Page 2 of Club Blood

I found that my expectations were wrong on so many levels as we pushed our way into the busy club. The music bounced off the walls, vibrating and pulsing beneath our feet. Much like the neon sign outside, the lights were all electric blue and tinted, casting a cool colored hue across the black walls.

In the center of the room was a glass dance floor, covered in people grinding and bouncing to the beat. My eyes could barely focus as the lights strobed, shifting my attention from the dancers to the bar. Lines of expensive-looking alcohol were on glass shelves, bottles of thick red liquid placed in between.

Oh, God.

My stomach churned as I realized that the mystery substance was blood; bottles on bottles of it, out in plain view as though it were normalcy the world was used to.

“There’s blood in those bottles,” I whispered to Laura, jabbing her side with my elbow.

She followed my glance and eyed the bottles before an ominous smile spread across her pretty face, marring the features that normally seemed so beautiful. “Let’s hope we don’t contribute to the stock tonight then, shall we?”

Grabbing my hand, she pulled me into the crowd of people and out of my thoughts. The air smelled sickly sweet, vanilla mixed with sweat and iron. We passed by couples so lost in the moment that I think they forgot they were in public. I let my gaze linger on people as we passed them, noting the delirious smiles and spaced-out eyes as they danced themselves into oblivion.

What was this place?

I sighed in relief as we reached the bar and I was able to slide onto one of the tall leather stools. The counter was made of thick black granite, marbled with blue and white. It eerily reminded me of human veins and I shivered, rubbing at the goosebumps on my arm.

“What can I get for you two gorgeous gals?” a voice yelled from behind the bar.

I spun around and tried not to squeal. Our bartender was easily one of the most beautiful men I had ever seen. The sharp angles of his face defined his gorgeous features, his long hair as black as the night itself. I was sure I could have cut myself on his jaw. He smiled, sending a chill down my spine as I noted his dangerously sharp canines. I had the urge to scream and leaveAmbrosiaimmediately, yet when I looked into his eyes and saw the golden specks in his irises, I caught myself leaning closer to him.

Obviously aware of his effect on people—was this a weird vampire lure thing I wasn’t aware of?—the bartender blinked and I felt myself come back down to earth. I examined the muscles threatening to bust from the sleeves of his white shirt and the way his waistcoat was tight across the chest. If he wasn’t a vampire, I may have swooned.

“Easy, love,” he said, his voice a smooth melody that melted my unease. “There are far more things in this club to get drunk on than just alcohol.”

Laura, never afraid of anything and always up for a challenge, seemed intrigued by this. She leaned on the bar, sure to clip her elbows close to her sides to push her cleavage up, and winked at the handsome vampire. “That sounds like a whole lot of fun.”

The man—creature?—threw his head back and laughed, allowing me a full view of those razor-sharp teeth. “I think I could show you some fun, for sure. I’m Wade.”

Extending her hand to him, Laura pouted her painted lips and looked at him through lowered lashes. Wade pressed a tender kiss to the back of her hand, before turning it over and pressing his lips to her inner wrist. My breath hitched but Laura seemed unfazed, intoxicated by the excitement of what he could offer.

“We’ll take two margaritas, sugar,” my best friend announced, her voice coated in seduction. “And then you can tell us all about the type of fun a gal like me could have in a place like this.”

2

MERCY

Ambrosiawas so fucking bright.

Lights ricocheted off the shadowed walls and music crashed against bodies down below on the dance floor. It was absolutely deafening and I found it hard to focus. I despised this place. I hated the blue glow that made me squint and the way I winced at the bass drop of each new song. It was all too much, especially for someone like me.

It wasn’t as if this club was created for vampires, or anything.

Ambrosiaexisted for redbloods and their terrible senses, the very building catered to them. The music that pierced our ears was for them to enjoy, the lights too bright for our sensitive eyes. All so that the humans candance. I hated this place, and I hated the redbloods that came along with it.

A low hiss escaped my throat, vibrating my core. I never wanted this damn club to begin with, but it was something I was stuck with. A supposed perk of making it this far in Vegas, I guess; this was the big leagues.

If I was ever caught showcasing my distaste publicly, I’d sure find a stake to the heart. Despite my aversion, it did have its benefits. For one, business could be conducted with discretion. It had also become a consenting feeding ground under my direction.Ambrosiathrived because of me, for humans and vampires alike.

My fingers rapped against the windows up above the dance floor, camouflaged by the flickering lights. Even if they were looking for it, human eyes would glaze right over it. The entire thing was made of dark, tinted glass, accessible only by a tight catwalk overhead.

I liked my office high, call it a stereotype.

“Dance with me,” a drunken voice cooed in my direction. My eyes snapped towards him, the small human boy only five feet to my left. He was handsome, that was for sure, his ash peppered hair swooped across his forehead, the green eyes that looked at me as if I was the most beautiful woman he’s ever laid eyes on. Sweet, probably. I’m surprised he was even of age, he looked nothing short of a child.

He reached out a hand to take mine and winced in pain. I hadn’t moved, but my eyes followed the line attaching him to his blood bag, eyebrow cocked. He was my donor tonight, child or not. Blood was blood. Although, alcohol and blood loss was not exactly a happy marriage. I’d have to cut him off soon—the alcohol, anyway.

“I don’t quite think you’re up for the task, sweets.” My voice was low and gruff, seduction leaking out of every word. I clicked my tongue against a fang, watching him shiver at the sound. Charm was part of the game, too.

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