They Rise at Dusk (Book #1) ✔️

Chapter 6: Cursed Choices

Anger coursed through me with insane speed, devouring all rational thought. I put both my palms against his chest and pushed him away. Surprised by my strength, he stumbled back.

"Do not invade my personal space." I said through my teeth. "Not even when you're accusing me of being a liar."

Jax blinked and his expression softened, like he just realised what he had done. Fortunately, or unfortunately, we were alone in the alley. If he killed me now, there'd be no one to witness it.

"I'm sorry." He raised his hands. "I did a background check on you."

I arched my eyebrow, "Do you check on every girl you hook up with in a club?"

"No." Jax put his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket. "Only those who are frenemies with Dorian Darascu."

"I'm not friends with Dorian!"

"I said frenemies."

My shoulders slumped in defeat. Thoughts ran through my head. I could lie again, but he would see right through me. Or I could explain that my relationship with Dorian did not have a cute nickname. It was only hatred. Livid, burning hatred.

"Tell me the truth, Odette." Jax's lips twisted downwards.

I took in a deep breath and separated myself from the wall. Sweat gathered around my neck, right under the coat's collar. I swallowed my heartbeat and pursed my lips.

"Take me somewhere nice." I said. "And I'll tell you the truth."

To this, Jax's lips spread into a grin, "And where is somewhere nice?"

Memories of the other night flashed in my mind; his hands on my body, his lips on my neck, and the way he kissed me, like he wanted to devour me.

"Somewhere." I shrugged. "There's gotta be something here at this hour."

"At 4AM in Bronx?" Jax raised his eyebrow. "Wanna go to a strip club?"

I squinted.

Jax laughed, "Come on, I know where we can go."

As I followed him out of the alley, I thought whether this was a good idea. Although I was pretty sure he had no idea I was a vampire, the idea of being alone with him still terrified me. It also sent strong sharp shivers down my spine, which settled right between my legs.

We moved down the street quickly. Dirty yellow fog lingered in the air and the dew drops shone on the asphalt. The smell of gasoline and winter mixed around us. The night was cold and moist, almost like some invisible snow fell from the orange skies. I held the bag tightly, irrationally fearing a blood bag would slip out and ruin my life.

"Where are we going?" I hopped after Jax, my hair bouncing off my shoulders.

"Somewhere nice." He answered with amusement in his voice.

When he stopped in front of a motorbike, I almost cursed out loud. But he paid no mind to my protests and instead pushed a helmet into my hands and hopped on. Something stirred in me, rebellious and excited. Twenty-three years of balls, and expensive jewellery, and limousines made me crave the simplicity of a motorbike. Two years of poverty stripped me of the opportunity to own one.

"You're not going to kidnap me, are you?" I asked, squinting.

Jax laughed, "The first night we met you asked me if I was gonna poison you. Now you're asking me if I'm gonna kidnap you. Who do you think I am?"

A vampire hunter.

"A dark mysterious stranger in the night." I offered a coy smile. "My mama taught me better."