Once Bitten (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #1)(77)

“So, where are we headed?” Her cell phone vibrated loudly, and she flipped it open to read a text message before punching buttons in response.

“Cruising the streets near Raoul’s then heading to Lucy’s. I know she’s been in there even if I haven’t seen her myself.” A thought struck me, and I added, “There’s another area, too, adjacent to my neighborhood. That’s where she watched Shaz and I run this morning.”

We cruised every street but Raoul’s. For that one, I parked down an alley, and Jez took a quick stroll around the block. When I asked if Raoul’s Jag was in the driveway, she said no. The kitchen light had been on, but she’d seen no one.

Just after eleven, we pulled up at Lucy’s Lounge. The place was already pretty packed.

“Is this place ever dead?”

Jez eyed the small group of ladies in the parking lot. An eyeful of short skirts and cle**age enhancing tops had her ogling like a kid in a candy store. We weren’t even inside yet.

“Aren’t you seeing someone?” I raised a quizzical eyebrow.

“I see a lot of people. There’s no ring on this finger.” She wiggled the fingers of her left hand too close to my face, and I slapped it away. “I’m not dead, Alexa. I’m always open to meeting that one lady that just knocks my socks off.”

“Just one huh?” My wry smile wasn’t lost on her, and I chuckled at her exasperation.

“Who are you to talk about having just one?”

“Ouch. Nice, Jez.”

Inside, the aggravating sounds of a recent Top 40 hit made me long for Jez’s heavy metal. The joint was packed with humans. It was strange to see the bar without Shaz. Most of the staff recognized me and nodded. A few of the local Weres were usually there, but I didn’t feel their energy anywhere.

“Go ahead and grab a drink if you want,” I said close to Jez’s ear. “I’m going to use the restroom.” I didn’t have to tell her twice. I knew I’d come back to find her with a brightly colored cocktail in each hand. She just couldn’t resist a fruity beverage.

After using the facilities and washing up, I was walking down the small hall back towards the bar when I felt someone’s eyes on me. Before I could turn to look, the lightest touch on my elbow had me startled into a defensive stance. It was just a human girl, and I relaxed until her scent hit me. It was David’s girlfriend, the one who had lied to the police.

“I’m sorry,” she shouted to be heard over the bar noise. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Mustering the best, forced smile that I could, I replied with a lame, “That’s ok.”

“I wanted to thank you.” Her eyes were downcast, and the scent of fear and anxiety trickled from her. I was keenly aware of her heart accelerating, the blood rushing inside her, just waiting for that perfect puncture to release it. Goddamn it Arys, I thought briefly. You’ve made me a monster.

I considered playing dumb. How in the hell could she recognize me? It had been dark, and I hadn’t looked this human.

Oh, God help me. I’m such a fool. I should have killed her, too. The thought came unbidden, and I knew that it wasn’t mine. However, I had to acknowledge that the vampires’ logic kept them touted as fictional. They have to be ruthless to stay alive.

“Oh, that’s alright.” I felt more awkward staring into her beaming smile than I had sitting with Arys and Shaz earlier. I was at a loss for words. My eyes went over her head, searching for Jez’s shock of gold hair in the crowd.

“No really. I probably shouldn’t have approached you, but I didn’t want to risk losing my only chance to thank you. He made my life a living nightmare. I was ready to kill myself.”

I had to give her credit for being wise enough to avoid saying David’s name. There was obviously no use trying to convince her that she hadn’t seen something she knew damn well she had.

“Anyway,” she continued, suddenly in a rush to finish. “I can’t tell you what you’ve done for me. I don’t regret a thing about any of it. And, whoever or whatever you are is no business of mine. My lips are sealed.” Her eyes took on that wide solemn look of a child making a sincere promise.

My smile felt small and tight, but it reached my eyes. I had to appreciate her guts. I can’t say that I would have approached the person that had grown claws and fangs before eating my boyfriend. Courage was an admirable trait, though it could be stupid.

I offered her a hand. “I’m glad you’re alright.”

“I’m Amanda.” Could her smile possibly get any wider? “It’s nice to meet you.”

I didn’t like the spark in her eyes. I’d seen humans like this. My supernatural power and allure enticed her. This was often temporary but could be potentially dangerous. Fanaticism is a form of insanity.

“Likewise.” I spotted Jez who was making her way to a group of college girls shooting pool. From where I stood, I could see the electric blue cocktail in her hand. “Look Amanda, I’m sorry but I need to get going. Have a really good night, ok?”

I excused myself before the strange moment could drag on any longer. I hoped she didn’t take it the wrong way when I hightailed it across the club to Jez.

Yeah, I felt like an ass**le, but really, what could I possibly say to the girl? Thanks for not telling the cops that I ate your boyfriend? The bastard turned my stomach anyway. Besides, the scent of her blood was giving me a cramp.