“So, have you had the chance to find out anything about Fire & Fang?” Yutani said.
“How could he—” I started, but Yutani shook his head.
“I called him last night and told him what we were planning.”
“Before you start,” Raven said, “Wager called me with some more info this morning. He had to do some digging, but he found out that Fire & Fang is owned by a company known as KL-Type A Enterprises. It’s a vamp organization. They have their hands on a number of businesses worldwide. Not just nightclubs, but brothels, sex shops, taverns, restaurants, and hotels.”
“Basically, the entertainment world,” I said, thinking. “Are all of their businesses legit?”
“Wager said no, though it would take awhile to figure out which ones aren’t. But Dion Von Strand, one of the veeps, has ties to some known sex traffickers throughout Southeast Asia.” Raven frowned, tugging on the ankle strap to her chunky-heel Mary Janes. “He’s been known to hang out with Marl Renault, a Frenchman who has been linked with poaching safaris and child sex-slave rings. Authorities have tried to catch the pair, but they always manage to slip through the loopholes.”
I let out a slow breath. “We have to watch our step then. But the fact that the club lures in streeps—ghosts—tells me that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
“The apple hasn’t even fallen off the branch,” Charlie said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs. “I have a few friends who live down in the Catacombs—more than I did when I first went to work for you, thanks to Herne. They looked into Fire & Fang for me. What they found out made them back out of our agreement real fast. They wouldn’t even take the money I offered them for information. Be on the lookout for a vamp named Eldris, he’s the manager of the club. And I did get you these.” He tossed what looked like two gold coins on the table. “These are your tickets in. One for Yutani and Ember, one for Raven.”
I picked up one of the coins, examining it. On one side, it had the logo of Fire & Fang, the name inscribed over a bleeding heart with a dagger through it, and the other side had two words printed on it: Member-Guest.
“What are these?”
“Tokens. One of my informants stole them off of a member some time back. They aren’t tied to any particular member, so you can bluff your way in. I did find out that Mendin was officially a member, so you can use his name. They can’t very well check up on you, since he’s dead.” Charlie smiled, the tips of his fangs showing. He still hadn’t learned how to control them. They were recessive—descending when a vampire was hungry, or when they were new. And Charlie was still considered very new at this.
“So, we show these at the door?” Yutani asked.
“Yes. You tell them that you were invited as a guest and when they ask, tell them Mendin gave you the tokens. They shouldn’t question you further. Those beauties are rare and only are given out a few at a time to established members. They have a magical signature that’s tricky and can’t be easily imitated, so the doorkeeper will be able to tell you aren’t trying to get in with a fake ID, so to speak.” Charlie shook his head, toying with one of the coins. “You need to be careful. If my informants were scared enough to back off from accepting a hefty bribe, you know there’s danger there.”
“Heard loud and clear,” Raven said. She thought for a moment. “They didn’t happen to mention anything about the Spooks, did they?”
Charlie shook his head. “I asked, but the only thing they know is that the necromancers who come looking for the group tend to be chaotic and most consider themselves anarchists.”
That seemed to be about right. “Okay, then, I guess we’re done here. We’d better be on our way. Charlie, thanks. Wish us luck.” I stood, tugging on the bottom of my dress, trying to make it stretch a little longer.
Charlie somberly escorted us to the door. “Be careful. The Catacombs are dangerous for those who haven’t had much experience down there. Don’t forget the tokens.” As we headed toward the elevator I glanced back and smiled, but he just nodded, his expression serious.
Chapter Thirteen
There were a number of entrances to the Catacombs. Viktor and I had gone through one in the Viaduct Market on a search shortly after I had begun working for the Wild Hunt, but Raven offered to take us through one of her routes, which would arouse less interest and seem more natural for someone looking to hang out at Fire & Fang.
“I know where all of the entrances are—at least, most of them,” she said. “Over the years, I’ve picked up quite a bit of information about them.”
