by Dannika Dark
“Oh, Christian,” Wyatt sang from outside.
I weaved out of his clutches. “You smell like the dead.”
He dusted off his clothes and strode outside. “So where’s the little numpty who works for Darius? The one you squeezed for information.”
“In the trunk of my car.”
He pinched his beard, giving the mausoleum a thoughtful glance. “I think I have just the spot to put him. If the bastard who staked me returns, he’ll be in for a surprise.” Christian cupped his hand around his mouth, his voice loud and sonorous when he yelled, “Feck you, Martha Cleavy!”
“Shut the hell up,” Wyatt snapped, jogging back down the hill. “Don’t piss off the dead!”
I glanced up at Christian. “Did you see the guy who staked you?”
His jaw clenched, making his cheekbones appear taut. “No.”
“Whoever it was knew Darius, but Darius didn’t know him. At least, that’s what Salvator said. The question is: did this guy know you, or was he just seizing an opportunity to get a favor out of Darius?”
“Hard to say. Men will do most anything to earn a favor. That might explain why he didn’t say a word to me, unless the gobshite was a mute.”
We reached the bottom of the incline to find Claude leaning over the trunk of Salvator’s sedan.
“Look what we found,” Claude said.
Christian clapped his hand on Claude’s shoulder. “I’ve devised a plan for our hostage.”
“Good. Because I don’t like the scent he’s putting out.”
Chitahs had four canines—two on the top and two on the bottom. When provoked, the teeth slid into view, and a Chitah’s fangs were deadly weapons against a Mage. They could tear flesh, but they also delivered toxic venom that could paralyze or kill a Mage, depending on how many teeth punctured the skin.
He peeled back his lips, tapping his hand on the trunk. Seeing those fangs gave me pause, and I took a step back.
Ahead of the car, the Keystone van sped off, leaving deep tire marks in the dirt.
“Where are they going?” I asked.
Claude stood up and ruffled his hair. “To wait for us at the club. Viktor wants to celebrate.”
“Who’s us?”
“You, me, and the witches three. I’m guessing he has something to discuss with you.”
I arched my brows with a look of skepticism. “I thought he didn’t want everyone to be seen together?”
“The only people who know we’re connected—aside from trusted friends—are dead anyhow. Viktor’s version of a party always involves business, and it sounds like he has a few ideas about what we’re going to do about Darius.”
I patted Christian’s shoulder. “Well, with that new cologne you’re wearing, if you go missing again, shouldn’t be a problem tracking you down.”
Chapter 19
Before leaving the cemetery, Christian placed Salvator in the stone coffin and closed the lid, certain that someone would discover him.
Eventually.
Christian had a dark sense of humor, but our dead jokes were clearly starting to penetrate his thick skin.
“You’re a morose bunch,” he finally said to Claude and me. “If the stench offends you, then we’re going back home so I can shower.”
“Everyone’s waiting for us, and we’re already late,” Claude argued, his voice low so the cabdriver wouldn’t hear. “It took an hour just to dump the car.”
I suggested a truck stop by the highway that I’d frequented a time or two—one with showers in the bathroom. It was only a few blocks away from the club, so we paid the cabbie and got out.
“You want me to strip naked and wet my body down… in there?” Christian asked, pointing at the dilapidated porch where five truck drivers were chowing down on burgers.
I patted his shoulder. “Welcome to my world. They also sell T-shirts, and if you’re lucky, you might find some pants. Have fun, and don’t drop the soap.”
Claude and I waited outside, laughing at the idea of a Vampire showering in a truck stop. Sometimes those doors didn’t come with locks, and they definitely didn’t have doors on the open showers.
When he returned all squeaky clean, it was hard to find something to tease him about. He’d groomed his hair back, and the grey V-neck T-shirt was a size too small, clinging to his wet body, and Christian didn’t have an ounce of fat on him. I was used to seeing his hair disheveled. The way it looked now, it made him look almost debonair, and I wasn’t sure how it was possible for hair to have that kind of power.
