Bloodsong

Chapter 17

I was still terrified. But Lilith and Mia had spent the afternoon telling me to just enjoy his company over dinner. I couldn’t deny I was also curious. There was an attraction to him, despite what he was, and maybe in public I could find out more about what kind of man he really was. And why he had picked me to pursue.

The Underground was packed. We set up and I searched the room. “Looks like your little teaser worked.” I told Lilith.

“You doubted me?” She scoffed. “Of course it worked. I sometimes know what I’m talking about.”

I adjusted the mic stand. “Only sometimes?”

“Shut your face.” She laughed .

Pete greeted us at the stage. “I don’t know what this announcement is that you’ve got planned, but we have people lining up around the block to get in. We’re already at full capacity. You’re really bringing in the cash tonight, girls. I’ve already made a grand. Maybe you can play a couple of songs from your new album, as I’m sure they’d love to hear something new.”

“Sure thing, Pete!” I smiled at him, already giddy from the buzz of the bar.

“Have you given any thought to adding Dark Eyes of a Stranger to our set?” Lilith whispered.

I recalled the painting. How upset I’d been to find it on display. To sing Dark Eyes would be doing exactly the same thing. “No. I think I should tell him I wrote a song about him before I sing it.” I had no idea how I was going to do that.

I tuned my guitar and happened to glance up in time to see Matteo and Carlos at the door. “Oh, this can’t be good,” I muttered.

They both lifted their gazes to my face as if they’d heard me. Of course they had. Carlos smiled across the bar at me. It was not a smile that set me at ease. In fact, his entire presence sent a chill through me. When I’d seen them feeding at the movie, he’d shown no shame over being caught feeding. Matteo’s expression had been different, with more compunction.

I tore my gaze from Carlos and met Matteo’s. While I still didn’t like the idea of what he was, there was something warmer about his gaze. His presence felt familiar, I just couldn’t quite place it. A part of him spoke to me, and once again the urge to run to him, let him wrap me in his embrace overcame me. When he met my eyes, the shiver that passed through me was different. A slow smile spread across his face, and I couldn’t hold back my own grin.

“Aww look, your first groupie,” Mia called over to me.

Matteo’s shoulders shook as he laughed. He’d clearly heard that .

“Looks like you’ve thawed slightly towards him,” Lilith noted.

I didn’t break eye contact, choosing my words carefully for him while I spoke to Lilith. “I thought I’d give him a chance. Get to know him a little, before I judge who he is.”

He inclined his head slightly to acknowledge my words.

“He looks like a real gentleman,” Mia observed. “I bet he’s a real animal in bed.”

He raised his eyebrows and met my eyes unflinching, his smug smile unmistakable. My face, neck, and ears were hot enough for me to know I’d gone bright red.

“How about we not talk about him like that when he’s right there,” I said to Mia, forcing myself to turn away from him.

Mia laughed, but let it go.

Ready to start, I glanced over at Lilith. Behind the drums, she spun the drum sticks. Mia gave me a nod. We went straight into playing. The audience was anticipating our announcement, but we’d agreed to make them wait for it.

Every face in that bar was turned towards us. I let the music fill me with joy, putting it into my song. As I finished, Mia approached me.

I turned, confused. “You okay?”

The smile on her face told me she was up to something. “Move over.” I stepped out of the way, and she grabbed the mic speaking into it. “Hello!”

Cheers and whistles rose up around the bar .

“What are you doing?” I asked. “I thought we were going to wait before announcing anything.”

She ignored me. “Tonight is a special night, and all of you get to share it with us.”

Oh crap. “Mia, no, we’re here to play.”

“Quinn here will make an announcement later that I know you’re all excited for, but first, it’s her birthday, so let’s show some appreciation to our amazingly talented singer!”

The entire room started to sing happy birthday, and I felt like a five-year-old. I sought out Matteo, to find him watching the room carefully. Carlos was no longer beside him, and nowhere in sight. A cold fist of horror gripped my heart, followed by a wave of fury.

