Red Moon

Crow takes me down another alley then through a secret passage into the tunnels. Within minutes we stand outside a club, a glowing red moon its only insignia. We walk past the line and straight up the steps the door opens for us, closing with a loud thud when we cross the threshold.

"Welcome to Red Moon," Crow lifts his hands up, "one of the few places where we don't have to pretend to be mortal."

The interior has a red glow to add to it the balcony windows are shaped like red crescent moons. A Faun runs past us bells dangling from her horns, a very drunk centaur chases after her.

"So, all myths are true?" I ask as Crow guides me towards the bar.

He nods at the bartender whose skin glows under the dim lights, "Most, hey Serpentine."

The bartender nods at us the light making his eyes look reptilian, "Your usual?"

"Surprise me," Crow says. Serpentine looks my way before I can refuse Crow speaks, "she like sweets."

Serpentine starts mixing drinks; he sets an amethyst drink in front of me and an emerald one in front of Crow.

"Trust me," Crow takes a swing of his drink, not bothering to taste it. I pick mine up and pray I don't throw it up. The cocktail has hints of citrus and lavender; without the blood, will it stay down. I take another sip, and before I know it, I've finished it.

"Want another?" Serpentine asks.

"Yes," I say, earning a smile from Crow.

"For whatever reason Vamps have no trouble digesting liquor," Crow says, "it's just the solids."

"So, should I puree my food?" I ask.

"I'd advise against that," a pretty female with lime green eyes, curly hair, a mixture of red and orange. She's like a fiery sunrise, "I'm Mia," she extends her hand.

"You're a vamp," I take a step back.

"I am," she tucks her hand away a smile on her pretty face, "what clan do you belong to?"

"I...

"She's new," Crow interrupts, "that's why we're here."

"The rare survivor," Mia nods as if remembering something within the blink of an eye another Vamp stands beside her.

He looks me over silver eyes scrutinizing as if finding what he needs, he nods, "We'll take her," the man says.

I turn to Crow, "what is this?"

Crow lets out a sigh, "we told you, you need a clan. Mia's a friend, so is Cyrus its best if you go with them."

"And if I refuse?" something within urges me to fight, yet part of me wants to believe Crow knows what he's doing.

"You'll die," he says all nonchalant, "now be a good girl and go with them."

"No," I turn to leave, but something holds me in place. There's pressure in my head as if something was trying to pry it open. Remembering what I've read about Vamps and Fay, I start to build walls, blocking them out until I can move.

"She's strong," Cyrus says.

Crow snorts, "she's stubborn."

"You're as bad as Sean," I say, before head back towards the entrance, I push pat dancing couples and out the door. The wind blows my hood back strands of mauve hair breaking free. Closing my eyes, I start to run in no particular direction.

Fool, you just met, why should he care about you. They're just trying to save their own skin.

I somehow end up before Lake Michigan, the waves barely breaking the surface. Not caring who hears me, I let out a scream. Like a petulant child, I stomp my feet and throw myself on the wet sand.

"Why?" I shout into the night, "why couldn't I just die?"