Ok this is the last of the material I have written, so anything posted after this will be brand new. I tried to wait as long as possible but now I'm worried either my readers or I will lose interest. At this point, any constructive feedback I get will help me continue to write this story. So please review if you have something helpful to say, good or bad. I'm going to take my time with the new stuff, because I've found from past stories that if I write a chapter at a time, I lose my direction and imagination, and begin to write for instant gratification. Thank you!

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After a series of turns onto obscure backstreets in the outskirts of town, Ambro and Rumer reached their destination. Like the nightclub where they first met, the building had a plain exterior but upon entering, Rumer understood the dress and the fedora. It was a speak-easy style club complete with bar, restaurant, gambling and dancing. The bar tender recognized Ambro who was apparently a regular and waved him to a table in the corner. A waitress in a tasseled dress almost immediately came over with drinks and proceeded to flirt mercilessly with Ambro for nearly half an hour.

A man in a suit, stinking of alcohol approached the table and asked Rumer for a dance. Bored, she accepted. Ambro’s focus shifted. She felt his eyes on her as she danced. The waitress, no longer the center of attention, stomped away. The vampire’s stare was so intense Rumer could feel its heat. He walked onto the dance floor and laid a firm hand on the man’s shoulder.

“May I cut in?” Ambro asked with a cool tone that was almost threatening.

“Yea sure, now you want to dance with her. I was just showing her a good time cuz it seemed like she wasn’t having one with you.” The man’s words slurred together slightly. Rumer backed away from him and watched. The guy was eager to pick a fight there was no way he would win. But of course he didn’t know that. The alcohol and testosterone in his veins began to heat up.

“Well I thank you for your gallant attempt but I can take it from here.” The sarcasm in Ambro’s voice was strategically audible yet subtle enough to not come across as provoking. A genuinely pleasant smile was just enough to push his indignant antagonist over the edge.

“Ok you smug little prick. You’re asking for it.” He challenged him with a wobbly finger.

“Am I now?” the vampire replied with feigned ignorance of the imminent fight. Rumer could see the skill with which he instigated the duel without seeming like the aggressor. He took advantage of the man’s drunken temper and agitated him into a fight he wouldn’t survive.

The man, significantly larger than Ambro, puffed out his chest and pointed at the door, trying to intimidate him with ominous silence and flared nostrils. Ambro sighed and walked toward the exit, his opponent swaggering behind him. Rumer returned to the table, wondering how long the vampire would be occupied with the man.

‘I can’t believe how disturbed I’m not’ she thought, realizing how comfortable she was with the knowledge of what was about to happen in the alley outside. She looked at the bartender who was shaking his head and smiling at the glass he was drying.

‘He must see a lot of drunken brawls’ the girl thought to herself. She ordered a salad from the still-bitter waitress and waited for Ambro’s return.

After an unsettlingly short period of time, the vampire walked calmly through the door, alone of course and unscathed, but slightly intoxicated. The bartender looked up at Ambro and set down a drink with mint leaves in front of him. Ambro nodded in thanks to him and swayed over to the table. Rumer eyed the glass in his hand, silently inquiring about the bartender’s knowledge.

“He’s like me,” Ambro caught on to her inquisitive expression. “We’re occasional business partners.” The mint was to cover up the stench of blood in his mouth. “I hope you didn’t mind my absence.” He smiled between sips.

“I’m a little annoyed at being used as bait but I’ll live.” She had only worried a little.

Ambro finished his drink and stood as he set the glass down.

“May I have this dance to make it up to you?” he offered his hand as a slow song started.

“I suppose,” Rumer replied, playfully pretending to be offended.

The slight inebriation Ambro had acquired from his victim wore off quickly and he seemed to actually be enjoying himself.

“Is this what you do for fun? Human-baiting?” Rumer teased him with a disdainful tone while they danced. “I can’t picture you in bowling shoes or collecting stamps.”

“I have a collection of first editions in my apartment” He dipped the girl dramatically, “and I suppose I’ll be looking for a new source of income this week.” He added detachedly.

At the mention of another world, Rumer had a reality check. “Ugh I don’t want to go back” she groaned.

Ambro’s eyes flashed but he said nothing. It was soon apparent that they both had lost their interest in dancing.

“I’ll take you home.” He stated at the end of the song.