Page 117 of Resolve
Raegan
Wepullintoabar parking lot in the middle of the night. I’ve been here before, but I’d been too distracted at the time to really take the place in. The bar takes up half of the building strip with its own parking lot and outdoor seating both in front and in back. String lights hang over the outdoor seating with warm lighting and an inviting atmosphere.
Television screens hang in the corners, protected by an attached gazebo, with different sports games that patrons cheer for. I can even hear them hollering for their teams inside.
“Must be a big game night,” Kellan says, slamming the driver’s door shut.
We pile out of the massive black car and stroll to the door. A bouncer shifts to block the entrance, then nods respectfully when Aiden’s face is illuminated through the hood. The bouncers open the door for us and stare each of us down like they are memorizing our faces. They pause a bit longer on Alice—who is definitely too young to enter a bar—and Sam—who looks younger than he is—but he doesn’t stop them. I guess Aiden bringing them ispermission enough to let that slide.
“Welcome!” The bartender shouts over all the noise with a smile. “Take any seat you can find. Oh! Aiden!”
“Yahaira,” he greets. I can only hear him because I’m so close. “Can we speak in private?”
“Of course! Jillian, cover for me, okay?” Yahaira flips the bar up and passes through, then waves our group after her. We walk through an employees-only door, then down a couple of hallways to an office door. She takes out a ring of keys and unlocks the door.
Jackson closes the door once everyone’s inside.
“You’re all going in?” she asks skeptically. “I think they have a patrol checking the floors at night. And I’d watch out for motion-sensor lights. Bobby said he saw lights popping on through the windows last night.”
Pushing my hood back, I look at Alice.
“That shouldn’t affect us,” she answers, following my lead to reveal herself.
Yahaira nods and hands Aiden three keys. “We’ve had manual locks in place on each of the doors since the bunker was discovered. I know you can use your gift, but if you don’t mind using these so we can put them back in place when you’re done, I’d appreciate it.”
“Thank Yaya,” Aiden says, his hand closing over the keys. “Keep an eye out in case we were followed.”
She laughs and puts her hands on her hips. “If anyone tries to interrupt the games tonight, all hell will break loose. Plus, there’s a heavy mix of norms with us. You’re safe from this side.”
I give Dane a quizzical look at the term ‘norms’, and he whispers in my ear, “Non-gifted humans.”
Ah.
Aiden unlocks the hidden door in the floor, swinging it open to reveal a pit of darkness. I swallow the lump in my throat. The mental wounds from James are still fresh, even though I’ve talked myself through it.
Dane finds my hand. “I’m right here, babe. I won’t let go.”
I nod, nerves twisting my gut the longer I stare at it.
“Jack. Scout ahead,” Aiden orders. My shadow stalks to the opening and hops in, disregarding the ladder completely. Aiden passes Kell a flashlight. “Take point.”
Alice extends her hand to Aiden and the last flashlight in his grip. “The least you could’ve done is pack enough for the rest of us. I’m not going down there without that.”
“So much fear...” the bartender suddenly says, her voice sounding off. She reaches out to me, her gaze transfixed on me as she licks her lips. “Just a taste...”
Dane shoves me behind him, and Aiden snatches her wrist. “Snap out of it, Yaya.”
She blinks, her eyes still focused on me. Then she looks at Aiden. “Sorry, Master. She smells so good.”
“Fucking vamp,” Dane mutters.
“Is that you, Dane? I hardly recognized you. I see you’ve come a long way from the last time I’d seen you.”
“Fuck off, Yaya.”
“Always so ornery.” Yahaira shakes her head. Her dark eyes find mine. “I could help, if you’d like,” she nearly sings, her voice a soothing lilt that tugs at my chest. “Take that fear away. Or just a nibble to take the edge off.”
Dane’s hand tightens on mine. “Don’t accept it, Rae. She feeds on strong emotions, but if she takes too much, you’ll be numb therest of the day.”
