Page 10 of Heathens

“Booming.” I take a spin in my chair. “You should come and work here. I know you make a mean margarita.”

“Nah, I like my workplace fang-free,” she laughs.“But hey, speaking of, you know you’re always welcome back here, right? Any reason you’re risking it all night after night?”

“Because you don’t pay enough.”

“Sofie, you know all of that money goes–”

“Back into operations. I know, I know.”

Avery would never admit it, but working at a blood bank is easily one of the most dangerous jobs in this city. The vampires monitor it like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Every shipment is a risk, and donation weeks are like bringing cattle into a slaughterhouse. Symbiotic relationship or no, not every vampire is out for the good of their kin. Some of them are starving, and others just don’t care who or what they hurt.

“I’ll get it ready. Just come through the back alley. The front’s… well, it’s just not a good idea right now.”

“Great,” I reply. “Thanks, Avery.”

“See you in a bit, Sof.”

I hang up the phone and put my head in my hands, groaning loudly. Ruby begins to rub my shoulders, and I already know what’s coming next.

“You want help? I can put Kirby in charge while we’re gone. She’ll rule this joint with an iron fist.”

“Yeah, until the blood runs out and she punches a vampire in the face,” I murmur. “It’s fine. I can go by myself.”

“You know damn well that it’s dangerous to go out on your own.At night. I’m coming with you.” Her blue eyes are narrowed and hardened. “Don’t be so proud, Sof. It makes you look like an idiot.”

I relax my shoulders as she digs into them, cutting through the tension like butter.

“There’s no getting you out of my hair, huh?”

“You’re stuck with me,” Ruby replies, giving me a quick slap on the back. “Now get your coat and let’s go.”

SOFIE

The Santa Cruz Blood Bank

Myeyesscanthestreet as I drive, raking over puddles covered with rainbow slicks of oil, flattened cardboard, smashed bottles, and plastic cups left abandoned on the ground. Everything near the old Santa Cruz Boardwalk lies in ruins.

Ruby’s focused on the clock. The timing has to be exact. We don’t want to wait outside of the bank for too long, or we’re vulnerable. She exhales a cloud of smoke and chews on her lip.

There’s reinforced glass on the van, and guns in the glove compartment loaded with silver bullets.

“I forgot how intense this shit is.”

“Yeah,” I mumble as I make a left-hand turn. “It’s no wonder they hire those big dudes in those armored trucks to deliver this stuff.”

“Yeah, and eventhat’snot safe,” Ruby mutters. “Remember what happened to Bill?”

“Poor bastard.”

I draw a deep breath as the building comes into view. Humans guard the back doors in full riot gear with massive guns. I flash my lights three times to get their attention; the signal for a pickup. A while back, some vamps caught on to this little method of communication and tried to swarm them. Now, the Bank hires big burly dudes who can hold their own. They’re armed to the teeth. I’ve seen these guys take on a group of vamps all at once like it’s nothing.

The second I park the van, we’re on the move. Ruby and I grab our weapons, looking straight ahead as we head for the back door. My muscles are coiled like springs, ready to run or fight. It’s become my regular state of being.

As we approach, one of the guards lifts his helmet and I immediately recognize Jesse, with his warm brown eyes. He’s massive, probably somewhere around 6’5”, and at least 300 lbs of muscle. I smile reflexively. Jesse is a bright light, even on the darkest of nights.

“Avery said you were back on pickup duty!” He calls with a playful smile. “Good to see you both!”

“I wish it were under better circumstances!” I laugh as Jesse opens the door for us and ushers us inside.

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