by Lyra Evans
“What the fuck?” the owner asked, his expression flipping to furious disgust. “You can’t just break in here. Where’s your warrant? What’s your badge number?”
“Relax,” Niko said, as he made his way without urgency across the floor to where the three Fae stood. “We only want to ask you a few questions.”
“Funny,” the owner answered, though he clearly wasn’t amused. “You can speak to my lawyer—” He pulled a phone from his pocket and began to dial.
“That is your right,” Niko said, eyeing the two employees. They seemed nervous, which wasn’t uncommon when civilians faced law enforcement. The woman seemed more concerned than the man, though. Niko couldn’t quite pinpoint why. “But it would make a simple conversation into a much bigger deal. More paperwork. Time spent down at the station, waiting and dealing with the bureaucracy. Who needs that? Meanwhile, we just need to ask a couple questions about a young kid who happened to visit your club a few days ago. You answer us and we can be on our way.”
The owner hesitated, eying Niko and Cobalt suspiciously. It was as though he’d only just seen Cobalt now. Or maybe it was because up until this point, Cobalt had been lingering somewhat behind Niko. He moved to the side, now in full view of the three Fae, and they all seemed to freeze in time for a moment. Niko studied their reactions closely, wondering if this was just Cobalt’s effect, or if all Selkies had this power over people. He hoped that it was a Selkie trait. If it was, anyone who had seen Indigo would be less likely to forget him.
Clearly shaking himself clear of whatever effect Cobalt had had on him, the owner frowned deeply. “What kid?” he asked.
Niko pulled out his phone and called up the image of Prince Indigo they had. The magical photo editing program the police used managed to turn a photo of a dead young man into an image vaguely lifelike. It showed Indigo’s eyes, a perfect aquamarine with just a glint of light, his almost white-blond hair, his pale skin, and handsome features. He actually looked alive in the picture, thankfully. Most people reacted badly to photos of the dead, even cleaned and sanitized.
“He had your club’s entry stamp on the inside of his wrist,” Niko said. “Would have been here sometime in the last three days, probably.”
The owner looked closely at the photo, but he shook his head. “I don’t recognize him.” He paused, considering, then seemed to give in and added, “But I’m rarely out front on most week days. Maybe one of the bartenders or dancers would recognize him.”
Niko nodded slowly, turning his attention to the other two Fae. “Were either of you working those days? Would you take a look?”
He held up the phone, walking toward them. The woman seemed almost to shy away but caught herself. They both moved closer together to see the screen more clearly. Niko watched their faces as they studied Indigo’s.
“He does look familiar,” the man said, his eyebrows furrowed as he thought about it. “I know I saw him in here, but I can’t remember exactly when. Didn’t talk to him or anything, though.”
The woman glanced at her co-worker then back at Niko. “I recognize him,” she admitted after a moment. “He was here three days ago, like you said. He didn’t stay long though.”
Niko slid his phone back into his pocket just as Cobalt approached them. The way the air moved around Cobalt as he walked was unlike anything Niko had ever felt. It was as though Niko was attuned to his movements in a way that left him deeply uncomfortable.
“Was he with anyone?” Cobalt asked, and Niko got the impression he was working to sound as soothing and coaxing as possible.
“He came in alone, I think,” she answered, looking in awe up at Cobalt. Niko’s eyes moved back and forth between them; Cobalt was standing still. Very still. As though he was reining something in.
“Can you remember him speaking to anyone? Ordering anything in particular? Did he buy any services? Anything?”
The woman blinked a few times in quick succession, her face pale. The owner walked up next to Niko, stepping slightly in front of his employees.
“What is this about?” he asked, that same hardness in his voice. Niko wondered if he had training in law at all. Or perhaps it was just experience gained from the numberless run-ins with police in his club.
“The young man is the victim of a homicide,” Niko said simply. “We are trying to retrace his steps in order to understand what happened to him.”
The woman’s expression melted into shock and horror instantly, but the owner’s face remained stony. “Are you accusing my employees of being involved in a murder?”
