Coven of Blood

Chapter 8

* Six Months Later *

The nightclub floor is littered with people throwing themselves into the music. 

I move like a ghost between the drunks, my cup clutched firmly in my hand as I spot my next victim. A tall, blonde haired guy who looks like his name could be Josh. James? Jacob? 

It didn't really matter. 

Our eyes lock and I flash him my most sultry expression. His gaze darkens, his head bowing as he moves to find me. 

Easy work. 

He reaches me, his pale skin soft as he touches my cheek. I let him lower his lips to mine, I taste the alcohol and cigarette there, closing my eyes and pretending it is him. 

I hadn't been able to shake him, Ash, from my system. 

It was true what they say about the bonding ritual. You truly are connected for life. 

Sometimes I feel like he is nearby. Lurking in some dark corner, or waiting to spring out at me from behind a wall. He never is. I can never tell if it's relief or sadness that I feel when he doesn't. 

I'd been trying to fill this strange void inside of me ever since. This yearning for something. 

So here I was, swapping saliva with a stranger, imaging it was him kissing me. 

The blonde guy moves his hand lower and I don't object. The mixture of alcohol and thumping house music has me ravenous for more. 

Then he is gone from my lips. 

I blink, finding a smiling female looking at me. 

No, not any female. Sophia. 

Her dark hair is twisted into a messy updo, her red eyes glowing as she drinks in my shock. 

"Hello witchling." She smirks, "Bet you didn't expect me, did you?" 

"Sophia." I say, my eyes darting around the moving bodies. Was he here?

"You know, I've only just recovered from that fire." Her voice is laced with threat, "Six whole months it took." 

"Shame." I say, "I was hoping it would take longer." 

Her long fingernails are sinking into my arm then, drawing blood. I yelp, squirming in her tight hold of me. 

"I'm going to take my time ripping you to bloody ribbons." She snarls into my face. "There's nobody here to protect you today." 

"Who says I need protecting?" I snarl right back, focusing my energy on igniting the strands of her hair. Smoke pours from the birds nest atop her head, her facial expression turning from intimidating to alarmed. 

"If I remember correctly, it was you who needed protecting last time." 

The vampire screams, swatting at her head like a crazed animal. A few people stop their dancing, turning to face the wailing female. 

"Fire!" Somebody shouts. 

That's my queue to leave. 

I dodge through the crowd, eager to feel the cool night air against my clammy skin. The iron doors swing open with a flick of my wrist and I step outside on an inhale of breath. 

There's a few drunks staggering around outside. London on a Saturday night had served me well these past few months. A sense of annoyance filled me as I started my nightly routine of walking to the bus stop. 

Tonight, I would be going home alone. 

"Hello, little witch." 

My steps falter at that familiar husky voice.