It’s all I can do to keep down the chicken parmesan and Caesar salad that Kieron has set out before us. He gives my hand a quick squeeze under the table. It’s funny… his actions, his words, his movements… they’re all the same as usual. But there’s a slight intangible shift that I can’t quite explain. I know he and I need some alone time soon. We need to talk— about a lot of things. But first I just want to get settled in here and see what shakes out. Maybe it’s just frazzled nerves. We’ve all been through so much these past few weeks.
“So whatcha guys got planned tonight?” Corrine asks through a mouthful of garlic bread.
Dabbing my mouth with a napkin, I glance out the window at the setting sun. “Well, I will be falling asleep in about fifteen more minutes or so.” I look at Kieron. “Anastasia gave me directions to the secret tunnel at the beach that will take you and Lucky to a Demon Bar.”
Kieron nods and finishes chewing. “Be nice to get some real Source Energy in me for a change and get off these enchanted grounds. Her protection spell feels like a poisonous, wet blanket.”
“But it’s keeping us safe,” I murmur. Keeping me safe. I’m the one who can’t protect herself.
Corrine glances back and forth between Kieron and me. “So once you guys leave here… you might be in danger?”
I shrug. “Believe me, it’s nothing Lucky’s not used to. She’ll be fine.” I can see the concerned look on her face, so I add, “There’s a portal down on the beach that will take them where they need to go. According to Anastasia, it’s protected. They should be pretty safe.”
“Chances are the Light-angels don’t have any idea where we are,” Kieron adds. “At least not yet. And while we don’t want another confrontation, we do need to be ready for one. It’ll be good for us to connect with others of our kind and get some allies. We’ll be much safer and stronger.”
Corrine nods. “Safety in numbers.”
I give her a reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine. Kieron will be fine. Lucky will be fine. You’ll be fine. Everyone will adjust and be okay. You’ll see.”
She gives me a tight grin back. “I believe you. But I can’t help but worry some. Hey, while you’re out tonight, mind if I take a swim in your tub? I’ve never been in one before. My trailer only had the tiny standup shower not even big enough for a midget.”
“Sure,” I laugh. “Just watch out for the sharks.”
Chapter 8. Lucky
It’s only been a few nights, but I really hate opening my eyes and seeing this fancy furniture and pretentious artsy-fartsy décor that just screams, “Look at me and what a showoff I am!” Sapies who spend so much time and money and effort constantly trying to show other people just how special and important they are make me sick. What pathetic little pawns they all are. They don’t realize they’re as insignificant as little bugs that would be extinct if it weren’t for the likes of me and my kind. You’d think they’d be a little more grateful.
But nooooo. Give a Sapie a little power, and what does she do? Blast you with a weakening spell. And mess with your head by saying the person you love like a mother is dead, only to turn around and say, “Oh, just kidding. Just a test. You passed. Yay, you.”
What kind of a sick person does that?
I have half a mind to go find her and give her a nice, solid slap right across the face. Maybe two slaps. Maybe ten. But unfortunately, right now just getting up off this ridiculously oversized bed seems like a monumental feat. I don’t know why Liora has left me to wake up in here. Perhaps she wasn’t feeling well either?
A few minutes later there is a light tap on the door, and Kieron pokes his head in.
“Hey, love. You okay?”
I roll over on my side and stretch my arms and legs. “Yeah.”
“Just checking. Liora thought it best to transition in private, but I thought you’d be out here by now.”
“I’m just relaxing for a minute.” I sit up on the bed and motion for him to come closer. He crosses the darkened room in a few strides and sits down beside me. The bed gently sinks under his weight.
“Hi,” he whispers.
“Hi.”
He leans forward and kisses me softly. His mouth is warm and sweet. I feel his love, his tenderness, his affection.
But no fire. No passion. The urgency I used to feel, even a few nights ago, is missing. Missing from me? Or from him?
His hands comfort me, and I snuggle closer while he strokes my hair. “How are you doing, really?” he whispers.
