Innocent Darkness

Truth Unfolding

The bar area was crowded with a mix of werewolves and vampires. It was as if the hotel was being used for only the two races this weekend. We took a seat at the main bar counter and I began looking over the different types of liquor kept on the back shelves.

"Let me guess," I looked to Vladimir. "vodka, not just any vodka, Smirnoff, yes?"

Vladimir narrowed his eyes at me knowing I was attempting to get on his nerves. "They won't carry my kind here. But let me guess, something fruity for you?"

I puckered my lips at his comment and whipped my head to look back at the various bottle labels. "Patron silver, make it a double."

Vladimir let out a chuckle as the bartender poured the drink while looking at me concerned if I should drink something so strong. "You want to go to bed early, young girl? You don't order a shot as a double." He looked to the bartender, "A Manhattan good sir."

I finished my shot and motioned to my glass to single for another. "Mr. Ivanov, I am well and capable of holding my liquor these days. If you met me last year I'd be cutting myself off after a single wine cooler. So I'm going to order what I want, how I want."

The bartender set both drinks in front of us as I downed my second drink. I slide the glass toward the bartender. "Surprise me this time, maybe a whiskey of sorts."

"So it's true then? Because you wouldn't be so confident in drinking that much if you weren't full." I heard from the familar overly cocky voice of Charles. The bartender sat my drink down in front of me and I spun around to face Charles.

"That I've freed myself from things that weigh me down to better enjoy my life? If that is the question, then yes it is very much so true." I answered with a smirk on my face as I drank half of my drink in one gulp.

"So you turn your humanity off and break my father's heart only to act like it's a big surprise he'd give you exactally what you want in the end?" He spat back at me, it was clear he was furious at me for some reason.

"Excuse me? Now daddy dearest is playing the victim? Oh that's," I felt Vladimir take a grip of my arm to keep me calm as I had started to raise my voice at Charles. I looked at him to see him holding me with one hand while using the other to drink his fancy drink.

"You know what, think whatever you want. I'm going to enjoy my drinks and pretend you aren't here trying to ruin a good night." I attempted to turn back around to drink more of my drink.

"Of course they'd manipulate you. Your too powerful to not be under their roof to be controlled." I heard Charles say as I was about to finish my drink. The rim of my glass was pressed against my lips as I paused to take in what he said. "My father said you didn't actually feel anything for him and you wanted him to let you stay at the Orlando Tower."

I didn't turn around to face him after I finished my drink. I glanced over my shoulder for a moment. "He could of called me, or called someone else and demanded to speak to me. For all I know, you are saying those things to make me feel again." The words rolled off my lips were harsh and cold, but true. If William was told that I didn't love him and wanted to stay, he could of demanded to speak to me first before assuming a blatant lie.

I heard a loud crack as I looked to my other side to see Thomas and Brent doing their best to keep Vladimir from tipping over. "To be fair," Thomas began speaking. "he's not a great bodyguard if we could sneak up on him like this. But Brugger here has sworn that you can't be as callous as you are acting. We can either take you willingly or by force to William, it's your choice."

I set my glass down on the counter and began to trace my fingers along it's rim as I tried to think of either a witty comeback or decent plan that wouldn't expose myself to the humans in the hotel.