Luna

Three

The music was deafening and I glared at the DJ my boss had hired for the night.  Our usual guy, Tyler, was on leave and this new guy was doing a terrible job.

I'm all for a good beat, but the incessant bass that felt like it was going to crack my skull was getting a little wearing.

I suppose after the night I'd had I should have called in sick, but I was casual, didn't get any leave and knew I was bordering on getting fired.

It's hard to explain what happened when I first became a vampire.  I have no real memories from before except a dark figure, fear and then anger.  I remember my name, but am aware there's a chance I could be remembering it wrong anyway.

I have no idea if vampires usually remember who they were, but I sure don't.

I woke up in a dumpster in the city that seemed familiar but that's all.  Either I didn't have any family, I'm not originally from the city, or they've all forgotten me.  No one has ever recognised me or done anything to suggest they know who I am.

I spent my first night on the streets until I discovered the thousands of dollars someone had sewn into the pocket of my torn jacket.  I don't know if it was my creator, or something I'd done before I was turned, but it was enough to rent my small apartment for three months, buy some clothes and basic necessities and eat.

Renting in the city isn't cheap and before I knew it, I was low on cash, so I took the first job I could find.  Working as a bar tender at Six Feet, a popular, if not slightly dodgy, night club on the edge of town.

It's not close to my apartment, the hours are terrible, I get hit on constantly by drunk people, but it brings in some money and so far I've managed to fudge my way through it all.  I've been there for a year and have mostly had to serve beers and a few other bottled drinks.  

The staff are pretty good and if a complicated drink is ordered, another bar tender who actually knows what they're doing usually takes pity on me and makes it - as long as they get the tip.

If not, I use a tiny bit of whatever persuasion I possess - magic?  Hypnosis?  I don't know, but I use the tiniest bit to get them to enjoy whatever mixed up concoction I've served them.  No one has ever said anything, and drunk people are really easy to convince.

I jumped when someone elbowed me playfully in the ribs and did my best to smile at Tamika, my favourite person to work with.

Tamika is in her late thirties with tattoos covering her arms, legs and part of her neck. She is pretty in a don't look at me the wrong way or I'll stab you way and is easy to work with.

I make sure I don't have friends.  If I'm not close with anyone, I don't have to put them in danger.

Sometimes I think I'd like to have friends; people who care about me. But then I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and remember it's not a luxury I can afford.

My thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a man at the bar. One glance at him had the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end and I clamped my mouth shut to make sure my fangs weren't descending on their own free will.

He was tall with brown hair, an amazing jawline and muscles for days. He carried himself with an air of self assurance that made women swoon but made my stomach churn.

When I first woke up, I had wondered if I was crazy. A few run ins with sleazy vampires at the club had made me realise I wasn't crazy and I definitely wasn't the only one.

It was his eyes that gave him away. Sure, they were dark, bottomless and definitely mysterious, but the frustration was what kept me on my toes.

It was clear as I walked closer and leant on the bar that he was trying to coerce me. 

I'm not sure how it works, but I think normally vampires can convince people to do things like dance with them, forget they saw them and more.

I know if doesn't work on me because of the number of sleazes I've dealt with in the past year.  I can do little things like convince people I have bar tending skills, but that's about it.  I'm fast, strong and heal faster than most, but I'm nothing compared to a real vampire.

I don't know how it works and I have no one I can ask, but I think vampires can recognise other vampires. For whatever reason, they don't seem to recognise me.

I walked closer, doing my best 'I'm under your spell' impersonation.

I leant casually on the bar, trying hard not to grimace at the close proximity and the waves of arrogance washing over him like a bad smell.

"Evening."  He all but purred.

I mentally rolled my eyes; another vampire who thought he could have his way with me.  

I deal with at least one a night and always send them on their way.  

I don't have the abilities that real vampires do,  but I'm quite good at coercing people.  I have no idea why it doesn't work back at me, but for now I'm just taking it as a gift.

I don't know what I did before I was turned, but whatever it was, some of the skills seem to have stuck.  I can calm people down by talking to them, I can tell when a human is lying and I seem to act calmly in an emergency situation.

I haven't been in many of those situations, but when the club almost burnt down last month, I'd managed to get everyone out in a calm and civilised fashion - mostly anyway.

I leant on the bar, "What can I get for you?"

His gaze intensified and I did my best deer in the headlights impersonation.

"I'm looking for a man."  He purred.

I was surprised to hear that but quickly recovered; maybe he wasn't hitting on me?

"There are plenty of men here."  I said, trying to look like he was the most interesting thing I'd ever seen.

He shook his head, "I'm not looking for a date.  I'm looking for a tall man with dark hair and an English accent."

My mind automatically flashed to the man I'd tried to attack the night before - or was it earlier that morning?

I shrugged, "I haven't seen anyone like that I'm sorry."

Ignoring the endless depths of darkness, I stared into his eyes.  I felt the pull as he tried to draw me closer, but I resisted.  He didn't seem to feel the resistance and tried again, "Dark hair, goes by the name London Carmichael."

London Carmichael.  So that was his name.  

"What did he do?"  I asked the man in front of me.

He raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think he's done something?"  He asked smoothly.

I shrugged, realising I was making it obvious that he didn't have me under his spell.  I leant on the bar again, my eyes wide and my full lips pouting, "You don't need him do you?"

A small smile touched the edges of his mouth and I swore internally as I saw his eyes flash.

My head was pounding and I wondered if I should have stayed home after all.

I wanted to go home but I didn't want to lose out on pay.  I decided I'd go to the toilet and then see how I felt.

I wandered away from the bar, wondering where the toilets were and realised it was a great night to work longer hours with minimal pay.  

My head was spinning by the time I reached the toilets.  Several women barely old enough to drink stumbled in behind me and let the door slam.  

I ignored them and splashed water on my face, determined to get on with my night.  I'd had to fight to resist the pull of a vampire's charm before, but this one was different.  Had I gone to the toilet of my own free will or was I just fooling myself into thinking I still had some semblance of control.

I froze when I spotted the knife in the blonde's hand.

Well this was a new on the job experience.