When Lulu, a Soothsayer, had the Statue of Liberty scene frozen, and the Paranorm Task Force had taken the Sprites to the detention center, Nadia and I started to head toward the Pit.
“How’s your Detective?” Nadia asked me with a grin.
I smiled in return, a feeling of happiness warming my body as I thought of Adam. “As sexy as ever,” I said, and Nadia laughed—probably at the goofy girlie look that was undoubtedly on my face.
“So what makes you so hot for this human, anyway?” Nadia asked.
I sighed, a happy sigh. “Adam is genuine, caring, and he understands me, accepts me.” I looked at Nadia. “He gets me.”
Nadia gave me a teasing look. “I’ll bet he ‘gets’ you.”
My cheeks felt pleasantly warm. “Well, he’s also sensitive, while at the same time a tough man. I love that combination.”
Something shadowy caught my eye near one of the darkened tourist charter boats and my smile faded. As soon as I saw it, the shadow disappeared.
I have fantastic night vision and the fact that I hadn’t been able to make out what the shadow was made me frown. It wasn’t a Shadow Shifter because it stood upright. Yet I sensed it had to have been some kind of being.
“Nadia.” I lowered my voice and my friend looked at me. “Let’s go that way.” I indicated the place where I’d seen the shadowy figure. “I don’t know what, but I saw something over there.”
She rested her hand on the hilt of one of her serpent swords. “Any idea?” she whispered as we slipped out of the lighted area and into the darkness.
“No.” I frowned again as we eased toward the location. “But I’ve sensed some kind of being nearby every time we’ve gathered up troublemaking Sprites.” We moved closer and I kept my voice so low that I couldn’t be heard by anyone but Nadia. “This is the first time I’ve actually seen something. I just don’t know what it is.”
I kept my own hand close to one of my daggers as we crept forward.
We reached the area where I’d seen the shadow. Like I had expected, nothing was there.
But the slightest hint of a familiar smell was. “Old dirt and musty leaves.” I straightened and searched the darkness with my gaze. “A Vampire, and recently.”
The fact I hadn’t been able to tell that from where I’d been standing set me on edge.
“No sign of blood, not even the scent of it,” Nadia said.
I ran my finger along my collar. “But why would a Vampire watch us round up Sprites?”
Nadia studied the area around us. “Probably in the neighborhood looking for a bite.”
“Yes. Maybe,” I said.
Something didn’t feel right. Didn’t feel right at all.
TWO
The night had a sharp snap to it and I smelled wood burning in fireplaces and the scent I associated with Otherworld holidays. It was a change in the air, the days having a different feel and scent to them than any other time of the year.
I wondered what it might be like to lie back on a beach in some tropical location, something I had never done before. Maybe even wear a bikini when I was under the sun and get a tan. The thought of walking on the beach at night as Drow made me smile to myself.
The Pit was the hottest paranorm nightclub in New York and probably the entire East Coast. The nightclub was hidden from human eyes, magically tucked away next to the supposedly haunted Dakota building at Seventy-second Street and Central Park West.
I say supposedly because I know for a fact the Dakota building wasn’t haunted, not a single Specter in residence. All of the happenings over the years were thanks to Brownies who love to scare humans.
The Pit, owned by Rodán, was a “safe place” for paranorms. Rodán was of the Light Elves and served as Proctor over all of New York City’s Peacekeepers. He was so magically dominant that it took incredible power to cross the threshold into the Pit.
Not that long ago, two Demons had managed to fool Rodán’s magic, something that was unbelievable. But that’s another story I don’t have time to get into.
After almost catastrophic happenings with Demons, Rodán had strengthened his wards tenfold in and around and even above and below the nightclub. He had the place covered with magic and muscle, too. No one was ever in danger in the Pit.
Fred wasn’t at the door tonight, but Matthew was. Like most bouncers and law enforcement, he was a Doppler. He was a black Labrador when he wasn’t in his human form. Fred was a golden retriever in his animal form and often he and Matthew would go for runs in Central Park. It was always a competition between the two of them. Sometimes I brought them Milk-Bone treats.
