“You be careful now, honey.” He smiled, shaking a finger at me humorously. “No more walking into dangerous non-humans, all right?”
I didn’t return his smile. I didn’t drop my gaze either, but stared at him, furious to the point where I knew I really shouldn’t speak.
I was busy memorizing every inch of his face, though.
Fuck it. I’d find a way to nail this asshole if it was the last thing I did.
“…We’re here to protect you, you know,” he added, still smiling.
“I feel so much safer,” I said, my voice cold.
Jon nudged me, hard, but I didn’t drop my eyes from Ponytail’s face.
Given the almost unlimited powers of SCARB, I knew exactly why Jon was telling me to shut up. Questioning a SCARB agent on the street, while they were apprehending a possible renegade seer, was pretty much the definition of a dumb move. It was even dumber for me right then. I was from another state, a documented witness to a recent terrorist bombing, and I’d been flagged for questioning at a SCARB checkpoint in the airport that morning.
Basically, he could throw me in a cell indefinitely, if he wanted.
The man with the blond ponytail turned to his companions, making a series of odd hand gestures. Then all three of them were looking at me.
The one holding the cattle prod dragged the female seer upright. He gripped her by the collar in his free hand once she was standing, and it looked like that hurt her too. While I watched, he glanced at the man with the braided beard, nodding.
Beard guy stepped towards me, holding his gun.
It hit me that they were going to arrest me.
They were going to take me in, right now.
I tensed, contemplated running––
Then another form loomed in front of me, from a lot closer.
I HAD NO idea where he came from. He just appeared.
Whoever he was, he was tall.
Really tall, tall enough to block the sun, to briefly blind and confuse me. I barely got a look at his face before he was holding up a hand, his voice a command.
“Go,” he said. “Leave here. Right now.”
His voice was familiar. Deep. Heavy with a German accent that made me flinch.
When I didn’t move, he loomed nearer.
“Get the fuck out of here!” he snapped. “This is a crime scene. You cannot be here!”
I stared up at his shadowed face. I recognized that now, too.
It was the guy from the plane. It was the SCARB agent I’d yelled at in first class.
I gaped at him, unable to comprehend where he’d come from, what he was doing here, or how he was standing in front of me now. I looked past his angular face to the man with the black beard, who now looked hesitant, and confused.
He stared at me with this new person, as if unsure what to do.
Were they together? Did they know one another? Work together?
I focused on the female seer, whose mouth was bleeding, her legs trembling in obvious distress. The clothes barely seemed to cover her at all now, and her nylons were torn. I saw cuts on her knees from where she’d dropped to the pavement.
Another surge of fury hit me, so intense that time, I found myself glaring up at the black-haired man with those crystal-colored eyes.
“I’m going to report you,” I said, pointing up at his face. “I don’t give a fuck who you are. I’m going to report this. Fucking animals. You’re nothing but fucking animals…”
That angular face didn’t move.
He continued to loom over me, his expression unreadable.
Jon gripped my arms, fighting to pull me back, but I kept yelling at the guy from the plane.
“Are you a part of this?” I snapped, somehow more angered by his involvement than I was by the other three. “Do you work with these assholes? Are they your pals?”
“Allie!” Jon gripped me tighter. “Shut up!”
“Do you get your kicks beating up on unarmed women?” I said. “Is this your idea of a good time? Fucking prick…”
When the man in front of me spoke next, it wasn’t to me, it was to Jon.
He spoke low, that deep, accented voice nearly a growl.
“Get her off the street. Now.” Clenching his jaw, he motioned with his head down the block. “Take her to that club. The Glow Room. Tell the man at the door and whoever greets you inside that Simon sent you. Put everything on my tab. Do not leave until I tell you it’s okay.”
His crystal-colored eyes stared down at me, his narrow mouth firming to a frown. Unlike before, when he’d either looked blank or startled, this time, he looked angry.
I couldn’t decide if that anger felt aimed at me.
