“So, how’s everything going?”
Sasha smiled pleasantly at Bria Fairchild. Jenner’s mate seemed so delicate, yet outgoing, in contrast to his bulk and quiet intimidation. It made Sasha wonder at the compatibility of each individual tethering. Would she and her mate possess similar qualities or would they be polar opposites like Jenner and Bria?
“We’re all fine.” Sasha was pretty sure Bria wasn’t interested in such a generic answer but that’s all she was going to get. “So far there haven’t been any hiccups.”
Bria gave her a pleasant smile. She acted as a liaison between Mikhail and the thirteen covens. Sort of a social worker, or more to the point, vampire community outreach representative. It was a good idea, in theory. Bria was pleasant and seemed genuinely concerned with everyone’s well-being. Sasha liked her. She just wished she was better at showing it. Really, it was Diego who should have been meeting with Bria today. He was the more personable of the two of them and he smiled a hell of a lot more than she did.
“That’s good.” Bria’s reassuring smile was genuine and not rehearsed, which made Sasha feel even worse about her own stoic attitude. “But I’m more concerned with how you’re doing.”
Ugh. Sasha wasn’t sure she could adequately convey how much she did not want to talk about herself. The most annoying thing about having a conversation with another supernatural being was the fact that you had no choice but to be honest. Or at the very least, find a way to circumvent honesty. If she told Bria she was fine, she’d smell the lie in an instant. Likewise, Sasha wasn’t interested in pouring her heart out to someone who was little more than an acquaintance. No matter how nice she might be.
Sasha shrugged. “I’m newly turned, soulless, left to co-rule a coven and turn one of our members while managing my thirst, the Collective, and my own gods-damned emptiness. I’m peachy-freaking-keen.”
Bria laughed. “Sounds like it.”
Sasha cringed. Her delivery might’ve been harsh, but it was the truth. What more was there for her to do but to suck it up and do what had to be done? “Is Mikhail unhappy with the way things are being run here?” If that’s what this visit today was about, she’d rather they got right down to business.
“Of course not.” Bria reached for the glass of water on the end table and took a sip. “I’m not here to spy on you, or check on your coven, or even to report back to Mikhail. None of us knows how to navigate this, Sasha. I’m here to make sure you know that you’re not alone. You have help if you need it, and I’m here to listen whenever you want.”
If there was one thing Sasha could use, it was a friend. Saeed had been her friend and confidant for centuries and he’d left her as though that relationship had meant nothing to him. “Thank you.” Sasha truly was appreciative of Bria’s offer. “I’m fine, though.” Just because Sasha appreciated the offer, didn’t mean she was ready to take Bria up on it.
“I was thinking…” Sasha did not like the sound of this. “That I might ask my friend Lucas to stop by.”
Nope. She definitely didn’t like the sound of this. “Oh, well … that’s totally not necessary, Bria. Like I said, we’re fine. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.” Gods, Sasha! Could you have found a way to fit one more “fine” into that sentence? She wanted to bang her head against the coffee table. Nothing screamed “I’m not fine!” like insisting you were fine.
“Oh, I know.” Bria smiled brightly. “It’s just that the covens have been separated for so long. With so few of us, it seems like a good idea for us to mingle more, don’t you think?”
Again, a task better suited for Diego. Sasha was certain she didn’t come across as personable, which made her wonder why in the world Bria would encourage the socialization? “Planning a vampire mixer?”
Bria laughed. “Lucas belongs to Chelle Daly’s coven. They recently moved in with Chelle’s mate in Pasadena. As the covens begin to spread out, I think it’s important to remain connected in some way. Chelle’s mate is a werewolf and they live with the pack. Lucas is untethered and I imagine a little lonely at times. I just thought he could use the company.”
Interesting. Sasha had heard rumors about Chelle. That the circumstances of her transition had been unique, and somehow she’d managed to break from Mikhail’s bloodline. The whole situation was steeped in mystery. Sasha’s curiosity almost had her wanting to meet Lucas, if only to get a little dirt. Almost.
“I’m sure he wouldn’t want to drive all the way out here from Pasadena.”
Bria’s mouth formed a pucker. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re very stubborn?”
Diego called her stubborn almost on a daily basis. “I’m just not sure I’m ready to start sharing my feelings.”
One delicate brow arched over Bria’s eye. “Who said anything about sharing feelings? I just suggested Lucas should come over to chat.”
