Curse It (A Peg Darrow Novel Book 1), page 7
There was a pause on the other end. "Really?"
I was a bit of a homebody, but I wasn't that bad, so I hated admitting the next part. "It is work-related."
"Oh, that makes more sense."
"Gods, Lo, I am not that much of a shut in."
Lola coughed delicately into the phone.
"Lola, you’re extremely social. No normal person could compete with your social calendar."
Her laugh tinkled through the phone line. “You’re probably right. So, what is this work engagement you're going to? Going to interview a suspect or do a stake out?" She sounded excited at the prospect.
"Nope, I'm going to The Opium Den."
"What the fuck!"
My eyes widened. Lola rarely cursed. Admittedly, she was doing it a lot more since I started my new job.
"Uh, you okay, Lola? That was a pretty visceral reaction."
"I know. Darn it, Peg. Not all of us are natural sailors like you."
"Uh, I'll take that as a compliment."
"You would." Her tone was haughty.
"Hey now, don't get nasty, I have to do this for work. You're the one who said to take this seriously. I am. I'm all in. I'm even wearing flat boots I can run in instead of the gorgeous stilettos I bought last year.”
Lola snorted. "You can't even walk in heels. You wouldn't wear those heels even if you didn't have the distinct possibility of needing to run."
"You're just being mean."
"The truth hurts. You should sell those shoes on eBay, or give them to me. I like them, and I'll actually wear them."
"I'll think about it." I wouldn't think about it. You never knew, I could be invited to dinner. As long as I was sitting, I was willing to totter from the car to a table. Plus, my ass looked great when I wore them.
"Who's going with you?"
"Hmmm." I was still imagining the perfect scenario to wear my heels.
"The Opium Den, pay attention."
"Sorry, I'm going by myself."
"I thought you said you were taking this seriously."
"I am. I have a silver collar and cuffs."
"God, Peg, haven't you ever watched a crime drama? If you're going into a dangerous situation, you take back up."
"Are you looking for an invite? I wouldn't take my worst enemy to that house of horrors disguised as a night club."
"Well, I wanted to go out tonight anyway.” She sounded resigned.
"You do realize that we're not immune to their glamour?"
"Peg, I know I may seem ditzy sometimes, but I'm not two. Every witch knows that." Her tone turned decidedly snippy.
Sheesh. "I know, I know. I just don't want to put you in danger."
"Tough, I'm going. I'll drive. Be at your house in an hour."
Knowing Lola's sense of time, I wasn't surprised when she didn't show up for two hours. She was dressed in a red mini skirt that showed off her tan, toned legs. Her top was a black silk shell that left very little to the imagination. Expecting sky high heels, I was surprised to find a pair of strappy flat sandals on her feet.
"I see you're prepared to run, but Lola, the amount of skin you have exposed is an invitation to take a sample."
"Peg, no man, vampire, witch, goblin, or human will dictate how I dress. Also, I'm a ward of the goblins. They touch me, and they can kiss their butts goodbye."
"You're right. I just want to be cautious."
Lola looked sympathetic. "I know, hon. I'm comfortable in this, but I understand why you want to cover up more, but holy boobs, Batman."
Blushing, I grumbled, "It's a night club."
"Yes, ma'am, and you look great. You should wear the silver more often. Humans won't know what it's actually for, and it looks very dramatic. I like it with the bun and the smoky eye."
"I do know how to clean up. I just prefer comfort."
Lola smiled. "I know, very sassy. Too bad we're going someplace where the eligible men are either unwitting blood slaves or sadistic bastards. We're wasting great outfits on these assholes."
Damn, that was the second curse word from Lola today. She must be feeling frisky. "We still need to go."
That earned me a pout. "I know but I had to try. Bruce is going to the Casino tonight."
"I'm surprised he didn't insist on coming with us, if you told him where we were going."
"I didn't, for that reason.” She lowered her eyes.
"Huh, I thought you were all for backup."
She met my eyes, "You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. If Bruce showed up, it would turn into a pissing contest. I look a lot less threatening, but if anyone pulls anything, I’m going to name-drop the crap out of the goblins."
