“Enough,” I growled, releasing my hold on the girl. I stood up and offered her my hand.
“What in the hell are you doing?” snapped Faye, looking furious.
I pulled the girl to her feet and glared at Faye. “The real question is, what are you doing and why?”
Ignoring the question, she turned to her security guard. “Lucas, take the girl out of here. Bring her downstairs and give her to the Roamers.”
I pulled the girl back, away from Faye and Lucas. “You’ve already done enough to her. I’m getting her out of here.”
“Oh, what a gallant gesture,” sneered Faye. “You do realize that she knows too much now, don’t you?”
“She doesn’t have to remember anything,” I answered. “I can make her forget all of this.”
Faye stared at me and I could see the wheels turning in her head. I wasn’t sure why she’d wanted me to confess something she’d already known. “What exactly do you want from me?” I asked, positioning the terrified girl behind me. “Because you’re really pissing me off, Faye.”
Her face softened. “You know, I believe that we started this conversation on the wrong foot.”
I waited for her to go on.
She licked her lips and smiled. “I want you to fire your manager, move to Shore Lake, and let me take care of your career from this day forward.”
I grunted. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Not at all. As you already know, I’m a very wealthy and successful woman. I have connections all over the world with people who can take your career to an entirely new level of success. Slade, I can make you rich beyond your wildest dreams.”
“I’m already rich.” I’d accumulated a lot over the last three hundred years and our band did well. Money wasn’t even a motivator for me. Never had been. I only performed and sang, because it made me feel almost human.
“Maybe, but you haven’t reached superstardom yet, Slade.” Her eyes glittered. “I can help you get there.”
“Thanks, but no thanks. We don’t need you.”
She smirked. “Is that right? Well, the rest of your band has already agreed to this. They want me to be your new financial advisor and manager.”
I stared at her in disbelief. “What? Bullshit.”
She went back around to her desk and turned on the laptop. “They even picked out a cabin already. Slade, moving here is the best decision for everyone. Vampires do need to stick together.”
“Are you saying that you’re a vampire?”
She snorted. “Hell no. I’m a Shifter.”
Fuck, now that was bad news. Shapeshifters were dangerous, and most of them were known to have violent tempers when they didn’t get their way. Something told me things were about to get uglier.
“It would never work. We don’t like to stay in one spot too long,” I replied. “I’d suffocate here.”
“You wouldn’t have to live here permanently,” she replied. “Hell, the Roamers have already proven to me that they are unable to settle anywhere for too long. But, when we move, you’d move. Eight months tops in Shore Lake, and then we’ll move on to the next town. Together.”
I folded my arms across my chest. There was no way in hell I’d live near this psychotic bitch. “What do you get from all of this, besides more money and fame?”
“To be honest, I like to be in control. You’re relatively new to the U.S. and obviously don’t understand how things are done here.”
“What exactly does that mean?”
Her face darkened. “Fine, I’ll tell you the truth – I run this part of the country. Me. Nothing happens without my knowledge or approval. There are those immortals who would challenge my authority and like more than anything to take away all of the power I’ve acquired. Of course, they always fail because I have an army to back me up. An army of your kind.”
“Then why do you need us if you’re so damn powerful?”
She smiled. “Let’s just say that I like you, Slade. I want you on the team.”
What she really wants is to control me and the band, I thought. Along with anyone else that poses a threat. There was no way I’d let that happen. “I need to speak to the band about this. Quite frankly, it would be inconvenient for us to settle here. Really inconvenient.”
Her eyes gleamed a purplish hue. “It would also be dangerous if you didn’t. Really dangerous.”
“I don’t take intimidation well,” I replied sternly. I’d survived a century in Romania, where vampires were hunted and crucified by both humans and other immortals. I’d been beaten and tortured by more than the likes of Faye Dunbar and there was no way I’d allow her to push me around.
“Then I suggest that you don’t do anything that will provoke any further threats,” she replied icily.
“You don’t frighten me,” I said. “So if I were you, I’d forget all about me and the other members of Venom. There is no way in hell we are going to take orders from you.”
“You’re making a big mistake,” she said, standing up.
“Doubtful. I think we’re done here,” I said, preparing to leave.
“Oh, you’re done, all right. Lucas, take the girl,” she ordered.
I turned to face Lucas. “Keep your hands to yourself, Roamer.”
Lucas hesitated for a moment, but then took a step toward us.
“Stand down,” I hissed, baring my fangs. “Or you’ll all regret it.”
“Slade, seriously, reconsider what we’ve talked about,” said Faye. “You’re risking the lives of your entire band if you cross me, you know.”
“You’d better stop with the threats, Faye,” I said, backing away with the girl. “Before it’s too late.”
“Dammit, your defiance is infuriating!” she snapped, pushing a button on the side of her desk.
The door in the back swung open again, and this time, three men dressed in club uniforms entered the office.
“Escort Slade and this human to the basement,” said Faye. “And make sure they don’t escape.”
They nodded and advanced toward me.
Swearing, I met them halfway.
“WHAT?” I ASKED in shock.