Of course that’s how it would start. An innocent visit. Hang out. Chew the fat. Share stories, experiences. Forge a relationship that would encourage Sasha to let down her guard and open up. Bria might be all wide-eyed innocence and good intentions, but she was obviously a calculating female. Definitely someone Sasha could like.
“All right. Feel free to send him over.” Sasha was fairly certain that even if she told Bria to go to hell, Lucas would show up at her front door anyway. “I’ll host a vampire party if you want me to.”
Bria hid her amusement behind her water glass and she took another sip. “Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. I’ll just throw out the invitation to Lucas and we’ll go from there.”
Why did it feel like she was being set up on a blind date? “Just so you know, matchmaking services don’t work so well for our kind.”
Bria responded with a solemn nod. “Don’t I know it. I’m not trying to find you a mate, Sasha. I just want you to remember that it’s okay to have a little fun.”
Bria’s words impacted her. For months, she’d moped around the house, mourning the loss of something she’d never really had. She’d allowed Diego to keep her fed and only left the confines of the coven when Mikhail summoned her. This was no existence. It was self-inflicted torture. Sasha brought her gaze up to Bria’s and smiled. “Thank you, Bria. I’m glad you came by today.”
“Me too. I’m always around if you need me.”
“I’ll remember that.”
Bria rose from her chair and Sasha followed suit. They walked together to the front door and paused in the foyer.
“Call me anytime.”
Sasha opened the door. “I will. And tell your friend Lucas he’s more than welcome to stop by.”
Bria gave a wave in parting and Sasha closed the door behind her. She refused to continue on this morose path. Saeed hadn’t thought twice about leaving her. Hadn’t even so much as considered the pain his absence would cause, because he didn’t love her. At least, not in the way she wanted him to. Life was meant to be lived, and Sasha had spent far too much of hers pining over a male who saw her only as a friend. Well, no longer. She sure as hell wasn’t dead, and it was about damned time she started acting like it.
* * *
Sasha straightened the silky tunic blouse over her skinny jeans. That she felt out of place and nervous only helped to reinforce she’d lived like a pathetic homebody for far too long. She wondered if she looked like she felt. As though she didn’t belong.
Didn’t a night out on the town require some sort of wingman? She supposed she should’ve asked Diego to come out with her tonight, but that sort of defeated the purpose of her new independent outlook. She’d never find the courage to finally go out and live her life if she constantly hid behind the protection of the familiar and comfortable. She was a vampire now. Strong. Fierce. Fearsome. She was not without power. She had no reason to hide. Or sit at home and pout.
“You going inside, or what?”
Sasha looked up, up, up until she met the gaze of the male who spoke to her in a deep, gravelly voice. She wasn’t adept at identifying the different supernatural factions on sight. His scent was rather musky, which made her think he must’ve been some sort of shifter. He was certainly far too bulky and muscular to be fae. Sasha squared her shoulders and bucked her chin up a notch. It shouldn’t have been such a big deal to walk inside the club. But once she crossed the threshold, there was no turning back. She was tired of being the cautious one, the responsible one, the capable negotiator and diplomat. She wanted to be fun. Wild. Reckless and irresponsible. But most of all, she wanted to be free of her attachment to Saeed. Free of the heartache that plagued her even in soullessness.
“I’m going inside.” Now that the words were spoken, she couldn’t take them back. Right?
The male smirked as he swept his arm in invitation. “Go on, then. You’re holding up the line…” He paused as he studied her and his eyes went wide. “Vampire.”
Sasha cast an anxious glance over her shoulder to find that there was indeed a line forming behind her. Crap. She didn’t waste another second and kicked her butt into gear as she hightailed it into the club. With only a handful of vampires in existence, their presence had a tendency to cause a stir. She’d meant tonight to be a low key trial run. So far, all she’d managed to do was draw attention to herself. Great.
She figured her best option was to start at the bar. It seemed to be the place where everyone gathered, and she didn’t think anyone would pay any mind to the fact that she was by herself. Her fingers wandered down the front of her shirt as she once again straightened it. She didn’t know why she was so gods-damned nervous. It’s not like she was about to walk into the sun, she was in a nightclub for crying out loud. She settled into one of the high stools and rested her arms on the bar.
“What can I get you?”