I lean back to look him in the eye. He gazes at me with such openness, for a split second I consider telling him the truth about my condition. But then I wonder if somehow he already knows. Corrine mentioned Liora blabbing Bones’s name in a dream the other day. What else has she told him?
But now is not the time to worry about that. I don’t know when the right time will be to have this talk with him, but I know it’s not now. Too many other things to take care of first.
“I’m okay,” I murmur. “Not exactly loving this jacked-up curse the witch put everywhere. I can’t stand feeling this weak and tired. I gotta get out of here.”
He nods. “Yeah, I wouldn’t mind if she toned it down too. We’re no stronger than an average human right now. But I suppose it’s for the best. If it affects us this badly, you know others are weakened too. Others who could hurt Liora if they wanted to.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, the perpetual thorn in my side. Maybe if the witch puts us back together I won’t have to worry about that anymore.” I raise my hands over my head and give a good, long stretch. “Do you really think the Light-angels will come after us here? Maybe they’ll just find another way to get into Thiberoux.”
Kieron shrugs. “Dunno. Sure didn’t seem like it was just a casual whim before. They meant business, and I don’t think they’re the type to just give up if they don’t get what they want the first time. They’ll probably regroup and double-down on their efforts. But until we know for sure, better to be safe than sorry.”
I let his words sink in. I’ve often thought about the two Light-angels who’d escaped into the woods that night at the cabin. Tattie warned me they’d be back, and that’s why we had to leave. While she could protect herself, Liora would be a virtual prisoner in the little cabin, and I’d be a target as well. They knew my weakness—that I was human during the day. With my demonic allies behind me I had a chance. Alone, without the support and sanctuary of my family in Dryndara, I was good as dead.
“We need to find a Demon Bar… a portal… a haven where we can—”
Kieron grins and holds up a piece of yellow paper. “Our kind and gracious hostess gave this to Liora earlier. It’s our best bet.”
My eyes narrow suspiciously. “Are you sure it’s not some sort of death trap?”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Nah. I spoke to her a bit earlier, and while she’s clearly not too fond of us demions, she has a soft spot for Liora and seems to want to help. She just has a funny way of showing it.”
I snatch the paper from his hand and study it. “How are we supposed to get there? I’m too tired to run that far, and I’m not getting back in that horrific automobile for another second. That was the worst, most unpleasant –”
“Don’t worry, don’t worry,” he laughs. “I got us another form of transport. I know it’s not your favorite, but it’ll have to do for now.”
“Wait, not another motorcycle.”
He nods. “But don’t worry; this one fits two perfectly. You can sit behind me on an actual seat and hold on to my waist. It’ll be very comfortable, I assure you. Nothing like last time.”
I cringe remembering the time I rode with him on his bike after he helped rescue me from the Altrumina Demons. It was a horrible experience all around.
I miss my Diablo.
********
Close to thirty minutes later I’m feeling halfway decent for the first time in days. Apparently Liora went shopping and had totally stocked our bathroom, so I was able to
take a shower, wash my hair, and put on some makeup. I was impressed that she’d actually hung up all my dresses and outfits neatly on one side of the massive walk-in closet. It was funny, though, how she’d put her own things on the far side, as if she was afraid her clothes would get cooties or something.
I slide on my black leather pants and matching boots, and for the first time in a long while I’m starting to feel normal again. Like me. Tatiana’s face flashes in my mind, and I give a bittersweet smile. I miss seeing her first thing when I wake up, and I miss our nightly ritual of planning my evening. It feels so odd to be entirely on my own, with no one to guide me or help me. Not that I need help… but I didn’t always hate it.
I open the door and step out into the living room area. Suddenly I hear a gasp, followed by a loud crash. I turn to see a broken plate on the floor, and Corrine staring at me, wide-eyed.
I groan. “Are you capable of making a facial expression that doesn’t involve your eyeballs popping out of their sockets and your mouth hanging wide open?” I snap.
