by Dora Blume
Sloane came out of her room and looked to Amy, who was tapping her foot and jingling her keys. “Wow, alright I’m ready. You must want to see this guy badly or you wouldn’t be this impatient.”
Sloane grabbed her purse and followed Amy out the door. Amy got in the car and drove to the parking lot that was already brimming with cars. After circling a few times, they found a spot and parked. The line was long, Amy craned her head to estimate how many people were ahead of them. Sloane got in line but tapped her foot. Sloane wasn’t one to wait in lines. She was always let in and she’s never on time to anything. A tall guy with a staff shirt went down the line and picked out people to go in. Sloane smiled at him and he motioned for her and Amy to join him. Amy wondered for a moment if she would’ve gotten in without Sloane but brushed it off.
Amy looked around wondering if anyone here actually slept in their current attire. Except for a few guys in full on onesies, most everyone wore lingerie. The music was blasting and people were dancing in front of the stage. It was fun to be a part of a crowd with so much energy. Amy couldn’t help but bounce a little as she followed Sloane. Sloane was scanning the room, her eyes darting around. Amy couldn’t fathom why. They were headed to the bar, what on Earth was she looking for? She never cared enough about men to be actively looking for one. She barely noticed when guys approached her to talk. They always approached her with a ridiculous pick up line which never worked. Pickup lines are a horrible way to start a conversation. Amy couldn’t stand it anymore she wanted to know what Sloane was looking for. She’d been the one to get the invite, and she hadn’t even started looking around for Erik, yet.
“Who are you looking for?” Amy asked.
“Ah, no one. Just checking the place out. Nice turnout don’t you think?” Sloane turned to talk to Amy over her shoulder as she walked. Her eyes continued to scan the crowd.
“Ah yeah, I guess, since when do you care about checking the place out? I should be the one searching the room for that guy, Erik the one who invited me here.” Amy looked around the room. There was quite a crowd, and she had no idea if she’d be able to find Erik in this crowd.
“Wait, what, who invited you?” Sloane turned around and grabbed Amy’s arm, pulling her to a stop, eyes wide.
“A guy named Erik, he was smoking hot. I should be looking for him.” Amy glanced around but stopped when she saw the look on Sloane’s face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She analyzed the crowd carefully. She knew what was going to happen, but she still felt sick to her stomach.
“I don’t believe you. Something’s wrong, why don’t you just tell me what’s going on.” Amy waited staring at Sloane. She knew her well enough to know something was wrong.
“Nothing, nothing’s going on. What’s with the inquisition? Can’t a girl check out the merchandise?” Sloane smiled her devilish smile at Amy, trying for her normal lightheartedness. Sloane was acting peculiar. She knew Sloane wasn’t telling the truth but she couldn’t imagine why she was lying. They hadn’t even been here five minutes.
Sloane stopped at the bar, ordered two dirty martinis and turned back to scan the room. She leaned both her elbows back against the bar to get a better angle on the crowd. Amy looked around for Erik. “Ugh, I’m not going to find anyone in this crowd.” She turned back toward the bar. The bartender was pouring out their drinks. He set them on the bar in front of them and Sloane reached back to hand him a twenty.
Sloane grabbed her drink and moved to a high-top table in the back. She sat against the wall scanning the crowd. She stopped to sip her drink. She sat back on her chair and crossed one leg over the other. She reached one hand out and toyed with the stem of her glass, turning it slowly.
Amy didn’t mind sitting in the back and watching people. “I don’t think I’m going to find Erik if we’re sitting back here.”
“Don’t worry, Amy. Erik will find you.” She said with authority.
Sloane’s constant watchful eye indicated she was bothered by something.
Amy was getting annoyed with Sloane, she had to ask, “Sloane are you going to keep me in the dark all night? Tell me what’s going on.”
Sloane looked Amy in the eye and then down at her drink. “I really don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re here to have a good time. I just really need a drink before I show them all how to dance. I mean look at that girl. What is she trying to do, the running man? What is that?” Sloane attempted a light tone but her voice came out too high, giving her uneasiness away. She was obviously on edge but Amy didn’t know what was causing it or better yet, why she wouldn’t tell her. Sloane's evasions weren’t even any good.