A vein in Niko’s forehead throbbed slightly. His jaw flexed, he looked up at the owner with an expressionless face. “Not at all,” he said. “I am simply trying to gather information. If your employees have nothing to hide in regards to this matter, they should have no trouble cooperating with an open homicide investigation.”
“Right, because the police never assign blame where it doesn’t belong,” the owner snapped, but before Niko could respond, the woman reached up and pressed a hand to the owner’s arm.
“It’s okay, Lou,” she said. He turned sharply to her, but she just nodded. “I want to help. I’ll be okay.” The owner, ‘Lou,’ seemed to hesitate, but eventually he nodded and stepped back.
“Call if you need me, then,” he said shortly. “And if that’s all from me, I have work to do.” Niko barely nodded before Lou turned his back on them and disappeared down the hidden corridor again.
“He didn’t buy any services, magical or otherwise,” she said, looking between Niko and Cobalt. She started to move toward the bar at the back of the room, taking her place behind it. Niko and Cobalt followed, staying on their side of the counter. The other employee wandered over too. “And, from what I remember, he didn’t stay long.” She picked up a glass from behind the counter and poured out a measure of magically enhanced water from one of the dispensers. The liquid glimmered with sapphire and emerald specks as she lifted it to her lips to drink. Niko recognized the trace magic as that of a calming draught.
“Did you talk to him at all?” Niko asked.
She shook her head. “I mean, not more than to ask him if he wanted a drink.” She paused. “He just said no thanks and continued talking to—” She stopped, her eyes wide. The other employee caught her eye. Niko looked between the two of them.
“Who was he talking to?” he asked. “This person might have important information about what happened to him. They might be a material witness.”
The woman bit her lip, and the male employee moved closer. “Alli just doesn’t want to get anyone in trouble,” he said. “Neither of us do.”
“I understand, but withholding evidence in a police—”
“His name was Indigo,” Cobalt said suddenly, cutting Niko off. Niko tensed but shut up, letting Cobalt take the lead. Something in his voice told Niko to let it go. “His friends called him Indy. And someone left him lying on the sand, alone and cold.” He paused, swallowing hard. Niko watched his throat work at it. “Please. Anything you can tell us.”
Alli’s eyes grew wide again, the light shining differently on them now. They were glassy. “He was talking to a woman I’ve seen before. I don’t really know her, but I’ve seen her around here quite a bit.” She paused again, as though it was physically difficult to get out the words. Niko suspected what she was about to say, but it was still surprising when she did. “She’s a prostitute. Unlicensed.” She exhaled heavily, leaning on the bar for support. “I’m sorry. I know we’re supposed to report them or kick them out.” She glanced toward the hidden corridor and lowered her voice. “We’re not officially supposed to know about the prostitutes. Just not pay attention, you know? But I’ve seen these Fae—girls and guys just barely scraping by—they need the work. So when I can turn the other cheek, I do.” She squinted at Niko and Cobalt, worrying at her lip with her teeth. “Are you going to cite me?”
Niko sighed, running a hand through his hair again. “No,” he said after a moment. “I g
et it. I’m not interested in an illegal solicitation collar. I don’t care about you knowing, either. But we do need to find this woman. She could know something important. Was he trying to buy her? Make a deal with her?”
The air around Cobalt grew icy, and Niko shuddered. Alli didn’t seem to notice. “I don’t think so. They seemed like they were having some kind of disagreement. Like he was asking her for something… or maybe pleading with her?” She shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest, looking at nothing as she thought. “But that doesn’t seem like he was trying to hire her, you know? Who has to plead with an illegal prostitute?”
Niko considered carefully. “And you don’t know her name?”
Alli shook her head, and when Niko turned to the man, he shook his head as well.
“But like I said, she comes in a lot,” Alli added. Then, thinking for a moment, she went on, “There’s a good chance she’ll be here tonight. She always comes on peak days.”
