Bloodstream

55 What Had To Be Done

Sage

The flashing lights were blinding. A complete contrast to the dim lit corridor we were in a second ago. The sound of music and laughter filled my ears. The room was filled with people in tuxedos and gowns and oh, the smell of alcohol and blood was almost as intoxicating as the man standing beside me.

My eyes scanned the room, I didn't recognise a single person, besides Ashton who was across the room with a girl hanging onto him. I heard a throaty familiar laugh and looked to my side, Ezra was walking in through another entrance in the corner in a dark plum coloured suit with a black dress shirt on the inside. He had a girl with her arm looped through his, in complete awe of him, almost as if she was compelled by him. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if she was. 

"Aha there he is" I heard Axel hiss and looked up at him in confusion. I followed his gaze to the centre of the room to land on Phoenix. He was greeting a couple who had just arrived, before his eyes flew over their shoulders in our direction. He gave me a slight nod and went back to conversing with them.

"We'll leave first thing in the morning" I whispered to Axel who in response turned his gaze towards me with an approving look. 

If tonight goes smoothly, there was no longer any use of us staying here any longer than required. 

I felt a slight nudge on my arm and looked to my left, noticing a glass of dark swirling liquid in Axel's hand as he held it out towards me. 

"Thank you" I took the Bourbon from his hand and took a sip, once again scanning the room. 

"Stop that" he hissed, causing me to give him a confused look.

"What?"

"Looking at everyone like you're about to set them on fire" 

"I'm not" I defended instantaneously.

He just gave me a side eyed look that said more than enough "right…" 

"You alright?" I don't know why I asked that. I guess it was just an instinct. 

"Yeah" he nodded, downing his drink. I frowned but ended up doing the same.

"We're going to need more of these" he took my glass from my hand and winked at me before disappearing into the crowd. 

"Why so serious, baby sister?" I heard a cheery voice from behind me. Of Course Ezra was having a ball. He loved parties, gatherings, any damn social events for that matter.

"Get lost, Ezra" I looked away from him to gaze vacantly into the crowd. 

"That hurt my feelings. I'm going to ignore that" I saw him take a swing of his whiskey from the corner of my eye "Where's your boyfriend?" 

"Why are you so annoying?" I turned and pushed my way through the people towards a little lounge area. I heard Ezra follow me. I sat myself down on the plush beige velvet couch as Ezra did the same on the one opposite me. 

"So how are you doing?" he looked at me with a serious expression.

"I'm fine, Ezra. Do I not look so?" I tilted my head. 

"You look on edge" he raised a meaningful brow.

"Well, aren't we all?" Axel's voice took our attention from the side and we both turned in his direction. 

"I suppose so" Ezra nodded as Axel rounded his chair towards me, handed me the glass and sat down beside me. 

"We're leaving first thing in the morning" I took a sip of my Bourbon.