Do not own Twilight
A/N So I have a dozen ideas going on in my head. I have a story on my other profile going on, Claws on this one so what do I need to do? Start another story of course. I've learned as I have gotten older, I find it easier to work on different projects so I never get stifled. My three stories are very different so I can work on what my mood is that day. This is not angsty, just fun, with a little romance. It's a Bella Connolly story with a different twist than I have used before. These days I update when I can but hope to have both these stories on this profile updated weekly or at least every two weeks. My work right now is a bit consuming so these stories are a nice break. For those of you who have been asking I believe I have found a copy of Spy Games or at least suspect, so if I can find it, I will be posting it here. Anyway, enjoy this. Don't tell Ty or Garrett but these two are my favorite couple :)
Chapter 1
"Are you sure this shade looks okay on me?" I asked Nicki, staring at myself in the full length mirror. I hated dresses and this blue shade was one I never would have chosen for myself. It was a bit tighter and shorter than what I understood I would have worn in my human, not that I remembered much.
Nicki says for most vampires it is important to try and remember cherished memories even through the pain of the changing. My only memory was the end of my human life, my mother's lunatic husband stabbing her to death then stabbing me before Nicki burst through the window, killing him in a second and filling me full of her venom.
"Do you think I would let you go to an event of this magnitude in anything less than the best, Bella?" Nicki asked, sounding a bit offended at my lack of faith in her.
Nicki was gorgeous as always, dressed in a blood red evening gown, matching her eyes. Her long raven hair and full lips completed the package. She had three inches in height on me and never let me forget it.
The woman was hot.
Which is weird to say since she when she was turned at the age of 25 and already had a son named Fedrick who would have another son named Charles, my father.
My Great Grandmother, Nicolette had been waiting for the next female of the Swan line, her blood. She had waited for years I found later, watching me as I grew, stopping by every few years, but always having someone watching me discreetly when she was away. Nicki herself even stopped by my room occasionally while I slept.
Her plan had been to approach me when I turned 18. She would teach me what I needed to know, to master the dark arts that the females of the family wielded with ease. At the age of 25, I would be changed by her into a vampire, cementing my place in the supernatural world by her side.
That changed the night Phil slaughtered my mother and stabbed me in the chest. It was only blind luck, or perhaps fate, that Nicki had stopped by to check on me that night.
Despite her beauty I felt like I could hold my own. From pictures she had shown me of my human life I think I came off as a little pretty, perhaps more on the plain side, but vampirism has benefits.
I suppose the dress wasn't really the problem. The main issue I was having was with the night's activities. This was the first time I had ever visited New Orleans and instead of looking for possible meals and other trouble on Bourbon Street, I was going to a vampire convention. Cliché much?
From what I understood, most of the covens and civilized vampires of North America would be present. The ball, as Nicki insisted it be called, was organized by her Sire, Aro. She had been the first vampire he turned in over a thousand years. The venom of an ancient coursed through her veins as it did through mine. We were vampire royalty apparently and my change had caused quite a stir in the vampire world. Nicki was powerful, meaning I was powerful.
"Do you think Garrett will be there?" I asked nonchalantly.
She wasn't fooled. "I told you civilized vampires would be there. He is not what is considered civilized. Besides he hates the Volturi. If I hadn't needed him to distract you your first year, I would never let him around you. You can do better, Bella. He is just a man, a nomad. The only reason I let you screw him was because he was the only vampire who was around and not frightened of me."
I couldn't hold back the eyeroll, and she grinned in response.
"But he was so much fun." I told her wistfully. Rugged, yes, mischievous, definitely and oh so much fun.
Nicki took a brush and began running it through my hair while I stood unmoving in front of the mirror.
"Yes, however you learned restraint, both in blood and sex and he was no longer needed. We have fun, Bella, we don't get tied down. I did not turn you so you could latch onto the first sexy nomad with a big cock. We have an eternity to party, to do as we wish with whomever we wish. Perhaps we can both have a bit of fun. I think we deserve it after the last three years. Training you hasn't been the easiest task. I really need to get laid."
I couldn't help but giggle, something I hated to do. I had stopped seeing her as my great grandmother long ago. Blood ties belonged to humans. We weren't human. She was more my sister, my best friend, the woman who taught me true joy in the world and most importantly my Sire. Sire and their children held a special connection, one deeper than any blood bond between humans.
