⚜️ Chapter Theme Songs ⚜️
Lush Life (feat. Dani Poppitt) - Leo Islo215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVhPKpIE0q
Higher - Asanté215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvJVwU4OGe
2AM. (Sage the Gemini) - Adrian Marcel215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlfGmL8HU6
A Menace No Longer
The party at the Abattoir was live tonight. Maybe I felt that way because I had long since given myself over to the magic that had been ingrained in this city for who knows how long. I could get used to living like this... at least for the time being until school starts in the fall.
My dance partner had found me at the bar. His name was Roger and it looked like he brought something with him.
"I got high before I came like suggested last night, I even brought some shrooms in case you wanted to try them with me."
Holy shit. I totally forgot about that.
"Maybe later, let's dance and perhaps I could have a bite?"
He nodded as he led me onto the dance floor. The hypnotic beat of a song I've never heard before blasted from the loud speakers as we danced. The bass pulsed rhythmically and I found myself lost in the vibe.
Turning in Roger's arms to face him, I gently pushed his head to the side. It was time to have a little drink. I stroked his neck tenderly before taking a bite.
His blood had an earthy tinge to it from the herbs in his system. It was a peculiar taste but not unpleasant.
All of a sudden, I could feel Roger shift a little. Someone else was feeding from the other side of his neck.
I looked up and saw Elena.
Returning my attention to Roger, I continued to feed.
Suddenly, my eyes snapped open as I fed realizing it was actually Katherine and not Elena. There was no way it could've been my best friend.
The buzz I felt from Roger's shroom high was coming on pretty strong and it made me feel amazing. So amazing that I wasn't going to let the ever elusive doppelgänger kill my vibe. The drug-induced high was clearly manipulating my choices, lowering my inhibitions. I could never be friends, let alone feeding buddies, with my own killer.
Letting go of Roger, I told him to get some water and rest on the couches.
"Well look what we have here! I never thought I'd see the day where little Miss Mystic left the falls and the comforts of her small town behind for the wild, hedonistic parties of New Orleans."
"Ahh Kitty Kat," I said dismissing her completely. "Go away, you're killing my buzz."
"No no, I like this version of you. Way more fun and dare I say, almost enjoyable to be around. It's giving me... carefree vampire vibes."
I rolled my eyes and started letting the music move through me. This song was so good. The singers were talking about a lush life and I was definitely feeling it. Surprisingly, Katherine began dancing with me. I don't know what she's trying to pull, but I'll think about that later. When I'm sober.
Yes, when I'm sober. Clearly the blood in my system was affecting me. I was actually high. Wow, this is actually awesome.
"Ya know, in all my years, I never thought of drinking from someone while they're inebriated."
"To be fair, I just tried it last night." I put my hands on her shoulders as I kept moving with the heavy bass of the beat.
"I bet people would pay big bucks for laced blood," she said. "Oh definitely, I can see it now."
"Send me my money when you get that check," I said.
Katherine chuckled.
"Did hell freeze over?" I heard Kol's voice over the music. I looked up to see him and Angelique together not too far from us. "Is that Care and the infamous Kitty Kat dancing... together?"
I laughed. "Don't get used to it Kol."
Katherine grabbed a random man passing by. "I'm thirsty."
The man offered his neck to her and I watched as she sank her teeth into his flesh.
After a beat she looked up at me.
"Aren't you going to join me?"
I shrugged. Why the hell not? Who was going to check me? Nobody else knows I'm here. No one at home needs to know I'm feeding with Katherine thee illustrious Pierce.
Petting the mystery man's neck before I bit him, I felt my fangs pierce his skin. I drunk deeply and allowed myself to continue riding the delicious high.
"Good morning, Mrs. Dorsainvil!" I exclaimed as I waltz into her office for my Wednesday appointment.
"Hi, Care." She greeted me with a dazzling smile. I wonder what has her so happy. She had a healthy glow to her mocha toned cheeks. Then I heard a second heartbeat. She's pregnant and she doesn't even know it yet! Awww, that's so nice. I can't wait for her to find out.
"Do you have something for me?" She asked.
"Yes." I pulled out the folder with everything in it.
"Alrighty, thank you for your interest in our university. Regular decisions will be out on April 1st. Would you mind letting me take a peak at your app now? I want to see if I can give you any scholarship applications on the spot."
"Of course!"
After perusing my application for a few minutes she smiled.
"Care this is a strong app," she said. "I don't want to give you any false hope but I really look forward to seeing what you achieve here as an art student."
"WHAT?!" I exclaimed, almost hyperventilating.
"Shhhh!"
"Sorry!" I whisper-yelled. "This has never happened to me before."
"Don't worry," she smiled again. "It seems like your address is for not far from here so you'll qualify for the Mayoral scholarship..."
