by Jill Cooper
His words panged her heart in the way only he could.. Gwen shrugged. “He’s a priest, Archie. We never should’ve happened in the first place.”
“A priest who runs with bikers, exorcises demons as a hobby, and carries an AK-47. Once, I even witnessed him lobbing grenades at the enemy,” Archie pointed a finger at her, “for you. Maybe he took the vow, maybe he took the oath, but he has no church. His mission has always been different than most.”
“If he wanted something more after that night, he never said.” Gwen stood and turned her back, but Archie’s next words stilled her steps.
“I never took you for a fool. Don’t play one now, Genevieve Blood.”
Maybe Archie was right. Maybe, but as she passed Mike in the hall on the way to the bathroom, she kept her head down and her fists clenched. Sometimes too much happened to look back. Sometimes Gwen’s own choices also destroyed the road forward.
Chapter Four: Vain
Sin Town, a place of greed, debauchery and corruption. Between the buildings of Las Vegas, it took shape. Claiming souls lost at the roulette wheel and slot machines, those that entered Sin Town rarely left. Humans and demons alike, clinging to life and trading in magical-wares that claimed souls, stole hope, and replaced it with a helplessness that ran so deep, not even the sun shined.
And the rain never stopped.
In the heart of it all, The Vampire Kiss, a brothel that traded women a chance at a new life for pleasuring men—humans and demons alike. It may have sucked the woman’s humanity from them in encounter after encounter, but it lined Vain’s wallet with cold hard cash.
Business was good. Very good. And with Vaughn’s business now in Vain’s pocket, her riches would only grow. Her importance was going up. Soon, the world would bow at Vain’s feet. She was sure of it. The only question was, why had it taken so long to get where she was meant to be?
The interior lobby was buzzing with activity. Soft music with the bump and grind of horns wailed through the lobby. Walls covered in black velvet fabric were accented with red draperies. Drinks flowed from the bar and the dance floor was primed with Vain’s sensual girls doing their usual tricks.
Above them, the crystal chandeliers glowed brightly and the hue of the dance floor changed in a prism of colors. What the men thought was smoke for ambiance was magic laced dust. It kept the men ready to part with their money and their vision clouded. They saw pristine skin, small waists and perky breasts. Most of all, it kept her girls’ happy and ready to perform.
Who wouldn’t love a place like The Vampire Kiss?
Vain watched from her throne perch. Up four black onyx steps, she sat upon a red upholstered chair, flanked on either side by hellhounds in ruby choke collars. She stroked one’s head while her other held a goblet of brandy—the darkest and richest money could buy.
In Vegas that was saying a lot.
Her eyes traveled over her girls. High heels, corsets, and dresses, they slinked through the dance floor like snakes. The magical spells seeping from the curtains helped keep the clientele eating out of the palm of Vain’s hands. The hum of the music traveled, B flat and even a gentle skip, nudged the magic on. The girls weren’t immune either, as they ground their hips against the men who soon would be taken back to one of the fantasy bedrooms.
A lovely sight. Vain had big plans, and the more clients she had, the better.
At the bar, a regular leaned against the countertop. Human as they came, he wasn’t exactly innocent, but purity wasn’t exactly Vain’s game. No, this man had black hair and a stubble chin. He filled his crushed velvet suit out in all the right places and across his firm pecks, the buttons strained.
Kevin Loust. The most celebrated high roller in all of Vegas. When he came out of the Wild Aces Casino, it always drew attention. Always a reason to celebrate.
For him, Vain stood and slinked over to the bar. Being in his presence put dollar signs in her eyes because Kevin was practically royalty in Vegas. He had something she wanted that was way better than money. “Name your poison and it’s on the house, Kevin.” She took his wine glass from him and took a dainty sip.
In his hand, the trusty coin he always carried. Magically enchanted in a way that meant he got free passage out of Sin Town, whereas most humans prayed to be smuggled free one day. That lucky coin would sell for a pretty penny, if Vain ever got her hands on it. As with everything, Vain had to bide her time.
Kevin was important and held certain prestige in Vegas, so for now, he was more useful on the outside.
