Page 52 of Heathens

“Fuck this. You go in, I’m going home.”

I light a cigarette and turn to him, taking the scarf off and shoving it in the glove compartment.

“The turtleneck and jacket are fine. I don’t know why you added a scarf.”

“It’s an ascot, you uncultured prick,” Theo mutters.

“Well, you look like Mr. Darcy if he joined a motorcycle gang.”

“Shut up. You know I’m not good at this stuff.”

While most vampires are extravagant, Theo’s never really gravitated toward that side of things. He has ten of the same suit that he rotates, and never really ventures out of his comfort zone. His fashion sense only evolves when it has to, whereas I’ve collected clothes from every decade I’ve lived in.

“Here,” I mutter, fixing the collar of his jacket. “Much better. Let’s go.”

We step onto the street and head straight for the front door, only stopping when another lumbering bouncer covered in tattoos puts his hand on my chest. His biceps are almost as big as my head. Anyone else might be a bit intimidated, but I ripped a man to shreds last night and his tongue is sitting on my shelf, so I’m not too impressed.

“Easy there, big fella,” I chuckle, putting my hand on his forearm, claws extended. “Don’t wanna spike that blood pressure, do ya?”

“You wait in line.”

Ridiculous.

“I run this fucking city. I don’t wait in lines.”

The bouncer looks me up and down for alongtime, struggling with the complex mental process of remembering a single face, before he finally pushes the door open.

“No fucking around, andnoantagonizing the staff. Is that clear?”

I smile at him, wondering why I’m getting the third degree suddenly. I give his arm a firm squeeze.

“You have my word.”

He nods, staring me down even through his mirrored sunglasses.

“Welcome back to Nox, Mr. Duncan.”

“Now that’s the kind of hospitality I expect,” I reply.

The music is already pounding as we step inside. Vampires linger near the bar and lounge in booths, while others are being let in slowly behind us. There’s a nervous excitement in the air. Feeding night.

I promised I’d be back, and I need her alone.

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see someone striding up to me in a tight black dress and thigh-high boots. Sofie’s friend. Her eyes are already bouncing between me and Theo, sizing the two of us up. She sticks out her hand as she finishes her approach.

“Mr. Duncan, my name’s Ruby Connors. I assume you’re here for feeding night?”

“You assume correctly.”

She has a great fucking figure. Full hips, gorgeous breasts that almost spill out of the top of her dress, and perfectly painted red lips. Theo is having trouble keeping it together, his eyes alight with lust. She points at the roped-off section near the back and looks over her shoulder.

“Well, if I’m not mistaken it’s your first time, so let me explain. You pay up front to thatdelightfulman at the door. Cash only. You find the room with your girl, you knock, and you wait for her to let you in. Any bullshit, up to and including trying to kill our staff, their heart rate monitors alert security and you’re thrown out on your ass, or executed. Dealer’s choice.“ She crosses her arms over her chest, that pleasant smile never leaving her lips. “Sound fair?”

“I suppose it depends on who the dealer is,” I reply.

She holds up a gun.

“Little Miss 9mm.”

---