Puck stood and slapped me on the back.
“Gotta run, Cyrus,” he said. “Have fun.”
“Always do,” I said.
I spoke into empty space. The faerie was already strutting down the bar toward the human woman and her friend. I turned back to the hourglass and clicked my fingernails against the bar top. It seemed like ages for the other vampire to clear out of the basement, but finally, a vampire who looked like some Yankee Wall Street stock broker came out of the door in a blur.
It’s hard to keep our otherness in check immediately after a feed. The blood games provide a euphoric rush that pushes our bodies to glory in our vampiric speed and strength. The Yankee vampire held his body at odd angles, cracked the back of a chair he touched in passing, and moved too quickly. Evidently, he’d drunk his fill.
So where in the Hell was Puck?
I focused on the faerie’s voice and soon pinpointed his location. He hadn’t gone far. He was with the human woman and her intoxicated friend. Judging from Puck’s face, his attempts to win over the two women hadn’t gone well. If I wasn’t so hungry, the thought would have made me smile. Instead, I grimaced, waiting for Puck to get on with it.
Finally, after an eternity spent spying on Puck’s flirtations with the human woman, he came walking my way. As he passed the bar, Puck reached up to scratch at his cheek with two fingers. That was the signal; two minutes.
From the corner of my eye, I watched Puck saunter over toward a table of vampires at the edge of the dance floor. He passed something to one of the men and continued on toward the basement door at the end of the bar.
A pulse of pleasure raced up my spine and my fangs tingled with anticipation. I’d exercised enough patience and restraint for one night. I’d sat like a bump on a log while that other vampire drank his fill.
Now it was my turn.
I slid liquidly from the barstool and turned away from the crowd. Patting the key in my front pocket, I walked down the bar toward the basement door.
A woman brushed by, the edges of her midnight blue cloak twining around my ankles like coldblooded serpents. I shivered, which was something I hadn’t done since my human days. The cold doesn’t generally affect you once you’ve felt the chill of the grave. My reaction was odd enough to make me turn around, seeking the mysterious woman. But the cloaked figure was gone.
I clenched my jaw in frustration, and my thirst returned. A woman that beautiful was as scarce as hen’s teeth, but I wasn’t interested enough to attempt pursuit. There wasn’t much that could distract me when I’d set my mind to the pleasures of a blood hunt. The creatures who frequented this club may allow a taste, but often for a hefty price, and they’d never let me play the games I truly desired.
My head snapped back to focus on the door just to the left of the bar. Behind that door lay what I sought. Your toys are already laid out for you. I felt a slow smile skitter across my face. I had a good feeling about tonight.
Boots whispering along the floor, I pulled the key from my pocket and forced myself to walk, not run, to the door. Desire stirred within me like cream in a butter churn. Beyond that unassuming portal lay a world of pleasures.
“Excuse me,” said a voice at my shoulder. I scowled and pulled my gaze from the door. I’d been waylaid by the blue-skinned bartender. I recognized her as the one who’d poured my glass of bourbon. “Can you hold the door? I need to swap these for clean linens or Puck will have my head.”
Puck might “have her head” for slacking in her duties, but the woman had no idea how close I was to literally tearing her head from her body and tossing it across the room like a hot tater. Too bad that kind of ruckus would draw the attention of club security, and put a kink in my plans.
“Fine,” I said, opening the door. “Now go on and quit piddlin’, or I’ll leave you out here.”
The faerie woman scurried inside, arms laden with soiled linens. Once inside, for just a moment, I considered taking the bartender as an appetizer, but then I heard a cry from below. Puck was tenderizing my meal. Time to get a move on.
Casks of wine moved by in a blur of motion as I nearly flew through the storeroom and down a flight of stairs, leaving the faerie woman behind. I continued on, slipping through the shadows without the need of a light, following the sound of someone pitchin’ a hissy fit.
They always did that when the Ice wore off. Don’t know how Puck managed to time it so perfectly. I reckon he drugged them at a specified time, making our meals suggestible and easy to transport into the basement rooms where we had our fun. Of course, we predators prefer our meals feisty. It wouldn’t do to have our prey ruffied to Hell and gone. What’d be the fun in that?