He tipped down his aviator sunglasses down. far enough to give her a penetrating glance. Handsome as ever, Vain thought to take him to the back room herself. She licked her ruby lips and Kevin read her like a deck of cards. “Not you, that’s for sure. You know I like them young, Vain.” He sighed. “But all I see is your regular girls. Beautiful as they are, they’re too…experienced.”
Vain puffed up her chest. “I have new merchandise. Picked up quite a few girls the other day at a….trade show. One is perfect for you. She’s feeling shy so she’s still out back. Give me a few minutes and I can get her ready for you. She’s had it rough. Bottle of our best champagne has your name on it, while you wait.”
“So go gentle on her?” Kevin smirked. “I pay well. I treat them well. That’s my motto and if she’s dainty and sweet,” he took in a big breath of air, “I’ll pay you three times what you normally ask.”
“Let’s go with four and I’ll throw in the finest caviar I’ve been able to smuggle out of Vegas.” Vain snapped her fingers to summon the bartender.
Bob wore a leather harness and a leash around his neck. Vain gripped it hard and tugged him forward. He groaned, but submitted to her will with his head bent low. Vain kissed the top of his balding head, because even lowly servants deserved a reward once in a while.
“Be a dear, Bob. Fetch our finest for Mr. Loust and Honey-Bear Hannah. She’s about to get the night of her dreams.”
“She’s locked herself in the dressing room, M’lady. I’m afraid she won’t come out.”
Disappointed with this news, Vain let Bob’s leash go. “Excuse me, won’t you, Kevin?” Vain did an about face and sauntered as quickly as she could toward the back room. She wouldn’t run, but a surge of anger made her face hot.
Hannah would learn to play by the rules. If not, Vain would cut her loose and then, the girl would never get up again.
Kevin had something Vain wanted. A totem of power and luck that could change the game. Everyone in town would kill to get their hands on it, but Vain was more…tempered in her response. She was sure with Hannah’s help soon the Ruby Heart would be hers.
And Vegas would crumble to its knees before her.
****
Dreams. What were dreams anyway but wanderlust in a young girl’s eyes? Vain barely remembered being a kid, and the foolish notions she had had. Once maybe she wanted a lemonade stand, while being a princess. Meanwhile, the world trampled all over her—her mom—and even that no good step-father who couldn’t keep his hands to himself. He’d had his own trailer park heartbreak once upon a time.
A wrecked fairytale. A Destroyed future.
Everyone had a story. Everyone was the victim until they seized the moment.
Hannah’s was coming now, but she didn’t know it. It was Vain’s job to show her. Teach her. And if she couldn’t be taught, Vain would cut her off at the knees.
Vain used her skeleton key to unlock the dressing room. Once inside, she pushed the crushed velvet black drapery aside. A series of round mirrors at small tables illuminated the room. They were all empty, except for one. Hannah sat her posture perfectly straight in her satin blue corset. Her legs were thin, but in the fishnet stockings, they appeared shapely enough.
Lucky for them, Kevin liked the school girl look.
When Vain approached, she saw Hannah was staring down at her hands. Her eyes were moist. Vain touched her chin and forced the young woman to look up. Her smooth skin was as flawless as porcelain
and her big blue eyes were eternally sad.
He was going to eat her up.
Grabbing the loose powder, Vain pressed it against her cheeks. “Don’t be so sad. Big night for you. For me.” Vain stroked Hannah’s ringlet curls atop her head. She leaned down and kissed Hannah’s neck. She smelled sweet, like strawberries and honey.
“You become the strong one now, Hannah. Kevin, he’s a nice guy. He won’t push you into anything you don’t want. But now you turn the tables. You make him do what we want. Understand?”
Not the complete truth, but enough of it was. Vain had to hope the magic would take care of any discrepancies. Soon, Hannah would be so full of desire and lust, she’d have no will to resist the games Kevin wanted to play.
Hannah shook her head. Her arms cradled around her middle. “I don’t want to do anything. I want to go home.” Her lip quivered.
