Still lost in his thoughts, he realized that indeed he’s distrustful of almost anything. Too calculative and cautious that he could only count the number of hired- hands they have, but that was necessary even if he wasn’t like that. There’s always a chance of a sudden stray human so he couldn’t risk being slack about it.

All of his workers have undergone thorough background checks and definitely should be categorized as non- human. She passed all of those but Jared’s guts told him something else. “I’d just keep an eye on her then.”

So he did, he sat inside his office that overlooked the whole club area. Part of the office walls were made of one-way glass allowing him privacy from the outside but unobstructed observer’s eyes from the inside. It bore a huge hole on his bank account but it was worth every penny especially for times like these and when he needed privacy for his other needs.

The lights inside the club were already turned on and he saw how each of his employees made way to their respective stations. Carlisle wiped his bar surface one last time before Cloyd the DJ put his headphones on and minutes later, the club was filled with music. Clubbers started to arrive in groups or by couples. There were some that came alone and right away flocked around the bar island. Meanwhile, he sat still on his office coach whilst he waited and watched in silence.

Magenta did nothing suspicious for the first half of the shift. She cheerily waited tables and occasionally flirted with the ones who sat on the bar. That eased a bit of tension from him but he continued his watch until a flash of vivid red caught his interest. His eyes drifted to the VIP entrance then back to Magenta, she stood rooted to the spot and was also interested with the newcomer, too interested that she didn’t move for 3 minutes and Jared thought it’s alarming.

Elliot chattily ushered the new face into the premises, she seemed at ease with the shape shifter which was good. “Elliot my man, smooth as ever”. There’s a charm that spiked his curiosity, possibly it was the paleness of her skin or the sharp feline-like eyes that seemed to glow in contrast to the club’s clash of darkness and colored lights. Could it be the way she confidently carried herself or maybe the way she gracefully and stealthily moved like a cat towards a vacant table. He couldn’t point it out but he’s sure that she held his full attention. “This could be interesting,” he claimed.

Blatantly, he checked her out and again thanked his bank account for privileges like these. The one-way glass wall was now one of his favorites. Of course his vampire skills were his top favorites. Especially now that his enhanced vampire vision outdid night vision, long range and HD view equipped gadgets. She’s clear as day even amidst the dark and distance and he liked what he was seeing.

Her face was an enigmatic mix of innocence and seduction and those eyes hidden behind spiteful round glasses were too mysterious to begin with. “What are you thinking Red huh?” Surprised that he gave her a nickname made him smile. “It fits you though, so am a call you Red.”

Yes, he named her red because why not? For the love of anything holy, he didn’t have the slightest idea of what her name was but her hair color’s Red. You couldn’t blame him for coming up with such a lame nickname but it’s better than nothing.

Tempted to talk to her or better get her number, he peeled himself from the sofa to join the chaos outside and maybe play as a good host to her. However, he decided not to when he saw Magenta approach her. It’s crystal clear that the waitress was trying to lure her by vampire pheromones. He could imagine the citrusy smell of Magenta enveloping her.

Signs of wanting to feed rippled through Magenta’s aberrant actions, she was flushed, fidgety and aroused too. “The piece of shit! She wouldn’t dare.” The girl seemed unaffected though, if he were to judge based on her facial reactions. The waitress leaned close to her and whispered something that made her upset.

A territorial streak convulsed throughout his system, the urge to snap Magenta’s neck for daring to get close to her was so strong it confused him. He regarded himself as cool, calm and collected even in the middle of hunting so the sudden outburst of animalistic instinct that possessed him was a conundrum.

Nevertheless, he dashed out of the office just in time to catch Magenta as she added a few drops of her blood to the red-heads drink. “The fucker! She really dared.” Disbelief and rage etched his face whilst he strode towards Red. “Protect,” echoed loudly in his head and the strong desire to do so wanted him to rip the waitress to pieces.

The moment he stepped out a faint sweet and luscious scent attacked him. It reminded him of salted caramel with a trace of coffee. He inhaled a lungful of it and just like the effects of caffeine all of his senses woke up. The enticing fragrance trailed to Red’s who by now appeared to be in a trance. “No wonder Magenta wanted to bind you as her personal blood bag you smell so good baby.” His emotions drifted to and fro between lividness to arousal. “What are you doing to me Red?”

Red was about to take a sip when he gripped her wrist to stop her. She was confused and it upset her causing the intensity of her distinct smell to spike. He wasn’t prepared for the concentrated smell that she innocuously emitted that he felt assaulted. “Fuck!” He suppressed a growl that threatened to escape his lips.

Up close, he caught a whiff of a subdued human undertone but couldn’t agree more that her beauty was out-of-this world despite being one. From afar she’d easily be mistaken for either a shape shifter with the way she moved or a witch because of her features. “Damn! I’m never wrong in figuring a person out. Well there’s always a first.”

An acrid citrusy scent brought his attention back to the other vampire. All rage came back with a vengeance or even more. The waitress was surprised with the sudden interruption. She even dared to hiss at him. However, life drained out of her the moment she realized the identity of the intruder.

Not that she’s already pale in the first place and they were supposed to be dead anyway. His eyes squinted and the fangs bared themselves. The mere sight of Magenta stirred the murderous beast in him. The need to snap her neck and tear her apart grew stronger by the second making it barely controllable. It’s a miracle that the waitress still stood there alive and breathing.

“My my, Magenta, this is getting out of hand. You ought to be punished for this.” Voice laced with venom, she understood his promise of impending doom. The tremble of her lips and burning note in her scent told him of her fear. “Yes you should fear me bitch!”

Magenta didn’t want to push her luck. She scurried away from that cold, murderous glare that Jared didn’t care to hide at all. His face was stoic but the windows of his soul told another story. The once calm sea reflected on them was now a turbulent storm, ready to destroy anything on its wake.

Even after the waitress left and there was no direct threat to the red head, Jared struggled to tame the monster that ached to be unleashed. The need to hurt, rip and kill remained burning inside him that it made him hesitant to even move a finger. Until, a distraught fragrance of caramel aided him to pacify the beast that threatened to surface. “Don’t worry baby you’re safe now.”