“Now that pisses me off,” said Liam, frowning. “He was just giving me a hard time about screwing…” his eyes darted to me. “I mean partying with fans.”
“Well, he left the party with her last night. I believe they were heading to the hotel for a little something… something…,” said Jimmy, smirking.
“But she never came home after something… something…” I snapped, angry that I’d been so attracted to a player like Slade. What did I expect, though? He was in a band and drop-dead gorgeous. He wasn’t a normal guy that one dated or developed real feelings for. He was just a one-night stand that would never amount to even a phone call afterwards. “So, he needs to help us find her.”
“Oh, he will,” said Liam, still scowling. “I’ll make sure of that.”
“You know, I’m a little surprised he left with her,” said Sean. “It’s not like him. Seriously.”
“That chick was really hot, though,” stated Jimmy, throwing his cards down. “I’m out.”
“Yeah, but he’s turned down hotter,” said Bradan. He looked at me. “No offense.”
“None taken,” I replied.
Susan stood up. “I think we should find him right now and ask what he did with her.”
“I think we know,” chuckled Jimmy.
She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“I agree,” I said, not wanting to wait any longer. I just wanted to get out of the club and go home. I stood up. “Let’s go talk to your boy.”
“Faye might get mad if we interrupt their so-called meeting,” said Bradan. He shook his head. “That guy is getting all kinds of action this week.”
Liam, who appeared to be still sulking, stood up. “I agree with the girls, we need to find Melody, now. Plus, something doesn’t feel right, here. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I’m feeling a
little anxious. Let’s go interrupt them.”
The others stood up and we walked out of the lounge.
“Did you see where Faye Dunbar and Slade went?” Sean asked Mason, who was still standing just outside of the lounge, guarding the doorway.
He shook his head. “No, I’m sorry I didn’t see them.”
“They just walked out of here less than five minutes ago,” said Liam, who towered over Mason.
He shrugged. “Sorry, man, I don’t know where they are.”
“If you see Slade, let him know we’re looking for him,” replied Sean.
“Hold on a second.” Liam cocked his head and then swore. “It’s Slade. He’s in trouble.”
“How do you know?” I asked, staring at him in shock. He hadn’t even pulled out a cell phone to check for messages.
“Let’s just say that he has exceptionally good hearing,” said Bradan.
“We gotta move,” said Liam, who turned and took off down the hallway. The others followed, running so fast that they seemed to have disappeared into thin air.
Mason muttered something under his breath and pulled out his phone.
I turned to Susan. “Did you see that?”
Her face was pale. “I don’t know. I think that drink I had earlier is making me crazy. They kind of like…vanished, didn’t they?”
“It almost seemed that way,” I replied, still stunned.
“Uh, what do we do?” asked Susan.
“Let’s go find them,” I said, pulling her arm.
“YOU DONE!?” SNARLED Lucas, who’d just slammed his fist into my face for the third time.
“Fuck you!” I growled, spitting out blood. Two of the Roamers had me pinned to the ground and the third was struggling to hold my legs.
“He’s stubborn, I’ll give him that,” chuckled Faye.
I glared at her. “Glad this amuses you.”
“Would you hold him down better?” complained Lucas as I broke my right arm free and punched one of them in the jaw.
Lucas stood up and kicked me in the ribs several times.
“Asshole,” I growled. It hurt, but my body healed so quickly that when he finished, there was nothing more than a dull ache.
“Slade!” screamed the blonde, who was in the corner, behind a filing cabinet.
“Run,” I ordered, but she just stared at me, frightened.
“Bring him into the basement. Maybe we can change his mind down there,” stated Faye.
I spit out another wad of blood and it landed on her carpeting.
She glared at me. “Great. I just had that installed last week, dammit. I’m going to need to replace it again.”
Lucas kicked me in the spleen. “Good going, fool.”
I grunted. “She can bill me.”
Before Faye could respond, her office door was kicked in and pieces of splintered wood flew everywhere.
I sighed in relief as Liam and my boys entered the office. When they saw what was happening inside, all hell broke loose. Within seconds, I was free and Faye’s guards were being slaughtered.
“Stop!” hollered Faye, now staring in horror at the twist of events. It was obvious that we were much older and stronger; her men were useless in a one-on-one combat.
“You okay?” asked Liam, dropping the lifeless shell of Lucas to the ground. His fur and lycan features began to recede, until he was kneeling next to me, naked.
“I was until I saw you naked,” I joked, spitting out more blood.
He stood up and waved toward his manhood. “Yeah, it’s a monster. I’d be scared too.”
I shook my head laughed.
“Oh, my God!” shrieked Chelsey, who was now standing in the doorway with Susan, and staring at the nightmare in the office. The terror on her face wiped the smile from my face. I felt an urge to comfort her, but knew she’d freak out if I made any attempt.
“Shit,” said Liam, covering his junk with his hands.
I looked behind me. Bradan and Jimmy were just finishing off Faye’s last two minions. Fangs were bared and blood was everywhere. It was like a grisly scene from a horror movie. I could only imagine what the human girls were feeling. This was our world, not theirs.
