Page 15 of Vampire Bite

“Oh, I’ve had my fair share of wild parties,” he joked, the low rumble of his voice mixing with the music. “Let’s just say I’m full of surprises.”

“You don’t say,” I teased, but couldn’t hide my smile as he dipped me, catching me off-guard.

He chuckled as I steadied myself, and for a moment, the weight of everything faded. There were no more shadows, no more danger, no more secrets between us. In that moment, we were just two people, swaying to the music, laughing like old friends.

“So, are you going to tell me the story behind this dance?” I asked, half-expecting him to brush it off, but he just pulled me in closer, holding my gaze as he led me across the room.

“Maybe one day,” he replied, his tone soft but playful. “For now, just… let yourself enjoy it.”

And somehow, with him guiding me through the music, I did. We moved in sync, teasing steps and quick spins, the rhythm lifting us higher, as if we could keep the world at bay a little longer. Around us, others joined in, clapping, dancing, letting go just for a little while. Laughter filled the air, something that hadn’t existed here before tonight.

As the music faded and Lucas and I pulled apart, I felt a warm flush lingering from the dance. I was still half-lost in the feeling of it all. But before I could catch my breath, Lena appeared by my side, her expression unreadable as she folded her arms and looked me over.

“Didn’t think you had it in you to pull this off,” she said bluntly, but there was a glint in her eye, something like respect.

I laughed, shaking my head. “To be honest, neither did I.”

For a second, she just watched me, her gaze assessing, then she reached out and extended her hand. I took it, surprised by the firmness of her grip. Her fingers were not the fingers of a technie. They were rough and calloused from years of fighting. It wasn’t the kind of handshake I’d expected—but it felt real, strong, a silent acknowledgment of something bigger than just surviving.

She nodded, giving my hand one last firm squeeze. “Don’t get too comfortable, though. We’re still in the middle of hell here.”

Her words were like a splash of cold water, a reminder of where we were. But instead of pulling me down, they made me feel more grounded, connected. Lena wasn’t just another face in this underground maze of rebels. She was someone I could count on.

A friend? I surely hoped so.

“Noted,” I replied, letting a small smile break through. We both knew she was right.

Just as Lena let go of my hand, Callum strolled over. He had that easy grin of his plastered across his face. He gave Lena a playful pat on the back, all the while his eyes dancing with mischief.

“What’s all the secrecy here?” he teased, raising an eyebrow as he glanced between us. “Hatching some new plan without me?”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Just sharing a moment of victory,” I said. “And maybe a bit of respect.” I shot Lena a smile, and for once, she didn’t look like she’d bite my head off.

Callum nodded, crossing his arms as he looked at me with something surprisingly sincere in his expression. “Well, you earned it, Annika. And in case you hadn’t figured it out yet, welcome to the team. You proved you belong here.”

The warmth in his voice caught me off guard. I felt a strange mix of pride and relief settle in my chest. This place wasn’t exactly friendly. Here, trust had to be earned, just like everything else. But for the first time since I’d landed in this dark underground world, I felt like I belonged.

“Thanks, Callum,” I said, the words feeling heavier with meaning than I’d expected. “Guess I’ll try to keep proving it.”

I didn’t want to tell him that I didn’t plan on sticking around for too long. That would have ruined the moment. And we all needed something to celebrate.

He grinned. “That’s the spirit.” He gave me a nod and then, without another word, stepped back, blending into the rest of the group that had gathered, leaving me there with Lena.

“So, what’s the plan, Annika?” she asked quietly. “You gonna go back home after all this?”

The question caught me off guard. I opened my mouth, but the words didn’t come. Going back home had been mymission, my focus. I’d clung to the thought of it like a lifeline since arriving here. But now… everything felt a bit blurred, uncertain.

“Well… I guess,” I admitted finally, feeling the weight of it sink in.

Lena gave a small, understanding nod. She seemed to see right through me, as if she already knew what I was struggling to put into words.

“It’s alright,” she said, her voice gentler than I’d expected. “Most of us here don’t have homes to go back to. But you… you still do, at least.”

“I do,” I nodded without hesitation and a face appeared in the fog of my mind.

With that, she gave me a brief, almost encouraging smile, then turned and melted back into the crowd, leaving me alone with her words echoing in my mind.

I watched her go, her shoulders strong and unbreakable. Somehow, her quiet reminder struck deeper than I’d anticipated. At least I still had a place to go, someone waiting for me. It was supposed to make everything clearer, but instead, all it did was remind me how tangled I felt, how much I wanted to help here, to stay with… him.

---