort.

Azrael takes an unhurried sip, each movement flowing with lethal grace. His wintry eyes spear me again as he sets the glass down with a solid clink. "I admit you intrigue me. You smell nothing like the sheep that surround us." His tone drips mock interest while barely concealed hunger darkens his gaze. "Tell me...what exactly are you?"

Icy panic closes around my throat even as anger simmers in my veins. I clench my jaw and scan the crowded bar for any sign of Rhyland's tall, commanding figure. But it's clear—I'm alone now, and Azrael's presence closes in like a cobra preparing to strike.

His insistence on my uniqueness frays my nerves, but I force a casual tone. "Pfft, don't flatter yourself. I'm just another human chick, nothing special."

His eyes narrow to slitted ice chips. A smug smile slashes across Azrael's face—if one could describe the cruel twist of those sculpted lips as smiling. It morphs his refined beauty into something sinister, the genial mask slipping to reveal the predator beneath. Leaning closer, his voice drops silkily.

"Mmm, I very much doubt that, my dear. Your sweet scent has become...intoxicating. And something decidedly un-human now stirs within you." His tongue flicks out to graze a lethal fang. "Won't you tell me what it is? I've taken something of a, shall we say...special interest in you."

Each word drips false concern like poison honey while his gaze bores into me—fascinated yet famished. My heart stutters into overdrive. How could he possibly detect the recent changes to my essence?

Before I can stagger a response, Azrael leans closer, our faces now mere inches apart. "Watch yourself, little one. You seem to forget it's not wise to make enemies of those in power." His voice lowers to a sibilant hiss. "Especially when one keeps dangerous secrets..."

His vise-like grip suddenly crushes my wrist as I pull away. Revulsion and fury boil through me. I spit through gritted teeth, "Let go. Now." I yank myself free, discreetly trembling yet holding Azrael's wolfish stare defiantly. "Stay the hell away from me, or I swear you'll regret it," I growl.

His dark chuckle sends ice water down my spine, the air thick with menace. I scan the bar desperately once more for some sign of Rhyland before Azrael stands. His looming form blocks my view. Trapped—for now. Azrael quickly leaves, leaving the bar in stunned silence. The only thing I hear are the bells on the door as he makes his exit.

"Hey, you okay?"

I startle from my daze to see John's concerned face peering at me across the bar. Glancing around furtively, I notice a few curious patrons hastily avert their gazes. I force my trembling lips into what I hope looks like a casual smile. "Yeah, just some pushy customer. No big deal."

John's brow furrows, clearly unconvinced. He leans in, voice lowered. "Dani, I know weird customers. But that dude looked ready to freaking eat you alive." I try for a lighthearted laugh, but it comes out strained and thin. My skin still crawls from the predatory hunger in Azrael's stare.

"I'm fine, John, really," I insist, busying my quaking hands and wiping down the bar despite its pristine shine. "I can handle some intense people coming on strong."

John frowns, hazel eyes radiating disbelief. He gently touches my shoulder, the warmth seeping through my thin shirt. "I can tell something's off. You know you can open up to me, right? I'm here for you."

My throat tightens with emotion at dear, sweet John, so steadfast and kind. A part of me wants to confess everything that's happened...but I shake my head with what I hope looks like casual resolve. "Thanks, but it's okay. Just some weirdo. Nothing I can't handle."

I pat his hand in what I hope comes off as casual gratitude rather than a desperate need for comfort.

Azrael's sinister words echo through my mind as I continue serving stiff drinks and forced smiles. That ravenous yet calculating stare bores into my psyche. Despite the lively atmosphere, it's like I'm being watched through crosshairs by unseen eyes. The vulnerable sensation makes my skin prickle with dread.

I need answers about these "changes" Azrael detects in me. And badly.

As soon as my shift ends, I grab my phone with unsteady fingers to dial Rhyland, cursing when it goes straight to voicemail. It looks like I'll need to handle the chaos alone for a bit longer.

I lock up Playful Pint, the shadows seeming to creep and writhe as I hurry to my car—the only pool of light in the deserted parking lot. Unease skitters down my spine. I pause, key poised at the lock, peering into the oppressive darkness.

"Rhyland?" My voice cracks embarrassingly—no answer except a cold breeze sighing through the trees.

Get a grip, I scold myself. But each rustling leaf sounds ominous, every shadow moving of its own volition. I scramble into my car, hands fumbling to lock the doors with unsteady haste.

A tall figure appears soundlessly outside my car, and I freeze. His arm smashes through the window to wrench me out. I scream at the violation. A large hand clamps brutally over my mouth as I'm grabbed by the hair and dragged out through the smashed window. Broken shards of glass cut my skin.

"Remember what I told you about keeping secrets, little Dani?" Azrael's gravelly voice whispers hotly against my ear. Horror drops to my stomach like lead.

He slams me into the car as shocks of pain radiate through me from the impact. I struggle futilely against Azrael's iron strength. His massive form engulfs me completely, breath hot on my skin.

"Did you think your precious Rhyland would come charging to the rescue?" He laughs mockingly. "You're mine now, to do with as I please."

Desperate, I try biting his hand, that's muffling my screams. Azrael snarls and flips me to face him. His eyes are no longer an icy blue but pools of fathomless black hunger—sharp fangs glint wetly in the dim light.

"I warned you not to cross me, girl." Venom laces each word. "Let's see if my suspicions are correct."

Without warning, his jaws clamp onto my vulnerable neck. Sickening pain explodes as those ravenous fangs pierce flesh. I writhe weakly as he gulps my blood, growling in his terrible ecstasy.

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