Dopplers make great PTF agents, bouncers, and anything else to do with security and law enforcement. In most cases, Dopplers are tough, dependable, intelligent, and have a strong sense of right versus wrong.
Unlike the cool weather outside, inside the nightclub was excessively warm from all of the paranorms packed into the place. It smelled of pipe weed, bar food, and beer, along with the combination of all of the different paranorm scents.
Pixies smell like milk chocolate, Doppler females like tiger flowers, and Shifter males of warmed amber. So many types of paranorms, so many scents to sift through.
“Sweet Cat is playing tonight.” I heard the band’s signature sound as it pulsed through the nightclub and saw the group onstage. I glanced at Nadia. “Adele is on lead vocals, so it’s good Olivia isn’t here tonight. At least I don’t think so. What time is it?”
“Around midnight.” Nadia looked at one big-screen TV in a corner of the room. “Hey, the Paranorm Winter Olympics are on.” She turned back to me. “Unless the rovers assigned to our territories can’t handle the areas for the night, I’m ready for a drink and watching a little of the Olympics.”
“With Mandisa covering yours and Nakano tracking my territory I think they’re in great hands.” I stopped and watched the screen for a moment. “I haven’t had much time to watch the PWO. Not even the parts I recorded on my DVR.”
Nadia brought her gaze to me. “They’re better than the human Olympics.”
Some of the world’s best athletes are paranorms. Especially Shifters, who tend to be flashier than most paranorm races. Personally I had a thing for human quarterbacks.
“I think it’s fun.” I laughed. “Humans would never guess that the male who won five gold medals in skating and the seven-time gold medalist in swimming are actually Shifters. They supposedly don’t use their abilities to help them win, so I don’t see a problem with it.”
Nadia stared at the screen, looking almost entranced at the hockey game on the screen, Shifters versus Dopplers.
Which reminded me of one of the greatest games in human Olympic history. “The USA hockey team in the 1980 Olympics, a bunch of college kids who beat the Russians. Shifters. All of them.”
Nadia and I watched a Doppler shoot a puck past a Shifter goalie.
“I have to admit that I always loved watching Michael before he retired.” I smiled. “Not only is the great number twenty-three a sexy Shifter, but his forty-eight-inch vertical leap was incredible.”
Nadia sniffed. “You can jump higher than that.”
“That’s different, what I do is more acrobatics.” I shook my head. “Michael has talent that most paranorms just dream of. And style. For a Shifter he’s a really nice guy.”
Yeah, Shifters are great at most athletics including anything that has to do with speed and agility, but Weres always give them a run for their money in the Paranorm Olympics.
Doppler athletes are at their best in events that involve strength. The Fae tend to be awesome in a variety of areas—Nymphs and Pixies are great at ice dancing, Abatwa and Elves excel at archery, and Tuatha are generally the best at sword-fighting.
“I still think the Paranorm Olympics are so much better than the norm Olympics. Both summer and winter.” As she walked, Nadia’s hip brushed one of the low round tables where a couple of Shadow Shifter males lounged.
One of the males, a blond who must
have had more muscle than brains, said to Nadia, “Hey, redhead. Babe. Join us for a stiff one.” He and the other male laughed in the way males laugh when they sound like they’re in on some kind of sexual joke that they think is funny.
I winced.
Nadia went totally still. Her back was rigid as she slowly turned and faced the males. Oh, crap. Her skin had already started to turn sea green and gills were growing behind her ears. It had been a busy night and no doubt that wasn’t helping her self-control.
Her sensual voice slipped into her Siren’s song.
The males stopped laughing and stared at her with wonder and lust.
I tugged on Nadia’s arm but she went up an octave and her song filled the nightclub.
All males paused whatever they were doing and stared at Nadia.
Sirens hate almost all males. Especially those who make sexual innuendoes or advances.
These males were doomed. Unless I did something and soon.
Nadia was entering a dangerous trance that would be harder and harder to control if I didn’t stop it.