“Those aren’t your jeans,” I said, glancing down at the dark denims that fit his ass better than I should have noticed.
He gave me a dark smile. “I charmed a man who looked my size.”
“You stole another man’s pants?” I laughed, picking up stride. “You have no idea where those pants have been.”
“I’m sure wherever they’ve been, it’s a sight better than where mine spent the past twenty-four hours.”
A damp chill hung in the air, and while there wasn’t any fog, there were halos around the yellow lampposts along the street. We reached a Breed club called Flavors, and I glanced up at the sign. All the letters were green except for the L.
“I’ve never been here before.” I warily searched the crowd inside. There were too many unfamiliar faces.
Breed faces.
I didn’t spend a lot of time hanging out in Breed establishments unless I was looking for my next target or trying to hustle a meal. Humans didn’t put up with that kind of thing; you couldn’t just walk up to a table, sit down, and start up a conversation without them calling the manager. I preferred bars since they were open to the public, and that meant humans were allowed. Of course, in the Breed district the regulars always found a way to bully the humans out of there so they’d never return. Most clubs were exclusively Breed since they had the option to be a private establishment, and the doormen kept everyone out except for those on the guest list.
Only there was no guest list. It was just a legitimate reason to keep the humans standing in line.
Front and center was an oval-shaped bar, colorfully lit and busy with patrons. Music was playing, but not obnoxiously loud. Each side of the room had seating areas with boxy modern chairs that could fit two. They were arranged in groups of four surrounding a black table, and numerous pillars and short walls broke up the openness. The walls had colorful accent lights, and nothing about this place was uninteresting. I’d never been to Vegas, but this was how I’d imagined it.
Immortal roulette, anyone?
A crowd gathered near one of the bartenders, who tossed a bottle in the air and caught it behind his back. A few people erupted in applause, and he theatrically filled a row of shot glasses with a bright green liquid. We headed toward the rear of the club, and I made a quick scan of the place. The hall in the center appeared to lead to the restrooms, but Claude veered left through an open doorway that led to a game room.
I spotted a group of familiar faces near a dartboard on the far left wall.
“Someone looks spiffy,” Wyatt said with a snort, noticing Christian’s uncharacteristic attire. “All things considered.”
Christian joined the group up ahead.
I sat down at a square table, Gem on my right. “Niko’s playing darts?”
She glanced over at him, her radiant smile being the true gem about her features. “Just wait until you see him in action. Watch this.”
Niko drew back his arm, his left hand extended in front of him. With a clean toss, the dart sailed through the air and struck the bull’s-eye.
Shepherd slammed his fist on the table, tipping over a beer bottle. A cigarette was dangling from his mouth, and he looked like he wanted to beat someone senseless as he dug some bills out of his wallet.
“Pay up, buttercup,” Wyatt said, collecting the money.
I gripped Gem’s wrist. “How did he do that?”
She scooted her chair closer. “Your guess is as good as mine. Shep
herd always bets against him. He thinks the odds are in his favor that Niko will eventually miss, but he never does. I never get tired of watching him do it.” Her eyes sparkled with admiration when Niko turned his attention our way.
“Is that a can of apple juice?” I asked, pointing at her beverage.
She lifted it with two fingers and swished it. “I don’t drink alcohol. Can I just say for the record that what you did back at the cemetery was epic?”
I peered over her shoulder to where Viktor was sitting. He clinked his glass against Christian’s, and they fell into casual conversation.
Niko joined us, running his hands along the table until he reached the chair to my left. I noticed he had a few thin braids mixed into his hair.
“Be right back,” Gem said. “I promised someone a hug.”
She tiptoed behind Christian and wrapped her arms around him from behind. It amused me that Gem went through the motions of sneaking up on a Vampire. Christian patted her hand and quickly shrank out of her embrace. Undeterred, the violet-haired pixie took a seat next to Blue.
