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Quixon had been right about our job not lasting long. Zeus had us spying on a warehouse. Posing as a happy couple again, loafing on a street bench, we watched trucks come and go, but were ordered not to go any closer.
What am I even doing here? Besides bugging Sander the other night, our jobs had consisted of spying on a train yard and a warehouse. Things Quixon could do on his own, in uniform no doubt. Why Zeus wanted us here incognito was beyond me.
Climbing on the back of Quixon’s bike, getting ready to go spend our illegal money on dinner, I thought of how I was going to break it to him. Really, I didn’t want to go to a vampire favorite and deal with the influx of pheromones turning me on in more ways than one. To know what Quixon was thinking as I broke off whatever we were doing, would just make it harder. I was relieved when he stopped at a rundown bar with a brick storefront, dirty windows and untidy grounds. No vampire would be caught dead here. Well, maybe a newly made one in their crazed state of eating and killing. When a vampire finally got their senses, it was as if they got OCD too.
The door read members only but Quixon pushed on through. Walking in I saw it was just as dark and loud as any vampire favorite but knew vampires would never frequent this seedy bar. I doubted if my attire was perfect for the atmosphere, something that mattered a lot in the city but Quixon’s leather motorcycle jacket made him fit right in.
“So what’s good to eat?” I asked politely, trying to hide my displeasure at the strong smell of smoke and overall rancid smell of the place.
“Oh, we’re not eating here.”
My shoulders eased. The place was filthy. Something about it made me want to run away, not exactly like the warning attached to Darius’s door, but something similar, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I didn’t have to ask as Quixon told me he was meeting Zeus. “Wait here.” Without giving me time to protest, he left me at the bar. Happy he wasn’t hiding it from me, I hesitated, fighting the urge to follow him. Part of me wanted to go confront Zeus, get to the bottom of this mess, but the other part of me wanted to stay alive long enough to rescue Crow from his demented state. Reluctantly, I stayed put, ordering a drink and avoiding the bowls of stale chips lining the bar even though I was starved.
While waiting for Quixon, I watched the people around the crowded bar. I didn’t see anyone I could be sure was a vampire. There were humans and less bleeders, most of them wearing leather, and in this weather, it meant most of them rode motorcycles. I thought about the gang who stopped me on the way home the other day with suspicion. With all of this adding up in my mind, I smiled slightly, pleased that I had more information on Zeus. Maybe it would come in handy when I wanted information from Sander on Crow.
One thought led to another, and I reasoned that maybe Quixon could be convinced to tell me more at dinner. Having to break his heart was bad enough, but as I plotted to seduce him for better information, some I could give to Sander so he’d tell me where I could find Crow, I felt like a horrible person. Sometimes it seemed like all I had were bad choices, but then again I was tired of letting life just happen to me. If I still felt the same way about Quixon as I did when I met the cocky jock, the thought of leading him on wouldn’t bother me at all. Now things were different. If my heart wasn’t already promised to another, he could have it.
Quixon emerged his face looking oddly satisfied. The fact I’d stayed put during his little meeting with Zeus made a weight lift from his shoulders.
“All done?” I asked
“Yeah, you ready to go to dinner?”
“Yes, I’m starved,” I answered, honestly but it was more than that now. Longing to get out of here, I practically dragged him to his motorcycle. To talk to Quixon about Zeus, I wanted to get him alone, away from the acute hearing of vampires all around. Trying to think of a solution as we walked out the door, I ran every place I could think of through my head, not wanting to take this to his apartment where things could go too far. I just needed information. I didn’t need to fall into Quixon’s bed.
“I’m not dressed to go anywhere too nice,” I admitted, easing the way to introduce the less appealing to any bleeder, more casual non-vampire hangout.
“You look wonderful, and I want to take you somewhere fun.” Quixon brushed my hair with his hand, fixing a strand of it behind my ear as the wind undid his work. I’d left it down tonight, and dressed in nice jeans, dressy tank top and fitted jacket of my own. Good thing too, because it was fixing to rain.
Quixon, smiled widely. “Besides we’ve just been paid a shit load of money.” He grabbed my hand, giving the role of cash to me. I quickly tucked it away in my inside jacket pocket, silently thankful.
“But this will be my treat,” he told me, his eyes lighting up.
Holding onto Quixon’s waist, we lurched out onto the busy street with a roar. The farther we drove away, the more the tiny nugget of dread I felt in the bar dissolved. I figured there had to be something supernatural about our mysterious boss. Instead of going through the list of new suspects in my head, daemons or witches, I thought of Crow. Closing my eyes, I remembered riding on his black horse through the darkness as the wind whipped around us. Only opening my eyes when we slowed, I about died when Quixon passed Veles’ Castle, the large casino that Sander owned and parked on the adjacent street.