Satisfied my hair was perfect, not that it ever could be any less, I sat on the bed of our hotel room and put on high heels that I apparently would have broken my neck in as a human.
Nicki stepped in front of me, crossed her arms and smirked.
"Remember the rules?"
Of course I did. Even if my brain was capable of forgetting something, she had drilled these into me a dozen times.
"There will be dozens of gifted vampires. Block all the gifts, do not look anyone in the eye for more than five seconds, smile slightly, don't worry about blinking or any other annoying human habits, stay by your side and keep my mind open to yours."
"And?" she asked, and I hoped she would have forgotten.
"When Aro touches my hand, let him into my mind." I told her, not happy with this development. As my Sire Nicki and I could communicate telepathically. We did it often around other vampires we had run across and cross short distances. It wasn't a pleasant feeling, opening your mind up to another but it was necessary and convenient at times. I had become comfortable with her in my head. Letting another man, even if he was her Sire, invade my mind and learn every thought I ever had was disconcerting.
"He is a good man, Bella."
I looked at her doubtfully and she shrugged her shoulders. "Perhaps good is not an apt description. He is a vampire. Good and evil don't apply to us. You know this. He would never harm me or you. We are of royalty and everyone there will know it. I know how defensive you are around gifted vampires and that is good. You will be assaulted by all the gifts around you. If you have difficulty opening up to him, I can compel you if you want me to."
I didn't move but felt a shiver inside. I hated being compelled, the one advantage a Sire had over his or her creation in addition to communicating through our minds. When compelled we did as we were told. We had no choice. I was so thankful Nicki never abused it and I knew she never would. Her ability to compel me had not been used since my first year when she prevented me from committing mass slaughter when we were in public. Were it not for her compelling me, I would have spent half my first year hiding drained bodies and taking care of the human's overpopulation problem. After I gained control however, she left my mind alone and never compelled me without permission. At times I needed her help when learning our gifts but other than that, my will was my own.
"I can handle it. If Garrett hates the Volturi I am sure Aro will love seeing me having sex with him."
That was a bit creepy. No, it was a lot creepy.
"Aro could care less. He will only touch you to measure your progress, your training. You have become powerful in many things. You should be proud. Now let's discuss vampire decorum."
I rolled my eyes once again. Nicki and I lived in a lavish modern house on the outskirts of New York. We hung out, we partied, we fed. As I said she was my best friend. Tonight she was only my Sire and I hated that.
"I am to call you Mistress. Aro, Caius and Marcus, Master. I stay by your side and only speak aloud to the Kings or you when I am spoken to and only answer the questions I am asked politely. Do I get a collar to wear? This isn't going to turn into some kinky BDSM orgy by the end of the night, is it?"
Nicki thumped the back of my head, making us both laugh.
"Let's go brat. I think you are going to love this house, even if most of the vampires there are most likely going to be boring as hell."
Visiting this house would be exciting. The First Street house made famous by a writer of Witch and Vampire fiction. Witches and vampires seemed appropriate for us, most likely why Aro choose to host the event there. I had only read about the interior from novels but it had been owned by the author and several other wealthy patrons since its build. A mixture of Greek and Italian design, it blends in with the Garden District it was a part of.
I knew this because Nicki and I had driven by this morning, only briefly. We had just arrived in New Orleans but I had still hoped to see more by now. I hadn't even been to Bourbon Street yet. Cajun cuisine was something I desperately wanted to try, male, female it made no difference. Luring a meal and feeding in Jackson Square at night seemed so...vampiric.
Unfortunately buzzkill Sire nixed that idea. Too many vampires in the city of course, so feeding in New Orleans would be off limits for the next couple days.
We would be back though. This was exactly the kind of city Nicki and I could have too much fun in.
Satisfied that I would be a good little vampire tonight, we took off for this gala, or as Nicki liked to call it jokingly, my coming out ball. Nicki had always been given latitude by Aro she told me. The ancient knew she would never be happy in a stuffy castle so she lived where she pleased, did what she pleased. Of course every vampire knew of her, even those who had never met her had heard stories of her power. Every vampire knew she was Aro's weapon and could be called upon in a moment. Now he had two weapons and planned on showing off his shiny new toy, a statement that the Volturi had reach everywhere in the world, not just Europe.
