by J.D. Rogers
***
It was dark by the time we reached O Positive. I parked the Del Sol in the lot across the street from the club and opened the car door.
“You can drop the glamor,” I said as we climbed out of the car. “The Count is controlling everyone around here. I doubt if they'll remember what they see or hear.”
Gladrielle nodded and let the glamor fade. Her mousy brown hair turned dark blue, as did her eyes. Her skin became blemish free. Her ears grew pointed.
I noticed that her skin and hair sparkled at night, although I couldn't tell if she was reflecting the streetlights that were shining on her or giving off her own glow. Considering her ability to make a miniature sun that she could hold in her hand, my guess was that she was making herself sparkle. Humans had their way of dolling up, I guess elves had theirs.
“I can see why he fell in love with you,” I said. “I'd fall in love with you myself, if I was capable of falling in love.”
We turned and headed for the club. Gladrielle almost stepped in front of an oncoming car, forcing me to grab her and yank her back.
“Sorry,” she said. “Been awhile since I've been to the city.”
“What's awhile?”
“Let's just say the horseless carriage had yet to be invented.”
“I suppose from your perspective that must seem like yesterday.”
“It does.”
We waited for a break in the traffic then hustled across the street. The bouncer in front of the building's exterior elevator was exactly where I left him last night, standing as still as a statue, staring at nothing. He didn't even seem to be aware of our presence.
“Is he doing this?” Gladrielle asked me.
“You mean the Count?”
She smirked, finding his new name amusing. “Yeah, the Count.”
“All vampires have the ability to compel people, but he's a bit better at it than the others.”
“Because he's had more years to practice.”
“I guess.”
I pressed the elevator's up button. The elevator was already there, so the doors opened immediately, probably hadn't been used since I stepped off it last night. Gladrielle and I stepped on it. I pressed the up button. The elevator doors closed and we headed up. Whether the Count was ready or not, it was time for him to meet his past. In all her stunning immortal glory.