Chapter 2: In The Shadows

'You didn't tell me your name.'

The stranger's silky voice echoed through Layla's mind. Chills coursed through her body as she remembered his cool touch on her skin.

Mia and Layla were in line at a local coffee shop after the class split off for some independent sightseeing. The shop smelled of roasted coffee beans and warm spices. The walls of the coffee shop were covered in paintings and artifacts, and bright sunlight shone through the giant windows.

As Mia chatted, Layla only had one ear in the conversation as she mumbled noncommittally. When the two girls got their drinks and found a place to sit and sip their coffee, Mia frowned at Layla.

"What is with you?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. "You are so mopey!"

Layla shook herself from her daydream about the stranger at the museum and assessed her friend who was frowning at her.

"Sorry," Layla said. "I just… I saw this weird guy at the museum today and for some reason, I can't stop thinking about him."

Mia's frown dissipated immediately. "Oh? Was he cute?" she asked taking a sip of her coffee.

Layla nodded. "He was gorgeous, Mia. If stranger danger wasn't a thing, I would have probably eloped with him right then."

"You are so rude. Why didn't you tell me about him? I wanna see a cute guy," she said with a pout.

Layla snorted. "Why so you could have him all to yourself?"

Mia mocked an appalled expression and put her hand to her chest before giving Layla a coy smile.

"So, did you get his number? Did he have an Italian accent?" Mia pressed, leaning in towards Layla.

Layla sighed. "No, I didn't and no he didn't. I'm not trying to pick up guys from halfway across the world. I don't do long distance."

"Who said you had to date him?" Mia suggested with a wink.

Layla made a face.

"I'm not looking for any booty calls, Mia," she retorted, then sighed, "but if I were, he would be the one."

"Look at you… trying to pick up hotties in another country while you have a boy toy waiting for you at home," Mia said teasingly, before taking a sip of her coffee.

"Ryan is not my boy toy," Layla said scoldingly. "We are just friends."

This time it was Mia's turn to snort.

"Bullsh*t!" she laughed. "He has got the thirst for you, girl."

Layla thought about Ryan for a moment. He was a sweet and good-looking guy who had shown interest in Layla over the past few months. She fell into the memory of when she first met Ryan and how she couldn't stop staring at him.

Layla's staring must not have been too covert because after class he approached her.

'There must be something on my face,' Ryan said.

Layla gave him a quizzical look.

'No, you don't have anything on your face. Why do you ask?' she asked.

Ryan gave her a dazzling smile and ran a hand through his dark brown hair. 'Well, you were staring at me all through class.'

Layla came out of the memory and remembered being so embarrassed that her face turned beet red. That was the day they exchanged numbers. Since then, they texted and hung out on occasion, but so far everything was pretty casual.

The thought of his cool blue eyes brought a smile to Layla's face.

"Good lord, you are in love and it's disgusting," Mia teased again, pretending to gag.

Layla laughed and kicked her friend's leg softly under the table.

"You are just jealous because Ryan is the kind of guy you take home to your parents, and all you can attract are players and dirtbags," Layla teased back.

Mia's mouth dropped open in amused shock. "You b*tch," she gasped. "I am so proud."

The two girls went into a fit of giggles.

Layla loved Mia and their long-lasting friendship. Since they had met a few years ago during their freshman year of college, Mia and Layla have been inseparable. Mia was the type of person who accepted you for exactly who you were.

Mia checked the time on her phone. "We better go," she said, standing. "The class is gonna be meeting back up in like thirty minutes."

Layla nodded and stood as well. The two girls made their way out of the cafe and onto the streets. As the two strolled the streets of the Celio district, they took in the sights of the ancient structures and picturesque architecture.

"Oh! Let's take a picture in front of that fountain?" Mia exclaimed, pointing to a beautiful travertine stone fountain.

"Sure, let's do it," Layla agreed enthusiastically.

The two posed in front of the fountain and took a few photos together before continuing their trek through the streets.

Mia was scrolling through their pictures as they walked, while Layla watched the scenery pass in fascination. Layla had always dreamed of exploring the archaic landmarks of the city and now that she was here, she was completely fulfilled.

"This one is super cute," Mia commented, as they continued walking.

Layla hummed noncommittally and continued to watch the scenery as it passed. She was currently watching as a couple stepped out of a small shop with large windows. That is when she felt it; an electric current slid through her body and made the hairs on her neck stand up.

Layla stopped dead. It was the same sensation that she had felt earlier when she was at the museum. Layla watched the shop with its intricately carved door and the gently swaying iron rod sign above it. That's when her eyes landed in the shadows of an alleyway next to the shop door.

Layla stared into the shadows, but the sun glaring down on her was making it hard for her eyes to focus. But still, she continued to watch the darkness of the alley. Just as someone walked past the alley, Layla caught a glimpse of someone staring at her from inside. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized it as the man from the museum.

Time stopped at that moment and all Layla could do was stare into those intense amber eyes that watched her like a predator.

'You didn't tell me your name,' that dangerous voice echoed in her head.

There was no way that he was here hiding in the shadows looking at her right now.

"Um, what are you doing weirdo?" Mia asked, tearing Layla from her trance.

Layla blinked and looked at Mia before looking back into the alley. It was completely empty.

"Nothing, sorry," Layla said with a laugh. "Come on, we better hurry or we are going to be late."

Mia started to walk away before Layla gave the alley one more fleeting glance, then followed her friend down the street.

***

The two girls reunited with their classmates at the entrance of the Colosseum.

"Isn't this amazing?" Layla sighed, her eyes traveling the height of the ancient structure.

Mia popped her gum. "Yeah, it's pretty cool."

Layla gave Mia an astonished look. "Pretty cool? This is one of the world's wonders! We should feel privileged to-" Layla's words were cut off.

"Ooo, look that guy is super cute!" Mia gushed pointing blatantly at someone standing a few feet away.

Layla rolled her eyes and pushed Mia's hand down.

"It's rude to point, Mia." Layla scolded.

A minute later the class was led through the front entrance of the Colosseum. Layla was enthralled as she walked up the stone steps. They reached the top of the stairs where they could see down into the main arena and the maze-like walls within it.

"The arena floor has long since been removed from the Colosseum. It used to consist of wood and a layer of sand to absorb the blood from the multiple battles that this landmark has seen," the tour director said, gesturing to the arena below.

"Brutal," Mia commented, leaning over the edge of the balcony.

"Yeah, I couldn't imagine watching something so macabre," Layla commented, shading her eyes with her hand.

The class moved on and continued the tour through the observation balconies. On the other side of the Colosseum, someone in the dark shadows of a stone alcove watched as Layla laughed at something Mia had said.

Piercing amber eyes watched Layla as she brushed her long silky auburn hair from her eyes. He watched her every fluid movement as she moved along with the group. Even from the other side of the enormous structure, he could hear the beating of her heart and smell the sweet scent of her blood as it pulsed through her body.

He could hardly control the hunger that coursed through his body.

Soon, soon he would be able to satiate his thirst.