Buses blocked the entrance to the larger than life casino that looked more like an overly tall and skinny castle. Not as lofty as many of the buildings in Sanguis City, Veles’ Castle stood out because of the unique shape and the dancing lights. When I’d first laid eyes on it, I was amazed and a bit homesick. Taking refuge in structures just like it back on the reservation, I’d never seen one lit up. The humans there never would have powered up one slot machine, let alone the large flashing signs. Hell, we didn’t even use the elevators, the heat or hot water.
Quixon abruptly drew me from my reminiscing by slapping my behind to get me to walk forward but offered his arm when I’d glared at him.
“I’m not your horse,” I complained as he steered me through the crowd. Inside was just as lit up. My wish to go somewhere with little vampires was almost fulfilled. At least in the main gambling hall, the one we stood in now, admiring the immense chandeliers shining and twinkling above us, I knew from my previous visit mostly catered to bleeders and humans, well connected and not so lucky. The casino even took cash as well as credits, so our money would go far here. Plus, I didn’t have to worry about my scan.
I realized Quixon was enthusiastic, eager to actually relax and have a good time as he took me by the arm to our first stop. Faking a smile, I let him teach me a few games and watched him enjoy losing money to chance all while trying to make a real connection to me. It was an hour later before we decided to eat. My mouth watered as we read tonight’s menu. The availability of food changed often and the luxury of having a decent meal was reserved for humans who’d be giving their blood to the vampire’s supply. For us bleeders, it’d cost a pretty penny, everything Quixon didn’t lose tonight and then some. A few vampires lingered at tables with the bleeder they planned to feed off later but for the most part, I felt safe to talk.
But first I had to let Quixon make all of his moves and fall for one. Being too forward after a week of taking things slow would sound his alarms, at least I thought. Finding myself waiting for a long time, I watched him intently. He seemed more than preoccupied, his eyes traveling from the table and me too often. Quixon excused himself to the restroom in the middle of our meal, so I waited a moment and followed him.
The hall to the bathrooms overflowed with people, but he passed it. I watched him press his thumb in the lock and enter a door marked authorized personal only. Scuffling back to the table, I felt like an idiot. Our night of fun had been a job I’d not been told about. When Quixon returned moments later, he was all cool and collected. But I was miffed. Having my own secrets, I didn’t expect Quixon to tell me everything, but I was going to get as much information from him as possible tonight. Calming myself, I finished my dinner and decided to let him talk me into a show.
As we made our way to the theatre, the smell of blood and excitement hit me, mixed with that something else I couldn’t handle. Vampires didn’t gamble with the rest of us or eat here, but they sure packed the back of the house, I noted as we bought tickets to Luna Circi. The anticipation showing on my face was genuine. I’d never been to a circus before. Posters showed animals I’d never seen in real life from a mountain lion to a truly rare kangaroo.
The only lights shining on the nude performers, Quixon and I climbed the stairs to our seats in the balcony section in the dark. Taking in the others around us as my eyes adjusted quickly, I cringed. I’d already eaten but the vampires were having their meal in here and more. I was beginning to suspect Quixon knew about my control issues around the vamp hormones floating in the air as we slid onto a small couch. He had fangs showing already. Without any protection, all the pheromones did was increase my own vampire like, super charged sexual nature, I reminded myself.
His eyes trained on the women contorting into pretzels on stage as his arm went behind me, sending shivers along my spine spread to another area already. Quixon’s hand creeping around to hug my middle, he froze, waiting for me to react. It didn’t take much of an act to lean into him, encourage him with a soft sigh, placing my hand high on his upper thigh. I sighed again. I was going to miss the show. Before I knew it, he’d pulled off my jacket and laid a warm kiss on my shoulder.
“I didn’t think you were into this sort of thing,” he murmured into my skin, cutting into the exotic music.
“I’m not into this sort of thing, but maybe I’m in to you.” I went for somewhat honest to make my advances more believable as I let my head fall to one side so he could kiss my neck. I caught a glimpse of a monkey before Quixon undid my bra under my shirt, his hands inching closer to my nipples that had already hardened. His breath hit my ear as his thumbs brushed over my peaks, sending prickles all over me. I turned my head, giving into him. Returning his kiss with a fever as he soon found my lips, I reminded myself to keep my emotions in check although my body responded anyway. I had to warn myself as much as I’d fallen for Quixon, he was in the clutches of a powerful and mysterious man, a man who apparently had plans for me. And didn’t trust me to boot. Not that I could be trusted, I mused as I let Quixon stick his tongue down my throat, his hands clutching my breasts. Wriggling closer to him, we contorted our bodies as much as the performers. I parted my knees, letting him come intimately close. Wiggling my hand down between us, I felt the spoils of war, his throbbing member, my victory as I tore myself away.
