“This would count as the first,” he clarified helpfully.
“Ah.” So talking me into leaving with him would probably be the second meeting, which he had permission to request, but I bet he didn’t have permission to have the second meeting without Elder supervision. Breaking the rules. I didn’t think he would accept a blunt ‘no’ to his request for a second meeting. It might even result in my immediate forceful removal from this bar. Could nothing in my life ever go easy?
“I can’t go with you tonight. I’m with my friend. However, I’m going to be at the compound for an Introduction tomorrow night.”
“Really? It’s odd that no call’s gone out for it.” He tilted his head studying me, never losing his playful expression. Trying to sense a lie, I knew. Didn’t matter. He wouldn’t sense one as I’d just made up my mind.
“It’s because I haven’t told my guardian yet. We had a fight and I’m still pretty pissed him.” Pretty pissed at him, and pretty pissed at you. Why couldn’t everyone just leave me alone? “I’m tired of being told what to do so I want the Introductions on my terms. I didn’t think about the call. Sorry.”
He looked at me closely for several moments. “I can understand not wanting to be told what to do. That’s why we left our packs.”
Forlorn. My stomach dropped and my hand tightened on my glass. Bad just got worse and I knew the moment he smelled my fear.
His nostrils flared minutely and his grin widened. “Don’t worry little one. We’re not going to cause you any trouble tonight. We’ll wait to see you tomorrow night.”
He nodded to me and walked away disappearing into the crowd. I used my sight to monitor their progress as they left the club.
That sounded like a threat. If I didn’t go to the compound, they would be coming to get me either way.
I grabbed Rachel’s hand, distracting her from her shouted conversation, and motioned for the exit. A true friend, she immediately set her barely touched drink on the bar and moved to follow me.
One of the women noticed and snagged my arm as I made to move past her. She leaned in to beg, “Please stay!”
I smiled regretfully, looking at her and her friend. Both pleaded with their eyes as did the men behind them. But the men begged for a different reason. I sighed and felt a moment of pity for the women. At some point in our lives, we all looked for that one being to connect with. These two just wanted a chance to find their special someone. The guys were only feeling the effects of the pull I had.
Understanding their need to find that ‘right’ someone, I reached out to them apologetically. Though I understood, we needed to leave before the Forlorn changed their minds about waiting until tomorrow.
As soon as my fingers made contact with their arms, a large shock took the three of us by surprise. Immediately, I knew what I’d done. The shock didn’t sting as bad as it had when I’d shocked Nicole, but the drain of it was worse. They both looked stunned. I just laughed it away and patted their arms.
“Sorry,” I shouted over the music and waved goodbye guessing I didn’t have much time.
This time when Rachel and I moved to leave, no one paid me any attention. One of the men behind the girls had already called the bartender over to order more drinks for the group. I hoped they’d stick together and be smart about the attention soon to be showered on them.
I tugged Rachel’s hand again, feeling the first wave of dizziness wash over me as we pushed our way through the crowd to the door. The bouncer didn’t even give me a second glance as we left. No man did. It confirmed what I already had guessed. It had happened again.
As soon as we were far enough away from the club that I could hear, I told Rachel we needed to get home quick. Our heels tapped out a rapid cadence on the sidewalk. The clip of our heels sounded like it came from under water. I wondered how long it would take my ears to recover from the loud music.
“Why?” she asked, turning to look behind us. “Is someone following us?”
I hadn’t thought of that, but didn’t try looking not wanting to drain myself further.
“No, I’m just really not feeling well.” Reaching Rachel’s car, I slid into my seat, waiting for the effects to hit me yet hoping the chills and the headache wouldn’t come.
By the time we reached the house, I shivered uncontrollably. Rachel had cranked the heat in the car, but it hadn’t helped. After all, the shivering wasn’t because of a chill or running a temperature, though staying warm helped. Rachel eased into the driveway. I didn’t argue when she parked and told me to stay sitting. She came to my side of the car to help me out.