I pulled up short to see Puck in the doorway to my usual room.
“I’ve outdone myself with this one, Cyrus,” Puck said, gesturing for me to look inside the room.
For once, the faerie was giving it to me straight. The woman shackled to the wall was finer than frog’s hair. Like a human’s palate, vampires have preferences for what’s on the menu, and this woman was just my type.
“She’s a spittin’ image,” I said.
I’d given Puck a faded photograph to go by and tonight he’d come through in spades. The auburn-haired beauty was struggling against the manacles and nekked as a jaybird. My fangs lengthened and an ache coursed through my body.
I reached into my coat and tossed an envelope of cash toward the retreating faerie. I closed the door, knowing Puck wouldn’t go far. No matter what the man claimed about running this business for profit, he was in it for more than the money.
On more than one occasion the faerie had lingered outside the door of my room while I fed. Judging from the pheromones coming off the guy, Puck liked to listen. Well goody for him, tonight he was in for a treat.
I set to work on the woman, calling her by the name of someone long dead and gone. I tried to make it last, savor the aroma of her fear, but she reminded me so much of an irretrievable past. Within seconds she was bleeding like a stuck pig. I fed quickly and deeply, pausing only when I heard a ruckus outside the door.
Someone had entered the basement and was arguing with Puck. Best see what all the fuss was about. I may not like the man, but Puck provided me with warm meals like this one. I pulled an arm across my mouth and went to listen at the door.
“Playing at judge, jury, and executioner?” Puck asked. “That’s not like you, Forneus. Heck, I didn’t think you had the balls. Good for you.”
I swung the door open, nearly taking it from its hinges, and ran to defend Puck. A demon stood facing Puck from across the room and the blue-skinned bartender was rushing toward Puck with her arm raised, a jeweled dagger in her hand.
“No one threatens Bite Club,” I snarled.
I slid in front of Puck and hissed, spittle and blood flecking the wide-eyed faerie woman. In the same motion, I planted my feet wide, grabbed the woman’s arm and wrenched it free from her body. The jeweled dagger that’d been plunging toward Puck’s chest was no longer a threat.
I flung the arm across the room, nostrils flaring and fangs aching. Even full as a tick from my previous meal, the blood spraying from the faerie’s shoulder held my rapt attention. A coil of need grew inside my gut.
Once again, it was time to feed.
The faerie lunged toward Puck, and I struck. I latched onto her neck, sinking my fangs in deep and letting the rapid pulse of the artery carry me away.
Lost in a sea of blood dreams, I lost track of events. But as the faerie’s heart faltered, I came to my senses and scanned the room for additional threats.
Flame flickered along the demon’s fingers, making me flinch, and a human woman came rushing into the room, crossbow at the ready. At first, the human aimed the bow at the demon and I thought she’d take care of the man for me. But she spun and trained her bow on me, demanding I release the faerie girl.
I tossed the corpse to the ground. I no longer needed the faerie woman; she was drier than a bar on Sunday. But th
e human was another story.
I rushed forward, the sting of a crossbow bolt not even making me pause. The bolt wasn’t wood, so it couldn’t stop me, but I’d still make the woman pay for the minor wound. My fingernails lengthened as I extended my hands toward the woman—all the better to flay the flesh from her bones.
I reached out, closing the distance, but suddenly the woman was gone and the demon was standing in front of me. Before I had time to wonder where my prey had gone, a blinding pain shot through my chest. Then all I could see was the ceiling.
I’d been staked.
I tried to move, but I was weak as a lamb. I couldn’t so much as flex my fingers. I strained to hear past the ringing in my ears, wondering what the demon had planned for the likes of me. Probably nothing good.
I reckoned I was past redemption now. I’d broken Vampire Law and was beyond receiving help from the council. Puck lay bleeding close by, not that he was even a friend. For the first time in decades, I felt remorse. How long had it been since I’d had faithful friends or allies to watch my back?