The drive was taking too long as I was anxious to get this night started and over with. Of course we couldn't run. That would be uncivilized and might attract attention should blurs be seen by humans. The black Lamborghini we drove was much subtler.
No parking in front of the house meant valets, amazingly vampire valets. I suppose there would be no humans involved in this soiree but what vampire would come here to be a valet.
"Aro pays well. Most of them are law breakers. Their salary is getting to keep their heads." Nicki whispered. "Open your mind to me."
"That always gives me a headache." I lied.
"And I always wish I could get drunk seeing those lude fantasies about your former patriot. I'm serious Bella. I promise tomorrow night we can party on the town. Tonight follow my lead, listen to my instructions and please try to act sophisticated."
"I thought you said follow your lead?" Sophisticated? This from a woman who danced naked on a bar in a grimy dive in Boston and didn't have intoxication to blame it on.
Once I walked inside, I was assaulted and did open my mind to her with ease. Colors everywhere, streams of colors heading straight for us. I had always seen gifts as colors, easy to spot and easy to counter. Anyone who tried to attack me found themselves the victims of their own power. I had yet to identify what powers were associated with what shades, but my own black tendrils attacked them without conscious thought, at least the offensive ones. Some just surrounded the vampire, what Nicki called passive gifts or harmless gifts. Some were offensive, brighter shades of reds and blues, and these were the ones I threw back at them.
I call it karma. Whatever attempts to harm me is sent tenfold towards the assailant.
One of the streams, a dark grey, was thrown back and I heard a scream.
There on the parlor floor, in front of three men in chairs, a young girl in a black dress and cloak lay on the floor clutching her head.
"That's Jane." Nicki told me through our link. "She tried to attack us with her gift as soon as we walked in. Master Aro does not look happy about it."
I lifted my eyes from the pathetic girl on the floor to the man in the middle high backed chair. Indeed he did not look happy, frowning at the vampire on the floor. The girl couldn't have been more than 14 when she was turned.
"Don't feel sorry for her. The bitch is sadistic. I have no doubt Aro will be punishing her for an unprovoked attack. She is threatened by anyone more powerful than she is."
Nicki was not one to stand idly by while being attacked. A nomad we encountered during our trip to Mexico found this out the hard way. Instead of anger from her I felt a bit of humor, smugness and satisfaction.
I followed her lead as always, still not comfortable with being surrounded by so many vampires, especially with gifts. How was I to block so many but force back my ability in regard to the man in the middle, obviously Aro?
"I'm going to need you to compel me." I told Nicki, hating the idea.
Some part of me heard Nicki introduce me, but I was focused on the feeling of letting go as I felt her essence take a gentle hold on my very soul.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Isabella." Aro told me. His aura was strong, invasive and quite frankly it frightened me. My resistance died though. For once I did nothing, letting Nicki redirect my energy, keeping guard against those around me but ignoring the biggest threat.
I allowed him to take my hand and gasped in surprise.
The pain I expected was not present, I could barely feel him, much less than Nicki's hold on me. I knew he was reading my thoughts, every thought I ever had, yet it did not feel as invasive as I thought it would.
After seconds or hours, I had no idea, he let go of my hand, but I remained staring at him. He was a somewhat handsome man, a bit on the thin side, with a mischievous side. Despite how old and powerful he was I felt no threat. Why should I? I was of his venom. Nicki had no problem with him and I knew she would not expose me to unnecessary danger.
"You are a true masterpiece, Isabella. You should be proud, Nicolette." the man said in almost a whisper, his eyes wide.
"So young though, Nicki. The girl craves adventure, just as you do. Isabella, has Nicolette told you of her human adventures? The dark magic, the other...indulgences she took part in?"
I couldn't help but smirk. Had she told me? She was a powerful witch emerged in Dark Magic, not because she was inherently evil, simply because it was more fun. Of course she told me. She still bragged often of her exploits as both a human witch and vampire.
"Yes Master Aro. I can only hope to live up to her example."
The man laughed sharply, nearly causing me to flinch and clapped his hands.
He may have been a bit insane. I chanced a look at the other two by his side and neither seemed amused. The older man looked bored, vacant, not even present. The other, the blonde one didn't look as if he was happy to be here at all.
