Stakes & Stilettos - Michelle Rowen [36]
“I think that’s a wise decision.”
George came over. “You’re not leaving, are you? But we’re having so much fun.”
So much for keeping an eye on me for the Red Devil. He’d been too busy dancing. “Maybe you are.”
“Come on, one dance. I promised that we’d have fun tonight.” He eyed Thierry. “You don’t mind, do you?”
Thierry raised an eyebrow. “One dance.”
“You can join us if you like.”
Thierry declined and George pulled me onto the dance floor along with five or six other couples. They were playing the high-school dance song to end all high-school dance songs: “Stairway to Heaven.” The one that starts off slow and it seems like a good idea to dance to it, but by the end… all six minutes later when the hard-rock riffs come into play and you’re dancing with somebody who is nasty and smells funny, you rethink your entire existence.
It was one of my favorites.
George spun me around in a slow circle. “See? We’re having big fun.”
“Yeah, I guess.” I told him about what had happened.
“Sweetie, you are a magnet for trouble. It’s just in your nature. What are we going to do with you?”
I sighed. “I have absolutely no idea whatsoever.”
He grinned down at me. “So you were a total bitch in high school? I never would have guessed that.”
It was getting really warm in that gym. “I didn’t think I was. According to Stacy, though, I was a judgmental, man-stealing beeyotch. But I remember always feeling like the one who was picked on. I’m starting to think that high school is traumatic for everyone.”
I fanned my face. What, did they turn up the heat in the last few minutes?
“I was homeschooled. The Depression was way depressing. I think that’s why I love a good party these days.”
“Yeah, probably.” I rested my head against his shoulder. “Stacy was obviously crazy and obsessed. She even knew I was a vampire. She seemed surprised that I’d never bitten anyone before when I explained that I was definitely not evil in any way. Actually, it was more like she was amused by that.”
“She sounds like a total cow.”
I pushed away from him a bit. “Is it seriously hot in here or is it just me?”
He leaned back and looked at me with a frown. “Sarah, what is up with your eyes?”
I frowned. “What do you mean? Is there something wrong with my eyes?”
“Yeah. They’re completely black.”
My frown deepened. “That is really strange.”
And then I sank my fangs into George’s neck.
Chapter 7
George screamed and tried to pull away from me but I held on tight. I was so freaking thirsty and I’d never had any idea how unbelievably delicious he was.
“Sarah, what the hell are you doing?” he managed.
I ignored him. Honestly, the guy talked too much for his own good.
I faintly heard the voices of other couples around us on the dance floor.
“What is Sarah doing to Jim-Bob? I thought she was here with somebody.”
“Poor Jim-Bob! The woman is obviously a tramp.”
“She’s giving Jim-Bob a dance floor hickey! That is so hot!”
After a moment, I felt strong hands clamp down on my upper arms and I was wrenched away from George’s neck. He stared at me with wide eyes, with his hand now pressed against the side of his throat.
“Sarah,” Thierry said sharply into my left ear. “We must leave.”
Without another word, he forcibly dragged me off the dance floor, pulling me through the gymnasium and then out to the bright hallway. After another moment I felt the cold night air as we left the high school to go outside to the parking lot. I glanced back over my shoulder at the interior of the high school I’d spent four years at. I was still thirsty. What was going on? Why wasn’t I back inside?
“Sarah,” Thierry said, gently shaking me. “Sarah! Snap out of it!”
Slowly, as I breathed the fresh air, my head began to clear. My heart drummed in my chest, making me aware again of my still-tender stake wound, as I reflected on the last five minutes of my life.
“Oh, my God.” My eyes widened and