“Vampires!?” screeched Susan in horror. She tried to turn and run, but behind her stood a dark-skinned security guard, blocking her way. He grabbed her by the arm.
“Forget about her, Mason!” hollered Faye. “Get more security!”
His eyes, now a fiery red, Mason released Susan and took off.
“Chelsey!” sobbed the blonde, still hiding behind the filing cabinet.
Chelsey turned and gasped. “Melody!” She ran over and pulled her into her arms. “Are you okay?”
Melody, nodded. “Yes. I think so.”
“You guys, come on!” choked Susan, who was also crying now. “We have to get out of here.”
I sighed. They’d seen too much and I had to do something about it.
“You need to make them forget,” said Liam.
“I know,” I said, walking toward the girls. I gave them a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you.”
“Stay away from us!” hollered Chelsey. “You… you’re all monsters.”
The look in her eyes crushed me. It reminded me of Vanessa. “I’d never hurt you. I swear.”
Chelsey looked behind me and screamed.
I turned around just as some kind of winged reptilian creature lunged at me.
THE CREATURE THAT landed on Slade reminded me of a gargoyle, with its greenish-black scales and rubber-like wings. It was like something out of a horror movie. I began to wonder if this was all a dream.
“Oh, my God,” gasped Susan, covering her mouth in horror.
Just when I thought the madness couldn’t get any crazier, Liam turned into a massive wolf and sprang at the reptile trying to attack Slade.
“Let’s go!” screamed Melody, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the doorway.
Terrified, I obeyed. We grabbed Susan and then scrambled away from Faye’s office, down the hallway, and back to the main area of the club.
The music was as loud as ever, and everyone seemed oblivious to the horrors taking place on the top floor of Club Nightshade. Frightened beyond belief, we hurried down the staircase toward the exit when our bartender from earlier stepped directly into our path
Are you girls okay?” he asked, looking concerned.
“Brian…. Oh, my God,” said Susan, shaking her head vehemently. “There are monsters upstairs. We’re leaving. Now.”
His eyebrows shot up. “What?”
“Just like she said,” I answered. “Vampires, werewolves, and gargoyles. We’re so out of here.”
He stared at us in amusement. “Let me guess, too many Cosmopolitans?”
“No,” I snapped. “Look, we’re not making this up. Go look for yourself if you don’t believe us.”
“Calm down,” he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “You’re going to scare the other customers.”
“They should be,” I answered, as four security guys raced across the bar and headed toward the staircase.
“Let’s just get out of here,” said Susan, watching them go up quickly, “before the monsters start searching for us.”
“I agree,” I said.
As we attempted to walk around Brian, he grabbed my arm. “What’s your hurry? Why don’t you follow me to a quiet place and we can all talk about this?”
“Brian, seriously, you have to call the police,” said Susan. “We’re not drunk and there is some scary shit going on upstairs. No lie.”
He sighed. “Fine. Let’s just find a safe place and we’ll call the police.”
Susan shook her head. “No. You call the police, but we’re out of here. There’s no way in hell I’m staying in this place any longer.”
His eyes hardened. “No, you’re not going anywhere. Now, follow me.”
“Excuse me?” I snapped, pulling away from him. “You can’t tell us what to do.”
Before he could respond, another security guard approached. “Brian, Faye wants you upstairs. Go, now.”
Without another word, Brian quickly obeyed and took off toward the stairs.
Releasing a ragged sigh, I followed Susan and Melody down the hallway by the entrance until we reached the exit. Once outside, we bolted to my car. Susan sat next to me and Melody got into the back.
“What do we do?” I asked as we locked ourselves inside.
“I’ll call the police,” said Susan, pulling out her phone.
“Hurry, get us out of here,” begged Melody, hunching down into the backseat. “I just want to go home.”
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” I said as we pulled out of the parking lot. “Everyone’s been worried about you.”
“Me too,” she replied, rubbing a hand over her face.
“What happened?” I asked, looking at her in the rearview mirror.
“I’m not so sure anymore,” she said, leaning her head against the back of the seat. She closed her eyes. “I just remember bits and pieces of last night. Watching the band, the party, meeting Slade. I don’t know… I almost feel like I’ve been drugged.”
I frowned. “I wonder if someone slipped something into your drink.”
“Maybe,” she replied. “Maybe it was Slade. We left the after-party last night. Together.”
“Yes, I’d like to report a… violent crime,” said Susan, into the phone. “At Club Nightshade.”
I grunted. A violent crime? Well, that was even putting it mildly.
She glanced at me and shrugged.
“Oh, hi Sheriff,” she said, biting her nail. “You want us to come down to the station?” She looked at me.
I nodded.
“Sure. We’re on our way.”
After she hung up, Melody swore. “I can’t see the sheriff. I’m going to get into so much trouble. The cops are going to know that I had a fake I.D.”
“Us too,” I replied. “But I think when they find out what’s happening at the club, they might be a little more lenient.”
She snorted. “Right. Can you just drop me off at home and forget that you saw me there?”
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