She flushed, but she was happy. That was all I cared about. "Ready to go?"
"Yes, I am. You guys?"
Pippa nodded, dressed in her overalls and a pink shirt this time. I was starting to wonder if she ever changed her outfit or her hair. She still had the same two braids that hung over her shoulders as she had the first time I met her.
"My pick?" I took my car keys and purse. I started for the door.
"I was wondering if we could go to the Shoilster? Some girls on our floor told me it's supposed to be awesome."
Pippa and I both froze.
"Please?"
The wolf and I shared a shaky look. "Sure."
"I call shotgun!" Emily bounced out the door and we followed at a sedate pace. This night was definitely going to be interesting.
The drive over was tense. Emily fully welcomed the idea of going out so she couldn't sit still in her seat. Pippa and I were much less excited. As we got out of the car and headed towards the bar, I saw Gregory at the door in all black with sunglasses over his eyes.
"They have bouncers?" Pippa looked at me.
I shrugged and burst ahead of the girls. Gregory saw me and froze. I felt suspicion and caution come over him as I slapped a hand on his huge bicep. It twitched under my hand and my hand shot away. I felt scolded somehow and let out a nervous giggle. "Hi! So, I'm Davy. I had a friend that used to come here all the time. Kates? Do you know her? She said we'd be welcome to get in. This is my roommate, Emily, and her friend, Pippa."
They drew beside me as Gregory's gaze slid over both girls and then back to me. He sniffed the air as Pippa was trying not to and turned back to me. I felt his meaningful look. Oh yes. He was aware I had a werewolf in my company. So my fake smile spread wider. "Can we get in? We go to school here and want a fun night out. My roommate heard a lot about this place." My smile slipped.
There was no reaction from the giant vampire, but his mouth flattened into a small frown. "You girls need to stay on the main floor. No one goes into the basement."
Emily was gleeful and skipped through. "Thanks!" Pippa hung her head and dragged her feet behind. Once they out of hearing distance, I murmured, "Please don't kill me."
He harrumphed. "You wait till Roane hears about this."
"Dav
y! Come on. What are you doing?" Emily called from inside and I hurried ahead. A sense of doom washed over.
As we went in, waves of vampires rushed over me. They were everywhere. Before they'd always stayed to the basement, but this time they were in each corridor, in every booth, and on the dance floor. And these weren't normal vampires that went to our university. I glanced around and my eyes went wide. I didn't know what type of vampires they were, but they weren't the normal kind. If they were at the Shoilster and Gregory let us in, they must've been loyal to Roane.
Two vampire males strolled by and eyed us up and down. I scowled at them as Emily gushed. "This place is amazing. The bright lights. Is that smoke on the floor? And what kind of music is that? Is that techno? Don't they listen to that in Europe? Where did all these gorgeous guys come from?"
"It's not smoke, Em. It's dry ice."
It was supposed to make the club more mysterious and it worked. I kept eyeing all the nooks and crannies. I wondered what was happening in those shadows that no one could see. She was right about the guys too. Most vampires were good looking, but these seemed to be the crème de la crème. Some of them were tall and lean while others were a little stockier, built like Gregory. The females resembled Wren, complete with the hooker outfits. They wore lace corsets and leather. A few of them narrowed their eyes at us, and watched us with something that resembled hatred.
Pippa shifted beside me. Her hand touched mine. 'I can't be here. A werewolf can't be here.'
'You're with two humans. They won't say anything.'
'I can't risk it. I'm sorry, Davy. I have to leave. Make up an excuse for me, please?'
'But…'
But she was already gone.
Then Emily looked around, wide eyed. "This was the best idea you've had, Davy. Wait. Where'd Pippa go?"
"Her cousin was sick." It wasn't my best lie.
"Really?" But then Emily was back to basking in the glow of the vampires.