Page 5 of Risking Immortality

“Thanks. How is everything?”

“Perfect. The club is the number one place to be.”

“Excellent. Any issues?”

“Amelia, it’s your night out, not a work meeting.”

“I’m just asking.” I’m not just asking. I was hoping Claire could distract me from the sudden nervous energy that has sprung up in my stomach.

“Okay, I’ll give you a quick rundown. I fired Todd and hired Erin.”

“Todd, he was a recent hire. What happened?”

“Caught him banging a patron in the storeroom.”

“You did well.” All employees know that engaging in sexual activity with a patron is off limits. “And this Erin?”

“She’s twenty-seven, has worked in bars and clubs since college. Her cocktails are excellent, and she is a hard worker.”

“Sounds like the perfect replacement.”

“Now, back to the party,” Claire laughs. “I’ll get some more drinks sent over.”

Half of my siblings are on the dance floor, making some questionable moves. I forget sometimes that Laurence and Marcus are closing in on forty (as far as humans are concerned, anyway). The aging process may stop at thirty, but it can take a little time, which gives us some leeway. After that, we rely on humanity’s vanity. In fact, humans make it too easy sometimes. Half of Hollywood strives to remain ageless. Plus, filters. That was one of our better inventions. You’re welcome.

Even though they have stopped aging, it seems their characters are still hurtling towards middle age. Lucille has already latched on to some poor human. I hope he has health insurance. Lucas is still sitting in the booth, looking a little green.

“Drink this,” I say, pushing over a bottle of water. He takes it and sips it gingerly. He is going to feel like death in the morning. I swallow down my champagne and decide to hit the dance floor. I might as well enjoy myself.

Thankfully, I wore a light black bodysuit. The swarm of bodies is making the temperature soar. I weave my way through the crowd, trying to reach my brothers. I see the looks of want from more than a few men and women as I pass. None of them pique my interest. I can smell they are human.

My body reacts instantly to the bass. I move and let the music run through me. Now and then I feel a brave soul try their luck by dancing close to my back. I move away without interacting. I know I come across as a cold bitch, but I don’t want to spend all night explaining why I don’t welcome their advances.

Sweat is dripping down my forehead. I’ve been dancing nonstop for a while. My brothers are still in the dad dancing zone, so I head to the bar. The crowd is three deep, even with three bartenders.

Being the owner has its advantages, like slipping behind the bar to serve myself. I’m just bending down to one of the under-counter fridges when I feel a presence behind me. I catch their scent, which momentarily makes me freeze. It’s not a scent I have encountered before. It’s sweet like cherries. Not the usual smell of either a vampire or human.

Before I can stand up to see who the mystery person is, they bark at me. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

I stand up straight and turn around. The woman looks incensed, her eyes are shimmering with anger. “I’m getting a drink,” I reply calmly.

“I can see that. Surely you aren’t stupid enough to think you can just nip back here and help yourself. What kind of bars do you usually go to?”

My amusement must show on my face because she visibly reacts by straightening herself to her maximum height. Which isn’t terribly impressive, if I’m honest. I’d say she hits five-foot-four, maximum. And yet, even though I tower over her, she still postures. I want to laugh. This woman clearly has no idea who I am. “I rarely go to bars,” I answer. She looks confused.

“Maybe that explains this then,” she says, waving her hand between me and the fridge. I take a moment to look at her fully. She’s dressed in the bar’s signature black shirt and trousers. Her hair is tied into a high ponytail. The golden hues shine under the many strobe lights. Her eyes are piercing blue. And, without sounding too lecherous, her tits are amazing. Even hidden underneath the shirt, I can tell she has a pair of tantalizing assets.

“I’m not sure why you’re getting so upset,” I say casually. Cracking open the water bottle and taking a sip. Fire burns in her eyes.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” she explodes. Her outburst turns me on. “You don’t work here, dumbass. You can’t just saunter back here and help yourself.”

I don’t think I’ve ever been called a dumbass to my face before. It’s quite refreshing, and funny. I then remember the conversation I had with Claire. The firecracker in front of me must be the new hire, Erin. I smile at her before stepping past and making my way back to the VIP area. I can feel her eyes burning holes in the back of my head.

“What was that about?” Aliah asks. I turn to look back at the bar and sure enough, Erin is still standing ramrod straight, shooting daggers at me. I chuckle and turn away.

“That’s the new bartender.”

“You looked like you were arguing.”

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