Chapter Five

Music blared through the speakers of my convertible and the wind swept my hair behind me. Checking both sides of the road, I made sure no speeding cars were near by before spinning my wheel for a U-turn and parking almost perfectly alongside the curb. I readjusted the spacing before clicking the button for the roof to come back up. I loved my daily drives along the coast from school to work. It set me in the mood.

I headed around the back to where the back door to the bar was. Using the key from the chain I unlocked the door and stepped in making sure I locked it behind me. "Hey Kai!" Ana greeted when she saw me.

"Yo, what's the situation out there?" I gestured at the bar.

"When I pocked my head out there five minutes ago, it was jammed." Ana grinned.

"Really?" I beamed. "Well then hopefully there'll be tonnes of tips tonight!" I cheered.

"Totally have to agree with that! So I take it you just came from sports practice?"

"Yeah, we have a football tournament coming up." I nodded.

"Awesome, when?"

"Next Saturday."

"I'll definitely come watch."

"Are you going to watch the game to support me or to check out Justin?" I teased casually draping an arm around her shoulders.

"You of course," she replied with a laugh. "And to check out the guys too. Seriously, I love you for being in the guy's team, some of them playing out on the pitch. Phew!"

"You are unbelievable."

"No, you are! I swear, you're on the team, it's obvious the guys want you and yet all you do is pay attention to the sport!"

"I do pay attention to the guys."

"Of course, you always reject them." Ana scoffed.

"That's because all they want is sex and I'm not ready for that." I rolled my eyes.

"Hey, can you help me out with my hair. I want to get as many tips as I possibly can tonight."

I nodded and walked over to the mirror. I grabbed the brush and pulled the top half of her hair into a wild bun with strands falling all over the place. Then I separated her blonde curls so that they framed her heart shaped face. Just for fun I grabbed a few strands of hair and plated that. "That hair style with smoky eyes, gorgeous cherry lips and guys will be tripping over themselves for you." I winked leaning down to rest my head beside hers on her shoulder.

"Thanks Kai!" Ana beamed.

Hurriedly I changed into a black denim skirt with fish net tights, knee high two inch block heeled boots and a corset styled top ending mid stomach showing a strip of tanned skin. I tugged the hair band off teasing my hair out of the bun and red tresses tumbled down my back in waves. I shook my head a few times to loosen my hair before grinning at Ana. "I'm done."

"No you're not. Not without this you're not." Ana glared holding up her make-up bag.

"Aw come on Ana; just give me a break for once."

"Nope," she smirked, her lips popped on the 'p'. "Now sit."

With a sigh, I sat patiently while Ana highlighted my hazel eyes with smoky eye shadow and mascara emphasising my long lashes. She rubbed a speck of mud off my cheeks and applied lip gloss. "Okay, now you're done," she smiled.

"Let's go, I want to nab a free drink off someone." I urged pushing her out of the changing rooms with me. I could hear the music and chatter from the corridor as I headed towards the bar. For the next hour I swapped between dashing around serving customers their drinks and snacks and dancing on the dance floor. The bar was huge with two levels, the top for mainly eating and drinking with the bar on the side, the bottom with a bar and a large dance floor.

"Hey, since it's a Saturday night, you know our tradition!" the manager called through the microphone. The lights dimmed on the bar and lit up again to show three girls standing on the counter. I was one of them. As the music began, so did our dance routine. We span, twirled, stomped, jumped and sang. When that was over, it was my turn to serve behind the counter. I'd been working in this bar for nearly two years, first it was mainly part time before the manager bent the rules slightly and hired me, Ana and Louise for real. Learning the tricks with swirling bottles and serving drinks was easy and reminded me a little of the cheerleading routines I saw at school.

"Girls, a bunch of hot guys are requesting for you!" Manager Juan smirked as he stepped over to the bar. "Well done with the entertainment as always, chicas."

"Gracias," we chimed giving him our signature smile causing him to laugh. I hoped over the counter while the other two stepped around it.

"What table?" Louise asked.

"Five."

The three of us bickered and chatted as we walked over and what I saw made my heart stop for a moment. I should be used to this by now. After all, it wasn't that unusual for Moroi to show up in this bar considering its popularity. Although I had to admit, I'd never encountered Moroi around our age in this bar.

