by Jane West
There were tables centered around a lit stage and a silver pole right in the middle of it with a nude girl spread-eagled, begging for tips. On the other side, there were more intimate settings behind sheer curtains, providing obscurity. I was right. It was a strip joint. I noticed that all the eyes were glued to the nude women, which meant less attention on me. Now all I had to do was find my guy.
I cleared my throat, hoping my voice didn’t sound too high-pitched. With caution, I approached the husky guy behind the bar. I figured if anyone knew this cat, the bartender would. I leaned over the counter, standing on my tippy-toes, waving down the server. I didn’t want to shout out the name. I preferred the element of surprise. “Hey do you know Joe Harrell?” I asked. The man wasn’t much to look at, but by his size, I summed him up as someone not to piss off.
“What’s it to you?” He smacked his gum, eyeing me suspiciously. Why did all bartenders ask the same questions? Did they learn this at Bartending School?
“It’s worth a little something, something.” I flashed an impish grin, slipping him a crisp one hundred dollar bill. The bartender eyed the cash, then he cut his gaze back at me.
He snatched the money into his grubby hand and nodded toward the back at the last curtain in the far corner. “Joe’s over there. One of our girls is with him. You’re welcome to join him.” The bartender grinned, flashing his rotten teeth. My lips curled into disgust. I didn’t even bother with a reply.
I craned my neck looking for the back of the lounge. The lighting, like every other bar was dim and smoky. Pulling myself off the bar, I etched my way through the sordid crowd. With each step, I kept running ideas through my brain of other options than this one. It was just my luck, I kept coming up empty-handed. Looked like I had no other choice. I drew in a biting sigh.
When I reached the last cubby, I jerked the curtains open. Sure enough, there he lay, half-naked with a young girl that could’ve been my younger sister a minor, I assumed. My guess, the kid had to have been no more then sixteen.
It was obvious that I’d interrupted something by the glower on his face. “Hello, Joe! Remember me?” I sneered, oozing sarcasm. The orderly pulled himself up into a sitting position, grunting like a stuffed pig.
He glanced up at the half-naked girl as she gathered what little clothing she possessed, covering her body. “Honey, why don’t you go get me a cold one?” He croaked in a deep throaty voice as he reached over and slapped her ass. I took one look at the scared girl, and right then, I wanted to castrate that dirty perv.
I side stepped the girl as I leaned in half whispering in her ear. “Take this and get the hell outta her’. I best not see you in this rat hole again. I slipped her a wad of money. “Go home!” I ordered.
The girl’s eyes widened, shocked. She gave me a quick nod and clenched the green roll to her chest as if her life depended on it. She smiled, though, I could see tears welling in her brown eyes. I watched briefly as the young girl took off in the direction of the front door. I felt relieved knowing she was getting out of this dump.
All at once, I was jolted back to why I was here in the first place.
“Hey! I know you!” The orderly’s beady eyes slithered over me from head to toe. Creepy bumps whittled up my spine. “Fancy seein’ you here. You must’ve missed Old Joe. You and me had some good times.” He winked. “Doubt you remember. You were fucked-up.” He grinned, flashing his nasty teeth.
Then it hit me. The bastard had his way with me during my drug-induced stay at Haven. A sudden spurt of rage coursed through my veins. Instinct took over as I flew into that disgusting animal with murderous eyes. His sick laughter echoed in my ears. It reminded me of a pig’s gurgling after a throat slashing. Without thinking, I struck him hard with my fist. I got a few good licks in before he bounced me off of him like a rubber ball, slamming me into the brick wall.
He leaped to his feet, spitting out blood. “Since you ran off that little sweet filly and ruined my hard on that it’s only fair you take her place.” His voice filled with lust.
At that moment, I wanted to cut his testicles off and cram them down his throat. I needed to stop this fiend from hurting anymore girls. Without hesitation, I lunged for his throat with my dagger in my hand. The pig acted faster than I’d expected. Swiftly, he dodged my deadly swing as he yapped, “You stupid bitch!” His face had gone blood-red. “I tell you what!” the pig gritted his teeth. “I’ll give you a little reminder of the fun we had back at your old home, Haven.”
