Crimson Groves by Ashley Robertson Page B

person in line.
    My eyes flitted all over, taking in everything I saw as we walked through the club. There were a lot of people already here. Candles and black lights dimly lit the darkened atmosphere. There were a couple bars, a dance floor, and a lounge area with loveseats, chairs, and tables. Royal blue, red, and black were the colors that decorated each zone.
    Bronx placed his arm back around me as we made our way to the bar closest to the lounge. The glass countertop revealed black stones and white tea candles underneath. I set my arm on top and leaned down, allowing the bar to support me. A lot of people obviously knew Bronx, and he was talking to a few of them while waiting for his Crown and Coke. He ordered a vodka club soda with a lime for me. Vampires love drinking alcohol. It takes the edge off the blood cravings.
    This was my first time seeing vampires aside from Bronx. There were so many of them intermingled with the humans. Their scent was easily discernable—dead, cold, and empty.
    I overheard Bronx saying my name. As I looked back his way, a hand stretched out to me. “Hey Abigail, I’m Brennan and this is William.” They were both vampires.
    “Nice to meet you both, and please feel free to call me Abby.”
    Brennan was about the same height as Bronx and had short blond hair. William was a little shorter and had longer blond hair about down to his shoulders, kind of like a surfer. “No problem, Abby,” Brennan corrected himself. “It’s just so nice to meet the woman that took Bronx off the market. You wouldn’t believe how many women he’s turned down. You’re going to make them all very jealous tonight.”
    “Very jealous,” William agreed. He broke out into one of those annoying, pitchy laughs, slightly hunching over, hand rubbing his belly. “Where have you kept this one hidden, Bronx? There just might be some catfights tonight!”
    Bronx elbowed William in the gut, making him step back. His laughter faded as if the volume were being turned down. “Don’t worry, man,” William smarted, “I ain’t flirting with your girl.” Then he looked at me. “Sorry if I offended you, Abby.”
    I smiled, unable to think of anything witty to say, so I stayed quiet.
    Bronx handed over my drink and apologized for William’s juvenile outburst. I think it bothered him more than me. The two vampires continued to stand near us, so Bronx took my hand and pulled me away. As he led me through the lounge, I heard one of my old favorite songs playing, “Just Like a Man” by Way Out West.
    Bronx sat down on a royal blue velvet loveseat, pulling me down next to him. Two vampires sat across from us in red, padded chairs. I learned they were old friends of Bronx’s, Damon and Valentina. We all shook hands.
    “Bronx tells me that you’re about a month reborn. Welcome to the new life,” Valentina purred. She smiled, but it looked forced. She was tall and thin, her long legs tucked under a black leather mini-skirt; her shoulder-length red hair was so dark it almost looked black, and she was definitely in her forties when she was turned. Whatever age you are when you’re “transformed” into our kind is just how old you’ll look for the rest of eternity. No way to steal any youth back. Fortunately, there was no more aging either.
    “Thanks. There’s been so much to learn and so many new experiences.” I took a few sips of my drink.
    “Ah, yes. There is so much to learn,” Damon added. With black leather pants with a silver chain dangling from the side pocket, matching leather jacket, and scuffed black boots, he looked like he’d just rode in on a Harley. He wasn’t wearing a shirt under his jacket, and the top of his chest looked like marble: solid, hairless, and glossy. “It’s been so long I had almost forgotten.”
    “Abigail has done very well this past month. That is why we are here tonight.” Bronx put his arm around me, fingers pressing into my shoulder.
    Valentina’s lips puckered. Her