#elementalhqevent

Parties might actually be Ivy’s least favorite thing. In fact, the only thing that came even close to beating it were almonds. She hated almonds. But, unlike almonds, parties were at times necessary for her job. It might surprise some people to know just how much they actually showed about themselves at a party. And there was never an easier time to take someone off guard and get them to answer questions. Drunk people liked to talk, especially to pretty girls. But the Saints & Sinners party was a whole new animal. She’d been to Saints exactly once before, under the watchful eye of a vampire. And it was the same now as it had been back then. Loud, crowded, full of people half dressed and grinding on each other. The only difference was that now everyone was dressed in costumes.

She was sipping on a mimosa carefully, keeping it slow to not let herself get buzzed. But the thrum of alcohol in her veins was pleasant enough to distract her from her own anxieties. Which let her focus on her task, watching everyone. If Saints was planning something for tonight, she was going to make damned sure that no innocent lives were taken because of it. So when she saw a couple head back to the VIP section, her heart sank. It was obvious that the male was a vampire, and by the way he was dragging the intoxicated girl toward the VIP section, it was obvious just how hungry he was. The elemental stood up slowly, eyes darting around trying to find a way to enter the VIP section without being seen by security. Her feet carried her towards the back before she could find one, desperation rising up in her chest. Maybe she was just being paranoid, but she didn’t want to see that girl’s face end up on the news tomorrow evening. 

A hand stopped her just before she got to the curtains separating the VIP section from the rest of the club. “Sorry, ma’am. VIP only.” It was another vampire, security detail. He was much larger than her, and definitely wouldn’t let her go without a fight. Fuck. How could she convince him to let her in there? “Look, my friend is back there and she’s way to drunk to be alone right now. Especially with some guy that she doesn’t know. Please, just let me go get her and take her home. Please.” She let the desperation she was feeling for the girl shine clear in her voice, hoping that the vampire would let her go. But here merely shook his head, “If she’s back there, she’s safe. We don’t let things happen to our guests here, ma’am. Your friend will be returned to you by the end of the night.” With that he gently shoved her back into the crowd, taking up a defensive stance in front of the door. 

Ivy had to force herself not to gawk at him. What the fuck could that mean? Your friend will be returned to you by the end of the night. The words kept ringing in her ear. On the surface they were calm and reassuring, but he said them with such callousness, with such disdain. What were they going to do to that poor girl? But to keep security from throwing her out, Ivy made herself turn around and walk away. Before she panicked or caused a scene. Nausea washed over her at all the various possibilities. So many things crossed her mind, not one of them ending up with that girl being safe at all. What the hell were they doing back there? They weren’t killing people, she didn’t think. There’d be too many witnesses here, too many people missing friends. So they were truly giving the people back. But what did they do to them behind closed doors? What would make them open up their exclusive doors just for this one night? They let in dozens of humans and supernaturals that they didn’t know. For what? What would make them change their exclusive patterns for one night?

 Ivy’s feet stopped directly in the middle of the dance floor as a thought crossed her mind. Bodies curled around her, moving along to the steady beat as her heart stuttered in her chest. “They’re turning them.”