Without delay, he grabbed me, thrusting me down on the dirty floor, my dagger went flying out of my hand as his body fell on top of me crushing my lungs. If I didn’t get this cow off me, I’d suffocate. That wasn’t the worse; every raucous part of his body pressed against me. I wanted to vomit but I feared I’d aspirate. Shit!
Suddenly I felt a stinging blow to my jaw. It felt like he’d dislocated my chin. Dammit, that hurt! As the blows kept coming, blood spread over my face. My mind started to become fuzzy with each iron-clad blow.
Then he changed his position, and in one strong jerk, he started ripping my clothes off! I screamed, yet no one came to my aid. I cursed him as hard as I fought back. I took some sick pleasure knowing that this time I wasn’t easy pickings.
In a last-ditch effort, I took my thumbs and pressed hard into his eye sockets. I tried slamming them back into his pea-sized brain. His face became contorted in agony as he howled a string of curses. Abruptly, he jerked back off me for a brief second and that was all I needed. I scrambled for my dagger, only a few inches from my reach. I clasped my fingers around the hilt and dove for his jugular.
The orderly had fallen backward. Not wasting a moment, I flew to my feet, lunging for that animal’s throat once more. Until that pig bled out onto the floor, I had no intention of stopping.
Without warning my body was propelled off my feet. Someone had a hold of my pants, dangling me in midair. “What the fu—!” My eyes fell upon the last person I’d expected to see—Gold-Eyes?
“Put me down!” I shouted. I could hear in the background that filthy pig screaming his lies.
“I didn’t touch her! That crazy bitch tried to kill me!” He shouted into the crowd that had gathered around, but the one voice who caught my attention was the one holding me back.
“Put me down! That pathetic swine deserves to die.” I growled.
“Not until you simmer down, girl.” Gold-Eyes spoke with authority.
“Simmer down?” I raged. “That disgusting worm tried to rape me! You freaking simmer down!” I screamed at him while he continued holding me captive. With an exasperating exhale, my captor, in one clean sweep, disarmed me, taking my knife away, and as if I was a feed sack, he threw me over his stalwart shoulder. I pounded his back and kicked, cursing him all the while, but he made no attempt to free me. “I swear you’re next if you don’t let me at that fat brute!” I cursed through gritted teeth. He ignored my threats as my defiance didn’t faze him. His silence infuriated me.
***
It was not until I’d reached some unknown apartment on the top floor above the dude’s bar did he release me. “Sit down over there on the couch.” He barked at me as he sat me down in the middle of what I assumed was his pad. By then, I didn’t have any more strength to fight, so I flopped down on his leather couch. It felt cool to my back, which seemed to calm me.
He disappeared to the back, returning a few minutes later with an ice pack and something else that seemed to catch my interest. My eyes went straight for the shot glass and the Jack Daniel’s in his other hand. Without a word, he filled the small glass to the brim and handed it to me. I gladly accepted the gold liquid. I downed the whole thing in one gulp. Though it was known to be a smooth liquor, it burned like hell going down, but the warmth soon spread to my toes. I laid the glass down with a bang on his coffee table.
Apart from my raw throat, I uttered, “More!” I wiped the liquor off my mouth with my arm sleeve. Without a word, he grabbed the empty glass and poured
another full shot and handed it back to me. “Thanks!” I choked out, giving him a quick glimpse. Gold-Eyes grabbed a kitchen chair, dropping it in front of the coffee table, directly facing me. In one stride, he swung his long leg over the chair and sat backward in the seat. He crossed his arms over the back of the chair and focused his attention on me. It was then he’d broken his silence. “What happened back there?” He asked in a placid voice.
I leaned back, placing the ice pack on my face. I winced from the sting. Then I shot the stranger a dark smoldering look and said. “Why do you care?” I still felt a tinge of anger.
Apparently, my comeback struck a nerve. “Look, you little hellcat! You nearly got yourself killed. That place is bad news.”
