BloodLines

vibrant streets, Leila and Sarah returned

Sarah kicked off her shoes

d silver dress from her closet. "You're de

end Vera is waiting for us at The Raven's Perc

ts drifted back to the mysterious stranger from th

they slipped on their heels and headed

ed around them. Colorful floats and masks danced down the s

ts, catching a strand of purple beads. Sarah grinned, fee

ozy bar in the French Quarter. Vera, Sarah's

ow a haven amidst the revelry. Inside, couples snuggled in plush armchairs, while l

, curious about the woman w

down her back like a rich, velvety waterfall. Her eyes sparkled with warmth, fringed wit

eey cookie I'm glad you could make it" she then turned to Leila and smiled. " He

Vera's warm demeanor. "Nice to meet you, Vera

t the corners. "Well, thank you I d

gant gloves, intrigued by the subtle mys

we're all acquainted, let's get some dr

ve just the thing. My friend, Jacques, will

bartender with a thick French accent an

Vera's cheeks. Vera smiled. "Jacques these are my friends Sara

mes. Welcome to The Raven's Perch. Tonigh

." Jacques winked. "I have just the thing. My signature

ar's intimate atmosphere. Vintage jazz posters adorned the

toward two handsome strangers on the other side of the bar. Sarah immediate

ntering over to the two handsome guys. " That girl doesn't waste any time does she?" Vera asked. Leila laughed, " Of course not if. Theirs one thing I've learnt about Sarah is

ter. " It's on the house" he winked at them both before he walked away to atten

f different flavors burst across her tongue. " Holy crap why is this so good"

"What do you want to know?" Vera asked, l

ow anything about you apart from w

together. "Well, where do I start? You already know my name, so

just met you, but I can tell you're already

. "Flattery will get you everywhere... well, I g

ch myths and legends?" She asked. Vera chuckled, playing with a curl. "Yeah, I

thoughtful. "Growing up here, you can't help but feel the city's vibe. All the

is place." Vera smiled. "Exactly! And I'm obsessed with uncovering its secret

gious. "By the way, do you have fami

ced away, her eyes scanning the bar."Uh, yeah...

y from here originally?" Vera's gaze drifted back, but her exp

eluctance to share more."Any

Just me. I'm an only child." Soon am awkward s

pic. Vera's gaze drifted to her gloves, h

shift the conversation, Vera looked up. "Alright, I think you'

ity piqued, she leaned in."Fire away," Leil

ns?"Leila hesitated, unsure how much to revea

the truth is I've been having these weird dreams about this place". Vera who h

as she stared into it. " Their Weird dreams to be honest, but I've been dreaming about the end of the world, and somehow it always

ut the end of days", she said. But Vera only shook her head. " I don't think so, Cher, my grandmother always said that dreams are just

p to us to look beneath the surface" she said. But before Leila could respond they saw Sarah skipping o

ready? I need to get some beauty sleep for my date tomorrow" she said. " Yeah, I'

'll walk you girls back

ions gave way to darker, quieter streets. The flicke

their heels echoing off the old buildings.In the d

Vera," Leila said. Sarah nodded, yawning. "Yeah, than

kled. "I'm glad you enjoyed it." Sarah som chimed in. "We definitely did. The drinks

first, it was a gentle breeze but quickly str

e faltered as the streetlights flickered. And t

n followed