Where Secrets Lie

Kara's heart dropped into her stomach. "Fine," she choked out.

Kate rose and headed for the door. As she passed Kara, a devious smile graced her lips. Something awful must have happened in her life to turn her into such a spiteful, attention-hungry woman.

Michael smiled. "That's my girl." He rubbed his hand across her pale cheek. Kara jerked back and slapped his cold, lifeless hand away from her. Michael laughed amused as if everything she did was to entertain him. His laughter infuriated her. With a glare, she spun around and left to get ready grudgingly.

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Later that night, Kara walked outside to meet Michael, but as she laid eyes on him, her annoyance vanished. He leaned against the black limo, looking off to the side as if posing for a photoshoot. His hair was pulled back in a half ponytail, and he wore a perfectly pressed black dress shirt and pair of slacks that looked just off the rack.

Kara stared at him with stars in her eyes, unable to walk or think. However, Kate bumped passed her, she knocked Kara out of her trance. As usual, Kate looked amazing. Her flat-ironed hair smelled of fancy oils that made her glorious head of hair shine like the sun. She wore a tight, short and strapless leopard print dress with strappy black heels.

Kara looked just as amazing in her elaborate up-do, black, one-shouldered, sparkling dress and red spiked-heel shoes, but she envied Kate. Kate oozed confidence in her dress and walked as if the world belonged to her. Kara stumbled in her heels and stood hunched over, shy and embarrassed of her body like a teenager going through puberty.

Hand in hand, they quickly headed for the car, ignoring Kara. Behind them, Kara fumbled down the steps, clinging to the railing in an attempt to remain upright to no avail. She let out a cry as her feet slipped out from under her; however, instead of finding herself on the hard cement ground, she found herself in Michael's arms. She blushed, to her dismay. Kate looked away, jealous.

"I'm sorry. I'm still getting use to heels," Kara said. She pulled down her short dress, trying to make it longer, and hid her flushed face.

Michael stared at her, curiously. Her demeanor was completely different than earlier. She acted more like a broken woman. He couldn't have possibly broken her pride already. "No, it's my fault. I should have helped you down the steps to begin with. I know you're not used to wearing heels. I don't tend to neglect my servants, contrary to what I've shown so far. I will be on my best behavior from now on, and I hope you will too." A devious smirk spread across his face.

Kara didn't trust his sudden change in behavior, but she decided against fighting and went along with it. She took his arm and allowed him to help her to the limo.

When they arrived at Immortal, Kara's attention was entirely wrapped up in the long line outside the club. She couldn't stand in line while wearing those heels. Luckily, she didn't have to as Michael and Kate led her passed everyone in line. They reached the bouncer, and he immediately ushered them inside.

Kara struggled to keep up with Kate and Michael as they crossed the club to the VIP section where the executives waited.

"The party has arrived!" shouted one of the executives. A man who looked far too old to be partying in Kara's opinion.

After the introductions, everyone took their seats and started shooting drinks. Everyone savored the burn, except for Kara who still held hers, looking at it nervously.

"Drink it!" an executive shouted.

Suddenly, everyone realized she hadn't taken her shot yet, and everyone began chanting, "Do it, do it!" She glanced up at Michael, but he simply stared at her with cold, blank eyes that made her body shiver.

"I don't drink heavy liquor. I'm a lightweight," Kara yelled over the music.

Michael, however, was not amused. He simply put his fingers under the glass and guided the alcohol to her lips. Kara choked and sputtered, barely managing to swallow the burning liquid.

"Now you do!" Michael shouted.

Everyone laughed, except for Kara. She burned just as much as the liquid in her throat, hiding her glare. Best behavior, my ass. She thought.

Time passed, empty glasses built up on the table, and Kara prayed no one would talk to her, but her prayers went unanswered. One of the drunken men approached her. "Come and dance with me." He grabbed her by the hand.

He wasn't unattractive. He was tall with curly dark unruly hair. His deep brown eyes reflected the strobe lights, but the hunger in his eyes disgusted her.

"No thank you," she said and shook her head.

Ben tightened his grip on her hand and pulled, but she pulled back. Finally, she pushed him away. He drunkenly stumbled backwards and fell into some people sitting at the table next to them.

In an instant, Michael grabbed Kara and dragged her away. They ended up in a back room filled with boxes and crates. "What the hell are you doing?" He growled low in his throat like a savage beast.

"He was getting grabby with me!" yelled Kara.

Michael pushed Kara up against the wall. "I need you to serve! He is a vampire from the clan!"

"Fine!" Kara pushed him back.

She unpinned her hair and shook it out. Perhaps it was the shots, but she was feeling more confident. She headed back to the VIP section.

"You're back, great," Kate said.

Kara ignored her and took two more shots. She looked around for Ben, and when she found him, she led him down to the dance floor.

Michael returned to his seat in the VIP section. From there, he watched Kara and Ben. Kara kept one eye on him as she danced, longing to know what he was thinking.

Suddenly, her stomach began to churn. "Excuse me. I need to get some air." She rushed outside to the back ally just as Logan entered the front door. He fought his way through the crowd to reach the VIP section, looking quite bothered to be there.

"Look who finally decided to show to up!" Michael said, smiling.

"Yeah, someone has to make sure you're behaving." The tension evaporated and they hugged. "So where's Kara?"

Michael looked behind him at the dance floor, but Kara was nowhere to be found.