3. Chilled to the Bone

(Quinn's POV) 

Goosebumps rise on my skin the second I step out of the dorm. Shivering against the freezing cold, I curse Emmerson for making me wear this skimpy dress. So much for it almost being summer, I think miserably as we walk across the street. England, never hot and I'm always pale. I long for a place with some colour to it. Somewhere tropical, where life would be so much better.

Living in the UK is like living in a world of washed-out colours. The sun seems to only offer its light in watery patches. The streets are lined with dingy brick buildings, dull grey skies sit heavy above them, as if they have been waiting for a lifetime of rain. Even the grass and shrubs appear drained of colour, no more than an afterthought painted in dirty watercolours. A feeling of sadness settles over me whenever I pass through these areas. It seems to be a permanent reminder of my own lack of freedom.

But when I approached the edge of the city, something changes. Instead of being surrounded by muted tones, I am suddenly engulfed in bright colours and energetic people. Emmerson and Piper walk past me arm in arm, their heads bent close together as they laugh about some secret joke between them. It makes me want what I can never have... Someone to share my life with rather than just a one-night stand. But that kind of life isn’t meant for me. So I accept the cards dealt to me and try to make the most out of what little freedom I have while I'm still here.

We make our way to the back of the long line of people who are waiting to get into the best club in town. It is busy tonight, and that means more chance of me finding someone who I find attractive. I know I promised that tonight would be a girl's night, but the truth is that I am lonely. Seeing my friends so loved up all the time is not helping. It isn't their fault, and I don't blame them for being happy. They deserve it. I just wish that I could have the same warm glow that they have. 

When we finally get inside the dark nightclub, my gaze darts around the crowd, looking for a potential conquest. No one catches my eye yet, but it’s early so I'm not worried yet. We make a beeline for the bar and order vodka sodas. Before I know it, Piper drains her first drink and orders another. This time, though, I take a sip of mine instead of downing it in one go. I promised myself never to overdo it again after last time. With Piper’s second glass clinking on the table top, we sashay across to the dancefloor.

My heart thumps in my chest as the new DJ's music pumps through the club. He plays all of my favourite songs one after another as if he can read my mind. The alcohol floods my veins and makes me feel brave. I casually scan the smoky dance floor and spot a large group of rugby players that catch my eye. Trying not to let the other girls know what I'm up to, I sashay closer to their table, feeling their eyes on me just as much as I'd been watching them. 

Sweat beads on my forehead as I knock back my drink and place the glass on a table near the group of hot guys. The strobe lights pulse and flash in time with the music, and as I strut back to the dance floor, I swing my hips, beckoning for them to follow me. The boys surround me and my friends while we dance. My girls are completely oblivious to the lads' attempts to break into our dance trio. We erupt in laughter as they try their luck with Piper and Emmerson, but receive icy glares in response. 

I close in on the biggest one and wiggle my body seductively to the beat. He takes a step forward and his hands brush against my waist, sending sparks through me. His thick black hair is just how I like it - messy yet styled. Tribal tattoos cover his muscular arms, nearly as thick as my thighs. Butterflies flutter in my stomach and I can't help but feel like I can let loose around this one. 

The last guy I took back to our room wasn't my usual type. He was shorter, and not very muscular, but I was drawn to his intellect. When we got down and dirty things went too far. I felt guilty watching him leave, covered in dark purple bruises. From now on, I'm only going for guys who can handle my wild side. 

Normally, I don't take anyone home so close to the full moon since I'm always a little out of control then, but it's been a tough few days and dancing isn't cutting it. As I dance, I feel eyes watching me. I look around, nothing. Then I notice how many horny couples are here. Time to let off some steam...

I am probably just paranoid, but there have been a lot more vampires in the city than normal these last few weeks. We usually avoid them. It is an unspoken rule. We stay out of their area, and they leave us alone. It isn’t ideal, and occasionally the lines blur, and our paths cross. When they do, we turn a blind eye to what they are doing. There are two reasons for this. The first is because we don’t want any trouble. There are a lot more of them in town than us. The second is more selfish. If our parents knew there was a vampire problem, they would want us to leave, and we are doing everything in our power to avoid that. 

I always feel bad the next day, though, especially if someone found a body. It is rare for that to happen, and I know for every case that makes it to the local news, there are dozens more that don’t. Most of the cops are taking backhanders from the vampires and cover up their crimes. They clearly don’t mind taking their dirty money. I guess their wages aren’t enough to live on, and they obviously don’t have a conscience. The truth is that we are just as bad as them. 