The Catacombs had begun life in two separate sections. One was known as Underground Seattle, and it had been born through a fire that destroyed a great deal of the city back when Seattle was new. On rebuilding, the planners raised the street level in order to avoid the continual flooding from Puget Sound. The burned-out areas were still open, with a number of businesses still functioning, and entrance down into the lower level was provided by a series of ladders. But as the businesses relocated, the streets were built over the underground areas until the lower level was abandoned to the homeless. A few underground nightclubs operated down in the Underground, until the city flushed them out.
Meanwhile, the vampires had been living in the Catacombs, a series of tunnels originating from long before Seattle began to flourish. Eventually, the vamps broke into the lower levels of Seattle and absorbed them. Now the entire network of tunnels was known as the Catacombs, and through use of sealants and retrofitting, they were no longer victim to the tidal vagaries of the Sound, and they were shored up with enough load-bearing walls and beams to prevent the weight of the city from caving in.
The Catacombs went down at least four or five levels—I wasn’t sure how many, to be honest, and I doubted anyone except the vampires actually knew. The lower the level, the more dangerous for those still breathing. There were other creatures in the Catacombs besides vampires, ones far more deadly.
The vamps had agreed to forbid entrance to minors, so the city officials turned the other way when it came to questionable activity. There were warning signs posted at the official entrances, warning that anyone entering the Catacombs was knowingly taking a risk and wouldn’t have any legal backing if they wanted to press charges for something that happened down there.
Raven led us to a back alley entrance near the Viaduct Market. The place looked grungy, dank and a little dangerous. There were at least a dozen streeps camped out in the alleyway, their cardboard homes made out of old appliance boxes and plastic tarps. We skirted around one man, an elderly gentleman with white hair and a long stringy beard. He coughed, then gave us a foggy glance. I saw a bottle of Nite-Ease in his hand, a cough suppressant, and my heart sank. I turned to Raven.
“Do you have a few bucks? I just have my credit card.”
Without a word, she opened her purse and handed me a ten-dollar bill.
I knelt beside the old-timer. “Here. Take this and get something to eat.”
He stared at the money, then gave me a toothless smile. “You have a good heart. So does your friend.”
“Be safe, and put that where nobody can steal it.”
As we walked off, I thought that at least it was warm. I glanced back to see the old guy shuffling toward the back door of a convenience store. Whether he bought food or booze, at least he’d have some comfort for the night.
There were a lot of homeless around—mostly human, though also some shifters. The Fae who were homeless tended to head out in the forests or they crossed over to Annwn.
Tent cities stretched along the freeways, and although the United Coalition was working on the issue, they weren’t working fast enough. Though the poor might always be with us, there were things that could be done to mitigate some of the harsh conditions, but that cost money. And the arguments about how to raise that money, and who was responsible, usually axed any actions that might be forthcoming.
“Here we are.” Raven glanced around.
Though the
alley was lined with streeps, most of them paid no attention to us. Two buildings down, a small group of younger kids in their late teens were gathered around a burning barrel, warming their hands.
The building Raven had stopped in back of was a tall brick walkup. There were steps leading down below street level to a door. A bouncer leaned against the door, wearing no shirt, a pair of black tuxedo pants with red suspenders that stretched over his mammoth chest, a bowler hat, and he carried a very large cane that looked wicked enough to beat up a giant.
“Here we go. When we enter, just follow my lead.” She motioned for us to follow her down the steps to the bouncer, who held up one hand.
“They’re with me.” Raven produced a golden key from her purse. The bouncer motioned for her to move to the door, and she unlocked it. He stepped back, allowing the three of us to enter.
The club was dimly lit, and it took over the entire bottom floor of the building. There was a stage off to one side, with a couple strippers performing under one spotlight. Over beneath another light a blond woman was spanking a very large man who was crouched over her knee. He was wearing a ball-gag, a chest harness, no pants or underwear, and he was blindfolded. The blonde seemed to be enjoying her job. She was dressed in what reminded me of a baby-doll nightgown.