Her song was sensual and lovely, enticing and inviting. Only the females in the nightclub were immune, and I heard everything from anger to confusion and even amusement from some of them.
Nadia’s hands were going for her serpent swords as she moved closer to the two Shadow Shifters’ table.
I grabbed her arm. Shook her. Tried to get her to stop. She easily pulled away from my strong grasp. A Siren about to burst into full song is a Siren it’s best not to get too close to.
Her voice rose higher and higher. Her mouth opened wider and she sang like an opera singer.
Bless it.
I looked around me and spotted a plate of whole lemons and limes on the bar. I released Nadia’s arm long enough to grab a lemon.
Just as she started to draw her swords I stuffed the lemon in her mouth, cutting off her song.
The whole place went silent. Even the DJ wasn’t playing music anymore.
The Shadow Shifter males blinked, looking drowsy and confused.
Nadia spit out the lemon and I caught it. “Ewww,” she said as she made a face.
“Wha—” the blond Shadow Shifter male started. I stuffed the lemon into his mouth. He made a gurgling sound and he tried to spit out the lemon that I’d jammed in pretty tight. Well, it would help keep him from making an ass of himself again—in front of Nadia at least.
Nadia’s skin began to lighten as I jerked her away from the table. “I almost killed them, didn’t I?” she muttered.
“Uh-huh,” I said.
Nadia looked over her shoulder. “Too bad you stopped me.”
Heh.
Gotta love her.
The nightclub came to life as music started pounding and males and females began chatting again. Almost every male in the place was shaking his head as if trying to get a roomful of moths out.
We headed to the bar that Hector ran. He was a Shifter who preferred a lion form. Rowwwr.
“Extra dry martini with three olives for Ms. Nyx,” Hector said as I approached and he began fixing my favorite drink.
“Thank you,” I said as he handed me my drink. “You’re the best, Hector.”
“Of course.” He grabbed grapefruit and cranberry juice and combined them with a shot of vodka before handing Nadia the drink. “And a Sea Breeze for the beautiful Ms. Nadia.” Hector was one of the only males who could get away with referring to Nadia as beautiful.
Nadia smiled. “On our tabs, please.”
Hector leaned forward, both forearms on the bar. “The drinks for both of you are on the house as a thank you for not killing the patrons.”
Nadia’s cheeks turned pink.
Hector started rubbing the bar down with a cloth. “All that blood. Would have been such a mess.” He winked at Nadia.
“Um, thanks, Hector,” she said and I echoed her thank you.
Nadia’s cheeks were still pink as we turned away from the bar.
“It’s so crowded tonight.” I looked for a place to sit and frowned.
The only spots open were two chairs in the Trackers’ corner with its large black overstuffed leather couches and chairs. Three seats were available at a big round table.
But that table had two Vamps lounging on one end. I’ve never been crazy about Vampires. I didn’t have to worry about Nadia getting friendly with one, but I’d always had to work to keep my partner Olivia away from them.
“Kelly and Fere are in the Tracker corner.” Nadia looked from that part of the nightclub to me. “Don’t you think it’s better if we just sit here?” She pointed to the round table with the Vampires.
Hmmm. The two Trackers I disliked the most versus sitting close to a couple of Vamps. Well, I probably should avoid the chance that there might be a double paranormicide if Kelly and Fere made me mad enough.
I glanced back at the Vampires, weighing my options.
A brown-eyed Vampire wore a blue T-shirt and had short dark hair that curled just above his collar. Considering the fact that he was dead, he looked like he was in remarkably good shape, almost like a norm. His skin wasn’t waxy-pale like every other Vampire I’d seen.
I sniffed. He smelled young, like freshly tilled soil and cool air. I frowned to myself. He couldn’t have been a Vampire more than a couple of years. However, since the Rebellion it had been illegal to turn norms into Vampires. Apparently not everyone was following the ban.
The other Vamp had long dark hair and green eyes. His features were strong, angular. He was paler than the other Vamp and his scent told me he was old, very old. It was in the set of his lips, the age in his eyes, his scent of must and graveyard dirt.