Then Aro introduced me to the room. Every eye that was discreetly watching me was now trained on me with no need to hide their curiosity.
Why the hell did I let Nicki convince me this would be a good idea?
"You are doing fine. Wonderful. He loves you, with good reason. Stay strong kid."
"Thanks for the pep talk Mistress Sire Nicolette. How long do we have to stay here?" I asked.
Nicki winked at me.
"Go mingle Isabella. I believe Master Aro has provided a fountain of warm blood in the dining room. I will join you shortly."
Thank whatever gods exist for the ability to not move or even blink. I may have immaturely stomped a foot at the idea of her leaving me surrounded by all these vampires. There may have been whining involved as well.
Instead...
"As you wish, Mistress."
"Oh that was good. Keep it up and vamps around here will think you are tamed."
Instead of responding either silently, verbally or with a string of curse words straight into her mind, I bowed my head towards Aro and moved into the crowd.
"I'll be there shortly. Aro wishes to discuss something with me through our link. I promise I won't be long."
I'll stick by your side Bella. Stay by me and you will be fine. My Sire is a lying bitch. The next time she wears those leather pants she is so fond of I am calling her grandma. Nicki hates that.
I made eye contact with no one for long, looking around the room, taking in as much as possible while avoiding any semblance of interest. This was not right. Nicki was my shield against vampires. Of course I would have to be comfortable around my own kind one day but I thought I would have a couple decades. So far, the only vampire besides Nicki I had been around was Garrett, who was my very willing sex partner during my first year, the asshole in Mexico and a couple nomads in Colorado, a red headed female and a blonde male with unfortunate facial hair and a ponytail who didn't know who Nicki was. They made their hostile intentions known and were dead soon after. They were both gifted but not offensive powers, more passive. Nicki said she believed one was a tracker and the other had some sort of survival skills.
It didn't help her obviously. That was the first time I saw the dark powers we had in action. Nicki had taught me a lot by that point but it was all theory, practiced in our own little isolated world. Seeing her destroy two vampires in the manner she did was shocking. It was also exhilarating. That event cemented my devotion to learning everything she could teach me.
The room itself would have been silent to a human, only soft piano music playing and crowded with silent, unmoving statues that were actually vampires. I knew the truth. The truth was there were hundreds of whispered conversations going on around me, mostly about me. I could not make all the words out but some were clearer than others.
"Don't do it Edward. Leave her alone. Those two are trouble you don't want."
I glanced towards the man who said that, a blonde gentleman whose arm was around a beautiful short girl with short dark hair.
And golden eyes. The blonde who was talking to the bronze haired boy, the two of them also had gold eyes.
Shit, Nicki wasn't kidding. There really were animal drinkers in the vampire world. I thought she was fucking with me, golden eyed vampires draining wild beasts. But here they were. Those must be the famous Cullens. I caught the eye of the older looking male, as well as his wife, no doubt Carlisle and Esme Cullen, the heads of the family.
"She is beautiful, Jasper." the Edward guy whispered.
Animal drinkers. Ridiculous. There was such a thing as a food chain. Carnivores ate herbivores, humans ate both and we ate humans. These animal feeders thinking was flawed. They thought animals' lives were less than humans in the scheme of nature. They had pity for them. Humans had no pity on themselves, something I learned in my human existence. A vampire saved me while a human tried to kill me.
Fucking ridiculous. I was not cruel. Nicki and I fed, we fed as often as we wanted on who we wanted, no different than a human going to their favorite fast food restaurant and selecting their favorite burger.
But Carlisle Cullen seemed to think by eating a lesser food he was somehow superior to other vampires.
"She took Jane down in a second and I'm not sure she was even trying. She is of Nicolette Swan's blood line. I heard Swan killed a couple nomads a year ago, turned them to stone with a look and shattered them." the blonde man whispered. "If you want to get laid, go for anyone besides one of those two."
I had to smirk. The Blonde was correct...almost. Nicki actually froze the venom in the nomad's bodies, turned the fluid to stone and ripped them apart while they stood immobile. It was almost too easy for her. I've learned the skill but have yet to find a vampire to practice on.
Perhaps this handsome, golden eyes Bambi feeder could approach me, allow me a bit of experimentation. He would make a pretty statue. Not exactly my type as far as man candy goes though.
