Hello, all! I'm trying to churn out these chapters while I'm off of work and not busy with other crazy stuff! Enjoy it while it lasts :)

It was Friday night when my father informed me that there had been another murder connected to the rogue vampire. This time the body had been found less than a block away from the skateboard park I went to only a few days ago.

I ate dinner with my dad with a knot churning in my stomach. I could barely keep down half of my blood-dripping steak, and I mindlessly pushed the lima beans and corn around my with my fork, my other hand fingering my long braid. All I could think about was the rogue vampire, and how close it had been to my stomping grounds.

Father silently gazed at me with his beautiful ocean green eyes, the shadows that always shroud them looking darker than normal. His attire was more casual than normal too; just a pressed black dress shirt with an unbuttoned silver vest, and dark slacks. The hair that framed his pale face looked wild. This was very unlike him. But I didn't want to press him on that.

A gush of red liquid spilled from the cut of meat as I stabbed it with my fork. I sighed and laid down the utensil.

"Are you feeling alright?" Father asked cautiously, as if I might bite him. He sat his fork and knife down as well, ready to comfort or give me lecture.

"Totally fine," I insisted.

He looked at me curiously, but picked up his napkin and dabbed away any red stains on his lips, signaling he was finished with his meal. Marcellus appeared almost out of nowhere, with a silver cart in tow. He took up our plates and crystal glasses, moving swiftly and flawlessly. I marveled at his speed.

"I'm having company over tonight," Father stated, as soon as Marcellus was gone. "The president of the council and a few of his subordinates will be here in an hour. We're going to have a brief meeting, going over theories about the rogue."

I waited for him to continue, but he sat there, in silence. He was looking elsewhere, unable to meet my gaze.

"And…?" I prompted.

"I haven't told them that you are living with me… yet." He said, softly. "I'm sorry to ask this of you, but could go out with some of your friends tonight?"

I was appalled by what he had said. Is he kicking me out?

"Just for a few hours. I'll call you when they leave."

Anger washed over me then, and my fists clenched in my lap. My vision blurred, tinged with red. "You're ashamed of me," I said.

My father immediately shook his head, his face sad. "Of course not, Lucy. That's not what I meant. I just need to break the news gently, or else there will be rumors and gossip. Just give me a few weeks—"

"You've had eighteen years!" I yelled. "Eighteen years to tell them about me!"

My father nodded gravely, seemingly unsurprised by my burst of anger. "I know, Lucy. I know."

My nostrils flared,and my nails bit into my palm. I was unspeakably enraged by his calm demeanor. My blood boiled inside of me as I stood, pushing myself out of the chair. I moved it with such sudden force that it fell back as I did. "Fine! I'll stay out tonight. Just so your friends don't have to see the halfbreed you've been hiding," I shouted.

My father remained quiet as I stormed out of the room, up the stairs and into my room. Before I knew what I was doing, I called Kat, asking her to meet me at the end of my street, saying I just left a friends' place where I crashed during the day. She agreed, saying she and the boys would be by to pick me up in ten. I ended the call and kicked my heels off and ripped the skirt I had been wearing off. I tugged on a pair of dark distressed jeans and hastily tied some black combat boots on. I threw my phone, charger, and my wallet into a mini backpack and slung it onto my shoulder before leaving my room.

I didn't say anything to Rem as I passed her in the hallway, the sourness of my mood radiating off of me in waves. I trudged down the stairs and to the front door, flung it open, and slammed it shut behind me. I didn't look back as I stalked down the steep driveway into the street, and out of the sight of anybody who could have been watching from the house.

I slowed my brisk pace as I neared the end of the street, where it met the main road that led into the city. I found a nice place to sit on the curb near a streetlamp, put my bag down on the grass, sat down, and waited. It was no time at all before a sleek-looking dark purple minivan pulled up to the curb a few feet from me. Silver spiderwebs were painted near the rear tires, the glasses tinted so dark I couldn't see inside of the vehicle. The driver door opened, and I saw Tripp's head pop out.

