All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,10

I have a code. But I’m too hungry to stop drinking.

Her blood is sweet and hot. I suck on her neck with intense pulls. I’ll leave a hickey on her skin.

I break the skin on my own finger and use a drop of my blood to seal the puncture wounds. The breaks in her skin will heal faster, but the red mark will remain. She’ll see the hickey in the mirror tomorrow morning, and try to remember me.

It’s a shame I must wipe her mind; make her forget.

I’ve broken my code. I’ve drunk from a virgin, given her ecstasy. She’s innocent, she doesn’t belong in this world. I’ve got to let her go.

It’s strange that I feel so reluctant to do so.

I ease her up in my arms, and cup her chin to force her to meet my gaze. “Look at me, Gwen.”

Her eyes meet mine. They’re emerald green. The most lovely pair of eyes I’ve ever seen. And they’ll never see me again.

“Forget all this.” I reach into her mind. “Forget me. You danced upstairs all night. You had a wonderful time, but you won’t want to come back to Club Toxic ever again.”

I’m a bastard to add that last part. I don’t normally get possessive of mortals I play with. Especially since I have a hard and fast rule of one night only. That way, there's no chance of getting attached or possessive. And yet, I can’t stand the thought of my innocent Gwen coming back here and getting taken advantage of by some other vampire. Not that Lucius doesn’t ensure the safety of the mortals who play here. But still…

I don’t like it.

So, I wipe her memories and set her free. Keep her safe from others like me.

Chapter 3

Gwen

The sun smacks me in the face. I roll over with a groan and grab my phone. It’s almost noon. I was out late last night. I reach for my memory and it uncoils slowly. Shadowy corners, throbbing music. I danced all night. But there was something wonderful about it. What was it? Maybe I’ll remember more after I drink some Earl Grey.

My bottom is sore. Did I fall? I scamper to the mirror and check it, but there’s barely a mark. A faint bruise and a broken red line. What could that be from? And why do I feel somewhat disappointed not to find more marks? Like I’d expected to see something there? I notice a dark hickey on my neck and gasp in pleasure. I try to remember who gave it to me but… nothing.

My pussy throbs, hungry.

I check my phone again. There’s a text from my best friend Aurelia, and a missed call from Chad.

Chad. Ugh. I remember his appearance last night very clearly.

I ignore his call, and text Aurelia.

I’m up! Long night last night at Club Toxic.

She answers a minute later. You went? Alone?

I brush my hair back from my face. Did I go to Club Toxic? It all seems like a dream. I remember walking up to the club in my white dress. The bouncer let me inside. I wanted to order a drink. Chad was there—with his boyfriend… The rest is a blur. I danced all night. I feel sure of that, yet can’t remember a single moment of doing so.

Yes. I text. Chad was there.

Little dots appear and disappear a few times. Then my phone rings.

“Chad?” Aurelia snaps without preamble. “That dickhead was there?”

I giggle. “Don't call him that.”

“He deserves it. He was a dick to you.”

“Yeah.” I leave out the part where I caught him talking to his new male lover.

“Well? Did he talk to you?”

“He said hi. The conversation was short. It was fine.”

Aurelia isn’t buying it. “I’m sorry he ruined your night.”

“He didn’t ruin it. I had a good time. I met someone.” I touch the hickey on my neck. I think. My thoughts are shadowy, but I remember a face. Dark eyes, dark hair, swarthy skin. A close-clipped goatee framing perfect lips.

“Oh?” Aurelia’s tone turns wary. “Who?”

“Just a guy.” I reach for my memory but it’s a blur.

“What was his name?” Her voice sounds a little sharp.

I bristle, not at her tone, but because I can’t remember his name. I can barely remember the face. “Um…”

“Maybe I should go with you if you want to go again. That place is a little sketch.”

Nothing about Club Toxic is sketchy. But I get what she’s saying. There’s an undercurrent of caution when people speak of Club Toxic. Like it’s dangerous.

But