Immortal Embrace (19 page)

Book Two of the Embrace Series

Forbidden Embrace

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Forbidden Embrace

Chapter One

Clubbing

I decide to do a quick journal entry before leaving for the big New Year’s party at Club VC. It has been a very eventful week. I have been spotted by at least two of my former family members. While doing a checkup on my family, I noticed Danika, the newest member of the family, conversing with a member of the Cerberus. They were making plans to celebrate the New Year at Club VC together. Young Danika still remains unaware of who she is dealing with. It appears the family is unaware of her power to block others. This is how Danika is able to keep her secrets. This is only a little tidbit I learned at the club. I’m not even sure if she is aware of her power yet.

I am concerned about Sophia seeing me in the park a little more than a week ago. I know that girl. She is as stubborn as a mule, and she will not give up on me. I need to be more careful now that Sophia is aware of my presence. I am sure she has divulged the information to the family by now. I expect her to look for me.

It’s getting late. I should get ready and head for the club, in case Danika does go there. I want to keep an eye on her and keep her out of too much trouble. I have been attempting to disguise myself so Danika will not recognize me from pictures and the Cerberus will not recognize me if they have seen me around.

***

Walking into the club, I look around for familiar faces–either Danika or the guy she has been meeting with. I find a few of the cult members I met during my previous visit here.

“Hey, Caspian. It’s nice to see you back here,” greets Cyrus.

I look at the older vampire who had welcomed me nights earlier. “Hi, Cyrus.

Thanks. It is good to be back. Please call my Cas. I feel so free here, no hiding,” I respond with little truth.

“Are you up for a drink?” He points to the bar.

“Sure. That’s why I am here. I am always up for a little fun.”

He leads me through the thick crowd of dancing vampires to the pounding tunes blaring from the speakers. Hundreds of rebellious vampires fill the club; some appear to be fresh out of the wastelands. I notice cages occupied by very attractive young vampires, scantily dressed. Tight leather and small tops appear to be the ensemble of choice. I could never understand how women can walk in heels that high. Many of the patrons are very interesting to look at, especially the ones with crazy hairstyles in an array of odd and unnatural colors. I start to think how much fun the club seems to be.

Unfortunately, I know what types of vampires the owners are.

“You wanna tap or shot?” Cyrus asks when we reach the bar.

I look at the bar and see a young woman lying there. The vampires walk up to her and bite her in various spots, enjoying a drink from the poor soul that is barely alive.

“Let’s try a shot,” I respond, attempting to remain collected.

“Hey bartender, two shots please!” Cyrus shouts.

The bartender turns to the back of the bar, where a man lies motionless except for the shallow breathing movements of his chest. There is a type of intravenous needle in his carotid artery. The bartender grabs two shot glass in one hand and holds them to the needle cap. He opens the cap and drains the man’s blood into the glasses, which he then hands to us. “Here you go boys. Enjoy.”

“Cheers!” We clang glasses and take the shot.

I can’t help but wonder what happens to the “donors.” “I have to ask, how on Earth do you get the donors, and what do you do with them once they are drained?”

“We find transients, homeless people, addicts, and prostitutes. They are promised a good meal and a night of partying at a hot V.I.P club. Once we get them here, we clean them up and feed them. We use a sedative so they do not fight us. Some we Embrace, and others we throw back in the streets. The ones we Embrace become our cage dancers. This is our way of keeping control of them until they learn some discipline and won’t get themselves destroyed,” Cyrus explains. “You should go mingle with some of the others a little. We are always looking for new members that have eternal experience.”

“Thank you. I will,” I reply before I begin to roam the club.

I continue to look around and inspect the place. I did not get to see much last time I was here, so tonight is the time to familiarize myself. As I look up to the balconies above, I see Danika, the little brat. She is with the same vampire that has been trying so hard to recruit her. It looks as if the upstairs area is where the top cult members party.

Even with my impeccable hearing, I cannot zone in on what they are talking about over the crowd and music. I need to find a way to get invited upstairs. At least now I know where she is so I can keep an eye on her for my family’s sake.

***

Danika has been here for a while now, and I continue to mingle as I keep a watchful eye on her. I notice her walking down the stairs and decide to test my disguise. I walk toward her and advertently collide with her, making it look like an accident. “Oh!

Please excuse me.”

“No worries. My name is Danika, this is my first time here,” she replies, proving she does not recognize me.

“Nice to meet you. I am Cas.”

“Well, Cas, I hope to see you again. It is time for me to leave. I have a little travel ahead of me,” she explains.

“I understand. Sunrise will be upon us soon. I think they’ll be clearing the place out soon. Have a great rest. Maybe we will run into each other again,” I say as we both leave the club.

Raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Charlotte enjoyed swimming, singing (although not so great at it) and writing her thoughts down. She never shared her passion for writing with anyone, and it got put on the back burner. As Charlotte grew, she found a new passion in medicine; she became the athletic trainer for her high school men's basketball team. Helping the team through their injuries are some of her best memories as a teen.

Charlotte has a strong passion for young adult novel especially those in the paranormal or dark fantasy genres.

http://charlotteblackwell.blogspot.com/