I turned my back on the crowd, busying myself with my guitar. “While I didn’t say anything at the movies, I will now. These people are here for me and did not come here to be fed on. Off limits. That’s all I ask. Please.” I was either being really brave, or really stupid to make demands of vampires.

Mia moved away from the mic, allowing me to take my place again. Carlos stood next to Matteo as if he’d never left. The two looked to be in a deep conversation, and both of them turned their faces towards me.

‘ You have claimed this as your territory. We acknowledge your demand. ’ Matteo’s voice whispered in my head, his mind a soft brushing against mine. ‘ We will not feed in here. You have our word. ’

I wasn’t sure what he meant by claiming territory, or whether to trust the word of a vampire. I shook myself out of my daze and started into the next song. Everyone in the bar watched; some even sang along. A few moved to the dance floor. Eyes burned into me. Matteo’s. Unblinking. Just as I had been the first time I met him, I was captivated. Only the two of us existed.

“Quinn, solo,” Mia whispered, breaking me from my trance.

With a grin I took my place next to Lilith just in time. As she pounded her way through, I pulled the perfect air drums. Each thud beat through my entire body, energising and intense. Breathless when it finished, I returned to the mic, picking up my guitar as Mia played through her solo.

A man climbed on stage, and I glanced over at Mia and Lilith, concerned, moving away.

“Hey! Get off the stage!” Lilith shouted over the noise. Across the room, Pete yelled for Security.

“Dance with me, beautiful,” the man said, his eyes on me.

I shuddered. He was drunk and stunk of beer and vomit. A bouncer started to make his way through the crowd. “Move! Get out of my way!” He pushed people aside.

I stepped away from the drunk, my heart pounding as I recalled the guy who’d tried to mug me weeks ago. “You should get off the stage,” I said, annoyed that our set had been interrupted.

Lilith was there, standing between us. “Back the fuck off! We’re playing here.” Her voice was like ice.

The drunk shoved Lilith, pushing her to the ground, and advanced on me again. “I said dance with me,” he demanded and grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards him. I stumbled forward.

Matteo stepped onto the stage. “Get your hands off her,” he said, his voice sharp with warning.

The drunk let me go, and I fell forward hitting the stage hard. Matteo towered over him, his face dark and eyes glinting with unrestrained fury.

“Okay, break it up!” The bouncer arrived with two others. “You, out. Now,” he said to the drunk and shoved him from the stage. He glanced at Matteo. “Are you going to be a problem?”

“Only if he isn’t immediately removed from her presence,” Matteo asserted.

“Oh believe me, he’s going.” The bouncer grabbed the drunk by the arm, leading him away.

Matteo crouched. “Are you hurt?” He helped me stand, his hand cool and firm around mine.

“Fucking drunks. Ugh.” I grasped his arm for balance, shaken. “I’m okay. Thanks.”

His gaze remained on mine, full of concern. I realised I still hadn’t moved my hand, nor had he pulled away from my grip. The bouncer’s voice boomed across the bar, the entire crowd silent, watching.

Another bouncer helped Lilith to her feet, and Mia reached for her. The two comforted each other in low voices.

“Thank you,” I said to Matteo, not understanding why him stepping in had made me feel safe. That I never had to be afraid ever again. He was a vampire, and I should be terrified. But it was not me he’d given the death glare to. Confused, I pulled away from him and turned my focus to Lilith and Mia. “Are you all good?” I asked, curious as to how she hadn’t kicked his ass when he laid hands on her.

“Yeah, let’s just keep playing,” Lilith muttered, returning to her drums. Without waiting, she started from her solo, her eyes clouded with humiliation and rage.

“Would you have hurt him?” I didn’t have to raise my voice, knowing he’d hear me over Lilith’s angry drumming, but wasn’t sure I’d like the answer.

“Yes, I don’t like that he tried to touch what’s mine,” he glanced over his shoulder at Carlos.

My heart jumped at the word ‘mine.’ I wanted to be his, but I didn’t know what came with that.

“But I’m not yours,” I said.

His eyes met mine with a spark of determination. “You will be, little cantante. Heart, body, and soul.”