Hidden Hallows 131 Guil

Especially when I think about all the innocent people this is effecting. Can I just drink all my problems away? As I knock another gla.s.s back, Ambrose frowns at me and says "You're drinking the oldest release in Dalmore's Constellation Collection, 1964. It's rich and complex with notes of peach, coffee, apples, and cinnamon. This was aged for 46 years, including a three-year finis.h.i.+ng period in oloroso-sherry wood."

I swallow it and look up at him with confusion before nodding and saying "It's good..." I pour another gla.s.s and knock it back as Ambrose smirks and says "You're drinking a sixty thousand dollar scotch like it's ten-dollar gas station scotch."

I choke on the sixty thousand dollar scotch and struggle to keep it from coming out of my nose as I look at him like he's lost his d.a.m.n mind! I look to the bottle with a wild look before looking back to him and asking "Why the h.e.l.l would you bring out something so expensive!?"

His smirk turns into a full smile as he leans back in his chair and says "Because I only drink the best." I stare at him for several silent seconds before clearing my throat and saying "I see... I won't hold back then." I pour myself another gla.s.s but this time I pace myself.

If it's the end of the world, I should enjoy this ridiculously expensive scotch while I can, right? The Vampire was probably there when this was made and bought it for ten dollars! Ambrose watches me close as he takes another slow drink.

Something explodes outside but just like the screams, it's muted. I tighten my hand on my gla.s.s and knock the rest back as Ambrose asks "What do you plan to do?" As I pour myself another gla.s.s, I look over to him and ask "What would you do?"

He suddenly starts smiling again as he says "Me? I would walk away and let fate decide who lives and dies. I've done it many times in my long life... how do you think I got to be this old?" I watch him for a few moments before chugging the scotch.

His smirk grows as he sips from his gla.s.s and says "You know... before you, I couldn't even taste this. I couldn't taste anything but blood but because of your blood, the world now has color for the first time since becoming a vampire. I have a new desire to live and..."

His eyes lock onto me before finis.h.i.+ng "I don't want you to die trying to save the idiots out there who will do nothing but curse you and mock you. It's not worth it, believe me. Anyone can die, it takes talent to survive." We stare at each other in silence before I softly say "I'm gonna need more alcohol."

His smirk is back as he says "You can have as much as you want." And true to his word, when the door to his office opens again, several vampires walk in with different bottles of alcohol. I can tell they're all expensive... when I look back up to Ambrose, he raises his gla.s.s and says "Have anything you want, it's all yours."

I slowly nod my head and start drinking myself into oblivion. Why should I go out there and deal with it? It's not like I let him out... Tristan, the little p.r.i.c.k, shot me! He was the one who let Enzo out, not me! I push my gla.s.s out of the way and start drinking straight from the bottle.

Ambrose's eyes twinkle with delight as he smiles at me in approval. I pause for air and feel my head spinning but it's still not enough, I can still feel the uncomfortable pressure in my chest. When I start thinking about Enzo again, I lift the bottle and keep drinking.

The b.a.s.t.a.r.d is just too strong anyway! He would wipe the floor with my halfbreed a.s.s! 'You're the only one who has a chance at standing up to him though... without you, what will all the humans and supernaturals do?' My inner voice says as I try to drown it out with the booze.

'No, they blame me! Even if I show up, they will only blame me and curse me. h.e.l.l, they're probably even making death curses for my a.s.s as I drink myself into a new universe!' When I feel the liquid drip, I quickly pull the bottle back and wipe my chin.

The whole room is starting to spin and... tilt. I keep holding the bottle as I lay my head back against the leather chair and stare up at the ceiling. After staring at the ceiling for a while, I mumble out "I'm no hero... I'm not even what kids would call a good guy..."

Why would I run out there and try to act like one? I slowly close my eyes and whisper "I'm not strong enough..." As I drift in and out of my drunken state, I come to realize two things, I have a very high tolerance for alcohol and... no amount of alcohol will wash away a person's guilt.

"Really!? The world is turned upside down and you give her booze?" I hear Kian say making me turn my head to look at him. Ambrose shrugs and says "Better than having her run out there and getting herself killed." Kian silently stands there for a minute before sighing and saying "For once, I think I agree with you vampire."

I give him a lopsided smile as I lift my bottle and say "Why don't you join us? A vampire, a halfbreed, and a demon. All drinking together and having a good time as the world comes to an end..." When the uncomfortable feeling starts to grow again, I lift the bottle and start drinking again. I'll drown it all out until nothing's left...