Sloane looked to the door and then down, “Come on Amy. I need a bathroom break.” She grabbed her hand.
Amy bumped her drink, sloshing alcohol on the table. “Hey, what gives?” Amy said. Sloane didn’t stop as she pulled Amy into the women's restroom. She walked to each stall pushing the doors open. When she was satisfied no one was in there, she turned on Amy.
Sloane grabbed Amy’s shoulder and pulled her to look her in the eye. “Okay, I’m sorry for grabbing you. I wish I could tell you what’s going on, but I can’t. Will you do me a huge favor and leave?” She paused becoming more serious. “Drive home and pretend you never knew me.”
“What the hell are you talking about? Pretend I never knew you? What the hell’s going on Sloane?” Amy stared at Sloane wide eyed, unmoving.
“I can’t tell you, but I need you to leave before all hell breaks loose.” Amy knew by her tone she was serious and the way her eyes kept darting toward the door had Amy concerned. Sloane could be demanding at times, but this was uncharacteristic.
“Ah, no, not before you give me an explanation. First, we’re going to this cool party, then we get here and you’re acting all weird. Then you tell me I need to go home and pretend I never met you? Seriously, you’re being ridiculous. You need to tell me what’s going on.” Amy put her hand on her hip as she waited.
Sloane took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She really didn’t want her friend involved, but she’d promised to spend the night with her even after seeing her premonition. She figured this was her punishment. Amy was going to be dragged into her world regardless of what Sloane did. She’d seen it. She moved to the sink and turned on the water. She leaned forward and splashed water from her hand to the back of her neck. She kicked the base of the sink, flinching when her foot connected with porcelain. She took a deep breath. “I’m not who you think I am and if you don’t leave, you’re going to get wrapped up in a world that you want no part of, I promise you. I was born into this hell. You can still escape. Please, Amy listen to me for once and leave before it’s too late.” Sloane pleaded, reaching out and taking both of Amy’s hands into hers. “Please.” She said, her voice small.
Amy looked Sloane in the eye and knew she was sincere. She wasn’t sure what to make of all this. She had no idea what Sloane was talking about, but she knew her long enough to know when she was being serious. She didn’t know what to do; her friend was obviously in trouble and she wanted to help her, but she was asking her to leave. How could she leave when her friend was obviously in distress?
“I can’t leave you. Why don’t you just level with me and tell me what’s going on? It can’t be that bad and we can handle it together.”
Sloane threw up her hands and started pacing the room. “I can’t get you involved. Ugh, why can’t you just listen to me for once without having to know everything? You always have to know everything. Damn it." Sloane stopped long enough to punch her fist into the wall. “Ouch," She shook her hand after wincing.
“Sloane just tell me." Amy walked over and looked Sloane in the eye.
Sloane looked at her then began pacing and talking. “Fine you’re going to find out anyway, I was trying one last ditch effort to save you but no, you just have to be stubborn. Fine, I’m part of the Shikari, an underground society that’s existed for centuries. We hunt and kill demons
and in about forty-five seconds, my brother, Erik, the one who invited you here, is going to burst through that door and try to take me back with him. I’ve been running from them since I was sixteen but now I must fulfill my duty and because you don’t have enough sense to leave, you’ll be coming with me. My brother is going to assume you know everything. Oh yeah, and by the way I can see the future. That’s why they need me back so bad. Happy now?” Sloane huffed once she’d said everything. She looked at her watch and then looked expectantly at the door.
Amy didn’t even have time to react to what Sloane had said because Erik burst through the door and slammed it behind him.
“Finally,” he whispered as his eyes met Sloane’s.
“Erik, it’s been a long time.” Sloane said, tipping her head in greeting.
“Yes, it has.” Erik moved his eyes over her. She’d grown into her own. He remembered the awkward sixteen-year-old. The woman before him was different. She exuded a confidence that would be intimidating to anyone other than him. He’d grown up with her and knew the soft heart behind the hard exterior.
