Vampire Emeritus (Part #3) ✔

Chapter 33: Dramatic Pause

In my head, this moment looked different. In my head, the moment before the fight was filled with nostalgia and memories, us talking about everything we've been through and how far we've come. Instead, we sat in silence, soothing our burning fear with even stronger alcohol.

I thought we would have gotten over our issues by now, I thought we'd be one big happy family once more, but we weren't. We were angry and messy and full of unresolved tension.

No one in the room was on good terms. No one fully discussed anything. And tonight, we were supposed to go risk our lives against a vampire army.

How could we do that if we hadn't even figured out what we want from one another?

Memories of the times we've spent together two years ago flashed in my mind. More precisely, memories of my birthday two years ago. I remembered that sunny, warm day and booze and the cake and presents.

Everyone was fine back then.

Well, I was a mess, but other than that, everyone was on somewhat good terms.

Thinking about it made me feel guilty for behaving like a stupid brat on that day. Why couldn't I appreciate those moments more?

If I had known I'd look back at them fondly, I would have enjoyed it more.

"It's time." Ian said, breaking the silence. "Caiden?"

"Right." My ex-boyfriend's hands only slightly trembled as he faced the screen. "Do you think this will work?"

"There's only one way to find out." Thomas stood up from the couch, waves of tension rolling off him.

The atmosphere in the room turned even thicker than before. The heat gathered around us, almost unbearable in the closed-off lounge bar. Desperate for fresh air, I breathed in, only to find the air unable to pass through the lump in my throat.

"Alright." Caiden typed something, and his finger loomed over the mouse for a second before he clicked, "It's done."

"Shit." Ian cursed. "There's no going back now. They'll know we did this."

"What now?" I scooted over to the edge of the seat and pinned my hands underneath my legs to keep them from trembling.

"Angie," William spoke gently, "It's best if you go to the armoury right now."

The dark-haired girl with plump lips nodded, his eyes wide and scared. She said nothing, but she glanced at Caiden who nodded his encouragement before she left the room.

"Sheila, Tina." William continued. "Go with her."

"Oh, come on." Tina rolled her eyes. "We're still waiting for action."

"Right." Sheila agreed. "You're no fun."

"In the armoury." William's voice dropped to a growl, startling us. "Now."

To my surprise, Sheila bowed her head and dragged herself across the bed. She refused to look at William while she walked to the armoury, Tina at her heels.

I leaned against my hand and pressed the skin between my brows. I winced at the slight pain. My body was probably bubbling with stress.

"What about me?" Caiden asked, his eyes glued to the screen, as if he was expecting action.

"You should stay a little longer." William answered. "Until someone answers."

"And what if no one does?" Caiden looked at William.

"Then our plan changes completely." Ian said. "If no one answers, I'm going in there alone and I'm setting the entire place aflame."

My insides turned upside down.