Chapter 5 - Hana

I didn’t have time to call Dani about Professor Weeber. I had a few days before my next class with Weeber, so that it could wait. I did, however, take some preventative measures against vampires in general. Since I wasn’t sure how many vampires were here, I bought one of those faucet Brita filters and put vervain in the filter so all our water would have vervain. That way, Pam was also protected. 

I may not know Pam well, but she’s my roommate, and I feel responsible for her safety as the person aware of the supernatural dangers lurking out there. Weeber may be alone, but I won’t take any chances. Better safe than sorry, as Uncle John says. Plus, Pam is social, which could unknowingly place her in dangerous situations, perhaps not with Weeber but with other vampires lurking about. While I doubt any of the rugby players she’s looking to get close to are supernatural, especially vampires, she does like going out at night and to off-campus clubs and bars.

“Hurry up, chica!” Pamela yelled from the common space of our dorm.

Remember how I said she likes to go off-campus to clubs? Yeah, somehow, I’ve been talked into joining her on tonight’s quest for ‘chunk.’ That word still sounds weird to me. Since Aurelia called my dad a chunk, I have been nauseated hearing the term. To save the contents of my stomach, I’ll call Pamela’s quest to hook up with a rugby player tonight. I won’t shame her for having a type. We all do. My type is just more connected to their IQ than muscles. 

“I’m coming!” I shouted, putting in my black chandelier earrings.

I’m not going to Toad’s Place with plans to hook up with anyone, but that doesn’t mean I won’t dress up. I’m a princess, I know how to dress up, and I enjoy dressing up, especially if my dad and uncle aren’t around to police what I’m wearing. Both would likely lose it and demand I change clothes if they saw me in this strapless pansy print mini dress and my strappy black four-inch heels. I may not be a tall and leggy woman like Aurelia, but with the length of my dress and the heels, I look it. 

“Looking hot.” Pamela whistled from my doorway. “You sure you aren’t looking to get some tonight?”

“Says the girl wearing that.” I rolled my eyes. 

“The difference is that I admit I’m looking to get some.” Pamela smiled, hand on her hip. “Now, let’s go before all the hot chunks are taken.”

“Yes, let’s go.” I nodded, internalizing a shudder at the term.

If standing out was her goal for tonight, she hit the nail on the head. At least, that’s the conclusion I came to as heads turned in our direction as we entered the club. I’m not nearly vain enough to think it was me they were looking at. Pamela stood out in her strapless bodycon mini dress with a bold purple, orange, and blue geometric pattern accented with a black outline and matching blue platform high heels. The outfit looked great on her and certainly highlighted her curves.

“PAM!” Someone shouted.

I could barely hear them over the music. A group of people hurried over to us, led by a guy waving his arm. He must have been the one who called out to her. How he looked at her when he reached out was clear in any language: he wanted to get with her. Unfortunately for him, he’s skinny, which isn’t Pam’s physical type. Pam smiled at her friends, hugged the other girls, and avoided contact with the guy.

“Hey, everyone. This is my roomie Hana, whom I’d told you about. She’s hot, isn’t she, Jamie?” Pam nudged the guy who’d led the charge to reach us. 

Oh, hell fucking no. I am nobody’s second choice. I was willing to play wingwoman for Pam, but this isn’t happening. I arched my brow at her, hoping she’d somehow pick up on my telepathic communication that I didn’t want anything to do with this setup. Either she got the memo and didn’t care or was clueless as she put an arm around my shoulders to bring me closer to Jamie.

“Uh, yeah. If I was into Koreans.” Jamie muttered.

I didn’t think anyone else heard the last part as he said it quieter, but I sure the fuck did. And just like that, my Kinsley side came out. I smiled at the average-looking preppy white boy as the words came out clearly and loud enough so the others would hear. 

“I’m Japanese, you racist, cunt puddle. And don’t worry, the feeling is entirely mutual. I’m not into prissy jizz stains who I could break like a toothpick.” I scoffed, using a few choice terms I’d heard Aurelia and Dad use. 

Maybe it was the lighting, but Jamie turned white-er, red, and then green. Pam’s laughing interrupted the uncomfortable silence in the group. 

“Damn, Hana. I didn’t know you were so cutting with your tongue. I certainly didn’t think you’d use words like that. Hell, I’ve never heard those before. Brava.” Pam smiled, pulling me back toward her and away from Jamie.

“Just shows she’s a delinquent. She must be one of those trashy immigrants here on a scholarship. Her parents must be equally trashy if she speaks that way.” Jamie wrinkled his nose.

“Excuse me? You did NOT just insult my family!” I shouted, ready to take Jamie down harder and faster than I did Tim Torrez when I was ten.

“Whoa there, chica.” Pam looped her arm around me. “No need for violence. Let’s leave needle dick and his fragile ego here while we go look for some real men.”

I didn’t say anything. I just let Pam lead me away while I glared at Jamie. I’m not my dad’s daughter biologically, but I inherited his temper. Pam was still laughing as she led me to a high-top table and waved down a waitress. We ordered a couple of their mocktails. Before our drinks arrived, Pam spotted some rugby players getting rowdy a few tables over. 

