Blood on Fire

Chapter8

I went back to the bar that night.

The place looked the same, soft music playing in the background, no dancing couples this time. Just a few groups sitting at their tables, chatting and laughing over drinks. Some were gossiping loud enough for the next table to hear, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t here for the vibe.

I spotted Dennis behind the bar, as usual, entertaining a couple of customers. He caught my eye as soon as I walked in. He raised a brow and gave a small smile.

“Hey,” he said as I took a seat. “You good now?”

“Yeah,” I answered with a nod, even though my head was still full of questions. “Much better.”

He didn’t push for more. Just smiled and grabbed a glass. “Your usual?”

“Fizzy fruit juice, please.”

Dennis chuckled, shaking his head as he reached for the bottle. “Back to the soft stuff, huh?”

“Let’s not talk about whiskey ever again,” I muttered, leaning on the counter.

He handed me the drink, and I took a long sip. The cold fizz was refreshing, sweet, and familiar. A nice change after last night’s chaos.

But I couldn’t sit still. I had to ask.

“Dennis…” I started, hesitating. “Last night… before I passed out. Did you see who brought me outside? Or who helped me?”

He paused for a moment, then slowly nodded. “Yeah. Actually, I did.”

I leaned in closer, my heart picking up speed. “Really? Who?”

He looked thoughtful. “It was this woman. Tall. Gorgeous. Like... seriously gorgeous. Long legs, smooth skin, perfect posture. She looked like one of those models from a shampoo commercial or something.”

I blinked. “A woman?”

“Yeah,” he said. “She walked straight to you, carried you off the floor like it was nothing, and sat you on a stool. She even made sure you were okay before she left.”

I frowned. “Carried me? Like literally picked me up?”

“Yep,” Dennis whistled, clearly impressed. Didn’t even break a sweat. Said if someone called your phone, I should answer and tell them you passed out from drinking. Then she just walked off like it was normal.”

I tried to picture it. A tall, beautiful woman carrying me like a sack of rice in front of Dennis? No wonder he remembered.

“Did she say her name?” I asked.

“Nope,” he said. “Didn’t even wait for questions. Just gave the instructions and left.”

“Wow,” I muttered, sitting back. “Do I look that heavy?”

Dennis laughed. “I’m not saying you’re fat, Selene. But I did wonder how the hell she carried you that easily. She made it look like you weighed nothing.”

“Gee, thanks,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Hey, I mean it in a good way,” Dennis said, grinning. That woman was strong. And calm. Like she’d done it before.”

Now that made me pause.

Strong. Calm. Confident. Someone who shows up just in time, doesn’t panic, and disappears after doing what needs to be done.

Something about that didn’t sit right.

I looked down at my drink, spinning the straw slowly. “Did anyone come with her?”

“Yes. She was with another woman about your height. I guess they were friends.”

“And no one recognized them?”

Dennis shook his head. “Nope. I even asked around. No one had seen the tall one before, but the shorter friend drops by sometimes. I’ve served her a few times, maybe once a week. Nothing odd about her except she usually sits alone.”

“You really don’t know their names?”

“Sorry,” he said. “They never told me. But the shorter one might show up again tonight. She has that kind of pattern.”

I felt heat creep up my cheeks, half embarrassment and half frustration. Who were these women? Why did the tall one help me? And most of all… was she the one who kissed me?

That seemed impossible. But then again, my life was nothing but impossible ever since vampires killed my family.

I took another sip of juice, trying to calm the anger swirling inside me. My first kiss, stolen by a stranger. And I couldn’t even remember her face.

I glanced around the bar. A few people were leaving. The music had drifted into a slow, gentle tune that made the room feel smaller, softer. The aircon clicked on, blowing cool air across my neck. Still, there was a warm buzz in the air, a hum of conversations and clinking glasses.

“Do you have CCTV?” I asked Dennis suddenly. The idea that the tall woman might not be normal, might be a vampire, ran through my head. I needed proof.

He shook his head. “We do, but my manager won’t share the footage. House rule.” He shrugged. “Something about privacy.”

“Right,” I said, trying not to show my frustration. “Thanks anyway.”

“No problem.” Dennis moved down the bar to greet two new customers, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I took another sip of my drink and spun on the stool, surveying the room. The bar was a mix of warm browns and soft yellows. No dark corners, no smoky haze, just an ordinary place. Yet tonight, it felt like a hunting ground. If that shorter friend came back, I would have to be ready.

I set my glass down, clasped my hands together, and forced myself to breathe slowly. No more bouncing knees. No more straw-spinning. Stay calm. Watch.

Minutes ticked by.

Then the door opened, letting in a cool breeze. A small group of office workers laughed their way to a table near the back. A couple on a date slipped into the booth closest to the window. Nothing unusual.

Ten minutes later, the door opened again.