Beth and I followed the vampires, practically glued at the hip.
“So, you’ve been down here before?” I whispered to Beth.
She made a little sound. “Not exactly, but I have heard a lot about it.”
Oh man, that was not what I wanted to hear. Beth seemed so confident about tonight. It sounded like she came here every other weekend. But then again, it probably would’ve been smarter for me to have asked her rather than just assuming it.
But rather than entering some creepy serial killer’s basement, we found ourselves on stairs that were well lit, with wooden walls that the woman from the home and garden channel would’ve loved. Ship-something decor. I didn’t have a clue. I wanted to ask Beth more about what she heard about the vampires and this part of the club, but I figured it wasn’t a good idea, with the bouncers a few feet in front of us.
Once we got downstairs, I stopped in shock at what I was seeing. The stairs had seemed to last longer than I'd expected and now I understood why. The first thing I noticed was how the air had changed. It didn't have that sweaty alcohol and sex smell that the club had upstairs. It was cooler, fresher.
It was like an old-school speakeasy. There were large oval tables that were surrounded by leather booths at the entrance then as the room opened up it became almost a hodgepodge of designs, as though it had been around too long to just have one aesthetic.
One of the alcoves off to the right was basically a library. The walls were lined with books and the tables were the same as the others but this time the booths were made of crushed red velvet. Another alcove was all flocked damask wallpaper and material draping from the ceiling with lanterns reminiscent of the kind you'd see at a Turkish bazaar. The booths in that alcove were lower to the ground, just like the tables, and had intricate patterns on the large, overstuffed cushions. Yet another looked more like someone's living room with leather couches and a low coffee table in the middle.
On the side opposite the alcoves was a long bar that was styled like a pub with its own ceiling and everything. Glasses hung from the racks overhead and bottles of all kinds lined the wall. There were more than just a few of each kind of alcohol; there had to be hundreds of bottles there. The glossy black surface of the bar was spotless. I could see that even from here.
The tables in the center of the room were what held my attention the most, though. Dealers and gamblers lined each one. A few of the tables had that distinctive green felt that I'd only ever seen on casino tables before, while others were dark wood and still others were glass.
The vampires we’d been following turned and stared at us. Oh, shit. We looked like a couple of idiots. I sprang away from Beth and straightened my skirt before tossing my hair. “Lead the way, good men,” I said in a formal voice that came out completely ridiculous.
But they just nodded and carried on past the tables of people playing cards, toward some booths that were tucked away and dimly lit. I hadn't even been able to see them from the entrance. There were a few other doors and staircases that peeled off from the room, which had been roped off. I glanced up to see rooms above us with glass fronts, the kind of two-way mirror where whoever was in there could see out but we couldn’t see in.
That explained why the staircase was so long. We were more like two stories down. It also explained why the bar had its own section of lowered ceiling.
The vampires stopped at one of the roped-off doors and nodded at the guard posted there. He knocked on the door twice, and a few seconds later it opened from the inside.
We went up a short flight of stairs. Vampire one, me, Beth, then vampire two bringing up the rear. My feet were starting to freaking hurt. Sitting against the wall was a vampire that looked like she owned the place. She was watching us like we were ants in her kitchen. Next to her, though, was one of the most intimidating men I'd ever encountered. If I thought she looked like she owned the place it was nothing compared to this guy. And beside him were two young women who looked like they belonged upstairs.
One of our vampire guides turned to face us. “Mr. Atonal owns this club. You will show him respect.” There was a viciousness to his voice that left me with the feeling that if we didn't voluntarily we'd be forced to. And he didn't look opposed to violence.
“I thought the leader of the vamps was a woman,” I whispered to Beth.
“She is. He just owns the club.”
The two women who looked far too young for Mr. Atonal hissed at us. As we approached, I couldn't help but realize how wrong I'd been about the woman who'd sneered at us as we walked in. She definitely didn't look like she owned the club, not when compared to Mr. Atonal.