I was still staring up at his face when Jon and Cass dragged me backwards, out into the street and away from the four men and the crowd and the bleeding female seer.
When I looked back, I saw all of them watching me go.
11
FETISH
THE GLOW WORM turned out to be the seer fetish club I’d been looking at earlier.
Jon and Cass led me there, just like the guy told them to.
As we reached the padded doors and the bouncer perched on a stool out front, I stared up at the holographic snake that wound down the side of the building, changing colors and morphing shape and size until it reached the sidewalk, where it coiled sensually around the leg of a holographic female seer wearing nothing but a lace bodysuit.
I didn’t really think to question why my friends were listening to that guy, not after what we’d seen, but my nerves rose as we reached the entrance to the club.
Jon and Cass didn’t seem to suffer from the same misgivings.
They led me right up to the bouncer without hesitation.
I watched him look at us, a buffed black man wearing a camouflage tank top stretched around taut muscles and a thick chest. His dark brown eyes shone with intelligence, and I saw a glimmering spectrum of light come off his headset that told me he likely had some expensive enhancements to aid his vision.
Given his job, it made sense.
He probably used it to look for weapons.
When Jon stammered about “Simon” sending us, the man’s expression cleared. Without a word, he nodded and motioned for us to enter the red, padded door behind him.
Jon walked in first, but never let go of my wrist. Cass followed behind me, holding my other arm and halfway pushing me through the dark opening.
The door closed behind us, leaving us in dim, orange-tinted light.
A short hall took us to a beaded curtain, and then a small reception room, all done up in Victorian-style furnishings. Purple wallpaper covered the walls, detailed in textured velvet designs of silver and black. It looked like a bordello from the turn of the previous century, only everything looked brand new, and spotlessly clean.
A jade green, round, borne sofa stood in the middle of the sitting area, with chairs and small tables set around it at regular intervals. A few women sprawled on the various chairs, and one lounged on the borne sofa itself, her legs elegantly crossed where she sat smoking a dark, sweet-smelling cigarette that looked like a miniature cigar.
I knew it must be one of those seer cigarettes that were growing increasingly fashionable. Supposedly they could get you slightly buzzed, but not like pot––more like a super-dose of caffeine or nicotine. I’d heard a few people call them “cocaine-light.”
They weren’t exactly cheap, so I’d never tried one.
Watching the females in the room stare at us, I noted that one had bright orange eyes. Another had dark green and yellow irises, another pale violet with a blue ring around the pupil. Yet another had eyes that shimmered opaque silver, like mercury.
All wore kimonos and had bare feet.
I turned to Jon, feeling my face flush.
“What are we doing here?” I muttered.
Jon gave me an incredulous look. “That guy was SCARB, Al,” he said. “He flashed a badge. Didn’t you see it?”
“No,” I said, frowning. “And so what if he was? We just do whatever the hell he says? Even if it’s illegal? Even if it gets us thrown in jail?”
“He was on the plane with us, Al,” Jon said, his voice even more incredulous. “He knows who we are. Did you really expect me to bolt?” Frowning, as if thinking, he added, “Anyway, I got the impression he was trying to protect us.”
“Us?” Cass snorted. “Allie, you mean. He was trying to protect Allie.” She looked over from where she’d been staring at the seer on the round sofa. “Didn’t you see how those guys were coming for her? It looked like they were about to arrest her. Or maybe just hit her with that electric prod thingy a few times.”
Jon frowned, but from his expression, he didn’t disagree.
Cass turned to me, quirking an eyebrow, a faint smile on her lips.
“Come on, Al. Who is that guy? Spill to Auntie Cass. Have you been screwing a SCARB agent? Is that why you bitched him out like that?”
I frowned, staring around the plush room, glancing up at the chandelier hanging from the high ceiling, right above the round sofa. A plant with hanging fronds stood on the raised part in the middle, a darker green than the sofa.