“Go on. That’s why you’re here. I’ll hold the table.” I shooed her out of her chair.

“I’ll be right back. I promise I’m not ditching you. I mean, you could partake.” Pam offered.

“I’m good. I’m less about muscles than you are.” I assured her. 

She didn’t take much convincing. Soon, I was left with my thoughts and two virgin blackberry mojitos. I sighed and sipped my drink, watching Pam as she flirted with two of the guys. I had to remind myself I’m not going to be good at everything, and being carefree and flirty is one of those things. 

“Is that set taken?” a rich, masculine Scottish voice asked.

I’ve heard accents from around the world, and Irish and Scottish were among my favorites. While I’ve spent more time around Irish accents with the Firewolf members in Bloodmoon, the Scottish accent has a relaxing effect as it makes me think of Aislinn, who used to babysit me and still watches my siblings. I turned my head to see who was talking, and whoa. 

Honey blonde hair combed back in a perfectly styled quaff, hazel eyes that in the club lights looked greener than brown, strong jawline with a faint cleft chin, Romanesque nose, and his rounded philtrum lips smiling at me. It was an inviting smile, not predatory but not innocent either. There is nothing innocent about a strange man walking up to a woman sitting alone at a club and asking to sit with her. I should tell him the seat is taken and have him leave me alone. Everything I was taught about stranger danger says to do that, yet I didn’t. 

“It’s available for the moment.” I shrugged.

“How fortunate for me.” He smiled, slipping into the chair.

He was dressed better than most of the people here. I doubted he was a student dressed in a slim fit two-tone wine red and charcoal gray dress shirt and charcoal dress slacks that highlighted a trim but toned physique, black wingtip shoes, and a watch that likely cost over a thousand. He had style, and how he carried himself exuded confidence and sex appeal. I worried I was falling into a vampire’s trap for a moment, but as he set his glass of scotch down, our hands brushed, and I knew he wasn’t a vampire.

“So, what’s a gorgeous lass like yourself doing sitting alone like a wallflower?” He asked.

“My friend went to enjoy the company of bulky, sweaty men.” I nodded to Pamela, who had gotten two of the players on the dance floor and was happily enjoying dancing between them.

“Ahh. Not your cup of tea?” He arched his brow, sipping his scotch.

“I haven’t had the heart to tell her I’m not a chunk chaser.” I shrugged, cringing when I used the phrase.

“Chunk?” He laughed. “Aye, that sounds accurate for the lads. Perhaps I’m a better fit if that’s not your type.”

I laughed softly, shaking my head as I sipped my drink. “I don’t know you to be able to make that call.”

“Well, that’s easily remedied.” He smiled as he settled his right hand on the back of my chair. I felt his thumb brush my bare shoulders.

His touch was electric. It’s not like mate bond electric. He’s not a werewolf. Nonetheless, his touch sent a spark of desire through me. I didn’t even feel that when I slept with Daisuke. How strange to feel it now with this man I didn’t know. 

“Hi, I’m Aidan, but you can call me tonight or tomorrow.” He smiled, introducing himself with a lame pickup line.

“Seriously? That’s your pickup line?” I laughed.

He laughed too, and well fuck me, that sound woke my pussy. How can a hot guy with an accent like that be here and single? I could understand if he was supernatural, especially a werewolf. A human-looking this good and being single? Something must be wrong with him. Likely, he’s a player. 

“Sorry. You know, I’m terrible at flirting. How about you try to pick me up instead?” Aidan suggested. 

“Oh…no. I don’t flirt.” I held my hands up. “I did not inherit the smooth genes.”

“So, you just took all the wit and looks.” Aidan smiled his thumb absently or, more likely, intentionally rubbing slow circles against my shoulders. “Do I at least get an introduction? Or should I call you mine?”

“Wow.” I laughed. 

I should be looking for a reason to walk away, but instead, I’ve turned toward him, letting our legs touch. His eyes felt hypnotic. I was starting to get lost in them the longer I looked. Unconsciously, I licked my lips, and his eyes darted to watch the movement. As his right hand moved to gently hold my neck, his left hand casually found its way to my leg.

“I have a rule. I don’t kiss a woman whose name I don’t know. So don’t make me have to break it.” Aidan’s voice was husky as our bodies drifted closer.

“Hana.” My name fell from my lips.

“Hana,” Aidan whispered, his lips millimeters from mine. 

This close, I could see his eyes even clearer. And that was the problem. This close, I could see flecks, no swirls of gold pulsing in a rhythm. That’s…that’s not natural. Alarm bells started going off. Those hunter instincts Aunt Sarael said I came by naturally were tingling. He may not be a vampire, but he’s something, and I won’t fall into this trap.

“I…I need to go. Early classes.” I stammered an excuse as I spun away from him before our lips met.

“What... but…” Aidan blinked. 

“Sorry, Aidan. It was very nice to meet you, but I should go.” I apologized with a smile as I hurried out of the club.

I quickly got into one of the waiting cabs outside. I texted Pam, telling her I had left and that I would see her back in the dorm. I needed to research to understand what I was up against—each day here proved to be anything but the typical college experience I wanted.