“I can handle myself,” I snapped.
“I see that.” He paused. “What’s a nice schoolgirl like you going out to a roadhouse full of depraved creatures, who’d rather eat you, than look at you?” His eyes seemed haunted.
“Look! This is my problem. Besides, the last time I asked for your help, you dropped my ass on the sidewalk and walked away. Why concern yourself now?” I tossed him a bold glare.
“Freckles, you’re not as tough as you think.” He didn’t hold back the ire in his tone.
I didn’t have time for any lectures. I jumped to my feet too quickly and stumbled to my feet. The liquor rushed to my head, causing the room to spin. Crap! I‘d forgotten that I’d not eaten today. My nervous stomach had been churning something fierce all day. Suddenly I needed to leave. I raised the back of my hand to my forehead, feeling sick. “It’s late. I’m going home.” I slurred my words as I staggered to the door. Gold-Eyes gently grabbed my arm, pulling me back in before I reached the door, or did he catch me before I fell? My mind was a bit muffled.
“It’s nearly two in the morning,” he said. “Sleep in my bed. I’ll take the couch.” He smiled but it didn’t touch his eyes.
***
That morning I’d awakened to a throbbing headache and stiff muscles. I couldn’t tell which hurt the most, my face or my head. Right away I picked up the aroma of bacon. I could hear the sizzling. I thought, how strange. When have I’ve heard Dom cooking from downstairs?
Then my memories slammed into my brain. Holy crap! I was at that bartender’s apartment and in his bed half-naked. Startled, I jumped up, landing on my feet, yet wobbly. The liquor from last night still lingered.
Talk about a cheap drunk.
I never was much for holding my liquor, not that I’d had many nights boozing it up. Obviously, I’d passed out. I noticed my change of clothing, or lack of. The Band-Aid wrap had been removed along with my torn sweatshirt and jeans. Now draped over my body was a jersey shirt that definitely wasn’t mine. It hung on me like a curtain, and it had some sports team across the front with a number on the back.
Yuck! I hated sports.
I peered through the glass doors and spotted a blanket and a pillow lying on the couch. The dude must’ve slept there last night. Whew! I took a breath. That made me feel a little better, although I wasn’t too sure how I felt about him undressing me.
I opened the French doors and entered into the small living room. The apartment was smaller than my bedroom. It screamed “man cave,” but it had its charm.
I heard a cheerful voice from the kitchen. “Good morning!” I followed his baritone voice and met his stunning smile around the corner in a very small kitchen. It seemed he had prepared breakfast for the two of us. My eyebrow arched in question. Why the fuss? Neither one of us even liked each other.
“Did you sleep well?” He flashed a lopsided smile, pulling me away from my thoughts. A scowl crossed my face. I wished he wouldn’t do that. I hated dimpled smiles, and his teeth were too straight. Shouldn’t he be doing this for his girlfriend?
“I need to get home. Where’s your phone? I need to call a cab.” I sounded aloof. What was the point with the nicey nice?
“I’ll take you home, but first you need to eat.”
I made a sour face.
“Come on! I cooked all this food. The least you can do is try to eat.” His brows creased like I’d hurt his feelings. Damn! Why did he have to be so sweet?
“Okay,” I begrudgingly agreed. “I’m not big on breakfast. Got anymore Jack Daniel’s? Got a bad hangover.” I tipped my shoulder upward in a shrug. Geez! He didn’t have to stand there gaping.
***
When we sat down at the small kitchen table, it felt too intimate. The breakfast table only seated two places, and our knees kept brushing against one another.
I suppose he was trying to be a courteous host. He even went as far as setting two aspirins by my plate and a glass of OJ. Apparently, his guest didn’t get alcohol for breakfast. Bummer!
Halfway through the eggs and bacon came the annoying questions. “So, how did you know Ms. Noel?” He asked, making light conversation.