Sighing, I looked back at Jon and Cass.
“I don’t know who he is,” I said. “There is something I need to tell you though––”
Just then, a new person walked through another beaded doorway, directly across from the one we’d just walked through.
“May I help you?” she said melodiously.
Jon and I exchanged looks.
After the barest pause, I stepped forward, my arms still folded tightly across my chest.
“Simon sent us,” I said, feeling strange saying it, enough that my jaw hardened. “He wanted us to wait for him here. Is that all right?”
The woman’s expression went from coyly smiling to deadly serious. She looked over the three of us, taking us in with new eyes. I couldn’t help looking her over at the same time, a little intimidated in spite of myself.
I’d never really spoken to a seer before.
Well, not unless you counted what just happened outside.
This seer had sleek, straight, black hair that must be waist-length when it wasn’t up in its elaborate bun and braids. Even now, two unwound braids came down on either side of her face, falling past her shoulders. Her eyes were a light, almost metallic blue-grey, her cheekbones dramatically high, her mouth full and painted blood red. She wore powder on her skin and dark kohl around her eyes. A small butterfly was painted on her temple, and I noted tattoos on her neck, shoulders and hands.
She also had a thick, black “S” tattooed on her inner forearm, just above her barcode.
She wore a dress so low cut I could see almost to her naval, the same gray-blue as her eyes, made of lace and with vague hints of Victoriana, despite the revealing and clearly modern cut. The dress fell to her ankles, but the fabric was slit in the front as well, most of the way to her crotch. Her legs were clad in fishnet stockings with lace garters, and high-heeled, lace-up boots.
She was stunning.
She also wasn’t wearing a collar.
I knew that was permitted inside a business like this, but it still unnerved me.
“He told us to wait for him,” I repeated, feeling my cheeks warm. “He flashed a SCARB badge at us. There was…” I hesitated. “…a disturbance outside.”
The woman’s eyes narrowed.
I saw them click into focus, even as her pupils contracted, like she was part-cat.
“Very well.” Her voice lost its musical quality, turning bluntly businesslike. She glanced around the sitting area, then back at me. “Well, you cannot stay in here. This room is for clients only.” She folded her thin arms. “Anyway, it sounds as if…” She smirked slightly. “…our mutual friend, Simon, wishes you to be kept from harm. This is likely not the ideal place for that, being so close to our front door.”
I glanced at Jon, giving him a perceptible frown.
He gave me a bare glance in return, folding his own arms.
The seer’s eyes were still on me when I looked back at her.
“Okay,” I said, feeling her waiting for me to acknowledge her words in some way. “We’ll go wherever is appropriate and convenient for you, of course. Wherever you want us.”
I hesitated, feeling like I was still being too rude––or maybe just not polite enough.
Swallowing, I added, “We really appreciate your hospitality, particularly given the lack of warning. I’m truly sorry if this is an imposition in any way.”
There was a pause.
Then her full lips lifted in a surprised smile.
“I apologize as well, cousin, for my abrupt manner,” she said, her voice noticeably warmer. “And it is no trouble at all to keep you from harm’s way. We at the Glow Room appreciate your pretty words, and the respect behind them… very much.”
Smiling with a touch more humor, she added, “Anyway, it is not you imposing, from what I can tell. Simon is lucky his credit is good with us. Assuming any expenses were to be incurred by your staying with us, I would most certainly forward that bill to him.”
I smiled, I couldn’t help it.
“Lucky for us, his words suggested the same,” I said. “I’m afraid our means are far below that of those to whom you are likely accustomed.”
Her smile grew warmer still, and a touch mischievous.
“Since he is paying, perhaps you should spend your time in more interesting pursuits?” Lifting an eyebrow, she added coyly “Can I offer you a curiosity tour, perhaps?”
I felt my cheeks warm.
I considered telling her I had a boyfriend, then realized that might be rude, too.
“Not for me, I’m afraid,” I said politely. “But thank you kindly for the offer.”