“Wow… oh, wow… it’s just…”
“What?!”
She pulls her hand to her mouth, then drops it and shakes her head. “I’m sorry, I dunno, but you just look so different. Sexy. Like a supermodel superhero or something.”
I’m almost tempted to laugh at the silly Sapie girl, but I don’t want to give her the satisfaction. True, she’s only known about me for a few nights, and she’s never seen me in anything other than Liora’s old rags. So maybe it makes sense that she’s acting like she’s seeing me for the very first time. In a way she is.
“Where’s Kieron?” I arch an eyebrow as she continues to gawk.
“I’m here,” he says, coming around the corner of the hallway. I’m still irked that he chose his own room on the opposite side of the house from me, but right now he looks so damn sexy in his loose-fitting jeans, snug black tee shirt and black leather jacket, I don’t give a damn where he hangs his clothes, as long as I’m the one taking them off later.
“Looking hot, Luck.” He slides his arm around my waist to give me a quick kiss.
“You too,” I whisper, as a small tingle moves through me. Now this is more like it.
“God, you guys look so badass!” Corrine gushes.
I give her a withering look, and she quickly bends over to pick up some pieces of broken plate from the floor. “Okay, yeah, so uh, you guys have a blast tonight. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine here. Go out and raise hell or whatever it is you do.” She chuckles at her own joke and tosses the glass shards in the trash.
I roll my eyes and turn to Kieron. “Get me away from this place now.”
He takes my arm and leads me to the door.
“Goodnight, Corrine.”
“I won’t wait up!”
********
Well, Kieron was right about one thing—this motorcycle ride is much better than the last one. I’d almost go so far as to say I’m enjoying it. With my arms wrapped around him as he speeds down the winding road, in a way it reminds me of being atop Diablo as we’d race as one through Dryndara’s forests.
Except instead of the magical triple moons of Illyria guiding our way in the dark, now it’s the headlights of passing cars. Instead of weaving our way past golden and silver trees, volcanoes of ice and rivers of flowing fire, now it’s housing tracts, schools, shopping centers, and several business complexes.
This is hell.
We’d gone through the portal on the beach below Anastasia’s house, and a few minutes later had emerged from a tunnel in West Hollywood, over sixty miles away. According to the map the Demon Bar was close, but we still had to drive through a bit more Sapie world to get there.
The Sunset Strip is lined with flashing neon lights and colorful characters who look like rejects from a freak show, and I can’t help but wonder if we aren’t being set up for some sort of trap after all. Or maybe this is just Anastasia’s idea of a joke.
Before long, Kieron turns down a narrow side street. This road is far less glitzy but still lively enough, with flashing signs and Sapies everywhere, dressed as punks, goths, whores, rock stars, gangsters, hipsters, nerds, and everything in between.
“Why are you stopping?” I yell in Kieron’s ear over the sound of the motorcycle’s wicked roar.
He motions to a sign and slowly backs up to the curb. “We’re here.” He kicks down the stand.
I turn to see what he’s looking at and almost fall off the bike.
“You cannot be serious! This isn’t where we need to be! This is a joke… and not a very funny one!”
Kieron grins and swings his leg over the seat. He holds out his hand. “You coming?”
“Really? You really think I’m going in there? Are you mental?”
“I guess they do things a bit different here. But according to Anastasia, this is the place we want to be.”
I stare at the façade of the building. It’s definitely older, but it’s decorated in a way that makes it look like a gothic castle. The whole top of the roof is painted with realistic looking flames, and pictures of skulls and crossbones line the base.
But despite the tacky clichés and terrible location of this place, the worst part is the name, painted to look like fresh, dripping blood:
Club Hades.
Chapter 9. Lucky
I fume inwardly as I release my hair from my ponytail and give it a quick shake. If that bitchy witch sent us here as some sort of sick joke, I swear to Satan, I won’t give a rat’s ass who her sister is. She will feel my wrath. Even if I have to wait months… years. She has to leave her enchanted property at some point. And when she does—
“C’mon, this way. There’s the entrance.”
