I followed Arashi to the gates of the fourth dimension. I kept practicing throwing up my walls like Yuna had taught me. Arashi was actually complaining of a headache because I kept doing it so often.
Arashi warned me before we entered the fourth dimension that there were more vampires in this particular dimension and that my walls would have to stay up permanently from this point on.
I followed him through the gate and into the dimension. It was darker in the fourth dimension. The closer we got to the ninth dimension, the closer we got to eternal night. And it was driving me crazy. I couldn't stand the dark. The demons were starting to freak me out a little. They were beginning to remind me of my nightmares. But...were they nightmares? The longer I stayed in Hell, the more reality slipped away.
Arashi paused outside a house in the middle of the dimension. Judging from the music, a party was in full swing. A young girl stumbled out into the streets and, laughing, looked at the two of us curiously. "Hello, handsome. What's your name?" she slurred, trailing a finger down my chest, her liquid gold eyes trained on my face.
I glanced at Arashi then back at the girl. "I'm Quinn. What's your name, sweetheart?" I said back, throwing up walls in my mind while flirting back as smoothly as I could. Surprisingly, I succeeded at sounding smooth and cool.
"I'm Giana. You want to join the party?"
"I'm looking for a friend of mine, but she could've gotten lost on the way here," I lied.
"Well until she shows up, you could just hang out here with me."
I grinned and followed her inside despite the look of horror on Arashi's face.
The party was actually pretty cool. I saw James Dean and John Lennon and figured this was where all the cool rock stars came after death. I wonder if Ozzy Osbourne will end up here after...
SHIELD YOUR THOUGHTS!!! Arashi's voice came unbidden into my mind and I slammed my walls back up instantly.
Giana laughed. "It's cool. Ozzy's actually on the list. Things are going to get pretty wild once he croaks," she stated. She grabbed my hand and maneuvered me through the crowd to the table set up with refreshments. She handed me a cup. I accepted it and looked at Arashi when her back was turned. He shook his head and I just held the cup and mimed drinking it. "You're really hot, you know. Girls must be falling all over you," Giana stated.
I shrugged. "Sometimes. I barely notice them."
Giana smiled and set her drink to the side. She leaned up and kissed me, her tongue sliding into my mouth seductively. I fought to keep my walls up, but her fangs were distracting. My wall slipped a little and I felt her stiffen. She pulled back and looked at me. "You're who they're looking for," she said quietly.
"You won't turn me in, will you?"
Giana shook her head. "I know where they took your friend. I'll help you find her."
"Why?"
"Because they took my brother and turned him into something far worse than a vampire."