Vain grabbed a pressed satin handkerchief and dotted at Hannah’s eyes. “We’re your home now and we’ll help you. Protect you. Provide for you. All you have to do is act…naïve. Sweet. You cut him off before anything serious happens. A few times like that, and you’ll have him eating out of your hand. Then, if we’re lucky,” Vain bent over and picked up a tube of red lipstick, “he’ll want to take you to his penthouse suite.”
“Why do you want me there?” Hannah puckered her lips as Vain applied rich red color against them.
The girl was beautiful. She knew with the right combination of magic and makeup that she would be a work of art. “He has something we need. Something the Bloods are searching for. Magic has given us the upper hand and now we have to seize it, Hannah. Do you understand that if I don’t protect you here, in Sin Town, what will happen to you?”
Hannah nodded and with a shaking breath she stood from the table. “I’m ready. I guess. Do I look okay?”
Vain ran her hand along Hannah’s plump breasts. “Darling, you’re going to make his motor hum. Come now.” Vain took her hand and helped her around the side. Hannah would get used to the heels and the short skirt. That you could teach.
But the sweet naïve quality Hannah naturally came with? No, that couldn’t be taught. And Vain was going to use her to get Kevin Loust to do whatever Vain asked. The Ruby Heart would be hers, one way or another.
It was Vain who wanted to be queen of the underworld. Why should the Bloods get all the fun?
Chapter Five: Duncan
Kneeling over the stockade whipping bench wasn’t the manliest thing in the world, but Duncan didn’t have much choice in the matter. His hands were cuffed beneath the base and his chin dug into the pleather material across the top pad. Duncan’s mind swirled as he listened to Vain’s high heels click.
She circled in front of him and placed a fist on her hip. No longer in her silver catsuit, which had always been her trademark, now she wore a pair of stiletto pumps, fishnet stockings and a dangerously tight corset. In other words, Vain was dressed in her finest working girl outfit.
“You haven’t called out once, Duncan.” Her voice purred with disappointment and circled from behind.
“Guess you’re going to have to try harder then, aren’t you?” Maybe it wasn’t smart to goad her on, but Duncan couldn’t help himself. Being in the same room with her angered him. Knowing her hands could touch him, caresses him anytime she wanted, sickened him. Worst of all, he put himself in this situation. He subjected himself toVain’s mercy because he, what, thought he would be able to escape so easy?
The heat of Vain’s legs pressed up against the naked flesh of his thighs. The softness of her bosom pushed into his back and her fingernails traced up his arms. Something was sharp, so sharp about her nails and like sandpaper. they scratched his skin. Duncan bit his lip to keep himself in line; it was about the only thing that actually worked.
She grabbed his hair and reeled his head back sharply. He allowed himself a quick grunt. “It could be a lot more fun if you took these handcuffs off?”
Vain licked his jawline all the way down to the nape of his neck. Her saliva had the stench of betrayal and corruption, and Duncan’s skin rejected the idea of her. None of it felt good, nothing about it turned him on, even in the least. “And I can trust you not to run away? To play fair?”
She tilted his head with a finger. Leaning forward over his shoulder, her lips grazed his. Duncan closed his eyes to keep the sickness at bay. He parted his lips and allowed the delicate tip of her tongue, like Satan’s forked tongue in spirit; lick the corner of his mouth.
“Where’s the fun in fair, Vain?”
Vain laughed. “No fun at all, but if you try to escape I’ll be forced to catch you. Forced to punish you. Is that what you want?”
She took the key from one of the buckles of her corset and knelt in front of him. It dangled from her teeth as she ran her hands down her curvy sides, as if somehow that would entice him. Like watching a cow make love to itself on the way to slaughter, no Duncan wasn’t turned on.
His lip wanted to turn up with disgust, but instead he practiced a sly smile. “Go ahead, baby,” he whispered. “Let’s get the real party started.”
“And this time you’ll be a willing participant in bed? And not a wet doormat?”
“You’ll never know until you try,” Duncan purred. It must have been enough, because Vain slid the key into his handcuffs and let him go.