"People never realize how diabolical you can be." I grinned.
"I'll take that as a compliment. Now get in the car." She waved to her car.
"Let me grab my purse." After I locked the deadbolt, I opened up my senses to my wards. They were set, and everything appeared to be in order. I still needed to figure out how Deval bypassed them. It made me leery not knowing who or what could enter my home. I climbed into the passenger’s seat of Lola's cherry-red Mustang.
Glancing over, I could see Lola's face turn guarded in the glow from the dashboard. "Lo, do goblins have any special talents for bypassing wards?"
"You know that's off limits."
"I understand you can't tell state secrets. I've never asked you too, but that was before my life became endangered." My tone came out hard.
I crossed my arms and looked out the window. There wasn't much to look at. We were on the freeway, and despite various southwest designs on barricades and medians, it was still just cement walls.
Lola let the silence sit for a long time before quietly saying, "I don't want to keep secrets from you. If I thought for a second that Deval would harm you, I would tell you whatever you needed to know to fight him, but he won't."
I knew why she couldn't tell, but it still hurt. "If you hadn't shown up the other night, he would have hurt me. For god's sake, he slammed my head into a door."
"No, Peg, he was subduing you. He would have done that to anyone he thought stole from him. If he was going to hurt you, he would have taken you someplace else."
"Where?"
Another bout of silence. "I can't tell you."
"Fine, but know this, you've been my best friend for as long as I can remember, but if I am in danger, and you don't tell me what I need to know, I don't think I could forgive that."
Her hands tensed on the wheel. "You're being dramatic, but for the record there's no danger to you right now."
My spine stiffened at basically being compared to a teenage girl, but I knew it was time to drop it. I turned back to the window, "Fine."
Tension filled the air for the remainder of our trip. By the time we pulled up to the valet queue, I decided to let it go, for the time being at least. I looked over at Lola. "You ready for this?"
She nodded.
"Okay, here's the deal, we need to see the main man. I would appreciate if you'd let me do the talking."
She nodded again, already taking my cue.
"Oh, and Lola? If I say run, run. If things get hairy, even with your name dropping, remember my power levels are a lot higher than yours, and I have been training."
"Yes, yes, Peg, you always were a show-off. I’m sure the three weeks as a Fortune have made you unstoppable.” She said the last part with a grin, letting go of the earlier upset.
A knock sounded at the window making me jump. Lola, unfazed, smiled at the valet as he opened my door. It was show time.
The Opium Den was on the top floor of a historic building downtown. There were questions during construction as to why the secretive owners didn't build something new and flashy rather then pour all their money into a building that would be better off condemned. I’d never been there before, but it was obvious the building held a certain splendor that couldn't be recreated.
It only increased when we walked into the lobby. The sigh Lola emitted said she was as awestruck as I was. Marble floors flecked with gold were set off by the antique bronze gas lamps. The walls were a deep burgundy. It all felt very classy in an illicit sort of way, and we weren't even in the club yet. Club goers packed into the elevator like sardines. Given where we were headed my mind began to shout, “Tower of Terror.” I shook my head.
I should have expected the crowd given that it was Saturday night. But the place would probably be as packed on a Monday. The club was known to be exclusive and nothing drew people more than a chance to tell their friends and enemies that they had made the list. The elevator doors opened into a lobby lined with velvet ropes.
If it had been a human club, I would have been concerned about my chances of getting in. Even in the company of Lola. I didn’t need to worry here. To the left there was a smaller nook, the area labeled “VIP,” and it was manned by a vampire. Just as my magic began to tingle, telling me I should be running, his head snapped up, and his nose told him his favorite meal was on the menu tonight.
He flicked his wrist and suddenly a large meaty man appeared next to him, and he whispered to the man gesturing in our general direction. Holding up my hand, I waggled my fingers and smiled. Lola elbowed me.
"What? He knows what we are. This will make getting to the boss faster."
"God, you don't have to act like we're takeout."
"I would think the silver cuffs and collar would signify that I'm not on the menu tonight."