In this world, there were three kinds that belonged to the supernatural worlds. Things that only existed in fantasy and nightmares. Three kinds of vampires. There was the almost hopeless kind, the Moroi. They were one of the two blood drinking types and they were the ones treated like royalty. It was the Moroi that ruled the vampire community and they were the only ones that possessed magic. Well, there was one exception but I'll go into that later. There were five elements a Moroi could specialise in, Earth, Wind, Fire, Water and Spirit. The last one was an odd one, only rediscovered a century ago. Spirit had different uses depending on the type, but there was one specialty. They could all raise the dead. They could heal a person back to life and that person would become Shadow Kissed and they would share a bond. On the whole, the Moroi were kind of pathetic, only capable of charming people. Another talent they possessed was compulsion, and spirit users specialised in that. Only a few Moroi learned to fight alongside their protectors, the guardians: the dhampirs.

Dhampirs were born and bred to protect the Moroi. They were the fighters with strength above a human's. There were schools across the world created to teach Moroi and dhampirs. Dhampirs sometimes had another function and that was to be a blood whore. They were those who became addicted to the bite of a vampire. The dhampirs had two respected roles. Role number one: keep the dhampir population going. For some bizarre reason, dhampirs couldn't reproduce with other dhapirs; they could only reproduce with a Moroi. Role number two: protect the Moroi from Strigoi.

Strigoi was the third type of vampire. They were monsters that craved the blood of a Moroi and they had the most physical strength out of the three types. There were two ways to be turned. One: a Moroi could be turned if they drained someone. Two: a Strigoi drank from you to the point of death then forced you to drink its blood. Strigoi were cold heartless monsters and it was the job of the dhampirs to kill them. You could either kill a Strigoi by stabbing it through the heart with a silver stake, which burns both Moroi and Strigoi; or you could severe it's head as well as staking it if you didn't have a silver stake; or you could burn it to smithereens.

From personal experience, I'd found that burning it was difficult unless you were a Moroi or myself. See, I was an oddball in both the human community and the vampire community. I was an oddball in the human community because I wasn't fully human. I was an oddball in the vampire community because I was a dhampir with the four elemental abilities: Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. I had no idea how that happened and neither had my deceased parents but I wasn't going to complain since it made my job of killing Strigoi that much easier since I had the advantage of being a dhampir that could wield fire.

There was a horrid side effect to it though, there was a limit to using the elements and if I exceeded the limit, I would pass out afterwards. Therefore, I preferred the traditional method, stake then burn with a match or lighter. To top everything off, I could also move things without touching them which I found the most bizarre. After some research, I discovered that the ability was called telekinesis.

I stared at the group of Moroi there and internally frowned when I couldn't spot any guardians to protect them. I would have to guess that they were stationed outside of the bar. There were six of them, four boys and two girls. They all looked like undergraduates to me which made me put my guard up even more. Moroi were known to be snobby and arrogant. They often misused their compulsion to get what they wanted from humans and dhampirs which meant if I wasn't careful, they could charm me and my friends.

All six of them looked like models just stepped off a runway. The boys wore casual jeans and unbuttoned shirts while the girls wore slightly low cut dresses that clung to their thin slender figure. I felt my lips twitch in pride when I noticed the Moroi girls' chests were rather flat. That was one thing that Moroi females didn't have in their ethereal beauty and that was a curved figure. I wasn't sure why but it was impossible without surgery.

I could see the two girls eyeing some teenagers on the dance floor with approval. Gracefully they slipped from the booth and glided over to them. The four boys on the other hand practically had their eyes glued to us. Who could blame them? The three of us had curvy figure and Louise and Ana definitely wore clothes that emphasised all their feminine curves.

"Apparently you called?" Louise flirted settling her eyes on a brown haired Moroi.

"We wanted to compliment your performance just now. That was amazing," he grinned. "I'm Dan."

"Louise."

"Would you like to dance?"

"You have no idea what you've just got yourself into dude." I laughed as Louise led him onto the dance floor. "So we know one of you, what about you three?"

"Jackson."

"Quinn."

I could see out of the corner of my eye Ana ogling the two blonde boys. They looked like twins with their identical grins.

"Go on Ana, Juan's giving us a break." I nudged her with a wink.

"Well then hope you don't mind but I shot gun these two," she grinned gesturing for the pair to follow her. Each of us three had a talent with dancing; Louise was the most sensual with a single partner always knowing when to dip and where to rub. Ana was the triplet type; she preferred having two partners for a dance. Me? Well although I was a contemporary dancer, I wasn't into sensual dancing much. I liked dancing for dancing rather than trying to prove something.