I turned to Niko, twirling a lock of my hair. “How can you tell the difference between men and women? Or can you?”
He rested his forearms on the table, eyes downcast. “Their energy is different. I can’t explain it.”
“How do you decide which woman you want to hit on if you can’t see them and haven’t spoken to them?”
Niko sat back in his chair and changed the subject. “You should talk to Viktor while everything’s copacetic. He’s in good spirits, and we still have a job to complete.”
I glanced at Viktor’s table and lowered my voice. “Do you know what he’ll say?”
“No, but you made a strong impression tonight.”
I chuckled and rapped my knuckles against the table. “It’s been one hell of a day.”
“Invite him to speak with you privately before the moment’s lost,” Niko suggested. “You seem to be waiting for fate to choose its moment.”
Inspired, I stood up and approached Viktor’s table. The laughter died down, and Christian half turned, showing his profile as he watched me saunter up next to him. I lifted my chin and ignored the smirk on his face.
“Viktor, do you have a moment to speak privately?”
Never taking his eyes from his drink, he nodded. “Very well.”
Hell, that was easier than I thought.
When we reached the doorway to the main room, Viktor rested his hand against my back and led me to the left. “Let’s go away from prying ears. Christian has a tendency to eavesdrop. That’s why I know when I return to my seat, there will be a fresh glass of vodka waiting for me. Isn’t that right, Christian?” He ended with a chuckle.
“Did they name this club after the drinks?”
“It used to be a Sensor club,” he said. “Everyone was allowed in, but they were the ones who ran the place. They would spike all the drinks and charge extra for the emotional experience.”
“I’m glad I didn’t order anything.”
We entered a small room, and he closed the door behind him. “Unfortunately, they didn’t think it through. What happens when you spike the drinks of hundreds of customers?”
I collapsed in the oversized brown chair. “Lots of fights, I’m guessing.”
“Precisely. That is why most clubs no longer spike the drinks unless they’re a specialty, and even those are too mild to have any lasting effect. Owners are very particular about the dose and what kind of emotional imprint they’re selling.” He took a seat in front of me, nothing between us. Viktor waved his hand. “You can speak freely; this room is soundproof.”
My stomach knotted when I realized I had to kick off this impromptu meeting. I gathered my thoughts and relaxed my shoulders, hoping he wouldn’t think I was a groveling vulture. “With everything that’s happened tonight, I thought we could discuss my position with Keystone.”
“Fair enough. As it stands, you have no position with Keystone.” Viktor stroked his silver-and-grey beard, his rough voice softening around the edges. “I appreciate all that you have done, but I’m sorry. I have not changed my mind.”
“Did Christian say something to you? Because—”
“Nyet. He said nothing. I suspect he has acknowledged the debt he owes you for finding him, and that is a valuable reward. However, given the circumstances, I would like to offer you one favor. It cannot be for a position in my house, but if you ever need money or help, you can call on me for that favor.”
I swallowed hard in disbelief. “There’s nothing I can say to change your mind?”
He pressed his lips together tightly and shook his head.
I stood up quickly before the sting of tears caused me to blink in front of him. My life was spiraling down a long stairwell into the unknown. I’d thought Viktor would be impressed with what I’d done, especially since it was after he’d evicted me.
“I get it,” I said, nearing the door. “I just thought it couldn’t hurt to ask.”
He eased up behind me and patted my shoulder. “I wish you well, Raven Black. It is my desire that we remain allies; I would like to see you stay on the good side of the law. You understand there is nothing personal about my decision. I wanted this to work out, but my team always comes first.”
My lip quivered unexpectedly. Luckily, my back was to him, and I left the room and hurried into the bar. Each member of Keystone watched expectantly, and when their eyes darted behind me, they got their answer in Viktor’s expression. Even Niko must have sensed a change in the energy swirling around us.
Wyatt escaped to talk to a pretty blonde, and Blue followed Claude into the game room.