"Or that you like to play hard to get." She harrumphed.
"Great, we're the perfect package, you're blonde, I'm brunette, I'm a challenge, and you're an easy meal. We appeal to all tastes. Lola and Peg for the win!" I held my hand up for a high five.
Lola stared me down for a minute before shaking her head, leaving me hanging. Still I saw the twitch at the side of her mouth. She knew I was funny, even if she wouldn't admit it. Before I could say anything further, the giant vampire lackey was before us. "Ladies, would you come this way?"
There were some angry comments along with a few curious stares from the people we had ridden up the elevator with. We were now deemed important to the masses, oh goody. I nodded and followed the man, my hand gripping Lola's elbow. She talked a mean game, but I knew she had to be uncomfortable, to say the least. I was shaking in my boots.
Ninety percent of the time attitude got you through hard times. If you wanted to be a badass, you could be one if you pretended for a bit. So, I put on my best resting bitch face. I had been born with it, so it didn't take too much effort.
We were taken to the vampire at the podium, who grinned, displaying his normal looking, if extra-sharp incisors. Vamps were growers, not showers. Evolution was kind enough not to make them recognizable to their prey. They were, of course, beautiful as a general rule. Humans might like to laugh at Hollywood glamorizing monsters, but the monsters could only exist if they were able to eat. Beauty was alluring and powerful bait. A power the monsters took full advantage of.
The vamp before me was no exception. He was over six feet, with a powerfully built body expertly contained in an expensive suit. His sculpted face whispered a Nordic heritage. His pale skin and blond hair confirmed it. I assumed his eyes were blue, but I wasn't stupid enough to look into them. Glamour wasn't just a popular women's magazine, it was also a death sentence.
"Ladies, what a pleasant surprise. Welcome to The Opium Den. Can I interest you in the VIP area?" He raised an eyebrow before adding, "Or perhaps a private room?"
Yep he thought we were easy. "I need to see the boss. If you can make that happen, I'll go wherever. Fair warning though, try to bite either one of us, and I’ll use whatever power I have to fry your ass. This isn't a social visit."
The vampire looked crestfallen. I knew better. Vampires were nature's most perfect sociopaths. They were charming, but behind the warm exterior ran ice water. They enjoyed torturing puppies and playing with their food. "That is indeed disappointing, Miss…?"
"I wanted to remain anonymous."
"If you wish to see Fane, that will not be possible," he said, giving me and Lola a boyish grin. "If you changed your mind about Fane however, I can meet you in a private room. I'll call you whatever you'd like."
"That won't be necessary, Vince. I will see the ladies."
Vince's already pale skin turned a little ashen. Apparently even the deadliest predators were on the food chain.
"Yes, Mr. Dimir," the vamp uttered, obviously wanting his boss to leave as quickly as possible, so he could reclaim his cool.
When I looked at the vampire that scared his counterpart, I could see why. Whereas the VIP clerk was tall, handsome, and lethal looking, this man made him look like a sissy boy who would run to mama. He topped the other vamp by a few inches, putting him at roughly six-and-a- half feet. His body was somehow bigger and yet more graceful than the other vampire’s. To top it off, his face was the perfect combination of beauty and ruggedness. His blond hair was a little long and was wispy around his ears and collar, he had facial hair, which was odd for a vampire, but added a rugged appeal. "Do I meet your approval, Ms. Darrow?"
My eyes snapped up before I could stop, and I found myself looking into glaciers. His blue eyes were the lightest I’d ever seen. My magic started tingling with a vengeance, and then I realized what I saw in his eyes was triumph. Oh hell no, I snapped my eyes down quickly before his glamour could take hold.
He laughed softly. "A challenge, I like that."
We found out his type. At least he would leave Lola alone. She remained deathly silent during this interaction. I glanced to my right to find her staring at the floor in determination not to meet his gaze.
"Ladies, to what does The Opium Den owe the pleasure?"
I kept my eyes averted. "Business." I noticed my voice was gruffer than usual. Perhaps it was trying to counteract the submissiveness that avoiding eye contact insinuated.