My past was steeped in blood. After my rising, I’d killed everyone who’d ever mattered to me as a human. I’d murdered my friends and family and reveled in their pain.
Eventually, the demon came to stand over me, flame flickering in his eyes. I knew then what he meant to do and, surprisingly, a part of me welcomed this final judgment. All things have an ending, and I’d had a long unlife.
I’d cheated death and caused a speedbump in the cycle of life. I should have died long ago. When the flames came, I smiled. It was time to complete the cycle.
It was time to return to dust.
JINXED
Of all the nightclubs, in all the cities, in all the world, the freakin’ demon had to walk into Club Nexus. My nickname, Jinx, had never seemed more appropriate. I really was one of the unluckiest people on the planet.
The sight of Forneus striding purposefully across the club toward me made my breath quicken and skin tingle. I tried to look away, or at least stammer a warning to Ivy who was ordering our drinks, but my body had gone on strike, completely disconnecting from my brain. Anger and desire stole the words from my lips and I continued to face the demon head on.
When it came to Forneus, I admit, I have issues.
I desperately wanted to kiss the man and shoot him in equal parts. That’s the problem with the demon lawyer. He is so frustratingly attractive and yet every time he opens his mouth I feel the urge to wipe that smug smile off his face—with a sledgehammer. Every move of his powerful body, every gesture of his slender hands, and every leer down his aquiline nose sent waves of heat down into my belly and made my blood boil.
Yes, I should definitely shoot him.
Since Forneus was a demon, he’d probably survive the shooting, might even enjoy it if I hadn’t dipped my crossbow bolts in holy water before leaving the loft. I slipped my hand from the bar and reached over my shoulder to where my crossbow was slung, keeping my eyes on the demon. My fingers traced the handle of the weapon and I licked my lips in anticipation.
Forneus approached from the side opposite Ivy and slid an arm around my waist. Warmth spread through me and need spiraled low in my belly. As if sensing my desire, a knowing smile lifted his lips and heat simmered in his eyes.
I shifted in my seat, giving Forneus a leer of my own, and froze. Ivy, glowing wildly like a fourth of July sparkler, was there in a flash, holding a knife to Forneus’ throat. Damn, she was fast—and pissed.
Even if her glowing skin hadn’t given away my friend’s agitation, then the sheen of sweat on her upper lip and her rapid breathing would have been a clear indication of just how much Ivy loathed the idea of coming this close to touching an immortal demon. Well, when it came to this particular demon that was something we both had in common.
And it wasn’t demon cooties she was worried about. If so much as an inch of her skin brushed against Forneus, Ivy would be trapped in millennia of nightmare visions, direct from Hell. And that was one station I’m sure she didn’t want to tune into, ever. But here she was, holding one of her blades to his throat. Her gloved hand barely shook as she stared down the demon.
It was then that I realized the music had stopped. In fact, the entire club had gone silent as a grave, every single breathing patron holding their collective breath. I flicked my eyes around to see hundreds of faeries, and even a few vamps, staring at Ivy’s blade where it dug into Forneus’ throat. The only movement was from a half dozen large ogres as they pushed their way through the crowd.
Heart racing like the dance music that should have been playing, my hand tightened on the crossbow, and I thumbed off the safety. Had it been foolish to cock and load the bow before entering the club? Probably, but I was now happy that I had. If the club’s bouncers turned on me and Ivy, we’d go down fighting.
A growling voice, preceded by a quick puff of air, warned me of a newcomer to the fight. I sucked in a shaky breath and turned to see a griffin alight on top of the barstool Ivy had vacated.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, human,” he said.
The dog-sized creature had arrived before the other bouncers by using its wings to fly over the crowded room. Though smaller than the fast approaching ogres, the griffin looked just as deadly. An eagle head sporting a hooked beak rested atop the body of a lion, claws and all.
“Why not?” I asked, keeping my voice low. “What’s going on?”
“You’ve threatened violence within the club’s walls,” the griffin said. “There will be no bloodshed here. Club Nexus is neutral ground. If you wish to kill each other, take it outside.”