"Bella!"
Ouch. When she broke into my head like that without warning it always hurt.
"What?! That hurt damn it!" I told my intrusive bestie.
"Sorry. This is going to take a while. Adult meeting stuff. How miserable is it in there?"
"Remember that wax museum we visited in San Antonio? The statues had more personality. One of the animal munchers is debating approaching me."
"The house is cool, right?"
"Does Aro pop into your head as much as you pop into mine?"
Of course he didn't. The link between Sires and their children did have its limits as far as distance.
"No, he considers it rude."
I could feel her humor. I loved her but she was one sarcastic bitch. Deciding to walk around the house I found the library, then made my way outside to the heated pool. Poor Michael. A hell of a place to have a heart attack.
More vampires surrounded the pool, most sipping glasses of blood and others simply taking it all in, mingling freely with the others. Another cove of animal feeders were staring at me. Three blondes, one woman of likely Spanish descent along with who I supposed was her mate. I had really thought Nicki was fucking with me when she spoke of these types of so called vampires.
One of the blondes had a strong offensive gift but it stayed close to her body. She likely required touch. The dark haired man had a slight purple haze around him. Whatever his gift was, he was weak and it definitely was not offensive.
The blatant stare he was sending my way was a bit offensive. At least it wasn't lust, more of shock and weariness.
For one hour I stood by the pool, sipping on small glasses of warm blood. I preferred straight from the tap but since feeding was off limits in this city while our vampire group meeting took place, provided blood would have to do.
Tonight the party, the next three days meetings, meetings that I did not have to attend. Poor Nicki would be stuck there, swapping stories with such important covens, including I suppose the animal feeders.
"Fuck you bitch."
"If you pop into my head one more time without warning I am going to call you Grand mommy in front of everyone."
"And here I was, planning on having mercy on you."
"I love you Nicki. You are way too hot to be a grandmother, or great grandmother. Whatever the hell you are."
Mercy? I needed mercy from my Sire because the bronze haired boy named Edward was making his way slowly towards me.
"Aro wants to visit with us in a more private setting tomorrow and doesn't believe anyone here is worthy of your time. According to him you are a young woman who needs to have fun in the city. Take the Lambo and go to Bourbon Street.
Yes! "You were right, Aro is really cool."
"Go have fun. I'll meet you on Bourbon Street at midnight. Go to the 600 hundred block. There is a club there called Maison Bourbon. Great live music. Please stay out of trouble."
I was turned at 17. I was 20 years old now. I had a Lamborghini, a hot dress, a great body and unlimited funds. How the hell was I supposed to stay out of trouble?
"Of course." I assured her.
I heard the one known as Edward say hello but it was too late. I was already moving, leaving him behind. I had to wait ten minutes before my car was in front of the house. Thankfully after his aborted attempt to approach me the animal drinker must have given up, for tonight at least. Nicki probably wouldn't be happy if I turned him to stone.
Or plagued him with non-stop terrifying visions. I really wanted to use that once on a really annoying asshole. I should probably find a deserving human before I tried it on a vampire.
Leaving the car at our downtown hotel, I briefly considered visiting the Harrah's next door, but decided against it. I could hear the sounds of music and revelry not far away. Tomorrow I would explore the French Quarter and Jackson Square, but tonight was all about dancing.
My first experience of Bourbon Street was all I thought it might be. Thousands of humans intoxicated, dancing in the streets, dancing in the clubs. I walked a few blocks, receiving more than a few lust filled gazes. One of the many great things about New Orleans is having red eyes doesn't seem strange. Nothing on this street could possibly happen that would be considered strange. It reminded me of the trip to Las Vegas Nicki took me on in celebration of my thirst finally coming under control.
It was in the third club I visited, dancing in the middle of the humans, losing myself into the rhythm of the music that I felt a hard body press against me from behind and strong hands grip my waist.
In a normal situation I would have been defensive, thrown the obvious vampire across the room, attack with every weapon in my arsenal, as a vampire and master... okay, advanced beginner in the Dark Arts.
There was no need though. I recognized that scent and the feel of those hands and smiled, leaning back into him.
"Garret, my big tough Patriot." I greeted him.
He leaned down and whispered in my ear.
"I had a feeling I would find you here. How are you?"