“We can go back to my place,” he suggested with a ragged breath.
I’m not saying I wasn’t tempted. “I just can’t.” It was the absolute truth.
Taking my hand, Quixon laid a kiss on it, his eyes holding so much promise even in the dark. “I like you, Noir.”
If he’d said love, I wouldn’t have believed him. Dazed by his words, I let him kiss me again and felt myself warm. My heart pounded, and placing my hands to his chest to hold him off, I could feel his beat hard in his chest too. With our two rhythms vibrating my sensitive ears, I let his hands roam again and oh my, I was sure he liked me. He wanted to like me right here on the couch, right now. In public, I told myself as I drew back slightly, looking up at him. “I don’t know what’s going on,” I complained, my voice soft and worried, resigned my plans to use him had backfired, and now I was confused about more than Zeus.
“What do you want to know?” Quixon’s thumb rubbed my cheek as he cradled my face. A flush of a memory took me. It wasn’t mine, I was reading Quixon’s mind, but it was if he’d let me have it. He was practically cradling me I discovered when I’d broke myself from it. I removed myself from his lap in a hurry acting like nothing had happened. Sitting up properly, I went on, “I don’t like being used.”
He sighed and took both my hands. “I couldn’t tell you, but it’s seems you’ve found out on your own.”
“What that we’re not on a date. You’re working, without me.”
The big guy’s eyes surveyed the room. “We can’t talk here.”
I crossed my arms with a huff before he stood and gestured for me to follow. He led me down a dark hall, through an exit door to a back alley. The smell of the rain and fresh air calmed me as I splashed out into a puddle. The rain had stopped but the wind was just as before. Waiting with my arms crossed, I watched his expressions by the overflow of light coming from the main street. He looked troubled but thoughtful, raking his hand through his soft hair.
Cursing myself for thinking of how his hair felt, how any of it had felt, I put my hands on my hips, saying, “I’m not doing this anymore. Tell Zeus I quit.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Watch me.” Slinging my hair, I turned and walked down the alley, suspecting he’d follow. When he was in front of me, I told him, “I can’t do this when I can’t even trust you.”
“Zeus has more power and influence than you know.”
“That’s exactly the point. I don’t know a damn thing. You,” I stressed the word, “could tell me.”
“You could have told me about this,” Quixon said flatly, seizing my hand. “You have connections to Sander.” He looked hurt for a split second. “Why do you think I wasn’t supposed to tell you about tonight?”
Taking my hand back, I hunched my shoulders, not wanting to explain it to him. “I need to know about Zeus, who is he? The where is he, I can guess.”
“I can’t tell you that, but I’ll let him know, okay? I’ll tell him he has to come clean with you. He trusts me, and I’d like to keep it that way,” he said, his lips pressed and eyes intent. A buzz came from his jacket, his beeper. Tilting his head to check it, he said plainly, “That’s Saline. I’m on call. I have to take you home.”
An outrageous laugh escaped me. “You’re on call too while you’re spying for someone else?”
He didn’t look ashamed. “Come on.”
“No, I’ll make my own way home,” I assured him.
“That’s not the deal.”
“Oh, you’re supposed to make sure I get home? Like not just being a gentleman?” Quixon looked guilty, so I pressed, “Why?” When he didn’t answer, only looked at the sky in aggravation, I told him, “Yeah, tell him I quit. I’m done.”
Quixon warned softly, “You can’t walk away from this.”
Well, that just settled it. I stormed away from him, almost tripping over a black cat on my way. Bats! Like I needed any more bad luck. Doing a double take, I thought of dear old Bijou while watching it scurry away. I looked down to see myself disheveled from our sexy time at the circus. A rush of desire ran through me, and I tried to shake it off. I pulled myself together as I practically stomped away. Still straightening my clothes as I stepped out onto the sidewalk, I bumped right into Sander. I felt my cheeks get hot as the involuntary attraction turned up another notch.
That’s when Quixon spun me around, and all hell broke loose. Sander shifted into action and easily had the boulder of a man in the air by his neck. I raised my voice to protest, but he didn’t let him down. Instead, Quixon hit the brick wall with a loud crack. He slumped down it as I watched, unable to do anything about it. Panicked, I was by him in a flash and fell to my knees only to find him unconscious. “Fuck,” I exclaimed. He wouldn’t die, but he was going to have a headache for a week.
Sander loomed over us as people from the street gawked. “You okay?” He had the nerve to ask.
“Yeah, why did you...” I didn’t finish my sentence I was so mad.
The vampire looked immaculate as always as he gestured to me, saying, “I thought you’d had a scuffle. A lover’s quarrel perhaps?”
