My Peculiar Mates

    The little Toyota's tires screeched on the pavement as the car slammed to a halt in front of the speakeasy. Rheya tossed the passenger door open and scrambled out of the car, before turning around to glare at her brother behind the wheel. "What are you trying to do, kill us? I haven't even had my birthday shots yet!"     "We made it in one piece, relax," Rico grinned sheepishly. "I'll go park the car, meet you inside?"      Rheya nodded and closed the door, shaking her head as he squealed away, before turning to look at the tiny bar. They had driven into Quebec to celebrate her 18th birthday, finally able to legally drink. She bounced up the steps and opened the door to find her other friends already waiting for her.     "Happy birthday!" They shouted, swarming her as she took her seat.      "Are you ready?" Tamara asked, raising a glass of sangria as Rheya took a seat. "Bartender, can we order a round of shots please? Make it tequila." She downed the rest of her drink before grinning across the table.     "Are you already tipsy?" Rheya giggled, moving to kiss her best friend on the cheek. "Don't get too drunk, I'm not cleaning up your puke tonight."     The group looked back up as Rico entered, holding the door open for a couple of strangers. "Don't look now, I see some banging bods coming in," Tamara drunk-whispered, elbowing Rheya in the ribs. She glanced over her shoulder at the new arrivals, and immediately made eye contact with a pair of piercing green eyes. Her throat went dry, for stood in front of her the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. She had brown hair tied up in a lazy ponytail, her low-cut shirt accentuating her chest and drawing in at the waist. It left an inch of skin along the top of her stomach before her high waist black jeans began, paired with a scary high stiletto. Rheya's eyes traveled back up the stranger's body before realizing the woman was doing the same to her, making her blush fiercely. She turned back around, Tamara glancing between them with wide eyes. "Damn, girl! She's totally checking you out."     Rheya shushed her, "I know! Don't say anything." Rheya took her shot in one fell swoop and sucked on a lime, stealing a glance back, only to see the woman and her escort climbing the stairs to go towards the balcony. She frowned, but put a smile back on her face as Rico sat down. She wasn't about to go spend her birthday celebration with a stranger when all her friends were right here.     An hour later, the group left the bar, laughing loudly. They agreed to find a club to enjoy while the night was still young. As Rheya walked back towards Rico's car, she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. She stole a glance over her shoulder and saw the woman, staring at her again with a glass of wine in her hand. The moonlight hit her face and she could've sworn her eyes started glowing. She blew a kiss in her direction, making the woman c***k a smile, before grimacing and getting back in the death trap with her brother.     "Who was that?" Rico raised his eyebrow at her, starting the car.     "I have no idea," She giggled, slightly tipsy.     When they arrived at the nightclub, she could hear the music from the street, and there were several people making out along the outside wall. She pushed past them and showed the bouncer her ID, who nodded and let her in. She immediately went to the bar and ordered another shot, before making her way to the floor and dancing like an i***t with her friends. She just about jumped out of her skin when someone tapped on her shoulder, turning around to find a stranger - another handsome stranger. Her skin tingled slightly where he had touched her.      "May I share a dance?" He asked, his voice a deep velvet with a slight french accent. She nodded, thanking the dance floor for being dark enough to hide her red face. He kept them near her friends, which she was grateful for, before taking her hand and pulling her to the rhythm. The music was loud enough that he had to lean in and speak next to her ear, the vibrations sending a shiver down her spine. "My name is Elijah, what's yours?"     She squeaked out a quiet, "Rheya," before realizing that he couldn't hear her. She leaned in like he did, having to stand on her tiptoes. "My name is Rheya."     "Well Rheya, you are absolutely stunning. Are you out for a good time?" She glanced towards her friends before widening her eyes, realising what he was asking.      "No, thank you, I'm here for my birthday and that's it," she moved away, only to have him hold her hand harder. Rico noticed and went to move towards them before stopping, staring behind her. She turned her head just as Elijah released her arm, scowling. Glaring at him and squeezing his bicep in a death grip was none other than the woman from the bar.     She gasped lightly, watching as the two glared at each other before Elijah bent his head and walked away. She didn't have time to puzzle at the strange interaction before the woman turned her attention towards her. "Are you alright, miss?" Her alluring green eyes held a note of concern.     "Yes, thank you, I'm fine," Rheya nodded. "What's your name?"     "My name is Lia, short for Ophelia," Lia smiled, giving Rheya all kinds of butterflies. Just then, Rico appeared by her side.     "Are you okay? Should we get out of here?" He held her arms, giving her a once over.     "That won't be necessary, he won't bother you again," Lia shook her head. "You and your friends are welcome to stay as long as you like."     "But what if he comes back?" Rico replied nervously.     "He won't, I kicked him out," Lia responded, before answering the question in my eyes. "This is my bar."