I twisted and wrapped my arms around his beck, continuing to dance, pressed against him.
"I haven't gotten laid since you resumed your nomadic ways. I thought I meant more to you than a favor to Nicki."
I kidded of course. I know what I meant to him. I was young, aggressive and energetic. He was hot, willing and able to help me with the uncontrollable sexual urges. According to Nicki I never had any sexual experiences in my human life that she knew of. I more than made up for it in my newborn year with Garrett.
"Bella dear, I was afraid if I stayed around much longer you wouldn't miss me when I was gone. Besides I had no desire to be turned into a toad by your Sire."
I faked indignation. "My noble Sire would never do that! She would turn you into a faithful puppy. I always wanted a puppy apparently. So, what are you doing here? There is a gathering of our kind, at least those considered civilized. Please do not tell me you consider yourself civilized now?"
Garrett smiled and took my hand, pulling me outside.
"I have always considered myself a gentleman, dear Bella. You seem quite comfortable in your own skin now. Surrounded by thousands of potential meals and your eyes are as beautifully crimson as always. Not a touch of hunger in them."
I shrugged my shoulders. I worked hard for control. I didn't play with my food. When I hungered, I simply found a human who smelled especially delicious and fed. I only needed to feed once every couple weeks, where Nicki could go three weeks before becoming a complete bitch. Snickers had it right. You just aren't you when you are hungry.
"I am very comfortable and if you are interested you are more than welcome to get into my skin with me. I have an hour before I need to meet Nicki. Plenty of time to go a dark alley." I suggested. If I couldn't feed in this town, perhaps fate had given me a chance to get fucked hard. Feeding and fucking went neck and neck in importance in my life. Garrett could certainly tip the scales tonight.
Instead of taking me up he grinned and stepped back.
"My apologies Bella. I am afraid I am a bit taken these days."
I must have heard that wrong. Garrett, the tall, rough, sexy nomad was taken?
"You mated or just found another fuck buddy? Please tell me you just found another fuck buddy."
He shook his head and laughed. "Who exactly influences the language in your home? I can't imagine Nicki using fuck buddy any more than you."
"Call her Nicki and she will turn you into a toad. She could be early to find me. Seriously, please tell me you didn't meet someone you will be hooked up with for eternity? That sounds like a living hell."
Garrett turned to face the street and motioned to a blonde on the other side, glaring at me.
I knew her, or at least I saw her tonight.
"You mated with an animal feeder? God, do you kiss her after she feeds?" I whispered, seriously disturbed.
The blonde practically glided toward us, her demeanor not any friendlier the closer she came.
"I was wondering where you went? Old friend of yours? She can't be that old of a friend. She was only turned three years ago."
Hello as well. Nice to meet you. I'm Bella, you are one of the Denali whores, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Bitch.
"Kate, this is Bella..."
"Swan. Aro's new pet witch." Kate finished. And here I thought I would try the recurring horrifying visions on a human first.
"A pleasure to meet you, Kate." I offered my hand and she took it with a delighted smile, her aura flaring. This would be funny.
"Kate don't..."
Garrett's warning was too late. She flared and whatever gift she had, was directed at me on contact and redirected to her.
She dropped like a stone. Garrett barely caught her before she hit the ground.
Karma is a bitch.
The woman stood up and looked a bit more respectful now.
"My Sire is the child of Aro and one of the most powerful vampires in the world. You seriously thought attacking me was the way to go? I'm disappointed Kate Denali. Despite your pathetic diet, my Mistress assured me that your coven was civilized. I am sure she will be interested to know you attempted to attack me."
"We do apologize. Katerina was out of line."
Ahh another blonde. Tanya, head whore in charge. I can't believe a thousand year old vampire like Kate couldn't be more mature. Nicki says I'm immature? I'm twenty years old. What are these bitches excuse?
"Think nothing of it." I told her, taking the high ground. "I certainly wasn't injured. I should be on my way. No doubt my Mistress will be expecting me at our arranged spot. I assume since you and your coven are here the gatherings are over?"
Tanya smiled but I could tell she was furious at Kate most likely. "We stay out of vampire politics. Aro had no need of us and the party was getting a bit stale. I am sure we will have more opportunities to get to know each other over the next few days."
Aro doesn't need you because your coven despite its age is weak.