“She was my neighbor back in Tangi,” I said, still looking at my plate, playing more with my food than eating it. I tried to avoid eye contact. His eyes were too penetrating, which only made my headache worse. Besides, I didn’t want to get chummy. Keeping my guard up meant no mess.
“I’m sorry to hear about her passing.” He appeared genuine.
“Yeah, it sucks.” I continued staring at my plate. This polite chit-chat wasn’t necessary.
“So, why did you go to The Devil’s Den last night?” he cut to the chase.
“It’s personal.” I curtly replied. Then I heard his deep sigh and a fork falling onto the plate with a hard ding. What was it with this dude breaking dishes?
“Look! I’m sorry I put you out on the street,” he admitted with irritation.
Now he had my attention. I looked up from my plate. “Are you apologizing for both times?” I glared at him with a raised brow.
“Yeah, I guess I am.” Those eyes of his were too penetrating. It felt as though he saw right through me.
“Why did you throw Jeffery and me out of your club that first night?” I stuffed a forkful of eggs in my month.
“I know your kind.”
I blinked with surprise. I remained silent as he continued.
“The music. It affects you in the same way it affects others of your kind—our kind.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I denied.
“You don’t lie very well, do you?” He smirked, not expecting a reply. “Humans can’t hear the music. It’s on a different frequency.”
“Frequency? Like a dog whistle?” I mused, but inside I was freaking out.
“No. More like celestial.” Gold-Eyes lent a tight smile.
“Celestial?” This had to be some fluke. How else would he have known?
“Yeah. The music appeals to our spirit. It’s like catnip to a feline.”
“The music?” This time I dropped my fork and gave him my full attention.
“Yes, the music.” There was something hidden in his smile.
“And you’re like me?”
“Well, not exactly.” He paused. “My beginning came from divine creation, not man-made.”
“Divine creation?” I tried staying cool. Rather instead, alarm swallowed me whole.
“That’s correct.”
“Created by God?” Was he insane?
“Yes, we are a race of angels. Our kind are called Zophasemin. Zop for short.”
“Zop? That’s a funny word.” I forced a smile.
He paused, fixed on my face. “Don’t be flippant with me. I know who you are. The streets are full of information about you.”
“Sure! And my mother and father are fairies.” There was nothing like adding a little sarcasm to having breakfast with a stranger.
“Actually, your mother was your host. You were not conceived naturally.” He leaned back in his chair, with a cocky stare.
I reeled with astonishment. “I haven’t a clue to what you’re meaning.”
His brow shot up. “Are you going to skirt around the truth all morning?” The speckles
in his eyes stood out more than usual.
I glimpsed down at my half eaten food trying to decide how to proceed. Was I crazy for wanting to know more about my origin? I raised my eyes. “Tell me more?” Would letting my secret out of the bag be so bad?
“Like myself, you are celestial. You could say you’re ninety-nine percent celestial. You do have a small portion of human DNA and something else that I can’t put my finger on.”
“How can you tell?” I wasn’t sure if he was insane, but I wanted to hear what he had to say.
It looked like he held back a laugh. “Like myself and my race, we can see human aura. With you, not only do you have an aura, you carry effusion, which is the outflow of celestials.”
“Effusion? I’ve never heard of that.”
He raised an eyebrow. “It’s like a translucent mist or essence, for a better word.”
“Do I have that—?” Damn I sounded too eager.
“Yes, along with your aura as well.”
“What does my aura look like?” My heart pounded against my chest. This dude better not be jerking my leg.
“With every human, it’s different. Your aura is a rose, but when you get angry, it turns a deep purple. Effusion is more of a sense rather than a color.”
“That’s interesting.” I didn’t see colors or sense any effusion.
“Your aura is very soft, but your effusion is much stronger, more like one of us.”
I might as well put down my shield. I had to know. “Why don’t I see this myself?”
“The only thing I can conclude is that you haven’t tapped into your senses in your brain. It should come naturally.” He shrugged. “It’s possible that your human side is blocking the outflow of your effusion, kind of like a cold with a stuffed-up nose. I wouldn’t worry. It will come in time. After all, you are strong.” He reassured me.