B Positive by Jewel Killian

Two

My bare-bones studioapartment was within comfortable walking distance from the center of Laurel Cove even for a human, which was integral to keeping up my charade. Its central location was about the only comfortable thing about it, but I didn’t have to waste money on a car. The less I spent, the quicker I’d reach my goal.

It was clean and safe enough, but I had only the barest of essentials. One chair, a mattress, sheets, and a few dishes.

I strode through the front door, not bothering to lock it behind me, ignored the folded takeout menu someone had slid under the door, and headed straight for the shower. I had a half an hour to get drop-dead stunning.

I’d planned for at least an hour, but I’d stayed late to help close the bar.

It didn’t matter. A vampire girl could work miracles in a half an hour.

My gaze caught the embossed invitation, exactly where I’d left it on the corner of my bed. So much planning, so much effort. I’d thought of everything. I’d learned new skills to pull this job off.

And that’s where I’d splurged. Any tool or skill or article of clothing I needed to accomplish this goal, I bought without hesitation. A lady has to know when to invest in herself. I’d stuffed my one and only closet to the gills with any outfit I’d need to blend in to every social event imaginable.

I also kept a storage space on the opposite side of the cove where my safecracking equipment, practice safes, and explosives lived.

True, I could rip a safe door off its hinges with one hand behind my back, but that didn’t do me any good if that triggered other safety measures.

Namely, the hidden pneumatic stakes rumored to be built into the walls of the compound. I’d heard they used so much force to launch, a vamp would explode the moment the stake reached their heart.

The idea of becoming a gooey mess on the ground turned my stomach.

So I’d prepped my ass off.

I showered at top speed, took my long blonde hair out of the braid I’d worn to the bar, and fluffed out my waves. I didn’t bother with makeup.

I didn’t need it, thanks to…well, vampirism.

The moment I’d completed my transition, every physical flaw I’d had as a human disappeared while my attractiveness bumped up to nine.

Nine thousand.

I’m not kidding.

The blonde lashes that were the bane of my human existence were now thick and dark. My formerly watery blue eyes now sparkled a brilliant sky blue with a dark ring of indigo at the edge. My skin was always smooth and flawless.

Makeup just wasn’t necessary.

What was necessary was the perfect outfit. And I’d labored over that decision for almost as long as I’d planned the actual theft.

The dress had to be perfect.

I couldn’t draw too much attention to myself.

But it still had to be provocative enough to blend with other vamps.

And most importantly, it couldn’t restrict my movement.

Enter The Red Dress.

Laid across the other edge of my bed was the dress I’d painstakingly chosen. The ruby hue complimented my complexion. The slits were high enough that I could make a fast getaway if needed. And the neckline was low enough that I wouldn’t look like a prude at a vamp gala. I slipped into the silky material, letting the sensation course through my nerve endings.

It had been nearly a year and a half since I’d turned, and I still wasn’t accustomed to the heightened sense of touch.

The fantastic vision and sensitive hearing had certainly been an adjustment. Sometimes painfully so, but I barely registered those differences now.

And smelling people? That was just gross at first, but I’d grown accustomed to trying not to smell people.

The feel of a fine fabric across my skin, however, or the whisper of the wind on my cheeks…?

It was like a lover’s caress. A gentle, feather-light touch.

I still got goosebumps.

And don’t get me started on vamp sex.

I stepped into a pair of black satin Jimmy Choos, grabbed my invitation and clutch, and headed out.

I didn’t have a moment to spare. Leaving now would get me to the royal compound just before the gates closed.

And once those gates closed, there was no other chance to get in. Believe me, I’d surveilled the building enough to know the only way in tonight was through those gates.

I couldn’t be late.

I reached for the door, and before my fingertips grasped the knob, it swung open toward me.

Shit.

I froze in place, cursing my stupid “friendly come over any time” rep until my muscles unlocked. That was also a vamp thing—preternatural stillness when threatened. It only lasted a fraction of a second, so I wasn’t going to out my blood drinking status to any human that startled me, not that they would think that anyway. Humans were kinda dumb when it came to vampires.

But locking up, however briefly, was still uncomfortable.

“Hey, Eden, I thought you were home. Damn, girl, you’re looking extra-scrumptious tonight!”