I winked at Garrett and walked away, shaking my hips a bit. I don't give a damn if she is a succubus, I knew he still wanted me. Kate Denali knew it as well. I think she had been embarrassed enough for one night.
So what to do now? Find another club? Pay better attention to my surroundings, watch for animal feeders? What if that Edward was around? He wouldn't have followed me, would he?
I checked my surroundings looking for any other yellow eyed vamps. I caught sight of one large vampire with short dark hair, who had his arm around a beautiful blonde who resembled members of the whore coven.
Damn it, they were watching me. What the hell is with these vampires? The blonde Cullen was the only one who had any sense. They should leave me alone. I was not some shiny new toy.
I closed my eyes and whispered a simple spell then looked once more.
They were staring at me with wide eyes. Or at least staring at the spot they had seen me in earlier. Nothing better than a simple cloaking spell to make a quick getaway, or at least move away from these vampires.
I moved three blocks, sure that they had gone in the other direction, no doubt wondering how I disappeared. I was glad I had gotten far enough away as I could feel my cloaking spell fading. I ducked into a small alley, not wanting to scare the hell out of anyone I suddenly appeared in front of. Disappearing in front of a crowd of intoxicated humans was easy enough. I should probably be more subtle reappearing.
"Why are you using magic? Are you being attacked?"
Damn it!
"I have had to call you Mistress three times tonight. Stop popping in my head before I do call you grandmother to anyone who asks!"
I could feel her annoyance. I knew the feeling. She was also worried and I did appreciate it.
"You aren't as powerful as you could be yet. You have a lot to learn and the covens you met tonight aren't the only ones in New Orleans. Have you been attacked?"
"Just by Garrett's hands, which I didn't mind, Kate Denali's power which dropped her on her blonde ass and had a couple Cullens watching me so I disappeared. Nothing major. Animal feeders are so weird. Seriously what is their deal?"
"Garrett is there? What the hell is he doing there? Do not get attached to him, Bella. You took him into an alley, didn't you?"
I did my best to hide my annoyance but failed. What kind of girl did she think I was? Like I would just take a guy into an alley and have sex. Come to think of it I did ask Garrett. Oops.
"No, I didn't fuck him. He is here with Kate Denali. The idiot mated."
"Oh that is too good. This I have to see. Meeting's over. I'm getting a ride to the hotel, changing then I will be there."
I didn't need a Sire or mother, but I did need my friend to keep me entertained. My very deadly friend who would make animal drinkers and any other vampire cautious to approach me or even try me, as Kate did.
The Funky 544. Great music and in the opposite direction from the Cullen and Denali Coven. It qualified.
The crowd parted for me as I walked towards the bar. I adjusted my dress a bit and leaned against the bar taking in the crowd. Humans may be food but if I was going to be ground against them on a dance floor, I preferred to be surrounded by attractive humans.
Then I saw him.
He was sitting alone at a small table in the back of the club. Short sandy blonde hair, great muscle tone and his face...wow.
He looked at me and I was caught. Those eyes, the deep blue eyes seemed to look right through me. He had my complete attention and I had his.
He smiled.
I pulled my eyes away from his and looked at his hand. He was drinking a Corona Light.
"Bartender, give me a bottle of Corona Light."
Bottle in hand I walked towards him, stalking him in a way, my eyes never leaving my prey.
"Mind if I sit?" I asked him, holding the bottle out towards him. Despite his status as a human, I felt nervous. He smelled so delicious, not just his blood but everything about him. Even the slight scent of beer on his breath was intriguing.
My mouth was watering. What the hell was going on with me? Should I ask Nicki? No, no way.
"Please do." he told me in the sexiest voice.
He stood and pulled out a chair for me, moving within inches of me. He was taller than my 5'6", close to 6"2 I would say.
"Thanks for the beer." he said as he sat back down across from me. "Jason Connolly. You are?"
What name was I supposed to be using this time? I was still listed as a missing person, presumed dead only three years ago. Nicki gave me several aliases including the one on my fake ID I carried in my hand bag.
I just couldn't remember the name at the moment.
"Bella Swan."
I reached out and took his hand. For the first time in my short immortal life I felt a shock from his hand.
What the hell was going on?
"A pleasure to meet you, Bella Swan."
The pleasure was going to be all mine before this night was over.