The Game of Hearts

17. Fury

The way she stepped away. The way she looked. The way her heart beat described her emotions as unpleasant. The way her eyes spoke to me in a way her mouth didn't. She wasn't having any of my shit. And she definitely didn't want any of me. I scoffed and ran from the apartment, finding myself a block or two away just a moment later. What was even worse was that I couldn't take my mind off of it until that night, when partiers weren't really aware of what they were doing. When they weren't planning on being smart. I groaned and started just walking. I wanted to eat something. Someone. I wanted to throw things - people - against walls and break their necks. I wanted so much. Most of all I wanted Aria.

No doubt our deal was off and that she'd never come near me again. As I was thinking, I saw a white van speeding down the road. I even wanted to chase it and flip it like a teen that would flip a table out of anger. I decided against it. No matter how much my body wanted to throw itself in the middle of the road and do something horrendous to the couple walking across it, it was a useless waste of time and energy.

After processing the rejection, I felt annoyed with myself. It wasn't like I was looking for marriage. It wasn't like I was looking for a relationship, either. I just... I didn't even know what I wanted from her. Maybe a reciprocate of emotions?

Kicking a can out of frustration from my own emotions, I sped through town then through the doors leading into my bar. The gang wasn't there except for a few in their individual rooms. My first instinct was getting a drink from behind the counter. When I finished pouring the random bottle I had picked from the "strong" counter, I began chugging it down considerably. The burning sensation climbed down my throat, through the pipes in my chest, and then rested inside my belly somewhere. The first time I could really feel the cold was when I drank the fire in a bottle, meaning the alcohol. It was rough and chilly, making me shudder at the feeling.

Since no one was really home, besides the few upstairs, I slid onto the counter and rested my body there. In a short moment, I was drifting.

VI considered every moment I had with Aria. Why was I so stupid? What did I do wrong? Why did I feel some things I didn't usually feel, or rather never felt in my life. I felt like I was dying inside. The feeling gave me the faint remembrance of what it was like to live as a human. And even after that first transformation. The emotions were still there, just very consuming and overwhelming.

The drift became a doze, and I felt tired and uncomfortable. It didn't take much time for my body to become limp with sleep.

Hours later, when the sun began to lower itself over the land, I felt a hand shake my shoulder. Opening my eyes, I saw Gabe, another vampire that lived in the house. He had blonde hair like me. "Yo, it's opening time," he said as he pushed my body off the counter. I wasn't even sitting up just yet, but I caught my body against the counter with my hand.

"Thanks," I snapped, looking around as customers began to pile in.

Something on my face made Gabe suddenly aware I was angry or upset. "I'm guessing things didn't go well with Aria?" Practically everyone knew Aria and I had been together sexually. I didn't have to tell them.

Scoffing, I shook my head and began searching the people consuming the inside of the bar. I was looking for something. Someone. Someone to take and feed. Someone to murder.

Rodney had approached us, but I didn't pay attention.

"Rowan," he attempted grabbing my attention, but he failed. I simply kept my eyes on the people. "Rowan, it's Alaric," he finally stated.

My eyes snapped to Rodney finally, my pupils dilating into monstrous slits. "Alaric?" I questioned, to which Rodney nodded. An image of brown hair and a snazzy suit came into my mind. What a dick! It really wasn't the time, and if he thought I wouldn't rip his goddamn head off- well he had something coming to him. I snatched the phone from Rodney, my other hand forming a fist and coming into contact with the bar counter. "What the hell do you want?! I'm busy!"

"Busy doing what? Getting over your new obsession?" A smooth, deep angelic voice came over the speaker. I growled.

"Keep Aria out of it, dipshit," the growl became a snarl, my forehead wrinkling in animalistic demeanor.

"Oh, too late," he chuckled over the phone. "Why don't you say hi to your little boyfriend, love?"

"I swear... you're lying!" I was upstairs in an instant, Rodney and Gabe following behind me steadily.

"No, Aria simply doesn't want to talk to you. Shame!" Alaric glowed. "Come on dear, don't be stuck in your pride. Don't you want to be saved?"

"Rowan?" I heard her. She was there. Aria didn't sound hurt, or worried.

"Oh my god Ari-" I was cut off shortly.

"Tsk, tsk," Alaric said menacingly. "Not just yet. You have to come get her," I could practically feel his grin in my ear.

"When and where, I swear I'll rip your head off!" I spat at him, almost breaking the phone in anger.

"The house," was all he said. But I knew what he meant. "Midnight."

"You're a piece of shit," I growled again before ending the call. The phone quickly found the wall after, smashing into pieces.

"Rowan?" Gabe said quickly.

"The house. He wants me to meet him at the house." My voice strained quietly. "I'm going by myself. He won't want anyone else..."

But it hit me that I couldn't go in alone. I really couldn't. However, I didn't want my guys getting in the middle of it. Which only meant one person could help. Liam.