The seer glanced at Jon, lifting a painted eyebrow in question.
Reddening slightly, Jon also shook his head. “No.” He cleared his throat, strengthening his voice as he pursed his lips. “No… thank you. I appreciate the offer, but no.”
The seer’s smile turned into a grin. “Are you sure? We have male unwillings too, cousin. Orientations are quite fluid among my kind.”
Jon turned even redder, and the seer laughed.
I couldn’t help grinning a little, too. “I think we’re all good,” I said, glancing at Cass with a smile. “Unless you’d like to take a tour, Cass?”
Cass rolled her eyes, snorting a laugh.
“Oh, I’d take a ‘tour’ in a heartbeat, believe me,” she said, grinning back at me. “But given that Jack would probably murder me in my sleep if I did anything like that without him, I’d better pass. Pity, though. I’d love to see that bill go to SCARB.”
The seer smiled at Cass politely, her expression unreadable.
Glancing back at me, she measured me again with her eyes. I distinctly got the impression she saw me as our leader now, presumably because I’d approached her first.
Her smile grew more wry, her eyes sharpening with a flicker of humor.
“That is not the only reason, cousin,” she said cryptically. She touched my arm briefly with one hand, then removed it just as easily, smiling wider. “But our actions do follow our person in most things. Do you not agree, cousin?”
I felt my cheeks warm. I didn’t answer right away––mostly because I wasn’t exactly sure what she meant. It didn’t occur to me that she’d answered my thoughts, not my words, until I fielded curious and questioning looks from Jon and Cass.
Shaking my head at them to indicate I’d tell them later, I focused back on the seer.
“I’m quite sure that’s true in most cases, cousin,” I said, trying to speak as politely as her. “And that your words are very wise. I think perhaps you give me too much credit, however… but I appreciate the sentiment for how it is meant, and I thank you.”
She tilted her head in a way that wasn’t quite a bow.
I didn’t know the precise meaning of the gesture, bu
t I definitely got the impression it was meant to be polite, maybe even the slightest bit deferential.
Gesturing fluidly and gracefully with both hands, she indicated towards the beaded doorway through which she’d come.
“If you would all please follow me?” she said.
I bowed slightly in return, feeling my face warm as I did.
Again, I saw a flicker of surprise reach her eyes, right before her smile warmed even more.
She turned to lead us out of the room, swiveling easily on one booted heel.
I followed silently, watching the lace dress swish around her long legs.
Seconds later, she disappeared through the beaded doorway and I did the same, Jon and Cass closely at my heels.
WE ENTERED AN even darker room at the end of a narrow corridor. It stretched much larger than I expected, lit primarily by candlelight and flickering chandeliers at dim settings.
I stopped briefly at the entrance, gazing out over scattered tables, faux-leather chairs and dark burgundy vinyl booths. Like the sitting area, everything was done in a Victorian style. I saw a few more of those round couches, velvet burgundy to match the booths, and with statues on top of their round center cushions.
The nearest to us had a fat cherub sitting on top, holding a bow fitted with an arrow. Further down, I saw a stone woman holding a vase, wearing robes reminiscent of Ancient Rome.
Beyond the main floor, there was a black-painted stage.
On that stage stood a padded black table, where a naked male was strapped down and blindfolded, a gag in his mouth.
Over him, a female wearing lace pants and a lacy, see-through top, stroked his back as if he were an animal, bending down to whisper in his ear. He groaned softly through the gag from whatever she said.
Feeling strange for staring, I blinked a little, then looked away.
I did have a fleeting wonder if it was a seer or a human strapped to that table.
Low, percussion-heavy music came through speakers in the ceiling, and the room smelled of musky incense mixed with that honey-sweet smell of seer cigarettes. At scattered tables, couples and larger groups spoke in low voices, sipping drinks and periodically looking up at the stage. Most of the women wore even more revealing costumes than the seer who brought us inside.
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