His arms were tingling. Duncan’s back straightened and he rubbed his wrists together. They felt like they were on fire. He stood slow, first on his left foot, and then on his right. The room was spinning and his forehead felt as if it took a dip of lava. Duncan leaned on the spanking bench for a brief second and gazed at Vain’s face.
Her lips were pursed together as if he were a tasty ice cream cone on a hot summer day, but her face separated into many clones. They swirled in his vision like a kaleidoscope. Duncan didn’t know what was happening to him, but his arms were shaking.
Something had poisoned him. Her fingernails? Her kiss?
“A little of both actually,” Vain said as if he’d said it out loud, but had he? Maybe he had said something.
Duncan tried to walk, but he tripped and fell at the foot of the bed. He clawed at the mattress and pulled himself up. “I just need…. a minute…”
“You think I don’t know when a man is trying to play me, Jasper?” She approached and in her hand, a riding crop, but this one had steel welts along the paddle. He was pretty sure it had his name on it.
Vain knew he was up to something and was going to make him pay.
Duncan’s cheek rested against the bed’s black lace bedding. “Wait…let me…explain.” His words slurred together. He knew what he needed to say, so why didn’t he say it? The poison was playing games with his mind.
Vain stood over him with her legs spread wide. She grabbed his arm and rolled him over until his head thumped to the floor. “Truth serum, partially. You’ll tell me things you never would before and now you’ll be susceptible to suggestion, dear boy. You’ll see and hear whatever I want.”
She knelt down on his torso, her fingers dancing down his naked pelvis. “Right now what I want is you.” Vain blew against his lips and Duncan shuddered as if a draft blew against him.
“ Now things are going to get really fun,” Vain said. She grabbed a red wig from the dresser and put it on. She was careful to tuck her dreads beneath it.
When she turned to him, for a second Duncan thought she looked like Jessica, but it was a lie. A trick and it was never more obvious to him how childlike Vain really was. Not in a sweet and innocent way, far from it, but Vain really wanted love. His acceptance. She just went about it all wrong.
Vain ran her fingernails along his torso. “Whisper my name, lover. Tell me who you see.”
Duncan chuckled, even as the pain of his broken rib burned beneath his skin. “You’ll never be half the woman Jessica is,” he whispered.
She snarled and struck his cheek. “Clearly this is going to take more work than I expected.” Vain rolled the tube o
f lip gloss in her hand. Inside the tube, transparent gel glittered with gold specks. “But don’t worry, Jasper.” Bent over, her hot lips touched his. Her breath was sweet as watermelon, but beneath that was something much worse.
“I have time,” Vain snarled. “You’re not going anywhere.”
Chapter Six: Jessica
The morning brought a feeling of restfulness, something Jessica barely remembered, but as they gathered their things and loaded up the car, Jessica noticed Amanda held herself more rigidly than usual. She kept tucking her flowing locks behind her ears as if she jittered with nerves. Something she hadn’t done since they were teens.
Joseph was quiet during checkout and at breakfast. Jessica couldn’t believe that the guy at the front desk was going to let them go. There was no way that their credit card went through.
Once safe behind the wheel of the car, Jessica asked her about it. Amanda giggled nervously. “I guess luck is on our side.”
“Luck is never on our side,” Jessica reminded her. “Is there a reason why you’re so giggly?”
“Just ready to get this show on the road. It’s put me in a good mood, okay?” Amanda’s voice rose in defense.
“Hmm,” Jessica smirked. Maybe that’s all it was. Maybe she was just nervous about this queen of the underworld thing, but if that’s all it was, Jessica wished Amanda would say so. None of that explained the piece of cloth Amanda wore around the palm of her hand.
Since when did Amanda need a bandage, one way or another?
“You hurt your hand?” Jessica asked.
Amanda jumped as the car careened over a speed bump. “Just…a little. I pierced my skin on the soda machine last night.”
“And you can’t heal it?” Jessica raised an eyebrow.
“Can you just leave it alone?” Amanda’s voice was strained. “Please. Just for today.”
“All right,” Jessica signaled to turn left toward the homeless shelter they were bringing Joseph to. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”