"Hey!" He said, waving. "Your Uber driver is here!"

All of the anger that was left in my system dissolved as I laughed, jumped up and grabbed my backpack. I ran to him, and swiftly planted a kiss on his cheek. My savior! He blushed, and motioned for me to get in. I opened the sliding door behind him to see Kat and Claude reclining in the back, a seat open for me. I immediately hopped in and shut the door.

"Good morning!" Claude greeted, and, being the nearest one to me, ruffled my hair a bit. "Someone is chipper!"

I settled into my seat as Tripp shifted the car into drive and continued down the street, headed for the highway. "Not really," I said, buckling. "I woke up on the wrong side of the coffin."

"Oh?" Kat said, leaning forward to see me from across the back seat. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, now," I replied. "I'm just happy to be out of there."

Rocco twisted from his place in the passenger seat. "Trouble with roommates?"

"You could say that," I said, shrugging. I instantly felt better surrounded by the four of them, their easy-going, positive aura set me in a glowing mood.

"I could rough them up a bit for ya," Rocco offered, pounding a fist into his hand, flexing his dangerously ripped muscles. "Teach them some manners."

I giggled, the mental image of Rocco beating up my pacifist father flashing across my mind. "That actually sounds like a great idea."

"Hey, now!" Tripp piped up from the driver's seat. "Remember the last time you 'roughed up' someone? You couldn't walk for three days!"

Rocco snarled. "They cheated. I didn't know he was a shape-shifter."

Kat burst with laughter. "I had forgotten about that! Why did you fight him, anyways?"

Rocco grew animated as he told his story, gesturing wildly with his hands. "I saw that asshole put a roofie in some girls' drink, and when I confronted him about it, he kept denying, crying 'I'd never, I'd never'! Well, I told the girl to make him drink it, but he refused! So, I dragged him to the lot behind the Coffin Club and told him to put his dukes up. Ain't noone gonna try to rape a girl on my watch! Little did I know, the fucker could shape-shift into a wolf."

I found myself gasping. "Oh my God! What did you do?"

"I did what anyone would do," Rocco answered. "I beat the shit out of him."

"No way," I said, unbelieving.

"He did," Claude said. "I watched with my own two eyes."

My mouth hung open as Rocco went on. "Beat that prick until he couldn't stand it anymore. Almost got the cops called on me because some chick thought I was beating up a stray dog. I wasn't unscathed after, though. He bit me pretty good on my calf. Shredded up the muscle, but it healed fine."

I sat amazed by the enthralling tale. "You're a hero, Rocco."

"Nah," he said. "I was just doing what needed to be done. I'd be surprised if he ever tried to drug another girl ever again."

The whole van agreed. Just as we started to settle into a conversation about other fights Rocco had won, Tripp pulled into a vacant lot and killed the can.

"We're here," he said, peering into the backseat.

"Thank God!" Claude exclaimed, unbuckling and ushering me out of the vehicle. "I'm starving!"

I pulled open the door and crept out, met by the sight of a dimly lit parking area next to a run-down building, my eyes easily adjusting to the lack of light. There was a huge sign proclaiming that the building was The Earl's Grand Ballroom, but where the neon bulbs should be blinking and illuminating the night, busted glass litters the ground and bird's have built nests in the vacant sockets. I rose an eyebrow as I surveyed the place. It looked abandoned and spooky.

"Uh, Tripp?" I said, still inspecting the lot around us. "Are you sure this is the right place? It looks a little... empty in there."

Claude laughed. "You've never been here before?"

I shook my head, my black hair tumbling in the passing wind. The asphalt is shimmering from recent rain, puddles that have formed reflecting the full moon. The rest of the gang ditched the van as Rocco noticeably takes in a huge, loud whiff of air, his hands laced behind his head.

"Mmmm... smells good, doesn't it, kids?"

