A Vampire's Life Book 5

Chapter 23

I watched as my aunt Crystal and Natalie cooed over the dresses, dozens of white and cream puffy things. Some of them glimmered in the light, some of them were subdued and tasteful. Scarlett was standing beside me, watching on with matching dismay. Worse yet, Ariella had joined us. I think Scarlett might have forced her and I don't think it was a wise thing to do. She looked like me, pissed off that it wasn't her, about to burst into tears, maybe even go a little psycho and take a knife to the dresses. I needed to get away and I think that Ariella has just become my reason. Out of earshot I spoke quietly to Nat, knowing she would be happy with my little plan.

"Hey, I'm going to take Ariella for a drink."

"Oh that is a good idea but you will miss out Iv."

"It's ok Nat, she's not happy, we can pick my dress another day."

She gave me a sympathetic smile and a quick hug. I turned and saw Ariella and her disinterested scowl, Scarlett and her boredom.

"We are going for a drink."

"That's a great idea Ivy, you two have fun."

Scarlett pushed her daughter out the door.

"Don't bring her back sober thanks." she muttered as she pushed me out the door.

It was the most painfully quiet walk down the corridors of mid jump that I had ever experienced. Even my first outing here with Danny was less painful. But still I took it in my stride and tried to be a consoling friend. Even though we weren't really friends.

"Where are we going?" she said quietly.

Her pretty blue eyes were sharp and watched me with caution. The skin on her face was deathly white, like she hadn't been feeding, her long dark brown hair made it much worse.

"There is a club downstairs that is pretty good. You can't tell anyone that I know about it let alone go there. Nat and I made it a Friday night thing before she got together with Elston."

"Oh."

I had been near Ariella on the battlefield when we fought the slayers, I knew she had one very loud voice when she wanted to. She was feisty like her mother, loud and full of life. But now she was quiet, her voice was soft and timid. Nat was right when she said that Ariella had withdrawn into herself. Even her clothing had changed. Once she got around in the latest fashion, looking picture perfect. Fitting for a princess who was dating a prince. Now she looked like some washed-up has been and it also looks like she doesn't care. We took the elevator to the area that was commonly referred to as the hive. Aptly named because on a Friday and Saturday nights it was a hive of activity. The entire floor was clubs of varying types. Taverns, night clubs, strip clubs, anything that could keep a bored dark being happy. And that was what kept Nat happy, one little strip club in one dark little corner of mid jump. Ariella looked at the blaring sign, even though it was well lit everywhere else in mid jump, down here it was dark so the neon lights stood out. The tool box. It was full of the most gorgeous dark beings that ever graced this fine universe, except for Jonah of course. I pulled out my phone and sent him a quick text telling him if he heard any dastardly rumours about me being on the sub-ten level of mid jump it was a lie and that there was no way that I was taking Ariella into a male strip club. He sent me back a winky face and a message that he hoped I came back ready for a fun filled night and that he would be waiting to help me with any needs that I may have.

The place had only just opened for the night; it was Friday but the place was almost empty. The lights were on but it was a muted glow cast over the wood floor. As we entered there was the usual tables and chairs that surrounded the cat walk and stage, to the left was a long bar. The place wasn't big; I think they would be hard pressed to fit fifty women in here. There was a hen's night going on and all we could hear was the cackles of some already drunk women. Ariella sat there with a bored look on her face. This I had to step up. Getting drunk when you are a vampire is really difficult, we have a high tolerance and therefore anything that would do the job has to be of some worth. I left Ariella sitting at the table, perched on the stool, watching the women stuff notes into one of the stripper's g string. There were a few guys behind the bar, wearing tiny shorts, their muscles honed and perfect. They saw me approach with a glint in their eye and wide beaming smiles. One of them moved closer, thankfully he looked nothing like Lucian. In fact, he was stunning. Wavy blonde hair that sat perfectly cut around his flawless tanned skin, amazing hazel eyes, I squinted in the dull light. He was a werewolf.