“I don’t just own the club,” he said in a low voice, easily heard in the quiet VIP room. “I’m the second-in-command to the vampire queen and lord of this domain.” He spread his hands pompously.
Oh, fuck. What a dick. “I’m looking for my brother, Henry Foxx.”
Atonal squinted. “The human?” He waved his hand dismissively. “He is no concern of mine.”
“Hey,” I said sharply, causing Atonal to give me a withering glance. “He is a concern of yours because I need to know where he is.”
“He got what he deserved. No one cheats in my club,” Atonal said and caressed one of the women’s thighs, sliding his hand way too high in front of strangers. “You may leave.”
Okay, deep breath. Don’t back down. “No, I want to know where he is.”
“I owe you nothing,” the vampire said, his lip curling into an almost-smirk. “I am a powerful vampire, and you are a lowly witch with a few tricks in her bag. This was a one time courtesy. You will leave my club now and never dare to waste my time again.”
No. My heart raced. I couldn’t leave the club without Henry.
I looked at Beth. She looked back at me, a question in her eyes. Oh no, had she thought I’d run things from here?
I curled my hands into fists. Okay then. My friends had gotten me this far. It looked like I was going to have to put my big girl panties on and handle it from here.
People seemed to fear Karma, so there had to be a reason, right?
I wondered if my powers could be manipulated and focused, rather than happening when the timing was right. Narrowing my eyes on him, I muttered, “Tiny-dicked jerk.” A familiar tingle moved over my skin, and I felt a strange mix of horror and fascination as I held my breath, waiting. Not sure for what.
A second later, Atonal got a strange look on his face like he’d eaten something bad. His muscles jerked. His brows drew together in confusion, and then he gasped and his eyes went wide. Throwing the women off of him, he jumped to his feet, unbuckling his fancy belt faster than I could catch with my eyes before he looked into his pants.
“Turn it back!” he screamed so loud the people beyond the window, even some of the dealers, swung their heads around, looking for who yelled. “Now!”
Beth glanced at me in confusion. I was sure I looked just as shocked as he did. Had I really just…? Could I actually control my powers? And if he realized I’d been the one to do this, what would he do to me?
Especially if I had no idea how to change him back.
But then I saw realization dawn on Beth’s face, and rather than looking alarmed, she had the most pleased expression. Here I was trying to figure out whether or not I should be scared. The only thing I could think to do was to follow her lead.
With a snort, Beth pointed at Atonal. “You should be more polite. Emma here is Karma.”
Atonal gaped at me. His gaze ran from my uncomfortable shoes up to my face. I had no idea what he was thinking, but he still seemed disturbed by whatever tiny problem he’d found in his pants.
“I thought Karma was a legend.”
I forced a grin and crossed my arms as Beth continued. “The only way to fix it is to stop being a tiny-dicked jerk.”
Atonal stood staring into his pants for several seconds. “Okay!” he said in a high-pitched, scared voice. “I heard a rumor, but that’s all I know!”
Pointing my finger directly at him, as though that was how I controlled the size of his dick, I stepped closer. “What was the rumor? I can make it disappear entirely,” I warned.
He yelped and scrambled backward, falling into his chair. “It was rumored that Henry got mixed up with the sirens. That he owes them a blood debt.”
Sirens? Of course sirens were real too. But was this a bad thing? I glanced at Beth out of the corner of my eye. She looked pale and shaken.
The vampire continued in an emotionless voice. “And we all know that if that’s true, it’s doubtful he’s alive.”
Ice moved through my veins, and I felt like his words echoed over and over again through my mind.
“No.”
He looked between me and Beth. “I’m guessing Karma isn’t familiar with those beasts?”
“He’s still alive,” I said, and my voice had an angry note.