Niko shifted his jaw to the side, sucking on his tongue. “Does your boss work tonight?” Alli shook her head. Niko looked up at Cobalt. “Looks like we’re going clubbing,” he said, his tone flat. He looked Cobalt up and down. “You’re going to need to change.”
Chapter 8
A quick call to Captain Baobab confirmed the plan for the evening, which left Niko with a few hours to kill during which he’d have to find Cobalt some appropriate clothing. And get some food. He realized, as a pain in his stomach made itself known, he hadn’t eaten since before letting himself into Uri’s apartment that morning. Settling back into the driver’s seat, Niko considered his options. Cobalt fell easily into the passenger side. Again the scent of the ocean filled Niko’s nose. The street around them was slowly coming to life. It was still quite early in the day for the pleasure district, but this was Maeve’s Court. Pleasure never really slept.
Under the guise of studying Cobalt’s clothing, Niko let his eyes wander along the lines of the Selkie’s body. His muscular chest and stomach were only thinly veiled by the shirt he wore, the buttons undone near his throat and revealing the very top of his Soul Stone. His strong legs pulled at the fabric of his trousers, and as if aware of Niko’s thoughts, Cobalt shifted the angle of his hips slightly upward. Niko’s throat went dry.
“Where were you planning on staying?” Niko asked abruptly, his voice slightly hoarse. He worked to clear it while cursing internally. Cobalt, who had been rather quiet on their return to the car, seemed to have regained his slight smirk. “While you’re in Maeve’s Court.”
Cobalt shrugged gently. “I hadn’t thought about it,” he said, looking out the window briefly. “I’m hardly picky about my lodgings. I’m sure any available hotel will do.”
Niko considered this. It was the obvious answer. It made sense. Cobalt would likely be comfortable there. He’d have privacy. It would also give Niko some breathing room during the investigation. But something nagged at Niko.
“You don’t have a cellphone, do you?” he asked.
Cobalt looked at him. “No,” he said. He did not say that he could buy one. And neither did Niko, though it was obviously an option.
“And you don’t know your way around Maeve’s Court,” he said rather than asked.
“I do not,” Cobalt said.
Why was he doing this? Niko wanted time alone. He much preferred time alone, frankly, particularly after going undercover. But despite that, he felt himself finding more arguments against Cobalt staying in a hotel.
With a heavy sigh, he said, “This is stupid. What if there’s a break in the middle of the night? What if I get a call from the Captain or the Chief and need you to come with me to a scene?” Cobalt said nothing, his eyes studying the details of Niko’s face. Niko stared out the windshield at the people on the street. “I would have to pick you up anyway…it’s just easier if you stay with me.” He stopped, a sharp lash of panic striking him. What was he doing? “If that’s all right with you, I mean.”
Finally turning to Cobalt, Niko found him searching Niko’s eyes. His gaze was penetrating, flaying Niko to the bone. It struck like a tidal wave, and Niko nearly drowned. Only the smallest upturn at the edges of Cobalt’s mouth indicated his feelings.
“That’s both generous and practical of you,” he said, and Niko wasn’t sure if Cobalt was mocking him. “I would greatly appreciate it.”
Hesitating much too late, Niko placed his hands on the steering wheel. “It’s not going to be the Royal Palms or anything. It’s just a pull-out couch.”
Cobalt nodded. “I understand,” he said. “And I appreciate it all the same.”
Niko nodded once, vaguely alarmed with himself. He turned the key in the ignition and pulled out into the street, still thinking over what had just happened. He started driving home without thinking about it, his body going through the motions, turning down the right streets when necessary, but Niko’s mind was elsewhere. It was only once he was halfway out of the fashion district that he remembered he needed to find appropriate clothing for Cobalt.
“Did you bring anything else to wear?” Niko asked, glancing briefly down to the iridescent bag. It was rather small, so Niko doubted it.