Touching my hair, I could feel it was a tangled mess. Come to think of it, my lipstick was probably smeared too. Still, it was no excuse. “I’ll show you a lover’s quarrel.” Getting to my feet, I was ready to tell him off.
Sander leaned casually on the brick wall beside the big Quixon shaped dent. “Are we doing that again?”
“He’s supposed to be... going to work.”
Sander raised his eyebrows, gathering my meaning. “I’m sure someone’s already called the authorities. We should really be off.”
“Just leave him here?” Who knows what kind of trouble Quixon would be in if he ended up in the hospital with a load of cash and who knows what other incriminating items he had on him... I didn’t. I was about to find out as I squatted down to empty his pockets of, well, everything. It would look like he’d been robbed. Being an officer, he’d be taken care of, I assured myself. “Hide me, will you?”
Sander crouched to give me cover so I could quickly frisk Quixon. Taking his gun, wallet and pager, I then searched the inside of his jacket and found an envelope.
“I believe that’s mine.” Sander held out his hand expectedly.
I handed it over sure it was his. The glimpse I got of his dark red seal when he tucked it away confirmed it. “You came out in the alley on purpose?” I guessed.
“Maybe.” Sander helped me to my feet as I heard the beginning of sirens.
“Come upstairs.”
I shook my head no, tucking Quixon’s gun in my pants at the small of my back. Sander offered an alternative with his open hand. The police were still minutes away, so we strolled down the alley the other direction like nothing had happened. Only when we were two blocks away did I speak up, “It looks like I helped you out of a jam again.”
Sander laughed at me, and we continued to walk even though it was spitting rain.
“I need to know where Crow is.” I decided to reason with him. “I can help him.”
“He can’t be helped.”
“I think I have a way.”
Sander stopped to study me, and I tried to block the thought of wishes and witches, knowing some vampires can read minds. Meeting his eyes squarely, I wasn’t sure what he could do anymore. He’d said I was the one pulling memories from him all along. I tried to do it now but nothing happened.
Instantly cool and collected, he asked, “Did you enjoy Luna Circi?”
What a ridiculous question at a time like this? “I know all about Zeus, and I’ll tell you in exchange for Crow’s whereabouts.”
“What do you know?” We were strolling casually again even though the rain fell harder.
“And you’ll tell me?” I sounded too hopeful.
“I’ll tell you where he is, yes. What have you found out?”
“We went to a hideout tonight, plus I think Zeus is a vampire.”
“He’s not a vampire,” Sander said, amused.
“So you know all about Zeus?” I said under my breath, “even more than me it seems.”
“Yes, he’s using you too. And I know where he’s hiding, at least tonight.”
“You knew he was using me?”
“Believe it or not, I wanted Zeus to bug my room.”
I stopped, wiping the water from my face and slicking back my wet hair. I went a few feet over to stand under the awning of a closed shop. “Why would you do that?” I sounded astonished.
Sander turned to me, the water made his blond hair darker as water dripped from it and down his face in his eyes even. It didn’t bother him. He made no move to get out of the rain. “Sometimes the best way to find out your enemies plans is to get caught.” He explained, “I called a biotech guy to trace the frequency of the transmission.” Sander pulled one of the bugs out of his chest pocket to show me he’d kept one. He turned his hand and let it fall to the ground.
None of that mattered to me. “Okay, where’s Crow?”
“He’s been institutionalized. I tried to tell you before but you wouldn’t listen.”
“Where?”
“The sanatorium for our kind outside of the city. Now we call it the zombie sanatorium.” Sander had said it all spooky like it was a joke. Vampires liked to poke fun at the zombies. “It was a place we put people, vampires and others who were too important to die until we could cure them from whatever ailment they suffered. Keep them away from the rest of the population. During The End rooms were sold to about anyone.”
“Why would you send him there?” I was outraged now.
“For your safety and for mine. I could’ve killed Crow, it was my right, but I spared him for you. Something in his half-rotted mind knows you killed Sigmund not I. He won’t stop until he gets the cloud behind him to avenge his master.”
“So, you’re protecting your new place as head of the city.”
“This is to protect you. I’ve already told you, I have my place no matter who killed my brother. Besides, Jameson and the new kind run this city, I just hold their leash.”
None of that mattered to me either. “Where outside of the city?”
“Noir, what are you thinking?”
“Just tell me where,” I demanded, practically growling through my teeth.
Sander bowed his head a little. “Just over the wall, but the scum of the supernatural world are locked up there too, for good reason. You’ll never get out alive even if you magic your way in with your witches help. Now come home with me. You’re soaked.”
“No thanks,” my voice was venomous. He knew everything, about Darius, probably about my wish too. I had to get back to the fringe and tell Darius I’d need the daemon soon.
“Noir, I could command you.” He almost sounded bored.
“Then do it,” I dared him, running off in the rain.