The vampire’s mouth opened, as if he was about to laugh, and then he glanced into his pants and seemed to think better of it. But I didn’t care what he said or thought. We’d faced shifters and vampires in my search for my brother, and none of them had managed to hurt Henry. I wasn’t about to believe that some fish had.
Beth tugged on the back of my dress. “Let’s go.”
“No,” I said. “Not until he tells us more. Not until he--”
“That’s all I know!” The anger in his voice made the two women beside him draw back further.
I glared at him, trying to think of a way karma could hurt him for blaming some sirens on this, and for saying my Henry was probably dead. But my whole body was shaking so hard that my teeth were chattering, and I couldn’t think of a way to hurt this man more.
“He’s not lying,” Beth said, after a tense moment.
“But Henry’s still alive,” I told her rather than asked.
She hesitated. “There’s nothing better we can do for Henry right now than go and follow this lead.”
I released a slow breath. Okay, if she believed the vampire, I’d have to have faith that my best friend knew what she was talking about, even if I hated the idea of us leaving this place without Henry. And in the back of my mind, I felt truly afraid for what it meant that my brother was with sirens: creatures that apparently the vampires and witches feared.
Nodding, I turned to go.
“What about fixing my slammer?”
Slammer? Ugh. Some men were just disgusting.
I focused on Atonal and chose my words carefully. “When you’ve convinced the magic you’re not a jerk, that will go away. And be warned, if you try to retaliate and hurt me or kill me or any of my loved ones, it’ll disappear entirely and won’t come back.”
He nodded vigorously with his hand on his crotch. “Understood! You have my word!”
“We gotta go,” Beth whispered, more urgently this time.
She grabbed my hand and tugged me all the way down the stairs, through the quiet downstairs, then up the long flight stairs that led back to the club. Lurch watched us in surprise as Beth dragged me toward the main door. I waved as I stumbled behind her, and he grinned.
When we were outside in the relatively cool night air, I yanked back on her arm. “Beth!” I yelled. “Stop.”
She listened, stopping right there. Between the parking lot lights and the moon overhead, I could make out something of her expression. And what I saw scared me.
“What is it?” Goosebumps blossomed on my skin.
“Listen, Emma, the thing is. If he pissed off the sirens, he’s not missing. He’s dead.”
16
Daniel
Emma and Beth came running through the parking lot like the hounds of hell were on their heels. “Whoa,” I yelled, throwing my arms wide as though I could catch them.
Beth managed to skid to a halt, but Emma landed right in my arms. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it. Even the bear within me seemed to stand at attention as I got lost in her earthy scent and the soft curves of her body for a moment too long before my gaze snapped down to her and reality came crashing back into me. Why in the world were they running? And why did Emma look so upset?
If those damn vampires gave her any problems, I didn’t care how much trouble I caused, I was going to go full bear on them. And even vampires were smart enough to be scared of a bear shifter. Hell, everyone was.
It took Emma a second to recognize me, but as soon as she did, her entire demeanor relaxed and she leaned into me. “My brother’s been taken by the sirens!”
I stiffened as my mind started working. “Sirens?” That could only mean one thing. “They’re going to use him in their Ancestral Waters ceremony.”
Her eyes went wide. “What does that mean?”
I hesitated, an image of her brother’s familiar face popping into my mind. “It means they’re going to sacrifice him for a ceremony. It’s something the sirens do.”
The horror in her expression made my heart ache. “We have to get to him. Now. This second.”
If only it was that easy, but the sirens were easily the most powerful group of supernaturals in Mystic Hollow. I’d do everything in my power to save Emma’s brother, but this wasn’t something we could just run out and do. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to take her with me when I faced them. I was willing to risk my life. That wasn’t something that came naturally to me, even after I retired, but I wouldn’t risk hers.
I shook my head. “No can do. I’m sorry.”
She thumped her hand against my chest, her brows drawing together. “What do you mean no can do? Like you’re just going to decide to leave my brother to die, and I’m just going to sit here and let it happen?”
