Page 33 of Blood Bound

I don’t care.

I tell myself I don’t care.

But as I stumble toward the exit, my anger still simmering just below the surface, I know I’m lying to myself.

I burst out of the Nocturne Lounge, my heart thumping in sync with the throbbing bass still echoing in my ears. The elevator ride up feels interminable, the small space amplifying my anger and confusion. I tap my foot impatiently, willing the doors to open faster.

“Ro, calm down!” Kara says beside me, her voice muffled by the pulsing rhythm we’ve left behind.

I ignore her, focusing on the ding of the elevator as we reach street level. The moment the doors slide open, I’m out, gulping in the cool night air. The abrupt silence of the street is jarring after the sensory overload of the club.

I step awkwardly on my ridiculous heels as I reach the sidewalk, not really sure where I’m going but needing to put distance between myself and what I just saw. The quiet of the night is broken only by the distant hum of traffic and Kara’s hurried footsteps behind me.

“Rowan, slow down!” Kara pants, finally catching up. She grabs my arm, forcing me to stop. “What the hell just happened in there?”

I whirl to face her, my anger finding a new target. “What happened? We just wasted our time, that’s what happened! This was a stupid idea.”

Kara’s eyes narrow. “Is this about Darick? Because I saw—”

“Don’t,” I cut her off, my voice sharp. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

The contrast between the pulsing energy of the club and the stillness of the empty street is disorienting. My ears are still ringing, and I can feel the phantom vibrations of the bass in my chest. But out here, under the dim glow of streetlights, reality comes crashing back.

I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. The cool air helps clear my head, but it does nothing to ease the knot in my stomach. I keep walking until Kara catches up again.

“You’re going the wrong way. We parked across the street.”

“Ugh!” I grunt in annoyance, changing direction. “I’m so freaking mad!”

“I can see that,” Kara replies, her calm tone almost making me madder. Mainly because I don’t know why I’m angry.

It’s not like I care what he does or anything. “He can drink from whoever he likes,” I mutter.

“Sure,” says Kara, although my words weren’t directed at her.

“What the hell was he even doing there?” I mutter.

“Well, I guess—”

“On tonight of all nights!” I cut her off. “Did he know we were going?”

“I kept my arrangements really discreet, Ro. I got the keycode from my contact, but I never said who’d be here. I swear it.” Kara looks repentant.

I breathe out, steadying myself. “I’m sorry, sis. I’m not mad at you. It just sucks that I can’t seem to get him out of my hair.” I wrap my arms around myself and focus on not twisting an ankle as we navigate the unlevel paving toward the parking area.

Footsteps ring out behind us.

“Shit,” I say under my breath. If he thinks he can come after us and dish out more of his bullshit, he’s got another thing coming. I pick up the pace, and Kara skips to keep up.

We’re just a few feet from the car when a figure materializes out of the shadows, blocking our path. I stumble back, my heart leaping into my throat. Kara lets out a small gasp beside me.

I’m about to give Darick a piece of my mind when it hits me with a crash.

It’s not Darick.

A strange vampire looms over us, his eyes glinting dangerously in the dim light. He’s tall and lean, with a sinewy grace that makes me shudder. His lips curl into a menacing smile, revealing the tips of his fangs.

“Well, well,” he drawls, his voice silky smooth. “What do we have here? Two little tidbits out for a midnight stroll?”

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