5. Sleeping Spell

The second I walked in, I realized this wasn’t just some regular room, it was a whole damn hall, buzzing with life.

Before I could even take it all in, the bouncer followed me inside.

The place had this weird, heavy vibe, and suddenly, every pair of eyes in the room turned to me. My stomach dropped. My body started shaking under all those judgmental stares.

In the dim light, I noticed something dripping from above.

A drop of liquid hit my arm, and I instinctively raised it closer to my face. It was red. And it smelled... off. Was it blood? Seriously, blood?

While I stood frozen, a big, intimidating guy turned to the bouncer. “Why is she here, Roy?”

I swallowed hard, feeling my heart thumping fast. The dude’s whole vibe screamed dangerous.

Roy, the bodyguard, threw me a sharp look. “It’s a mistake, Josh. I don’t know how she slipped past me.”

“Roy, since when do you let a human get the better of you?” Someone else said.

The room burst into laughter, but I wasn’t laughing. Did they just say... human? What the hell were they?

“Uh, I’m sorry,” I stuttered, trying to keep my cool. “This is all just a misunderstanding. I must’ve gotten lost or something.” I smiled nervously, already planning my exit. “I’ll just go now.”

Before I could move, the first guy, Josh, grabbed my arm in a vice grip. “Not so fast, missy,” he snarled.

My heart was practically pounding out of my chest as his blood-red eyes locked on me.

“Let her go!” a familiar voice called out. When I looked up, it was indeed him. Derek.

“Derek!” I practically shouted his name, my voice a mix of joy and disbelief.

He smiled, and for a moment, I forgot how scared I was.

Tears pricked my eyes as I looked at him. “I can’t believe it’s really you.” But I was also fucking angry. He’d disappeared on me for years without a word.

Josh narrowed his eyes. “You two know each other?”

Derek moved to my side, taking my hand. “She’s a friend,” he said, glaring at Josh.

Josh smirked. “Is she human, though? Letting her go could be risky. What if she’s a spy?”

“She's not a spy.”

“She's not leaving here.”

Derek immediately stepped in, shoving Josh back. Things were about to get ugly when another voice cut through the tension.

“What’s going on here?”

That voice... deep, smooth, with an Italian accent. It sent a shiver down my spine.

Everyone in the room parted like the Red Sea, as he walked in—tall, chiseled face, brown hair, perfect. He looked just like the man from my dream. Wait—oh, no. It’s him. The boss.

Why did this guy always make me feel like I was on the edge of losing it?

He stopped right in front of me, tilting his head. “What’s she doing here?”

“She’s my friend,” Derek said quickly, looking at the floor. “She doesn’t know anything. It’s a mistake.”

Josh, of course, had to pipe up. “Or she’s a spy. Can’t let her walk out just like that.”

“She’s clueless,” Derek snapped back. “If she’s here, it’s because of me. I promise, she’s not a threat.”

The boss studied me like I was a puzzle he couldn’t quite figure out. Then he said to Derek, “You know what to do.”

Do? Do what? My brain was spinning. I glanced at him, then looked away, feeling my face heat up. I needed to get out of there—fast.

Josh smirked. “Let me handle it. I’ll make sure it’s painless.”

Derek rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed.

Seriously, what were they even talking about? This felt like I’d stumbled into a meeting of some creepy secret society.

“Uh, can I go now?” I asked, my voice shaking. “I swear I won’t say a thing. Just—don’t hurt me.”

Derek gave me a reassuring smile. “Crystal,” he said softly, “it’s okay. He’s just going to compel you.”

Wait. Compel me? Like... mind control? I let out a nervous laugh, feeling like I was losing it.

Josh stepped up and placed a hand on my head. Great. Here goes nothing.

But after a few seconds, he backed away, looking... scared?

“It didn’t work, boss,” he muttered, eyeing me like I’d grown a second head.

The boss frowned, his piercing eyes boring into me.

Derek stepped forward. “Let me try,” he said.

Nothing.

Derek shook his head at the boss. “It’s not working.”

Okay, what the hell? Why wasn’t it working? I’d gladly lose my memories if it meant getting out of here.

Desperate, I tried a different approach. “Uh, who are you guys? Where am I?” I asked, feigning confusion.

The boss wasn’t buying it. “Drop the act,” he said flatly.

Welp, so much for that plan.

“You’re coming with us,” he said, smirking like he had all the power in the world.

“What? No!” I pleaded, tears streaming down my face. “Please, Derek, do something!”

Derek looked at me, guilt written all over his face. “I’m sorry, Crystal.”

“No! Why should I go with you?” I demanded, trying to stay calm. “I said I wouldn’t tell anyone! What do you want with me?”

The boss leaned closer, his voice dripping with menace. “If you behave, I might let you serve me. As my slave.”

Was this guy serious? I scanned his face for any hint of a joke, but nope. He was dead serious.

Before I could protest, he motioned for his men to grab me.

“At least tell me what you are,” I blurted.

He grinned. “We’re vampires.”

Vampires? Oh, great. I was about to die at the hands of freaking vampires.

They dragged me in front of him, and he stared down at me, his ocean-blue eyes practically piercing my soul.

Then he placed his hand on my head and said softly, “Sleep.”

What? Sleep?

My knees buckled, and my eyelids grew heavy. I fought to stay awake, but it was no use. Darkness took over, and the last thing I saw was his perfect, infuriatingly handsome face.

What a way to go.