“Okay.” I let out a resigned sigh as I looked away from the two Vampires. “Just don’t talk with the Vamps.”
Nadia grinned. “Who, me?”
When we each settled ourselves in a seat, I met the gaze of the older Vampire. His green eyes were clear, focused, with a dangerous edge to them. A weird sensation crept down my spine and I suppressed a shudder.
I kept my gaze cool and casually looked away.
Vampires should really stay in their coffins and not come out.
THREE
Nadia and I turned our chairs so that our backs were to the table and we could see the dance floor and everything else that was going on.
My spine prickled and I frowned to myself again. I’d never seen a Vampire with anything but bloodshot eyes from too many fake blood cocktails.
“I didn’t know there was a Faerie dart tournament tonight.” Nadia caught my attention and gestured to the far side of the nightclub and a large elevated floor. Pinball machines, dartboards, and pool tables were on that level.
I cleaned up at pool—no one could beat me. I’d never gotten into Faerie darts.
Purple Faerie dust burst in a puff of glitter as one of the tiny Faeries hit the bull’s-eye feetfirst, the point at the end of her leg sleeve burying itself into the board.
“Remember when the competitors used to throw the Faeries headfirst at the dartboard?” Nadia said.
I shook my head. “That was while I was still a youngling in Otherworld.”
Nadia laughed, a beautiful laugh that was almost a song. “They strapped helmets with points onto their heads and hit headfirst. The new feet-first technique eliminated a lot of headaches.”
“Ow.” I grinned. “Well, Faeries are hard-headed Fae.”
“It’s better now.” Nadia folded her arms across her chest. “At least for them.”
We watched another contestant pick up his Faerie teammate and aim her at the dartboard.
“They sail with wings tight to their sides and their legs encased in a specially designed dart sleeve,” Nadia said. “The guidance is a combination of the skill of the thrower, and the Faerie remaining as tight and straight a package as possible. It makes for an aerodynamic, accurate dart.”
The long-haired Were holding the tiny Faerie dart took aim, then threw her. I couldn’t help
a giggle when the Faerie spun, with her little wings tight to her side and the sharp end of the sleeve burying itself into the bull’s-eye in a cloud of sparkling blue dust.
“Nothing like paranorm watching,” I said to Nadia as I watched a Doppler and a Tuatha arm wrestle. They were a pretty even match, but I would have put my money on the Doppler.
“Eh.” Nadia made a dismissive gesture. “Boring. Same old, same old.”
I didn’t think so. The human half of me enjoyed norm-watching and paranorm-watching. It helped my PI and even my Tracker skills to really get an idea on what makes a norm or paranorm tick.
Compared to paranorm races, norms are pretty … normal.
Paranorms tend to stick within their own races. It’s always been that way and no one seems inclined or cares to change it. I wondered what it would be like if the New York City paranorms were one big melting pot like norms were in that city. But I had a hard time seeing it.
Some beings from different paranorm races intermingled with everyone, like me. But most…
Fae with Elves? Dopplers with Shifters? Shadow Shifters with Metamorphs? Witches with Werewolves? Vampires with anyone?
Nope. Couldn’t see it happening.
Even amongst Trackers, there were some personality or race conflicts. For the most part I got along with all races. Maybe it was because I was the only one of my kind around and I didn’t have a choice. But I didn’t think so. It was just my nature.
“Got him.” I gestured to the Doppler who downed the Tuatha in the arm-wrestling match. “Could have made some money on that.”
Nadia pointed to a group of pretty young females lounging on couches in a grouping on one side of the nightclub. Witches.
Witches have a mystical air about them, a sense of mystery and unpredictability. As was common with their kind, they wore flowing gowns of different colors and all wore loads of jewelry.
Most paranorms wear little adornments if any. My collar is one exception and that’s only because Father insisted a Drow princess was required to wear one from birth. Keeping it on after I reached adulthood at twenty-five had been a battle I’d let him win.
Vampires Not Invited: A Night Tracker Novel Page 2