It was the perfect “grow old together” town. I no longer saw that kind of future for myself. My life didn’t allow for normalcy of the picket fence kind. Of course, I still felt love, in more ways than I could understand. Love remained a confusing and wonderful thing, one power that no one truly harnessed.
I drove up to a brick building that beckoned to patrons with a simple fluorescent sign that stated the establishment’s name, Lucy’s Lounge. What the place lacked in the way of décor, it made up for in smooth whiskey and fine rock n’ roll.
The walls were a drab grey. The carpet looked grubby, as if it had been filthy even as it came off the loom. In the center of the bar was a staircase that led to the second floor, which housed another bar and seating area. It was much smaller and less popular than the crowded downstairs.
Lucy’s Lounge was packed when Jez and I arrived. Nobody appeared to be in the mood for trouble making, but the night wasn’t over yet.
We moved through the crowded club, an assault of scents battered our sensitive noses. I could smell everything from someone’s jasmine perfume to somebody else’s two-day-old socks. I was glad the club had gone smoke free. My keen senses informed me that Arys was there. I’d know his icy energy anywhere.
Arys Knight sat at his favorite table near the bar with his human card-playing buddies. Despite his casual posture and eyes on his cards, I knew he was aware of my presence.
While Jez made her way to the bar, I headed for Arys’s table. He’d never let me avoid him.
“Alexa.” He said my name as if it were a fine dessert. He brought my hand to his lips in a dramatic gesture of greeting, and the power rose between us as it so often did.
The part of me that was spent hungered for his cool, undead energy. The other guys around the table laughed as if his grand greeting had been for their benefit, but I knew it was for mine.
“Hello, Arys. Having a good night?” I gestured to the hand of cards that he held.
“Always.” He flashed me the smile that he’d been perfecting for centuries, not even a hint of fang visible. He made it impossible not to smile back.
Arys came off as the cocky, egotistical type of man that I usually detest, but I knew there was more to him than that. He’d lived through things I could only read about and had known a world I would never know.
“Not making any trouble tonight, are you?” I asked as I glanced over my shoulder. Jez was still waiting in line to order.
“Trouble? Me? You’ve got to be kidding.” He threw cards on the table and said, “Read them and weep boys.” He looked up at me and grinned.
His forever-youthful grin indicated that he couldn’t have been more than thirty or so when he was turned. The ladies loved him. With a smile like his, I couldn’t blame them. However, when he smiled just for me, the sight of those fangs in that beautifully human face sent a chill racing down my spine.
I’ve known more than one vampire who dressed like a Victorian movie vamp but not Arys. Piercings in his ears, nose and lip revealed his edgy nature. He was casual in faded blue jeans and a black t-shirt that hugged his well-muscled chest in all of the right places. His eyes were a deep, drowning blue. His hair was slightly spiky and bedroom messy with just a hint of the early Elvis style. To say that I found him attractive would be putting it lightly. He was absolutely gorgeous.
I knew he was a ruthless killer behind that human mask, but thankfully, I wasn’t on the menu. At least, as far as I knew.
“So what brings you in? Weren’t you hunting tonight?” he asked, and I had to struggle to clear my head.
“Somewhat.” I allowed my gaze to wander around the room and observed the other patrons. “I just had something to take care of.”
When I looked back at Arys, he was watching me closely. Too closely.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just sensing you.”
This wasn’t anything new. Being a vampire, Arys had sensed the natural power in me the moment we first met.
“And, what is it that you're sensing?”
“You,” he repeated but this time he caught my hand firmly in his own and forced me to meet his midnight blue gaze. “You’re weakened.” I was glad the loud music prevented anyone from overhearing. I couldn’t help but be uncomfortably aware of his poker buddies watching us.
A small spark began in my hand, discernible only to those with the acute ability to feel energy. It flowed quickly up my arm and tickled as it went. Heat began in my palm as my power sought to draw him in. Against my control, it pulsed and began to grow as his power bonded with mine.
With a gentle push, I felt a surge shiver through me as Arys seemed to breathe energy into me through touch alone. He simply gave up that which I would never willingly take. I wanted to melt into the welcome sensation. Something about the vampire always made my power reach out for him. When the charge fell away, I was left tingling and craving more.