My best friend’s warm, woodsy scent smacked me right in the face. He was handsome in a way that immediately signaled I was not his type. Amber eyes, straight nose, and a jawline that looked like it might hurt someone.

Today he sported a chin-length pink bob à la Nicki Minaj from her “Super Bass” days. “Oh, hey, Jaxson. Yeah, I’m headed to a fancy party. I’m actually running—”

“Well, do you need a man to accompany you to this fancy party?” He puffed out his chest and looked me up and down, nodding with mock appreciation.

Jaxson liked to pretend to be straight, and I, of course, pretended to be interested. It was a whole thing we did, but tonight I did not have time to play. “Sorry. Next time I’m invited to a fancy party I’ll see if I can get a plus-one invite. Now I really have to—”

“So, what are we stealing tonight, hmmm? Hearts only, I hope.”

My skin went cold and tingly, features smoothing to neutral. “Uh…what?”

“Oh, shit, I was just playing. But that poker face of yours tells me you are stealing something.”

I crossed my arms. “Jaxson, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to be late.”

I could have made him move. I could have picked him up and deposited him at his own door, or compelled him to come back tomorrow.

I didn’t, because I refused to betray anyone’s mind or trust, even if I could make it so they wouldn’t remember I’d done it.

I’d made an exception for the Chad at the bar, but this was a line I had to draw.

“Mmhmm. You don’t know what I’m talking about like I’m Mary fucking Magdalene. Come on, spill it, what’s going down tonight?”

“Jaxson, I really can’t do this right now, I have to go.”

“Fine. But I came over for a reason. The landlord sent notices. He’s raising rent again.”

I glanced at the ground, spying the folded sheet of paper just beyond the threshold I’d assumed was a takeout menu. I snatched it up and read aloud. “‘Dear blah blah blah. This letter is to inform you that as of the next rent cycle, tenant rates will be increased by fifteen percent…’”

What in the fascist, slum-lord bullshit was this? “Fifteen percent! he can’t do that! That’s gotta be extortion or something.”

It was higher than any other rental on this side of the cove. I’d sooner take Miss Brunette up on tonight’s offer than pay fifteen percent more for peeling paint, drafty windows and a shit view of a brick wall.

Not only was the place so not worth a ridiculous increase, but I was pretty sure it was illegal to raise rent by more than the standard cost-of-living percent or two.

Plus, it would eat into my budget in ways that would turn tonight’s outing from my last, to my second- or third-to-last. There were only so many times I could roll the dice on not getting caught. And more jobs meant more risk.

Risk I wasn’t willing to take.

Cat burglary was not my long-term plan.

And I sure as shit wasn’t gonna let some sleazy little slumlord wannabe get in the way of my dream.

Jaxson nodded. “Me and the other tenants agree. We thought you could…”

I glared into my friend’s amber eyes. “Oh, don’t you worry your sweet little ass about it, Jax. I’ll fucking handle it.”

Jaxson graced me with his dazzling smile. “Thanks, babe.”

And that was why I didn’t lock my door when I came home.

The first time I had to have a talk with the landlord, it was about the building’s broken water heater. Three other tenants had also complained about it, but they all got the same shuffling, noncommittal response.

After I spoke with him, a plumber arrived four hours later and I’d gotten a reputation for getting things done. “First thing tomorrow, don’t you worry, Jax. But right now, I really have to get going.”

Jax nodded and finally stepped aside. “Sorry for bothering you about it. Can I call you an Uber or something?”

I pinned my friend with an icy stare. “You are never a bother, Jaxson. Got it?”

He nodded, and I gave him a kiss on the cheek as I locked the door behind me. “I’ll tell ya all about the lives of the rich and famous tomorrow, okay?”

“’Kay,” he agreed, and crossed the avocado-green hallway to his apartment.

The second his door clicked shut, I shot down the hall, taking the stairs at a speed that would definitely kill a human, especially one in heels. No one in the building knew I was anything but human. In fact, most humans were blissfully unaware of our existence. I just hoped no one was feeling nosey enough to spy through their peepholes. Because I wasn’t blurring downstairs to the ground level for all to see.

I was racing upstairs to the rooftop.