I tuned out everything she said after that. I was stuck.
Mrs. Dorsainvil basically just told me that I got into the school and by the sound of it, I wouldn't have to pay for anything. The amount of scholarships I qualified for told me that much, the packet she handed me was pretty thick.
As soon as I scored a job, I'd be able to actually pay rent on my place in a year. Unless the scholarships I won somehow covered my rent too. I'll just have to keep applying so the money I make will be my own.
"Here's everything, Care." She handed me another massive folder. "Good luck with everything!"
I thanked her sincerely before leaving her office.
Wow. I didn't even have to compel her a second time.
By the time decisions come out I will have gotten into the school on my own merits! This is so exciting.
I was so happy about my future, I called two people to celebrate. Angelique and Kol.
We found ourselves back at Marcel's for a night of celebration.
"So, Care. What are you going to study, if you get into Tulane?" He asked.
"When I am accepted, I'm going to major in studio art."
"Really," he said with a smug expression on his face. "Art is an interesting choice."
I knew where he was going with this.
"Why did you choose it?"
"Because I was inspired at the college tour I was on, Kol. Angelique will tell you the same thing."
"She's right," my new friend said. "She was in shock during that entire part of the tour. It was at that moment, I knew that Tulane had stolen her heart."
"Mhmm," he said with a roll of his eyes. "I do believe it's time to dance."
"You might be right about that!" Angelique exclaimed as she led us onto the dance floor.
"The cute one is here!"
I groaned. Katherine was back.
Come onnn, I know she doesn't think we're going to be friends. One party doesn't erase all that she's done.
"Kitty Kat, you know we're not friends right?" I asked.
"Oh honey, we're more than that." She purred. "We're business partners."
I looked her sideways.
"Girl, huh." I was beyond confused. What did we even talk about last night?
"You'll see," she said inserting herself between me and Kol.
Soon we were all dancing together. Angel in front of Kol, Kitty Kat behind him and me.
What the hell kind of bloodthirsty foursome had my life turned into?
It was two in the morning by the time the party ended.
"Why don't we continue this at my place?" I suggested.
"Ooo, definitely. I can't believe you haven't invited me over yet," Angelique said.
"Sounds like fun," Kol said. "I'll go get the booze."
He vanished as Angelique and I were walking in the middle of the street. When I looked back to see Katherine standing alone, I noticed that she was messing around on her phone.
"Wanna come?" I asked her.
She looked up from her phone.
"Me?"
"Yes, you." I rolled my eyes. "I'm only going to ask once."
"Alright alright, no need to beg." I watched as she dramatically joined us, trying and failing to hide a smile.
What did I say about judging me? Don't do it. I see the best in people and right now, I see someone in dire need of an actual friend. Something tells me Miss Kitty Kat hasn't had one of those in centuries.
When we finally got to my place, I turned on the radio and poured us all drinks.
"So, Angel. Tell us how you and Kol got together," I slurred. "Regale us with the tale of your love story."
We were all wasted on the brown liquor that Kol compelled himself into. He brought enough to stash my apartment for the next time they would inevitably be over.
"Well... it's not the kind of romantic story you would think it to be," she said.
"Oh don't be scared to tell them, darling." Kol nudged her playfully. "She gave me an aneurysm when I tried to feed on her."
"Wowww!" Kitty Kat burst into laughter. "That's one way to start a relationship."
"You tried to feed on her??" I threw the bottle cap from the bottle of bourbon I was drinking from at him. "Rude."
"I thought so too, hence the aneurysm." Angel gave him a pointed look. "I was on campus late one night finishing an art project. I could tell someone was watching me, turns out it was this idiot tryna take a bite."
I tossed my head back and laughed when Angel smacked Kol upside the head.
"And what brings you to the Crescent City, Kitty Kat?" Angel asked.
She was quiet for a moment, I could tell she was debating how much to tell us.
"I actually just got here a few days ago, needed to lay low for awhile. Of course when in famous city of New Orleans it's rude not to party," Katherine said. "Imagine my surprise when I happened to see Care-Bear dancing away in the middle of the dance floor. I just had to say hello."
"Riiiight and I suppose you were serious about being business partners too," I said. "Or is that a ruse."
"That, my dear, is not a ruse. I don't play about my money," the doppelgänger said. "In fact, I've started soliciting the opinion of some associates on whether they would purchase blood laced with the drug of their choice."
"Really now, and what did they say?" Kol asked. He was clearly intrigued.
"They were very interested and upset they never thought of it first."
"Okay, so what does this have to do with me?" I asked.
"Technically, it was your idea." She glanced at me. "All I'm going to do, is bring it to life."
"So, I'd be what? A blood dealer?" I asked sarcastically.
"That's exactly what you'd be," she said with a devious smirk on her face.
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