I leaned against the table crossing my legs and arms and tilted my head back to get a better look at the last one. He had messy unruly red hair that spiked in random directions, deep soulful sapphire eyes that gleamed in the dim light, a firm face and full lips that were curved in a sardonic smile. I was somewhat surprised to see firm muscular shoulder hinted by his shirt. That meant that he worked out in the gym regularly which was odd for a Moroi. This could get interesting.

"And you?" I asked arching my brows at him while I kept an eye on the dancing girls. Luckily they kept near each other so that if things got nasty, I could step in easily.

"What about me?"

"Your name maybe?" I laughed.

"Drew."

"Well you're rather reserved ain't ya?"

"This coming from a stranger?"

Wow this guy had fight. "Do you like avoiding conversations?"

"Not usually. I'm not particularly avoiding anything, I'm just preoccupied at the moment," he smirked and I could see his eyes assessing me.

"Like what you see?" I teased.

"Depends what you can do with that body of yours."

"Dude, you don't want to know the answer to that."

"Let's test that out shall we?" he suggested standing up. He was at least a head and a half taller than me and he held his hand out. I smirked and took his hand. Well, it would be interesting to see what this guy could do. The crowd had cleared slightly, most people heading to the bar for a drink or taking a rest. There were only a few couples dancing now and Louise and Ana sent me a wink when I passed them.

Without warning, he tugged my arm pressing my body against his firm muscular one. A song that I recognised flittered through the speakers and I beamed at the DJ. I let the music roll through my body and Drew led me through a salsa during the intro before twirling me out so that we danced separately for a while. Throughout the entire dance my body heated up as I let my body loose without a thought in my mind. All I could think of was the music and the way his body felt against mine every time we pulled back together for a few pair work before stepping out again. For the last note, he pulled my hands to give me an extra boost and I had to jump a little to twine my arms around his neck. He practically lifted me off the floor as one of my legs hooked around his hip and his arms supported my waist.

"You ain't that bad." I grinned as I eased my leg down and released his neck.

"Neither are you."

I cast my eyes around and frowned when I couldn't see either of my friends. Panic rolled through me when I saw Ana sandwiched between the two Moroi boys in one of the shadowed booths. Her face was flushed and from where I was I could tell she was trembling slightly from the pleasure. Anger replaced my fear and I stormed across the dance floor. I grabbed Ana's arm gently but firmly and pulled her from the pair's embrace.

"Aw, did Drew not give you a good time? Last I saw you were having fun. Or do you want to join in?" Jackson smirked.

"Sorry but Ana needs to take a call." I said coolly and whisked her away without another word. She wasn't even resisting me; she merely had a dazed expression. Damn it they were using more compulsion than I'd first thought. I scanned the crowd trying to find Louise but she was nowhere to be found. "Damn it. Ana do you know where Louise went?"

"Round back…" she murmured.

I swore and ran taking Ana with me. I didn't trust the boys to leave her alone. I left her standing on the side when I saw the scene in front of me. Dan was about to bite her, his fangs were extended and Louise was eagerly exposing her neck for him. Since he'd held her at a distance to give him better access, I slipped into the gap easily.

"What the -? Oh it's you. You're her friend right?" he asked with a sly smile. I could feel the power behind his words and smiled mockingly.

"Sorry but neither of us are available." I said before grabbing Louise, walked to Ana and took them both back to the changing rooms making sure to lock it behind me. I swore again when I noticed the both of them still looking dazed. I walked over to the sink and got two small shots of water. Then calmly I walked back then threw both shots of water at their faces. They gave a surprised shout and spluttered a little before shooting me a glare.

"What the hell was that for?" they demanded before their looked around.

"When did we get into the changing rooms?" Louise asked worriedly. "I swear I was just making out with that guy…" she trailed off before both of them gave horrified gasps.

"We haven't -"

"Don't worry, it didn't get that far." I shook my head and they both sagged in relief.

"Oh god…"

"Why don't you two get home first, make sure you actually home and please don't let anyone in."

"My parents are home tonight." Ana smiled reassuringly.

"So are mine."

"Good."

"But what about you? Why don't you crash at mine tonight?" Ana offered worriedly.

"Don't worry; I let mine know that I was unavailable." I grinned.

"The usual way?" Louise laughed.

"Nope, I just left him when I realised you two were gone."

"Thanks for tonight Kai. I don't even want to think about what would've happened." Louise shuddered.

