A glimpse

50.

His presence hit me like a punch. Energy vibrated over my skin. He was close, very close. I looked up breathless. Sounds around me rose to mirror the rapid pounding of my pulse. I didn't even notice Jared was calling me not until his fingertip brushed against my arm. Even through the thick fabric of my sweater, I felt the revulsion of his touch. I jumped away as a reflex and glared at him. His face showed confusion and hurt.

"I-I wasn't—" I couldn't go on. A clamor sounded on the dance floor. We all turned in its direction. Jared's slight distraction was pushed aside and I focused back on Jacob's energy reading. It hung thick in the air, I could almost touch it with my fingers.

I went closer as the crowd parted to let Mason in. I caught sight of a guy laying on the floor holding his neck. When a scream tore from a girl standing next to him the music paused and I saw it. Blood—lots of it on the front of his green shirt. It plastered the fabric to his chest turning it into a large patch of black. The guy was tall with sandy blond hair that needed a cut. His eyes were large and unfocused. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught movement. A familiar face. I face I wasn't expecting to meet in a sea of shocked and inebriated youngsters. What was he doing here? A smirk broke on his thin lips like he read my mind. But it was impossible. Dad told me so.

He moved swiftly between the stunned people watching the drama unfolding. I stood paralyzed, eyes locked on his pale, pale face circled with jet black greasy hair. Those piercing dark blue eyes sent shivers down my spine. Menacing deadly vibes radiated from his slim body. No wonder I thought it was familiar. The guy from Bloody Drinks. A vampire. A rogue.

"Evening, Bella," his chilling voice carried away. It was low and my sensitive ears picked it up. Bella?

"Somebody, call an ambulance," yells and murmurs rose in waves. His dark eyes never left mine as he approached. I shivered again, took a step back, and bumped into a solid chest. I lifted my eyes to see to whom it belonged only to gaze in Seth's deep brown eyes. The scent of Jacob was all over him, it was fresh. I panted as he held a protective arm around my shoulder pinning me close to him. His eyes shifted to the man I met at Bloody Drinks.

"Shifter," the man hissed. The human kids around jumped away from him. I bet they didn't even know why. Just that their instincts told them so. Seth emitted a deep growl, it vibrated in his chest and spread to my back.

"Let's go play outside," Seth's voice was tight with tension. He backed away, people just moved out of his way and he dragged me along with him towards the entrance. We all faced the threat, we didn't want to turn our back to him in fear he would pounce. I was certain he was waiting for such an opportunity. We walked as far as possible from all the commotion.