Failed Aggressive Negotiations II

The club itself looked like an average one; the same black-and-white pattern continued from the hallway. To the left was a DJ booth, currently empty. Straight ahead was a slightly large dance floor, and a little further from it was the bar that went from one side of the club to the other. There was also a staircase leading to the upper floors.

A man’s head at the bar popped up, his face looking nervous as he saw Paul. He stood and jumped behind the bar, knocking all the glasses to the ground. He ran out through a door that was hard to see. Momentarily, sunlight came through before the door closed behind him.

And there goes Mark, Ian sighed. I don’t feel like running after someone today.

Paul quickly took off after him. “Stay here and for the love of God, don’t do anything stupid,” he commanded, already halfway across the dance floor.

Don’t have to tell me twice!

Nadia nodded at Blake’s back and looked at Ian. “Would you like to dance?” she joked.

Ian went to reply, but felt the hair on his neck rise. He glanced around the room, trying to see anything out of place. Other than the DJ, there was no one else, not even a bartender.

The stress is starting to get to me. He took a breath to relax. He had to look around and start asking questions.

When he went to move forward, suddenly a black blur appeared in front of him. Nadia stepped in front of him, catching a punch aimed at his head. The force of the blow sent her back slightly.

The person was pale, oddly pale, with two long teeth that stopped at their chin. Ian shivered at the dark black eyes as they struggled to free their arm.

Nadia kept hold of the person’s arm and pulled them toward her, ramming her knee into their face. A loud crunch echoed over the music as the person went flying backward, blood spraying through the air. The person’s body landed on the ground with a loud thud.

Ian was impressed by her fighting and wanted to ask questions. Suddenly, the feeling that something was wrong returned, causing him to look around.

“Duck,” he heard a person whisper in his ear. Trusting the voice, he dropped immediately. At that moment, a wind blew across his back, and something struck the ground behind him.

“Huh, I guess my movements were a little slow if a mortal like you could track it,” a slick voice sneered. “A pity for you; I’m afraid your death now will be more… painful.”

Ian turned to the voice. Standing there was a man in an all-black suit, with red trim around his clothes, his hair slicked back. On his feet was a pair of black dress shoes, but his unnaturally pale skin offset the look. The man twitched and disappeared.

The world spun as Ian was moved out of the way. In the spot was the man’s clawed hand. Nadia had reacted quickly and pulled him out of the way of the strike that would’ve cut his neck.

I didn’t even see him move. What the hell! He thought his heart pounded out of his chest.

The person went for another attack, but Nadia blocked it with her leg. “Why the fuck are you bloodsuckers awake during the day?” she spat, her skin turning slightly red.

The man jumped back, looking cocky at Nadia. “So you know of us then?”

“Yeah, I know all about your foul race!” She released Ian and got into a stance. Her muscles flexed, and her eyes stayed locked on the man in front of them.

Bloodsuckers? Did she mean vampires? They exist too! Also, why is Nadia so calm about this? Ian looked between the man and Nadia. “Not going to lie, I’m confused,” he admitted out loud.

The man sneered. “Shut up, boy, let the adults talk.”

“Don’t tell him to shut up, you devil’s reject,” Nadia growled.

“So, based on the conversation, you’re a vampire, right?” Ian asked.

“Yes, you dumbass, keep up!” Nadia and the man both yelled back at the same time.

“Good,” Nadia replied before running towards the vampire. “Can we fight now? I’m tired of looking at your ugly ass face!”

“Oh, how sassy! You two are the most amusing mortals I’ve seen in a while,” the vampire chuckled before taking his jacket off. “If you like to try your hand at fighting me, it’s your funeral.”

Nadia said nothing else and charged at the vampire — so quickly that Ian barely caught sight of her.

The vampire swung his clawed hand at her, but she quickly dodged it by sliding underneath the swipe. She pushed herself off the smooth floor and threw a roundhouse kick at the back of the vampire’s head.

Faster than Ian could register, the vampire turned and caught Nadia’s boot. The force their locked limbs created a small gust of wind.

“Hoho, for a mortal you’re quick,” the vampire giggled, a strange sparkle in his eyes.

“What can I say? I’m special,” Nadia replied, with no sign of fear.

She grabbed the vampire’s wrist and flipped. Using the momentum to bring her other leg up and drag him to the ground, she secured an arm lock. A shocked look crossed the vampire’s face at the sudden technique.

I can’t believe she can fight this well. His heart sped up as he watched her transition to trapping the vampire in a triangle chokehold.

The vampire picked up Nadia before slamming her back onto the ground. On the second slam, the impact caused her grip to loosen. The vampire pushed up and threw a punch at her face. She dodged to the left, causing him to overextend enough for Nadia to flip them over with her on top.

She quickly jumped to her feet and entered a loose stance, one fist up, the other down at her belt line, her knees slightly bent. “Time for round two fucker!”