“This is all a misunderstanding,” Forneus said, spreading his hands wide. “These lovely ladies weren’t threatening me, Gregor, not against my will. This was just a little game we concocted. To keep things…interesting.”
“Demons,” the griffin spat under his breath.
“What?” Forneus asked, eyes wide. “Eternity is a long time, as you well know. A man must do something to spice things up a bit now and again.”
The griffin, Gregor, frowned, but nodded to the ogres who now stood at Ivy’s back. One of the ogres cracked his knuckles, but none of them reached for my friend. I took that as a good sign. Especially since one of those hands could palm Ivy’s head like a softball.
“You know the rules, Forneus,” Gregor said. “If your games involve consensual violence, you must submit the appropriate paperwork to club security. Nearly any behavior is allowed with a proper permit, but we do not allow anarchy within these walls.”
“Paperwork,” Forneus muttered, rolling his eyes. “You’re all nearly as bad as Hell.”
“In the meantime,” Gregor said, turning to Ivy. “Sheath your weapons. There will be no bloodshed without filing the necessary paperwork.”
The demon sighed and folded his arms across his chest.
“Might as well do as they say, darling,” he said. “You can’t cut through this red tape with weapons. But if you do decide to fight, I’m happy to provide you with legal services…for a nominal fee.”
I shook my head at the demon lawyer’s offer. Pay Forneus to get us out of this jam? Over my dead body. As I saw it, it was his fault we were in trouble with club security in the first place. I snorted and inched away from the demon. At least his arm was no longer wrapped around my waist.
Ivy looked at me and I nodded, slipping an empty hand into my lap. Cutting Forneus’ throat and impaling him with a crossbow bolt were things that would just have to wait. Ivy lowered her blade and shoved it into a sheath concealed beneath her leather jacket. In one quick movement, she slid away from Forneus and leaned against the bar at my side.
“Are we good, griffin?” she asked, never taking her eyes off Forneus.
“Yes, Princess,” Gregor said. “Do try to follow the rules in the future.”
Ivy grunted an affirmative and the griffin took wing. Apparently, that was the signal for the club to return to normal. Music pulsed thro
ugh the room and dancers returned to their earlier swaying and gyrating.
Scowling, Ivy slid back onto her bar stool and turned to watch demon.
“Ah, now, where were we?” Forneus asked. He moved closer, brushing against my leg. “Shall I buy you that drink?”
Forneus perched on the edge of the barstool beside me and now that we weren’t being chewed out by club security, I couldn’t help but notice that he smelled different. Was that cologne…and mouthwash? Was Forneus trying to cover up the stench of brimstone that usually clung to him like a hellspawn fart? Whatever he’d done, it was an improvement. Heat flared from where our legs touched and I wondered if he tasted as good as he smelled…
Forneus turned a raised eyebrow my way, but I was so distracted that I’d forgotten the question. I blushed, trying to remember what he’d asked. Ivy bristled at my side, her skin glowing so brightly that I had to blink rapidly to keep my eyes from tearing up.
“Um…” I said.
“No,” Ivy said.
I shook my head, clearing away the ridiculous impulse to crawl into Forneus’ lap and run my hands through his slicked back hair. Right, the demon had offered to buy me a drink. Get a grip, Jinx. Geesh, I was here to celebrate the end of my relationship with Hans. I wasn’t here to hook up with some new guy worthy of a stabbing.
“No thanks, Forneus,” I said. “I’d rather chew on thumbtacks.”
“Really?” he asked, eyelids at half-mast. Those bedroom eyes nearly did me in, but Ivy slid off her stool, hands twitching at her sides. I knew that with her new faerie speed, she could have a blade at Forneus’ throat again in a second, and to hell with the consequences. “Fine, fine. Until later, ladies.”
With a wink and a bow, Forneus turned and slipped away into the crowd, leaving an empty ache in my gut. I put a hand to my stomach, wishing my traitorous feelings would stop complicating my life. Having the hots for a sexy demon was not a problem I needed right now.