“That’s not what I--”
She didn’t seem to hear me. “Maybe I’m not the same Emma Foxx from back in the day, but I’m not a pushover either. Rick might have thought…no, it doesn’t matter what my ex thought, because I’m not that woman. I will save my brother, even if you won’t help us.”
I felt so many confusing things in that moment. Rick? That was the name of the man she’d married. Apparently, a man who thought she was a pushover. Was he insane? This proud woman was strong and fearless, diving into shifter territory and vampire clubs. But the last thing I wanted was for her to think I was anything like her ex, or that I saw her as anything but the amazing woman that she was.
“I only meant that your brother will be taken care of until their Ancestral Waters ceremony and then killed. He’s safe until then. And the other good news is that they do that on the mainland. We might not be able to get him wherever they’re keeping him right now, but they’ll have to come to town to do their ceremony, which means I’ll have a chance to rescue him then. Hopefully.”
The hand that had thumped my chest seemed to relax. “Okay, as long as you know that sirens or boogie men, I’m getting my brother back.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” I told her, this time unable to hide my smile.
She drew back from me a little, tucking her dark hair behind one ear in an endearing way. “Good. And also, don’t think I didn’t notice you mentioning you’d be saving him. I’ll be right there with you.”
I felt my smile widen. Man, it felt like I’d smiled more since Emma came back to town than I had in years. But then, she’d always had that effect on me, even when I was just watching her from afar. She had a way of making me enjoy life.
“What now?” Beth asked, and I felt my smile fade away.
Right. I was here for a reason. I couldn’t let myself be distracted by a pretty lady.
Pointing toward the door, I nodded. “I was just going in to ask where Henry was.”
“Don’t bother,” Emma said bitterly. “They were no help, other than telling me about the sirens.”
“That’s a pretty big help.” I scratched my jaw. “It’s too bad we don’t know an alchemist.”
Emma gave me a puzzled look, but Beth’s eyes lit up. “Oh, my gosh I totally forgot about that.”
“What?” Emma asked. “Forgot about what?”
“Alchemists provide the sirens with their offerings to their ancestors. Along with the traditional stuff like fish, shells, anything that honors the ocean and water, they also bring different soaps, purifiers, and other things that are spelled by an alchemist to try and get the waters to flow again.”
Emma nodded in understanding. “So, they could get us near the sirens?”
“It’s possible, but at the very least I could try to get the information from one,” I said.
Beth snorted. “No. You will not. I know you’re all shifty and all that, but you’re not a witch. If anyone stands a chance at getting that info, it’s me.”
She checked her watch. “We have to go back in there, and you two have to act like you’re not with me, because the alchemist I know is in there, selling potions to idiotic young witches who think they’re buying love potions, when they’re really buying lust potion.”
“I think we should take more of an official route,” I said. “And that you two should let me handle this.” None of this sat right with me. They were putting themselves in danger and it made my protective instincts that much harder to control.
When Beth turned to go back into the club, and Emma followed, I realized I didn’t have a choice. Ever since Beth had opened her business years ago, she’d found a way to involve herself in a lot of supernatural cases. Most of them involved small things: missing items, cheaters, discovering hexers, removing curses, etc. I never minded, because she had a way of getting to the bottom of things and leaving everyone involved feeling like they’d won, which was a hard thing to do as a police officer sometimes. But as I slowly followed behind the two of them, I felt in my gut that a missing brother and trouble with sirens was more than they should be involved in.
But knowing it and getting them to listen to me were two different things.
I sighed and hurried to catch up with them. If they were going to do this anyway, I could at least keep an eye on them.
The bouncer at the front door did a double take when he saw Beth coming. His eyes widened as he jumped out of the way and opened the door as fast as he could move. Beth looked over her shoulder. “You two can wait out here.”
Karma's Spell (Magical Midlife in Mystic Hollow Book 1) Page 11