The girls don't notice as I move away from them. They're too lost in the thumping techno beat to realize I'm slipping out of the crowd with my man. We go fast, weaving around bodies that are gyrating on the dancefloor. My friends become like distant shadows in the background. Just as the exit is in sight, I catch sight of Landon, Logan, and the other guys. Crap! I need to warn the girls. If any of them see us leaving together like this, they'll flip out. And then either one or both of us will be sent home. Having those girls from back home coming here would ruin everything!

As the guys get close to us, I reach up and pull the guy I was planning on taking back home down to my level, and kissed him hard on the lips. He was so into it that I could already feel the bulge in his jeans rubbing against my hip. If I wasn’t using him as a shield, I would have enjoyed where this was going, but as it was, my gaze remained on the twins and their bodyguards. As soon as they pass us, I step back away from the tall dark stranger, who was built like a god. “I just have to let my friends know that I’m leaving.” I shout close to his ear so that he can hear me over the music. 

“Can’t you just text them?” He asks, his Welsh accent thick.

“They haven’t got their phones with them,” I lie, and he nods. “Don’t go anywhere. I will be right back.” I weave in and out of the bodies on the dance floor looking for my girls, but I can’t see them anywhere. My phone vibrates in my bag, and I take it out to look at the text. The twins are here! Couldn’t find you, so gone to grab food. See you at home? X.

Thank God they got out in time. I was in the bathroom. See you soon. I reply and toss my phone back in my clutch, and head back to the guy I was with. If we hurry, we will have plenty of time to get to know each other better before the girls get home. It will take forever to get food at this time of night. 

The guy is waiting where I left him, and I realise I must look hotter than I thought because I was not expecting him to still be there. Most men my age that look like him would have bailed by now, and moved on to someone else. “Did you find your friends?” He asks when I reach him. 

“Yeah, they are going to get some food, so I will see them later.” I reply, only half lying. 

“Do you want to go to my house?” He asks when we get outside. 

“No, let’s go to mine,” I reply. It is my only rule. I never go to anyone’s room or house. We always have to go to mine. It is the only way to protect myself, and in a place like London, you are never truly safe. Especially with the rising number of bloodsuckers arriving in the city from Europe. 

I take the guy's hand and lead him to my room. I don't even bother asking for his name. It doesn't matter. He'll be gone by morning. Keeping it simple is best this way; feelings complicate things. If he asks my name, I'll just make something up. Names give you power—they create a connection, but that's not what this relationship is about. I just need his body against mine, preferably naked, but if not, some clothes can stay on as long as they don't get in the way of the important bits.

As we stroll across the university grounds, I catch sight of a vampire drinking greedily at the side of the building. I turn away. I can’t watch him kill the girl. If I didn’t see the light leaving her body, she was still alive. At least, that is what I tell myself. I am going to have to talk to Piper and Emmerson in the morning. We are going to have to be more careful going out at night. The vamps are definitely being more brazen lately. Usually, our presence here is enough to keep them off the university grounds, clearly we aren’t enough to keep the people here safe anymore. 

The vampire problem is severe, but I'm still glad to be here. No rules. A freedom I'd never realised, one that my mother and pack have denied me. Without them dictating my life, I found my feet quickly, and it's freeing. Something I need to keep in mind when I go home. No way will I let them force my kids into an arranged marriage like they did me.

Finally, the main doors of my hall of residence come into view and a sigh of relief escapes me. Time to let my inner freak to fly and see if this guy has what it takes to scratch that itch nobody else can reach. Maybe my parents were knew what they were doing when they chose my mate. I highly doubt it, but if they got it right, at least I wouldn't have to spend my life trapped in a loveless marriage. I'm not the type of person who can be content with a lackluster sex life.

I kick the door open, and his lips are immediately against mine. The heat in the room is already rising, and I'm ready to take things further. Kissing isn't something I normally enjoy, so I pull away and tug off my boots. He's tall, and with my heels gone, he towers above me. Taking a few steps back towards the moonlit window, I slowly peel off my dress, letting it slink away from my body until it lies at my feet. With only lacy black lingerie covering me now, the light casts alluring shadows across my curves. His eyes burn with desire as he bites his lip and removes his shirt and belt one agonizingly slow button at a time. All too soon, we're both undressed, ready for what's coming next, and I know this has been an excellent decision.