Read Because the Night (The Night Songs Collection) for Free Online Page B

her having drinks with Janelle and Amanda in the lobby.
    “It’s true, it’s all true.” My words were barely more than a breath against her shoulder.
    “Calm down. You knew it could be bad when we came here. Maybe not this bad, but bad.” She led me back over to the table. Her gray face told me she felt just as shaken as I did.
    “Why does it always have to be the worst case scenario with him?” I felt so foolish, thinking I could just come here and fix everything, not ever thinking Tristan was past the point of return. He was dead. I couldn’t change that.
    The girls didn’t say anything as I climbed up on my barstool. They had no idea why I was so upset. They probably expected that Tristan rejected me. After all, they didn’t think I was his type. If only they knew anything about him. If only I knew anything about him now.
    “You guys were right.” I announced as I caught my breath. “He’s a vampire.”
    Janelle nodded and put her hand over mine. She sympathized with me way more than Amanda did. “It’s not that bad, Callie. They can do everything we do, they just can’t go out in sunlight.”
    “He drinks blood!” I wailed.
    “It’s actually a sexual thing.” Amanda said matter of factly. “They feed off of energy, but blood gets them off. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.”
    “That’s freaky.” Keisha shuddered.
    “So it’s all true?” I turned towards Janelle. “The fights, the partying?”
    “Yup.” She said sadly.
    “I don’t know what you were expecting.” Amanda sounded exasperated. “That he spent his off time in prayer meetings? You said you knew him. He couldn’t have changed that much.”
    “He always had trouble with drinking and drugs. But with me, he was fun, and sweet, and not like that.”
    Just like Blade. I didn’t think my heart could sink any further.
    “So you just thought you were going to swoop into town and rescue him from his demons?” Amanda didn’t even hide her laugh. “That’s cute.”
    “No.” I shook with anger. Did anyone think of him as a person? “I came because I was concerned about my friend. I wanted to help him. It’s what people do when they care about each other.”
    “Not everyone wants help.” Amanda smiled.
    “Amanda, shut up. I think it’s wonderful.” Janelle smiled at me. “Do you think you’ll see him again?”
    “I don’t know. I kind of freaked out and ran away. I have no way to get in touch with him.”
    “Maybe I can help you.” Janelle offered.
    “That would be awesome.” I couldn’t leave Las Vegas with that being our only contact. Janelle might be my ticket to figuring out what to do about Tristan. We exchanged phone numbers and email addresses.
    “I think you should leave well enough alone.” Keisha said. “We’ve only got a couple more days here, and you found a hot vacation fling. You don’t need to have your blood sucked by some dead guy.”
    “I didn’t know I brought my mother with me.” We made faces at each other. “Janelle, seriously, whatever you can do, I would really appreciate.”
    Quiet fell over the table as Tony the security guard came up to us. “Excuse me, ladies. Callie, the boss would like to see you again.”
    “Oh what, he’s disappointed he let her get away alive?” Keisha’s back stiffened.
    “Stop it. I’ll be fine.” I stood up to follow Tony back to Tristan. My heart thundered.
    Tony led me back to the elevator and he motioned for me to enter. He didn’t join me.
    Again I found myself alone with Tristan.
    He lounged on a leather couch. He looked about as comfortable and relaxed as he could possibly be, but far too still and definitely not quite human. He had changed out of his stage attire; his face scrubbed clean, wearing jeans, but still the same black T shirt.
    “Come sit with me.”
    I moved across the room slowly. For so long I had dreamed of crawling back into his arms. I tried not to visibly shudder at the memory of his cold finger against my neck, or