Of Blood and Downfall

Chapter 19.

Mavis's POV:

    After a few drinks in and showing Issy my terrible dance moves, we decide to take the long way back to the apartment. I am a bit tipsy and it's almost embarrassing because Issy drank twice as much as me and isn't as far off.

    "We have to do that again." I laugh, twirling around in the middle of the dead street. It's cold out but nothing can faze me my alcohol blanket.

    "Did you see that man trying to grind up on you?" Issy laughs, her hair falling from the little pins.

    I gag. "I started barking. That's what I do back home."

    "It was hilarious." She catches up to me in a flash and my eyes cross.

    "Woah," I hold her still to make eye contact. "Don't do that again or I will throw up on you."

    "Sorry. I will try to be as human as I can with you."

    "All I'm asking for." I laugh, my arms dropping from her shoulders and continuing our adventure home.

    "It's completely dead out."

    Issy glances over her shoulder and looks from afar. "It's because it's about 10 Celsius and one thirty in the morning."

    "You're right." I confirm, not knowing that the temperature is in Fahrenheit but I'm sure it's cold. Stumbling down the road that is lit by the streetlamps, my sigh falls over the little houses. "It's beautiful though." I glance up at the mountains from afar, empowering the dark sky.

    "Let's sight see another time. We have a bit of a trek home." Issy answers, her voice slightly shaking.

    Caution is in her eyes. "Is everything okay?" I ask and she brushes her hair behind her shoulder. Her aura changes and I feel it when she presses her hand on the small of my back and ushers me forward.

    I turn around to find three shadows lingering behind us from afar. My heart begins to hammer but I try to keep it under control. Out on this open road...we are going to expose my housing to them.

    Snatching Issy's hand, I cut left and lure us into a narrow street enclosed with stores. When I turn, they're at our tails.

    Issy pulls me back when I whirl around and come in contact with a man. I fall on my ass but Issy's grip is still on my wrist. I hiss at the pain, trying to push myself up to my feet.

    "Hi Issy." The man says and I brush my hair aside to avert my gaze to Lou. Tipsy, drunk, whatever I feel, it is godly sick with him in front of me. Something dark in his black gaze as it falls down my body.

    Issy stands in front of me and covers his view. I yank her hand away from my wrist, rubbing it with ache. "Hello Mavis." He inhales deeply, the sweat beaded on my body a complete invitation to him.

To them.

I glance over my shoulder and find the other two men cowering a few feet behind us. This isn't good. The alcohol blanket suddenly flushes out of me and I feel goosebumps rise.

"What do you want?" Issy asks with bitterness. Meanwhile I want to respond with urgency and fear, but I can't form any words right now. I hear the two shadows step closer.

"Is the party over?" He inquires with a tilt of his head.

"Yes. A little too late." She throws her shoulder against his, a grunt escaping his parted lips.

"What if we have our own?" He inquires with an upped tone in his voice.

"We are tired and done for the night. I'm sure there's lovely ladies waiting for you at the bar though. Come' on Mavis." She grabs my arm and pulls me forward.