The bar itself was crowded. As my eyes adjusted to the dim lighting—provided mostly by battery-operated candles—I could see the leather and lace–clad patrons lining the polished mahogany counter, drinking and talking, some leisurely watching the strippers, while a few others had their eyes on the man being spanked.
I cleared my throat and gave Raven an inquisitive look.
She just chuckled. “Hey, Kipa and I like to mix it up. This is tame compared to some clubs.” Before I could answer, she led us to a curtained doorway, pushing aside the velvet drapes as she ducked behind it. We followed and found ourselves in a harshly lit room with four unmarked doors. The sudden change made me squint as the brash light assaulted my eyes.
“This way,” she said, leading us over to the second door. She inserted her golden key in the lock, turned the knob, and opened the door. We found ourselves staring into a long hallway that ended at a double escalator. “This leads down to Level Three, Sector Seven, where Fire & Fang is located. Be on guard, keep together, and don’t be flippant. But I’m sure you know how to behave in the Catacombs.”
As the heavy door closed behind us with a thud, I wondered what we were getting ourselves into.
We transferred escalators on each level. The halls of the Catacombs were busy, with a hustle that felt like it belonged on the streets of a film noir version of New York. But there was a shadow that loomed over the crowds, a darkness permeating the air. It wasn’t evil, but it reminded me of the feel of powerful old-money magnates, of gangsters and players, of too much power concentrated in too small of an area. Most vampires were silent figures in the dark corners of the exclusive country clubs, who with one nod could signal someone’s demise. They could ruin careers, destroy families, make people disappear, all without a flicker of guilt.
I slid closer to Yutani, all too aware of my skimpy dress and all my bare skin. Yutani seemed to sense my discomfort, for he wordlessly reached out, taking my hand in his. In the shadows he seemed to glimmer with a power of his own. He was growing into his position as the Great Coyote’s son, and the magic of being the son of a god was beginning to manifest in his aura.
Raven, too, walked with confidence, her fire flickering in her eyes. She had let loose her glamour, which was far more powerful than that of any Fae. The Ante-Fae were otherworldly, and even when they appeared as human, there was an energy that warned people to beware. I had my own glamour, but it paled next to hers.
To either side were shops and businesses, including restaurants for the living, blood salons for the vampires, boutiques with expensive clothes and even more expensive jewelry, souvenir shops, and just about everything you could want.
As figures glided by they glanced at us, and the gleam of the vampires’ eyes shimmered in the darkness. We were being assessed and measured, weighed as to whether we were easy marks. We were in their territory and had left our protection at the door.
“Ante-Fae,” one of them whispered as she paused with her companion. They pulled back, and I caught the faintest hint of uncertainty. Raven straightened and the next moment her glamour grew, an edgy dance of death and fire, and the two vampires hurried off.
Yutani continued to hold tight to my hand—for which I was grateful—and we followed Raven through the bustle of the Catacombs.
Up ahead, as the hallway curved, I caught sight of a large neon sign that read “Fire & Fang.” Loud music echoed into the halls as the double doors opened and a man—a vampire—exited the club, two women clinging to his arms.
Yutani glanced over at Raven. “We should get our tokens out.”
She nodded. When they had their tokens in hand, we approached the doors. The guard at the entrance to the club was a tall black man, a vamp, who must have been six foot five and at least one-ninety in weight. He was wearing a black turtleneck, gray slacks, and sunglasses, and he had a large diamond stud in one ear. He crossed his arms, staring down at us.
“Passes?” His voice was surprisingly soft, like smooth silk.
Yutani held up his token and the guard took it, barely glancing at it as he ran it under some sort of UV light. He handed it back to Yutani, nodded, and opened the door.
“She belongs to me,” Yutani said, pointing to my collar as he walked through the metal detector and entered the club.