The others nodded in agreement, but I just knitted my brow, puzzled. I took in a large whiff, but nothing. Just the stench of motor oil, limburger cheese, and stale cigarettes. Without another word, they started to gravitate towards the side of the abandoned building. I'm still confused as we approached, still looking for signs of life. But there's none. Just as I was about to question our purpose of being here, we round the corner and my sights fall to a small section of brick that is missing from the side of the buildng, the glint of a stairwell rail catching my eyes. The stairs led downward, and I wordlessly followed as the Claude and the rest of gang quickly descended down into it. The stairs went on for sever feet, before leveling off and stretching into a long, underground tunnel. This was especially spooky.

I didn't have time to voice my objection of going into the unsafe-looking tunnel before Kat tugged me after her and led us all down the dark corridor. Our footsteps echoed down the long hall, the splash of water as we stomped through puddles accompanying it. It wasn't long before we reached a large metal door, which as hard to see in the darkness. Kat pushed it open, and I was greeted with the sound of music.

The voice of Little Richard cascaded into the corridor. Kat pulled me into the vast room behind her, and I stood slack-jawed, amazed. It was huge,and every inch of it was decorated with vintage Pepsi advertisements and portraits of Elvis and Fats Domino. A huge record player was set up by the massive counter that stretched the length of the room, dozens of people were crowded in the booths that lined the walls and the stools that were pushed up to the counter. The only lighting was the twinkling string lights that hung from the low ceiling, and the soft glow of the record player. It looked like I had stepped into an authentic 1950's diner with a splash of goth. The waitresses that flitted by us on roller skates carried huge trays of hamburgers and fries, the smell of them making my mouth water. It was then that I realized that I was starving, seeing as I had hardly touched my supper at the house. Claude led us to an empty booth, and I slid onto the vinyl seat with my backpack in my lap. I continued to look around in awe at the place, my eyes wide. The atmosphere was energetic but ultimately laid back, a few teens danced in the corner where the record player was, while some reclined on the cigarette machines near the counter as they conversed.

"This place is awesome!" I exclaimed.

"Wait until you try the food," Rocco said, handing me a menu. "It's killer."

I scanned the menu, but I already knew what I wanted: a chocolate milkshake with a juicy cheeseburger. My mouth salivated at the thought. I pretended to be invested with the menu, but my interest peaked when I saw they had blood on tap.

"They serve blood here?" I asked.

"Oh, yeah," Claude said. "It's the best in town right after the Dungeon. They have a different selection, of course. Trying to compete with Jagger in the blood business only leads to certain failure."

"But you already knew that," Kat threw in, her face beaming at me from across the table. "Seeing he's your boyfriend and all."

I seethed in my seat. "He's not my boyfriend," I grumbled. My stomach fluttered at the thought. What if he was, though? I wonder what that would be like…

Before the rest of the gang could join in and prod me further over my pseudo-relationship with Jagger, the waitress rolled up to our table, notepad in hand. We placed our orders quickly, wanting our food as soon as possible. As she drifted away, Kat and I made our way to the record player to pick out some tunes. I was seriously impressed with the selection; they hadn't overlooked a single goth anthem. I plopped in some change in the machine and selected some David Bowie while Kat queued up Green Day. As I scoured the rest of the library, Kat turned to me.

"I'm sorry for bringing up Jagger earlier," she said. "I didn't mean to make it seem as though I was prying."

"Actually, it was Claude who brought him up," I corrected, smiling. "But I know what you mean, and it's okay. There's honestly nothing between us, is all."

Kat nodded and turned back to the machine, content with my acceptance of her apology. It was puzzling to think this was only the second time we had hung out together, Kat and I, and I already felt so close to her. Of course Aerin and Vanessa were great friends and amazing people, but they didn't know the other side of me. The side that yearned for something more than just dark clothes and obscure metal music. I craved for acceptance in the vampire community, which is something I got from Kat and the other guys. This wasn't something I could find from my friends at school, no matter how much I loved them. Kat and the others offered something that couldn't resist, and that was the feeling of belonging. Even though I knew it couldn't last forever, whether it be from them finding out my secret or some other way, I soaked up every moment I could before they left me for good.

End of Chapter 10! Phew, glad that's out of the way. Review, favorite and follow as you wish 3