Everyone who was anyone knew about The Raven, an auspicious club on the outskirts of town. A warehouse converted into a nightclub, it was the hottest hang out the dead and undead had seen in a very, very long time. A seemingly endless line stretched around the corner with potential patrons waiting to get inside the exclusive vampire club, but Mandy just sauntered past it. She wasn’t just “anyone” after all. Yanking her best friend, Michelle, behind her, Mandy couldn’t help but be amazed that she’d actually gotten her away from her computer to go out and party. 

To any who saw the two women, it was a wonder they were even friends. They were as different as night and day, and not just in looks. Michelle was paler with layered blonde hair falling just past her shoulders and blue-grey eyes that watched in quiet observance. Mandy, tanned with long black hair and a rather loud mouth, was always the life of the party. She was content in the spotlight, whereas Michelle was content out of it. 

"Ah, stop," cried Michelle. "Let go! There’s a line." 

"If I let go," Mandy argued, "you'll just try to run away─again." Then, lower so only Michelle could hear, “And I don’t wait in lines.”  

Michelle grimaced and made a face behind Mandy. “And that’s why you were almost arrested at the post office.”

“They dropped the charges.”

“And while getting your license renewed.”

“Also dropped.” Mandy winked. As she turned, one of her fake silver hair extensions fell out.

Michelle laughed slightly as it blew past her foot. It matched Mandy’s silver mini skirt and tiny top. It was a shame to see it go, but Mandy continued her mission toward the club entrance. Michelle rolled her eyes when she noticed that Mandy’s four inch spiked boots ran all the way up her legs.

Whereas Mandy was comfortable as a total party girl, Michelle was more conservative. Mandy had frowned as she looked her over, but no amount of persuasion got Michelle into a sexy little dress. She wore a faded pair of blue jeans and a faded grey T-shirt that had seen better days, but thankfully had no holes in it. Her long hair fastened back into the customary ponytail that aided in her virginal appearance.  

Mandy snorted, thankful that Michelle hadn't insisted on wearing pajama pants out of the house. She swore the girl lived in them. 

Michelle’s eyes widened as the large man guarding the door motioned them forward. Seven feet tall and pushing three hundred pounds made him seem a little like a bald terminator checking IDs. He put his hand out and Mandy grabbed it. He pulled her close and gave her a hug.  

“What’s on the menu tonight, Mandy?” he asked in his deep voice. 

“You, baby, only you.” She gave a little flick of her hair and glanced over at Michelle. “Makonnen, this is my friend Michelle. She works with me down at The Nocturnal Journal. She handles the Arts section, and before you even ask, yeah, I’m still writing the sex column.”  

“You still working for them? Damn girl, I thought you’d have given that up by now and taken Armando up on his offer.” Makonnen glanced at Michelle and smiled wide. “Nice to meet you, Michelle. Watch out for this one, she’s trouble.”  

Mandy gave a loud laugh and grabbed Michelle’s arm. “Come on.”  

“Who’s Armando?” Michelle asked.  

Mandy smiled and pulled her through the club doors. “He and his best friend own just under half of the club and the other half is owned by another vamp.”   

“Hmm,” Michelle murmured softly. There was more to the story than what Mandy was letting on. Although, she knew Mandy well enough to know that after alcohol was added, all the secrets would be spilled.  

Music boomed around them. For a minute, Michelle was sure that she would be rendered deaf by the end of the night. Red, blue and yellow strobe lights flashed all around them. “Yippee, if I don’t go deaf, I’ll be blind,” Michelle mumbled sarcastically under her breath.  

“What?” Mandy leaned in closer to her friend. “I’m sorry, it’s a little noisy in here.”  

“Yeah, I noticed.” Michelle looked around the club and wondered where exactly her friend had taken her. She understood the place catered to the supernatural, but now was starting to wonder if it was a fetish club to boot. Knowing Mandy, the answer was yes. It reminded her of the time Mandy tried to sign them up for a “relaxing” Pleasure Cruise. Luckily, Michelle had read the brochure hidden in Mandy’s desk. Being fed to supernaturals as a sex slave for a week wasn’t Michelle’s idea as relaxing.

“Come on,” Michelle said, “I see a few spots at the—” 

“Oh, look, the bar’s open. Come on, I want you to meet the gang.” Mandy led her to the nearest barstool. Looking at the bartender, she coyly batted her eyelashes. Michelle rolled her eyes and chuckled to herself. Her voice a playful purr that always drove men mad, Mandy said, “Hi, Armando.” 

“Hi, kitten,” Armando answered smoothly.  

Michelle frowned. It was clear by his play of fangs that he was a vampire and she definitely wasn’t into vampires. Not that they weren’t handsome specimens, she just couldn’t appreciate anything that sucked blood for a living. She studied him closer, a memory trying to tug at her brain. He looked somewhat familiar. His dark black, wavy hair hung just past his shoulders and his sapphire blue eyes weren’t ones that you’d forget easily. He was taller than Michelle liked and not quite the body builder type she seemed drawn too, but gorgeous all the same.  

“Regular,” Mandy panted. She glanced over at Michelle. “And the celibate nun here will have a Virgin….” 

Armando grinned wickedly at the word. 

“Mary,” finished Mandy with a smirk. 

“Better a prude than a….” The rest of Michelle’s response was lost in a grumble.

Armando leaned over the bar and attempted to kiss Mandy’s check. Michelle watched as Mandy dodged it without being obvious.  

“Smooth,” Michelle said in a hushed tone.

“Hmm?”  

Michelle looked over at her green-eyed friend and shook her head slightly. “Nothing, so tell me again why we’re here?”  

“To shack up with a supernatural stud for the night, honey. Isn’t that what all you humans come in here for?” a deep voice said from behind her.

Michelle turned around slowly, ready to verbally lash out at the chauvinistic pig that had decided to grace her with his presence. She opened her mouth, but no sound fell out. She stood speechless, taking in the sight before her. Six feet of well-oiled, rock hard muscle stood before her.  

Mandy put her chin on Michelle’s shoulder and giggled. “Breathe,” she whispered softly in her ear. “Dmitri’s bark is worse than his bite.”  

“Is that another pot shot at me being a lycan?” Dmitri seemed amused.  

“Oh, you’re one of those,” Michelle said sardonically.

Dmitri focused his grey eyes on Michelle and flashed a smile that could make any woman melt. “Yeah, I’m one of those. I take it from your tone that you have yet to experience riding a wolf.”

Michelle let out a humorless chuckle, spun around, and headed to the other side of the room. Dmitri moved in closer to Mandy and leaned against the bar. “She’s a hottie.”

“Well, I’m pretty sure that you just blew any chance you ever had with her. Nice going slick.” Mandy laughed, heading off to find her friend.

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