I held my breath but the guard merely nodded me through. The metal detector beeped, but within seconds they had ascertained that the metal was the gold necklace I was wearing. The next moment, Raven joined us, and we were in Fire & Fang.
The club looked just about as I had pictured it.
Multiple booths lined the walls, each shadowed in privacy, with candles burning on the table. A few couples were dancing, while several seating areas were full of customers. The din echoed through the club, a hundred voices all talking at once. A spiral staircase on one side led up to a door. The bar itself was made of polished marble, and almost every bar stool was taken. Yutani spied a couple of empty stools and, with a look at Raven, he and I moved toward them.
Raven barely acknowledged us, but instead made a beeline for one of the seating areas. There were approximately twenty people there, and the energy emanating from that corner made my stomach knot. Magic, heavy magic. That had to be the Spooks.
Yutani and I reached the bar and settled ourselves on the stools.
“What’ll you have?” The barkeep was a tall, thin woman, who looked like she had eaten too little for too long. But her arms looked compact, and I had the feeling she had more muscle than she knew what to do with.
“Whiskey for me. A cognac for my pet.” Yutani tossed a bill on the table and the bartender nodded, moving away to pour our drinks.
Remembering Wager’s advice, I played with my drink after the bartender slid it in front of me. Yutani took one small sip and then set his drink down.
“Pardon me,” a soft voice came from behind us. We turned to find a long-haired blond vamp standing there. His eyes were piercing blue, but they were beginning to haze over with red, and he licked his lips, not bothering to hide the tips of his fangs. He was wearing leather pants, no shirt, and had at least four gold chains draped around his neck. He was gorgeous, and his vampiric glamour was hitting me full force. He meant business.
I forced myself to remain silent. As Yutani’s pet, it wasn’t my place to speak.
Yutani gave the vamp a slow once-over, a sly smile crooking his lips. “Yes? What can I do for you?”
The vamp held his gaze for a moment, still smiling. Then, he turned to me. “Is she available? I’ll pay you well and I promise to leave her unmarked.”
I suddenly realized I was getting wet. Feeling confused and then frightened, I tried to force myself to look away from him, but I
couldn’t seem to lower my gaze. He promised passion and sex and nights unending, and all of the allure hit me like a rolling wave, stirring my Leannan Sidhe blood into full force. I tried to rein myself in. It wasn’t safe to let that side of myself out. Not here, not with so much raw sex and lust running through the club.
Yutani took one look at me and slowly stepped between the vampire and me. “I’m sorry, but I’m not ready to accept offers yet. Come back later, friend.”
The vampire looked frustrated and his eyes were fully crimson now, but he pulled his glamour back and stiffened. “I will return. My name is Eldris, if you change your mind. And I do pay very well.” He abruptly turned and slid through the crowds, looking for other marks.
Yutani leaned in as if he were going to kiss my neck, but he lingered over my ear. “That was dangerous. I can feel your energy from here. You have to rein yourself in or you’re going to attract more than we can handle.”
“It’s not my fault,” I whispered back. “If I stood up right now, my stool would be sopping wet and so would the back of my dress. I’ve never been around a vampire that strong. Hell, I’ve hardly ever been around any vampires and I didn’t expect to respond to him that way.”
“He’s old. Very old, to have as much power as he does.” Yutani pulled away.
The bartender returned to where we were sitting. “You’ve stirred some powerful interest, friend. You’d best watch your footing. Eldris is the manager of the club, and he gets what he wants.” She eyed me, biting her lip, then turned back to Yutani. “If you don’t want to rent her out, I advise you to leave the club now to avoid a confrontation. The first time, Eldris asks. The second time, he takes.”
I tried to catch her gaze. She was human, and I could work my own fair share of glamour. It occurred to me she might answer some questions, if I could charm her. And then, I felt the urge rising. My mother’s blood, already triggered, sprang to life and without thinking, I reached out and stroked my hand down the bartender’s face.
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