Amy turned from one to the other noticing the resemblance in the shape of their face and eyes. Sloane stared defiantly at Erik, communicating without a single word. Amy was transported in her mind to the moment they’d met. His lean yet masculine physique and blonde hair which hung slightly over his brows was appealing. She was so excited to come to this party, his bright blue eyes were inviting and warm, but now she felt dismayed when she realized why they were really standing there. He’d used her, and she was furious. Now, looking between them, she saw the resemblance and cursed herself for not noticing before, but then why would she. Sloane had been the furthest thing from her mind when she’d met Erik. She couldn’t help but think of all the things she wanted to do to his beautifully lean body. His entire demeanor made her heart race as she imagined taking him on the table in the coffee shop. Her attraction to him was surprising in its intensity. She wanted him, still. Taking a deep breath, she hoped her pulse would stop racing. This meeting was her fault because she was manipulated by another pretty face. She hated herself right now and wouldn’t blame Sloane for hating her either.
Sloane put her hand on her hip. “So, are you going to take me to Bryant or are we going to stand here all night?”
“Are you telling me you’re coming willingly? No kicking, screaming or sarcasm, that’s a nice change of pace for you.” Erik’s mouth rose slightly; he glanced to Amy for a moment. “Huh? You must be a good friend if she’s willing to come without a fight.” He walked over and gently took Amy’s hand in his to place a kiss on it. “It’s wonderful to see you again, Ms. Sikes, my deepest apologies for having used you to get Sloane here.” He looked into her eyes and the corner of his mouth lifted seductively. She’d never met anyone so polite before and the combination of his penetrating eyes and amazing scent took her breath away. She couldn’t speak she was so enthralled.
Sloane narrowed her eyes. “Erik, stop messing with my friend she doesn’t know anything. She can just go home.” Sloane rolled her eyes at her brother’s antics. Her brother had a certain charm. She wanted to slug him for using it on Amy.
Erik, still holding Amy’s gaze said, “I think we’ll take her with us. If you’re protecting her from me, there’s a reason, and I’d like to find out what that reason is.” He smiled at Sloane. “Come now sis, we should be going?”
“Lead the way bro.” Her voice was filled with the venom of a snake. Although her issues were not with him entirely, she hated that he’d blindly followed their father and turned on her when she needed him the most. He was scum, just like the rest of the Shikari society she’d shunned so many years ago. She questioned everything about them after her mother’s murder. They claimed they were saving the world, but Sloane knew better. Ethics weren’t their strong suit, and the Shikari was laden with traitors and those working their own agenda. Sloane had grown up wanting to be like her mother, fighting demons, saving the world. When her mother died, because of her involvement with the Shikari, Sloane ran and never looked back. She took a deep breath, she was older now, ready to face her past.
Chapter 2
Erik led them to the car, parked right outside the exit. He told the driver to head to the Speakeasy and then turned to face the two girls. His smile was illuminating in its wickedness.
“I know you’re ecstatic about bringing me home, but could you wipe that smug look off your face? I knew I was going to come back, eventually.” Sloane eyed her brother with disdain.
His smile grew wider, and he looked down. “Sorry, sis but we’ve been looking for you for a while now and Bryant will be delighted to have you back considering the new turn of events.” He couldn’t help but be happy that he was the one to find her. His father will be pleased.
“Yeah, yeah whatever, I know you’ve been looking. You don’t think I’ve been watching you the whole time. I didn’t even leave the city. I can’t believe it took you so long. I think you’re losing your touch.” She smiled wickedly back at him. She couldn’t help but jibe. They’d always been in competition with each other.
Erik narrowed his eyes at her then looked out the window. “I didn’t care to find you until now. You weren’t necessary. We’ve been doing fine without you,"
“Oh, don’t kid yourself; I was necessary. You made do without me. Face it, I’m better than you.” She pasted a smug look on her face and looked at Erik with fire and determination in her eyes.
Erik huffed before he turned to the driver. “Can you step on it we’re in a hurry here?”