Kieron grabs my hand, and we saunter past a long line of Sapies waiting like pathetic little eager beavers to be allowed inside the cool kids’ club. We approach the doorman, a big burly mass of a fellow holding a clipboard, and with a face carved of stone. He looks like he’s never laughed or even smiled in his life.
He quickly sizes us up, then turns his head and says something inaudible into his jacket collar. A moment later he steps aside and unclips the velvet rope, permitting our passage. We ignore the protests of the jealous wannabes waiting in line and walk through the enormous oak door.
Almost immediately our ears are assaulted by pounding house music that is quite literally shaking the place to its core. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the smoky room filled with hordes of bodies, twisting and shaking beneath pulsating neon lights.
But then, gradually, I notice there are no discernable walls or partitions… just vast, open space with glowing, transcendent landscaping. And the ceiling is so high it has become like the night sky. It’s as if we suddenly stepped into the middle of some strange, magical, alternate world. I’ve been to my fair share of Sapie nightclubs in my day, but this place is unlike any I’ve ever seen. Yet, it’s hauntingly familiar.
“Look!” I yell in Kieron’s ear, pointing to the ceiling. Against the pitch night sky, nestled amongst blinking stars, are three perfectly round discs reminiscent of the moons of Illyria. “And there!” I point over to a river of flowing lava… or what looks like it… surrounding a smaller island. In fact, every place I turn seems to be heavily influenced by, if not downright copied from, the land of Thiberoux. If I didn’t know better, I might think we were there right now. Minus the blasting techno music and the crush of partying Sapies, of course.
“This is insane!” Kieron yells back. I look around in awe. Obviously the place is under some serious enchantment. No way is this massive club fitting in the building we just entered… it would easily take up several blocks.
But as we walk around, we notice that despite the club’s ridiculous size, most of the patrons are sticking mostly to a huge clearing beneath a raised stage. That area appears to be made of earth, but everything else, from the sparkling silver rocks and shiny emerald and bronze trees, to the glistening bright-aqua stream meandering t
hrough the diamond encrusted snow banks, all glows ethereally in the smoky darkness. I have to admit the visuals are pretty spectacular.
I turn to Kieron in disbelief. “This is our Demon Bar?!”
He smiles and nods. “Welcome to L.A., huh?”
“But what’s with all the Sapies—”
“Hello!”
We both turn around and find a beautiful young woman smiling at us. Even in the dark I can clearly see how her unnaturally brilliant green eyes match perfectly with the emerald tips of her white, shoulder-length hair.
“Uh, hi?”
“You must be the new VIPs. I’m Jade, your hostess. Sorry I was late in greeting you. Some unexpected visitors arrived the same time you did, but they came in through the back door, if you know what I mean.” She gives us a wink and holds out her hand, whose nails naturally are sporting bright-green tips.
I look at her and raise an eyebrow. “No, I don’t know what you mean,” I mutter. Kieron reaches out to take Jade’s hand, but when he does, she grasps his tightly, and for a few seconds her eyes take on a bright glow. Before I have time to react, Kieron pulls away.
Jade gives us a pleasant smile. “Thank you. That’s all I needed to know. Please come with me.”
She turns and beckons us to follow. I glance at Kieron. “Damn psychics,” he whispers with a grimace. “Never give you any warning before they go digging around in there.”
We trail close behind as Jade leads us along a golden stone pathway toward the center of the action. Then we turn a corner, and suddenly we can see a whole other part of the club that was previously hidden. Thousands more patrons are dancing to the thumping music. Half-naked bodies writhe seductively in cages suspended in the air. And on the huge, raised stage a DJ dressed in a devil costume is gesturing wildly and pumping up the swelling crowd, while several beautiful, scantily-clad girls dressed as angels dance seductively around him.
“Way to live the cliché,” I say in Kieron’s ear. Apparently Jade hears me because she turns around with a smile.