Sighted

Chapter 2: Feed Me and Tell Me I'm Pretty

Owen

      Quickly, I step into the narrow hallway of the old, but well-kept apartment building. The rain is pouring steadily outside behind me and since I hadn't brought an umbrella, the pants below my yellow raincoat, not to mention my tennis shoes, are completely soaked. I unzip my jacket, my thick sweater underneath thankfully dry, and try to shake off some of the water droplets.

      Pushing back the hood, I run my fingers through my shaggy hair that grows in tight spirals. I really need to get a haircut soon. I head down the hall, past the wall of mailboxes, to the elevator. After the doors close, I ride it patiently to the top floor.

      I don't bother to glance at my watch, I know I am late getting home. The vampire that had stayed with us for four days had used up all our back up supply. Not knowing when we'll have another thirsty guest, I have been trying to get more the past couple of days. One of my suppliers came through but could only meet this afternoon.

      When the elevator stops and the doors slide open, I see him immediately. He's leaning menacingly next to the farthest doorway in the hallway. I take my time, slowly meandering towards my apartment, before stopping in front of the much taller man.

      "You're late," the large demon practically growls. He is dressed in tight jeans, cuffed above his motorcycle boots. His matching black leather jacket is hanging open over a gray tank top, stretching across his wide chest. He is at least 6'4", towering almost a foot over me, a man who has an unfortunately similar build to his sister. "You could have called or texted me."

      I simply glared back at Bowden, unconcerned, and adjusted my backpack a little. The demon before me is completely dry, even his jet-black hair that is long and pushed back on top with a skin fade on the sides. Either he'd been waiting since before the downpour or had materialized here in the hall. My glare turns to an out-and-out frown. I suspect the latter and he knows I don't want him to draw attention here where we live.

      My eyes catch on what Bowden is carrying, a very large and familiar cooler, before looking back into his harsh, hazel eyes. I give a little sigh, but my stomach starts a happy dance at the sight. I look away, turning to the door, as I dig out my keys.

"You don't have to do this every time, you know," I tell him, even as I begin to anticipate what's inside the cooler. I unlock and open the door, stepping inside, letting the demon follow. He doesn't respond to me. I pretend like he's not there as I slide my bag to the floor, hang up my coat and slip off my wet shoes. My socks let out a little squish against the hardwood as I pick up my bag again and head for the kitchen.

      The apartment opens up into the living room, half of which is occupied with a couch and cocktail table across from a small console that basically just holds a television. The other half is kitted out as my office, with a chair and a large desk that holds my completely custom computer with quad monitors. Not to mention a ton of tech I use to help Gin take care of business.

      A hallway to the left leads to the bathroom as well as Gin's room and a spare bedroom that most recently housed a displaced vampire, but its occupants vary from slightly magical to mythical, to dead and to the undead. Off the living room was my bedroom and straight through was the kitchen.

      I head right to the fridge before opening my bag and pulling out medical grade packets, placing them far in the back. Muted footsteps come in behind me where I'm crouched.

"Blood? Expecting company?" said the deep voice behind me. I ignore him and straighten up.

"None of your concern," I say shortly, shutting the door. I stalk out of the kitchen to hang up my wet bag before heading to get cleaned up and changed.