“A few things,” Cobalt said. “Although I’m uncertain anything I have would be appropriate for a pleasure club.” He turned to look out the window again, leaning against his elbow propped on the door. Niko decided he wasn’t admiring the sights or tracking their routes, or if he was, it was incidental. Cobalt looked out the window as he did when he was lost in a memory. “I had rather expected business attire to be more useful on this trip.”
“Pleasure attire is business attire in Maeve’s Court,” Niko said, though he hadn’t really meant to. Taking a left instead of a right, Niko drove back around the edge of the fashion district, looking for parking near the store he had in mind. “You’ll probably need more than one option for this case,” he added as he pulled into a spot.
Cobalt turned to him. Niko couldn’t read the expression on his face. “You expect us to spend much time in pleasure clubs over the course of this investigation?”
Niko bit his tongue, chastising himself. This was what he’d been worried about—having to police his own thoughts. Cobalt being connected to the victim, to Indigo, meant that he would take it more personally as whatever happened to the prince was revealed. Niko needed a partner with objectivity. He wasn’t yet sure Cobalt could manage that.
Setting his jaw, Niko turned to Cobalt directly. “The reality is that an eyewitness puts Indigo having a rather involved interaction with a known prostitute on the grounds of a pleasure club. Whatever he got into, whatever happened to him, there’s a very real possibility that it involved difficult truths about his character. Are you going to have a problem staying objective if it turns out he was involved with prostitutes? With drugs? Or worse?”
The air around them turned slightly crisp, as though a film of crystal hung between them, ready to shatter. Cobalt’s expression, however, remained the same inscrutable neutral.
“You seem to assume the worst of Prince Indigo,” Cobalt said. There was a question there, but he wasn’t outright asking it.
Niko shook his head. “I don’t assume anything, good or bad. I’m not about to judge the dead. I don’t care what he was involved in. Are you sure you can say the same?”
Silence spread for a long minute. Niko held Cobalt’s gaze, like having a staring contest with a statue. But eventually, Cobalt yielded, nodding slowly. “The lines separating what is acceptable and what is reprehensible are different in Maeve’s Court and Azure’s Court. Nothing we discover could possibly taint my memory of Indigo. And I will stop at nothing to find his killer.” A drop of cold fell down the line of Niko’s spine as Cobalt said ‘nothing.’ “You can trust that any judgment I have will fall squarely on the shoulders of the murderer.”
Niko wasn’t sure what it was about that sentence that struck him as strange, but he decided to take it. Opening his door to the hot air again, he got out and ges
tured to a shop on the opposite side of the street.
“I hope you brought some kind of money,” Niko said.
Cobalt emerged and shut his door behind him. They crossed the street between waves of traffic and stopped in front of the shop window. The place was called Suit Up, and though the window display was mostly made up of classic men’s suits in different styles, the shop carried a wide variety of attire that might fit the instruction of its name.
A blast of cool air passed over them as Niko pulled open the door and stepped inside. He walked determinately toward the back of the store through the various sections. The front was for classic suits, followed by casual clothing, swimsuits and beachwear, more traditional clubbing items, black-tie formalwear, and then finally, what they were looking for. Niko paid no mind to the other sections, but Cobalt lingered a few steps behind, cataloguing the different styles and options as they went.
Ignoring his partner, Niko considered the back of the store. There were full bodysuits in various fabrics, from real leather to latex to nylon-spandex mixes. Vaguely considering the enjoyment he would get out of forcing Cobalt to wear a full-leather bodysuit, Niko quickly scrapped the idea. It wouldn’t serve their case and might cause problems should any difficulties arise.
“Good afternoon, Gentlemen,” a voice came from Niko’s side. A young man appeared, dressed in a fitted suit clearly from the new line displayed in the window. He had violet hair styled back with pomade and the signature tan of Fae deeply entrenched in the fashion world of Maeve’s Court. “My name is Rangi; how can I help you?”
Cobalt caught up to Niko just as Niko picked up a black leather shoulder harness with silver fastenings. He turned to the man, Rangi, and considered him a moment.