"How disappointing." His voice sent shivers down my spine, making me want to hunch my shoulders. It took a lot of effort to make them remain squared. "But I would be remiss to not entertain ladies of your caliber under any excuse. Would you care to follow me to my office?"
Actually, I wouldn't, but it would be careless to discuss our business out in the open. Plus the loud music emanating from the club would not be conducive to a productive conversation. "Sure, lead the way, was it Mr. Dimir?"
His eyebrows knitted together. He was obviously annoyed by my lack of knowledge regarding him. "I'm surprised you didn't know, Ms. Darrow, I'm the clan leader of my kind in Arizona."
Fan-fucking-tastic or fang-fucking-tastic, I sounded completely clueless. As a Fortune, I should have known not only his name, but his face. Hell, as a witch, I should have known. My only excuse was that ignorance was bliss, and up until this point I’d avoided vampires like the plague. Time to play it cool. "Of course you are, I simply wanted to make sure I was speaking to the Mr. Dimir. We’ve never met."
He leaned in to whisper in my ear, "Understandable, I would recognize you anywhere. You have your Aunt's eyes."
My magic raced to my palms before I was even aware it was happening. I felt Lola tense, ready to run or back me up. Before I could consciously release the magic, the vampire was five feet in front of us.
Looking back over his shoulder, he tossed out a playful, "Try to keep up, ladies."
His acting didn’t work on me. Teeth gritted, I went to follow him when I felt Lola pull on my elbow, in a stage whisper she hissed, "You sure about this, Peg?"
I met her gaze. "Nope, but I still have to do it. If you want to wait in the car, I'll understand."
She shook her head effusively before she started walking, pulling me with her. "No way in hell am I leaving you alone. If he wants to play, we’ll play."
Lola fell into a role. From what I could tell, it was a confident, political mover and shaker. The look of determination creasing her forehead made me glad she was on my side. My stride lengthened to match her pace. That's right, bitches, we're walking with a purpose.
We followed the vamp through what appeared to be a catacomb of hallways. The gas lamps lining the walls were the same as those in the lobby and in the waiting area. But instead of the marble flooring, there were wide-planked dark wood floors the echoed every footstep eerily. The romantic ambiance of the public areas transitioned to something more sinister behind the scenes. All the darks shadows had me thinking, “the better to hide your blood, my dear.”
The vampire remained five feet ahead of us the entire time, not bothering to turn to see if we were still following. He knew we would; there was no need for the pretense. It felt like we were walking through the halls for a half hour before he stopped in front of large, dark, double doors. He produced what looked like a large antique key from a chain hidden under his shirt.
Even standing a few feet away, I could sense the magic pulsing off the key. It was witch magic and obviously opened wards as well as the door. How sloppy of him. All it would take was someone pilfering the key for the vamp’s office to be free game. Then again, whoever wanted to enter the spider's lair had a death wish. Present company excluded, of course.
He opened the door and extended his arm with a flourish, gesturing me and Lola inside. We entered, my muscles tensed at having him at my back. My magic had a mind of its own tonight and again raced to my palms. I heard the vampire laugh behind me.
It was hard to hide his true nature from his laugh. It lacked any genuine feeling, and I had to force myself not to shiver in response. It was the first time I truly saw the man for what he was, the first time the facade completely dropped. I turned quickly, no longer willing to leave him at my back.
"Tsk, tsk, my dear," he said, waggling my finger at me as if I were an errant child. "There is no need for the magic." His playful mask was back on, but it was as if the metaphorical mask was askew.
Lola decided she’d been quiet long enough. "As long as you know there will be no need for the fangs, buddy." Her voice was authoritative, if lacking the punch that only strong eye contact could make. I elbowed her lightly, making her stiffen.
The vampire seemed to notice Lola for the first time. It was strange, especially when gorgeous Lola was half naked. He looked her up and down, and winked at her, but then his attention returned to me. I knew it was because of my aunt, but I intended to stop that subject from becoming the topic of the evening. I took a seat.