"No, I don't think you do." I smiled grimly. They certainly wouldn't want to know that they got bitten by a vampire. But then again, neither of them would be able to remember. "Just go, I'll let Juan know. You two have work tomorrow right?"

"Thank you Kai." They hugged me before getting changed and leaving. I walked them to their cars and made sure no one was following them. Surprisingly enough, none of the Moroi had left the bar yet. I headed back in and continued until closing time. I was halfway through getting changed when I realised I wasn't alone. I span around and at the same moment one of the boys was pressing me against the lockers. "Fuck off asshole. I've already told you, I ain't available." I spat.

"Aw come on, you'll like it I reassure you."

"Piss off Dan." I hissed and shoved him hard in the chest throwing him across the room. At the same time, Jackson sailed into the room through the back door and adrenaline pumped through my veins when I saw the scene outside past the splintered door. Jackson was lying unconscious, one of the girls from earlier was being held down by a red eyed vampire. Three Strigoi were outside. I hadn't fought one for a month and I really needed to let off some steam tonight. I reached into my bag for one of my silver stakes. I had them made three years ago after my first encounter with a Strigoi and I'd been using them ever since. I rarely hunted for them, but in San Francisco, they weren't that uncommon somehow.

I threw the one I held piercing the Strigoi holding down the Moroi girl. He let out a strangled scream before going limp. One down two to go. They saw me and charged into the room. I grabbed the other stake in my bag and eyed each one as they circled me. I crouched slightly mimicking their movements and watched them warily. Suddenly they pounced together but I was ready for them. I dropped, rolled to my left and sent the stake sailing into another undead heart.

The last one smashed into me throwing us to the ground and I lifted my arm to defend my neck just as his head came down. Teeth bit into flesh and I bit back the scream of pain. Gathering my power and using my legs, I kicked wrenching him away from me. He went flying across the room and I jumped up ignoring the pain in my arm. I snatched the stake, crashed into the Strigoi and we rolled around in a tumbling mess. Eventually, after some difficulty I managed to get the stake between us and stabbed it through his chest.

With disgust I pushed the limp body away and rolled sideways to get up. I observed the mess in the room with a grimace. There was a small pool of blood surrounding the Strigoi and one unconscious Moroi was lying on the ground while Jackson was staring in shock at me.

"Oi are you alright?" I asked snapping him out of his shock. He stared at me for a moment longer before his widened.

"Watch out!" he shouted. Spinning around I collided with another Strigoi and grunted at the impact.

"You're that little devil aren't you?" the Strigoi asked with a sneer. "You're smaller than I thought."

"They always say that just before I kill them." I smirked as I plunged the stake through him. At the same time he was wrenched off but luckily I was faster and managed to get the stake through. "Dude do you know how risky that was? If you'd pulled him off a second earlier, I wouldn't have gotten the stake through in time." I criticised the guardian who had their back turned from me.

He dropped the body and turned around to face me with a stern look. I felt my body freeze in shock. I knew him. I knew this guardian almost since I was born. His black hair was pulled into a pony tail as always and his steely dark gaze pinned me. My breath caught as I stared at him. I stared at him and the only thought that ran through my mind was I had to get out. I had to run, if I didn't get out now I would be stuck.

I turned forgetting about my stuff and dashed for the door. I fumbled for the door handle and when I finally managed to get it open I smashed straight into a stiff body. I stumbled backwards into a gentle but firm grip. I tilted my head backwards to stare up at the guardian that I recognised as Joseph Maxwell. I gulped and stared innocently at him.

"Could you please let me go?" I asked sweetly.

"You're going to have to come with us."

"Why?"

"You just killed."

"If you guys are police officers, could you show me your badges before you arrest me." I said cheekily.

"You just killed vampires."

"Really? I hadn't noticed. I thought I just killed two dolphins." I rolled my eyes.

"Where did you get those stakes from?"

"Look, it's obvious that you guys aren't officers so I'm sorry for doing this." I grinned sweetly before lashing out with a leg knocking the guardian I didn't recognise unconscious and slammed my elbow into Joe's stomach. His grip loosened enough for me to slip through and I was just about to run out again when he grabbed my arm and pinned me to the floor. I heaved upwards throwing him off. I managed to get two steps when his body slammed into mine. We tumbled to the ground and I punched his face with everything I had. He dodged at the last moment and he slammed me to the ground again forcing the air from my lungs. For a moment I saw stars and the next moment my hands were being restricted behind me back. Then next thing I knew, I felt a sharp pain on my neck and darkness swamped me.