Page 2 of Fang Girl

“Holy shit! Really?” Aware of my language, I glanced up at the driver, but he was ignoring me.

“Right up front!” she exclaimed. “This is going to be the best night of our life.”

I laughed. “You’re absolutely right. See you in ten.” I clicked the end button, and leaned back in my seat.

I’d started listening to music almost constantly to avoid having to talk to the ghosts all the time. But The Nocturnals held a special place in my heart.

The lead singer, Victor, had been my one-sided crush in high school. He was gorgeous, of course, with a long, lanky body, black hair, and green eyes, but he’d also been one of the few popular kids who were nice to me—Creepy Ari. Who’d have thought he’d have made it this big in just a few years?

The venue's bass thrummed through my body as we pulled up. I hopped out of the Uber, calling thanks to the driver while eyeing the two teenage ghosts leaning against the building.

They wore flannel shirts over tank tops and acid-washed jeans. Their hopeful looks fell when I shook my head.

"Office hours at Shady Grove cemetery, tomorrow at twilight," I murmured as I passed.

They gave me a thumbs up, and I hurried to find Kylie.

Kylie was on me before I even got to the doors, waving the VIP passes.

“How?” I asked, grabbing her arm and looking at the red tickets. Sure enough, V.I.P. was stamped across them.

“My sister slept with the sound manager,” she said under her breath. “I’ve never been more happy that she’s a slut!”

I laughed.

Kylie’s brown eyes shone with excitement. “Let’s go, Ari.”

She curled her hand over mine and dragged me toward the front doors. The venue opened up and the crowd was already filling in. We were whisked away to the VIP line and into our seats faster than I’d ever thought possible. I glanced back at the stadium, and the nosebleed seats we’d had before, and silently thanked Kylie’s sister.

Ghosts flitted here and there, but I ignored them and they didn’t approach. Sometimes, particularly in large crowds, they didn’t realize I could see or hear them, and I took this as the blessing it was.

The lights flashed and dimmed, and Kylie and I leapt from our seats, screaming as the band took the stage.

Victor strolled to the front microphone, and I sighed dreamily. He really was gorgeous, his features like something carved by an artist—high cheekbones that caught shadows, a strong jaw that clenched when he was thinking, and full lips that curved easily into that devastating smile. His bright green eyes burned with intensity under dark brows, and his long black hair fell in waves past his shoulders, begging to be touched.

No way I'd ever had a chance with him in high school, and now—as thousands of fans screamed his name—he was even more untouchable.

Victor

The Nocturnals hit the stage as the crowd roared. Spotlights swept across us one by one: Basil with his shock of white hair hammering the drums, Riggs working the bass, and Dario shredding on guitar.

The light blazed down on me last, and I cradled the microphone. "Hello."

That was all I needed to say.

The auditorium erupted.

I couldn't help grinning at their enthusiasm. My voice had been getting me swoons and phone numbers since high school, and becoming a little fangy hadn't changed that. Being lead singer for The Nocturnals was everything I'd dreamed of—even with the complications.

"On with it!" Eddy barked in my earpiece.

I held back a growl. His ideas for fan engagement were solid, but his delivery needed work. You'd think a manager for vampires would be more careful about pissing us off.

"Tonight we have a very special experience for one of our fans," I said, scanning the VIP section. Eddy had already picked out some pre-approved lucky fan, but then my gaze caught on Aria and everything else fell away.

My old classmate. Creepy Ari, they'd called her—beautiful, mysterious Ari who talked to people no one else could see. I'd wanted to kiss those perfect lips all through high school, but never dared break rank to approach her.

Now? Nobody told this vampire what to do. I smiled and pointed. "You."

---