I rarely sat with others. But tonight, I was dragged along. There was a soft crackle of the bonfire and a boisterous sound of conversation filling the chilly night air. The smoke climbed up to the stars, like a drifting dream, and the fire was warm. It grounded me into a soft bubble of my own. I was still learning how to be in a moment like this. Surrounded by the comradery of the people I had spent two years with, I barely remembered most of their names. But I don’t think it would have bothered most of them. I swirled the water in my cup and brought it up to my lips to drink.

That’s when the weight of someone sitting next to me disturbed the peace I had been enjoying. Glancing out of the corner of my eye, I saw a familiar mess of blonde hair. Here we go... Twice in one day was certainly a new record for him. Usually, he was great at respecting the space I required without pushing limits. 

Clay pressed his shoulder against mine, making me suddenly hyper aware of his warmth over the fire. Out of the corner of my eye I saw his tongue wet his teeth. His nose scrunched; like he must have something weighing on his mind. “What kind of people are you into?” He finally asked casually, bringing his drink up to his mouth for a sip, eyes drifting upward like he was purely innocent with his question. I could see how flushed his cheeks were. He was tipsy, if not drunk.

I nearly spit. After I recovered from the initial shock of his question, I finally answered. “That’s a bit personal, don’t you think? And what happened to nice greetings, like hello?” I raised a brow at him.

He chuckled to himself. “Sorry, hello.” He waved his hands with a dramatic flair. His drink sloshed roughly against the sides of the cup. “I’m just trying to get to know the stick up his ass guy, what’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing’s wrong with it I suppose.”

He chuckled, leaning his head against my shoulder, closing his eyes. “Ya’know, I like you better like this.”

Something flipped in my chest. “What do you mean?”

“You looked like you actually belonged here. Like for once, you weren’t holding yourself away from us.”

“I never hated it here. I just need to be careful.”

He leaned back, looking up at me. “That’s why people are still scared of you, ya’know? Because you try and be a gentle giant, like just touching someone will break them.” I eyed his drink as he waved his hands in his frustrated rant, quite worried he would spill it, I placed my hand on the top of his drink and pushed it down into his lap to which he let out a little whine of protest. “What?”

“I think it’s about time that you stopped for the night. You’re definitely drunk.” Clay let out another whine before leaning his forehead on my shoulder.

“Nooooo,” He dragged it out, dramatically grabbing onto my arm, like I told him something horrible. I could feel attention beginning to be drawn to us.

I looked up in a panic and caught Wilder smiling at me from across the bonfire. He leaned over to whisper to Odeya, a woman with fiery red hair, and an equally fiery personality. Her eyes looked up to us and she was grinning ear to ear as she leaned forward to watch us with intrigue. She raised her cup to me in a silent toast, earning a playful jab from Wilder. I wanted to shove them both into the fire for it.

She and Wilder had been close friends for the last year, and they were a force to be reckoned with. I could only imagine what they were talking about. Both constantly did their best to put me in situations just like this to ‘promote friendship'. I felt Clay lift his head from my shoulder. “Are you feeling better now? Everyone’s staring.”

“I would feel better if you answered my question. Are you just too nervous to answer it? Because I can tell you my answer first if that helps? I am into-”

“Woah, ok. Let’s not bring that up again. I really think you need some sleep. Let’s get you to bed.” I stood and offered my hands to him. He looked up at me with a silly grin.

“Oh? Should I read in-between some lines here?” He set his bottle down and grabbed the hands I was offering him.

“No.”

“You’re no fun.” He stumbled a bit when he stood. “If you’re just shy, say so.”

“I am going to not answer you anymore, okay? You are very drunk.” I turned to look at the group. “I’ll be back; I’m going to make sure Clay makes it to bed okay.”

There wasn’t much of an answer to my statement, but I could feel their eyes on me as I began to lead Clay back into the castle. I had my arm around his waist to help him keep his balance. Clay hummed happily and bobbed his head to his imaginary song. Getting him through the castle and up the stairs to the second floor proved to be a challenge with his drunk stumbling. He had his arm around my neck and hung there like a damn monkey, not a care in the world with the effort it was taking to get him to a safe place. “You’re surprisingly strong for someone with so much emotional repression.” Clay slurred.

“You just never know how to shut up, do you?” He snorted out a laugh, ugly and loud. “Just make sure, if you need to throw up, don’t do it on me please.”

“No promises.” He sang it like it was nothing. I could only roll my eyes. 

“Don’t get used to this. I will never do this again.” I threatened him.

“Don’t deny that you like this. This could be our thing. You are so nice Wrennie.” Clay tossed his weight around and it was getting on my nerves for sure, I nearly melted at the sight of his bedroom door.

I pushed open his door and led him over to his bed. He flopped back. He stretched his arms out over his head. Humming with content amongst his pillows and blankets. When he opened his eyes, they glowed a deep red and they glinted mischievously. It was my first time seeing it, but it reminded me he was certainly a vampire underneath his snark. “Now what?”

“Now you go to sleep.” I grabbed his right foot and pulled off his shoe. I dropped it on the floor before taking the other off. He was quiet watching me with a soft smile. I turned to leave, but I felt him grab my hand. I looked back at him. “Clay you’re drunk, you need to rest.”

“You're so mysterious, I never know what’s going on in that head of yours.” He tugged at my arm to try and bring me closer. I resisted and tried to pull my arm back, but he held on tighter. His eyes looked up with curiosity. My brain screamed at me to not let him draw me in like this. I could feel the slope I was standing on. A few words, a few inches closer, and I was worried I would fall off.

But when I looked at those eyes of his, I could feel something squeeze in my chest and it wouldn’t let me pull my arm away, despite knowing that slope I was on. One of my knees hit the edge of his bed and I found myself being guided into leaning over him. He beamed a coy smile at me. “I can’t take my eyes off you. Ever since you first came here.” His voice was like something sticky sweet. “You fascinate me. I have wanted to get to know you for so long, but I was scared you would push me away. This feels like a dream.” His fingers danced around my neck and his hand gently cupped the back of my neck. His fingers gently brushing the back of my hair, sending every nerve haywire. But as he drew our faces closer, I could feel his breath on my face, freezing me in place. His eyes fluttered, taking me in.

It felt like he was drawing me in like I was his prey. I wasn’t used to being the hunted, it felt wrong. Making something in my brain finally click as I sat back. “Clay, I’m sorry. I have no intention of taking advantage of you. You’re drunk and have no idea what you are saying.” I got off the bed and he sat up, eyes continuing to trail after me.

“I never got to tell you my answer from earlier. I like people who are interesting.” He paused, then a whisper. “People like you.”

I stopped in the doorway of his room; I braced a hand on the doorway and searched for an answer in the floorboards. “There’s plenty of interesting people out there. Now get some sleep. I’m sure with the amount you drank tonight that you are going to have a horrible hangover and need the rest. Goodnight.” I left the room swiftly after that. Looking back for the briefest moment before closing the door, I caught sight of him, still sitting there in the center of his bed. The moon illuminated behind him and those red eyes flashing with an emotion I couldn’t quite read.

Was it longing? Disappointment? Whatever it was, I never wanted to see him make that face again.

I leaned back against the wall just down the hallway. My breath was shallow, and my heart was hammering in my chest. I clutched at it, feeling how tight it felt.

Clay was dangerous.