I hopped onto the barstool next to Niko. “Well, that was awkward.”
“I was certain he would invite you back in. I’m sorry.”
“No sweat off my back.”
Niko placed his hand over mine, his crystal eyes almost invisible beneath the colored lights. “You needn’t lie; I can read your energy.”
If that were true, I felt about as naked as a girl could get in front of him. It made me want to shield my light, even though it wouldn’t make a difference. I hadn’t expected how deeply the rejection would affect me, and it wasn’t until then that I realized how much I really wanted to be a part of Keystone.
I put my hands in my lap and pulled the ends of my sleeves down to cover them. “Will you still talk to me, or is that against the rules?”
“Apologies, Raven. I must go.”
Niko hopped out of his seat and stalked through the bar so fast that my jaw slackened. It was hard to pretend it didn’t hurt, because it did. Maybe I was outgrowing Cognito and needed to find a new place to call home. At least I had money in my pocket.
Which wasn’t a whole lot, especially after I’d wasted it on clothes that I’d never see again. The only items in my bag were the ones I’d taken to the mansion in the first place. A girl couldn’t exactly lug four trunks of clothes around the city.
Before leaving the club, I needed to find Christian. Viktor was going to have either him or someone else scrub my memory, and the idea terrified me. I didn’t trust Vampires, and what if he erased everything? There were too many good memories in my life that I didn’t want to risk losing.
Christian was the sort of man who could blend in with a crowd, but not so much tonight with his tight-fitting shirt and jeans. The casual ensemble somehow made his beard and dark eyes stand out all the more. After scanning the bar and finding no sign of him, I searched for someone who might know his whereabouts.
When I rounded the bar, Wyatt bumped into me, beer sloshing out of his glass and onto the floor.
“Where’s Christian?” I yelled over the music.
“Room seven,” he said, jerking his thumb toward the private rooms.
“How do you know?”
Wyatt licked some of the spilled beer off his hand. “Because that’s where he always goes when we come here. Hope we run into each other again, Nancy Drew.”
He waggled his eyebrows and rejoined the blonde, whose breasts were battling against a bra that was a size too small.
I entered the private hallways on the right of the restrooms and searched until I found the room. The door wasn’t locked, so that meant he wasn’t in an important Vampire meeting discussing their superiority over all other Breeds. Christian was probably brooding over the fact that I’d called in the cavalry to save him. Even though I’d done him a good turn, the man probably would have chosen to rot in that tomb for fifty years rather than have everyone on the team see him like that. Sometimes one stupid mistake can make you look like an incompetent fool.
God knows I was feeling some of that myself.
When I opened the door just a crack and peered into the room, I froze like a flower dipped in liquid nitrogen. Christian’s shirt hung around his neck like an afterthought, as if he’d attempted to take it off and lost all motivation.
A dark woman beneath him had her skirt pulled over her hips, her body flush against a low bar on the left. She gripped the edge—head turned away from me, thank God. An empty bottle of wine lay beside her, precariously close to the edge.
Christian had shucked off his jeans below the waist, just low enough for him to get down to business. His right palm was flat against her back, and the other rested on the bar.
She moaned, gasped, and he kept a steady and controlled rhythm. His body was magnificent—I’d imagined him gaunt and full of warts, because Vampires shouldn’t be attractive. They should be dastardly creatures who are pallid and bony, like I’d seen in all the movies. I stared at the rogue whiskers that grew along his jaw, wondering what it would feel like to have them scratching against my skin. His rigid stance and slow movement accentuated his muscles, tightening and contracting with every thrust of his hips. I glimpsed enough of him that it made me swallow, and he suddenly covered her with his body, resting his forearms on the bar.
His pace quickened, and my eyes skated down to admire the profile of his ass. A coil of need tightened within me, and I found myself unable to control the rapid pace of my heart. Christian was a canvas of slender muscle all the way to his strong hands. His hair was no longer neatly groomed but disheveled from a woman’s touch.