She had no idea. She was such an inexperienced club-goer that she couldn’t even order a simple drink. Sasha gave the bartender, a delicately beautiful sylph—at least that’s what she thought she was—what she hoped was a confident smile. “Oh.” She flicked her wrist. “Surprise me.”
The sylph studied her for a beat too long. Sasha squirmed under the intense scrutiny as she realized her smile had no doubt showcased the points of the dual sets of her fangs. She waited for the inevitable moment when the female would realize what she was and make a scene like the male at the door. The breath stalled in her chest and she broke out into a sweat. She shouldn’t have come out tonight. She should’ve just stayed home.
“You look like a lemon drop sort of girl to me,” the sylph said after a moment. Sasha let out a slow breath of relief as the tension melted from her body. “I’ll get that for you in two shakes.”
Thank the gods. At least someone knew the meaning of discretion. Sasha forced herself to calm the hell down as she turned on the barstool to take a look around. Vibrant dance music filled the air, and the heavy bass reverberated in her chest. All around her was activity. Dancing. Laughing. Talking. Engaging. The energy was contagious and made her feel lighter and less troubled. If she’d known clubbing would be good stress relief, she would’ve done it a long damned time ago.
“Here you go, hon. Enjoy.”
Sasha turned and took the delicate martini glass from the bartender. “How much do I owe you?”
The sylph dismissed her with a wave of her hand. “This one’s on the house. If you feel like running a tab, let me know.”
“Thanks.”
Sasha sipped from the glass. The sugar on the rim helped to temper the tartness of the cocktail as it hit the back of her tongue, but she still experienced a slight involuntary shudder.
“Sort of a frou-frou drink for such a fierce-looking female.”
Sasha smiled over the rim of the glass, remembering how charming it had looked when Bria did it. Then again, Bria had that whole soft, beautiful innocence thing going for her. Sasha never looked anything but severe. She forced herself to make eye contact with the male who spoke to her when what she really wanted to do was turn and put her back to him.
Nope. That wasn’t going to work. Not anymore. She couldn’t simply turn her back on life.
“Is it?” She smiled wider as she infused her voice with bravado. “What would you suggest I drink?”
She studied the male who took a confident step toward her. Not a shifter. Not a werewolf. Her skin tingled with residual magic. Not fae. At least, she didn’t think so. Gods, she wished her senses were keener. He might have been a warlock or a mage. That would explain the static that sparked along her arms.
He grinned. “Fireball.”
He wasn’t bad looking and Sasha figured that was all that mattered. “Sounds dangerous.”
“It can be. But I think you can handle it.” He held out his hand. “I’m Simon.”
She reached out and shook it. “Sasha.”
“Sasha.” He let her name roll off his tongue like a slow sigh. “You looking for a little company tonight?”
Was she? Her plan had been to get out of the house and mingle a little. She hadn’t really planned on hooking up. Then again, what was that old adage? The best way to get over someone was to get under someone else? Of course, she’d never been over, under, or anything else with Saeed. Maybe that was the problem. She’d spent too many centuries hopelessly in love and admiring him from afar.
“Sure.” Sasha held out an inviting hand toward the empty stool beside her.
Simon settled onto the stool. He motioned for the bartender. “Can I get two shots of Fireball when you get a sec?”
The sylph grabbed two tiny glasses from under the bar and Sasha watched as she poured two shots of the cinnamon flavored whiskey. She wondered if it would be sweeter than the lemon drop. She’d never been much of a drinker.
Simon slid one of the glasses in front of her. “Cheers.”
Sasha brought the shot glass up and clinked it against Simon’s. She tossed back the drink in a single swallow, spluttering and coughing as the fiery liquor chased a path down her throat. Simon chuckled. His own drink seemed to go down without a hitch. Ugh. She really needed to learn how to not come across as a total loser.
“Well, whaddya think?”
Sasha wiped at the corner of her mouth. Simon’s gaze followed the movement and his light eyes shone with heat. His interest bolstered Sasha’s confidence and she smiled. “I like it.”
The cinnamon-sweet whiskey really was good. Sasha found her mood picking up as Simon signaled their bartender and ordered two more shots. She was actually sort of excited to knock a few more things off her bucket list tonight. One: go clubbing. Two: mix and mingle. Three: drink a little. Four … She glanced at Simon from beneath lowered lashes. Who knew what the night might bring?