“Oh yeah, blame the driver, you just don’t want to hear how much of a failure you are.” Sloane’s mouth turned up at the side and she looked at him with shining eyes.
“I’m not the failure here, Sloane. You’re the one who deserted us, gave up on everything we believed in. You know how important we are and who we help, yet you walked away from it all for what? Independence?” He met her glare for glare.
Sloane narrowed her eyes and scowled. “Do you mind not discussing this in front of Amy.” her tone was biting. “She doesn’t know anything, and she doesn’t need to hear this.”
“Oh yeah? I figured she’d know everything considering you’re so close.” He glanced over at Amy, who looked confused. “I suppose we can pick this up another time.” He leaned back and relaxed in his seat.
Sloane turned to Amy. “I’m sorry about my brother, my family, well we’re a bit different, him most of all.” She stroked her chin with her middle finger toward Erik and smiled. Sloane rested her hand on Amy’s and squeezed hoping to provide reassurance. Sloane didn’t know for sure what was about to happen, but she knew the next few hours were not going to be pleasant.
The car pulled to a stop in front of the Speakeasy bar. Amy turned to Erik confused. “A bar? Why are you taking us to a bar? We just left one.”
Erik smiled at Amy. “This is a special bar, you’ll see.” Erik led the way in and led them to a back room. He lifted what looked like a cellar door and motioned for the girls to go ahead. Amy was not sure what to do but Sloane led the way down into the dark passageway. Amy followed, reluctantly; she couldn’t believe that a bar in the city had tunnels running under it.
The musky smell hit her along with the dampness of the air. “What is this?” She asked as she glanced around the dark passageway. She noticed Erik was forced to bend his neck forward as they walked.
“These are the tunnels that were used during prohibition, they run under Hennepin Avenue. We use them now to connect to our home base, so we can talk without outsiders hearing us.” Erik moved in front to lead the girls to the meeting room. These tunnels had been a great way to move about without being detected.
Sloane sighed knowing that her brother was getting a kick out of teaching her friend. She wanted Amy to know little about her true identity, but she’d blown that at the bar when she revealed herself. Sloane hated dragging her friend into her past, but her selfishness won, she wanted a friend h
ere. Her premonition of jumbled flashes of the bar, the bathroom, all with Amy present had resigned her to the inevitable. Amy would be there. Sloane knew she could have changed the future but in her experience that didn’t work out so well.
Erik led them into a room surrounded by light; it flickered and played off the thick stone walls. Amy couldn’t help but do a circle around taking in the full ambiance of the surrounding room. The stones shimmered in the light. She smiled feeling like a kid for just a moment as she took it all in.
Erik noticing her preoccupation said, “It’s the stalactites in the stones, it shimmers in the candlelight. Magnificent isn’t it?”
She moved her attention to Erik. “Yes, it is.”
Sloane put her hand on her hip. “Erik will you stop flirting, please and get us to where we need to go.”
He contemplated her a minute and frowned. “Sloane when did you stop taking pleasure in the little things?”
She shifted her weight to the other foot. “About the time I realized the cost of that pleasure, now keep moving.”
“Fine, you did always like to ruin the fun. The main room is just through here.” Erik moved to push a large double door open. The room they entered was open and wide. Erik stood straight clasping his hands over his head stretching them toward the sky.
“Where are we?” Amy asked astounded. Her eyes were wide as she took in the large open space of a room. The coolness of the air replaced the stuffiness of the tunnel.
“Deep under the city, we prefer to meet underground, so we’re not disturbed by unwelcome company.” Erik walked over to the table where his father was reading. He looked up upon Erik’s approach.
“Ah Erik, I see you have accomplished your task at last. Sloane is finally home. Good work my son.” Bryant patted Erik on the back and beamed.
Erik’s answering smile was wide. “Yes, it took a little while to find her but she’s here.” He moved away and mumbled under his breath, “Even though we don’t need her.” Sloane smirked at his utterance then looked to see if her father heard him. Even if he did, Bryant was an expert at hiding all emotion.