12. Hale
Watching Yannis work for another few minutes, I find myself torn between pride that he has a fighting instinct and the desire to lock him away in my apartment, far from ravenous vampires. I need a moment to calm the raging beast in my veins that constantly craves the handsome mortal.
With a smile on his face, Yannis moves easily around his tables, checking in and keeping the drinks flowing. He’s a natural, and doesn’t seem to be bothered by our less-than-human clientele.
The club thrums with activity, the lust of vampires permeating the air, with hints of fae magic, demon pheromones, and the wild energy of shifters adding to the intoxicating scent. Above it all though, the scent of Yannis seduces me.
Ready to get back to work, I spot Willow, the perky demon who loves sprinkling his incubus dust on unsuspecting victims like a horny cupid. He’s lean like a dancer, and has the ability to shift his height taller when he chooses. I’ve also noticed his skin tone and eye color tend to change depending on who he’s interacting with. Right now, it’s a pale pink color. When he hides behind glamour he looks like any young, gorgeous twink, but right now he’s in demon mode, from the pointy tips of his ears to the claw-like nails on his fingertips. He’s dancing on a pole a few feet above the heads of our patrons, his slinky body moving in perfect time to the music and drawing many hungry eyes to him.
The lights dim further before the small stage we have to the left of the bar is lit up. Our regular siren, Sebastian, sits under a spotlight on a velvet bench, singing a song that lures women and men alike to gather around him. Fortunately, his music has no effect on me, but even based on looks alone, he’s stunning. He’s built like a tree, all thick and muscled, with long black hair, tan skin, and eyes the color of the Mediterranean Sea. I’ve heard whispers that his attractiveness is all smoke and mirrors and that his true form is the stuff of nightmares, but we’ll never see it unless we happen to be swimming in the ocean when he is.
I make my way to the front to check with the doormen on activity. The club seems fuller than usual, but it could just be my imagination.
“Hey, guys. How are things tonight?” I ask. “It feels busier than usual.”
“It’s the siren drawing people in,” Rhett says, shaking his shoulders out. “Can’t you feel it?”
“No. Hemsley?”
He shakes his head. “Can’t feel it either. Must be a you thing, Rhett.”
He huffs. “Sirens aren’t my thing. It’s just been a while since I’ve worked off some energy, know what I’m saying?”
I nod, studying him for a moment. “Are you distracted?”
“Nope.” He folds his muscular arms across his chest, straining the seams of his black dress shirt. “Just aware of him.”
“Maybe you should just fuck him and get it over with,” the younger vampire says with a giggle. “Does that work with a siren or make it worse?”
“No experience with the subject,” I answer.
“I’m alright,” Rhett says with his drawl. “Anyway, I think he might be attracting people. Or hell, maybe it’s the incubus on the pole.”
“Possibly.” I turn and glance at Willow again before returning my attention to the guys. “Any trouble after Henri?”
“Nah,” Rhett says. “He apologized and said he’d respect the ban for a week. Everyone else who’s turned up is cool. Whatever the witch put in that veil, it works like a charm.”
Hemsley chuckles. “I think that’s the point.”
I smile, filled with a lightness I’m not used to. “I’ll be leaving when Yannis does to make sure he gets home safely.”
Both men look at each other as if I’ve just announced I’m going vegan.
“Is that a problem?”
“No problem,” Rhett says. “Everything is under control and Tiago’s here. Worst case, some of the Orpheus boys will probably show up later, and they don’t fuck around when trouble starts.”
“No, they definitely don’t.”
No sooner has Rhett mentioned the guys than Thorn drops into the doorway. He’s dressed in his usual black leather, his eyes wild and hair blowing in the easy breeze.
“Gentlemen.” He bows his head slightly.
I offer my hand and he shakes it. “What have you been up to tonight?” I ask.
“Had a client job to take care of. It was fun as fuck.”
“Can you tell us what it was this time?” Hemsley asks excitedly.
“Low-level kid pornographer. Got his case dropped because of a fuckup with the evidence. Our client had him followed by a PI and got a tip that he was up to some bad shit at this trashy hotel off the freeway.” Thorn drags his thumb across his bottom lip. “When I got there he was reviewing some‘footage.’”He says the word with true disgust in his voice. “He was very cooperative though. Told me the location of the storage unit where he keeps his stash, where he finds his victims, and the money he’s made.”
“How polite,” Rhett says, chuckling.
Thorn’s signature maniacal grin appears. “Maybe I encouraged him a little.”
I grin too. “I take it he won’t be a problem anymore?”
“Poor guy, he was feeling so bad about what he’s done, he opened his veins and bled out in the bathtub.”
“One less scumbag in the city,” Hemsley says.
“Indeed. But I need a drink and to kill a few hours.”
“Why is that?” I ask, leading Thorn to the bar.
“It’s mate movie night. Bowie’s idea for them to bond and stay current on human pop culture. It’s been a huge help for Justice too. Helping him catch up on what he wasn’t exposed to.”
“That’s very sweet.”
“It is. You know what my mate does, man? He’s been teaching Justice real history, not that crap the cult taught.” He practically beams. “He’s got such a good heart. I’m glad I haven’t corrupted him.”
“Not even a little?”
Thorn snorts a laugh. “Maybe a little.” He turns toward Sebastian, bopping his head for a second. “Siren. Haven’t seen one in a while.”
“He’s been hanging around here for a few weeks. Doesn’t seem to cause any trouble, and only uses his song when he’s ready to collect a lover or several for the evening.”
“Nice.”
“Does it affect you?”
“The music?” Thorn shakes his head. “Nah. Never did. I think vampires are mostly immune.”
“I thought so too.”
“Is it doing it for you?” He waggles his eyebrows.
“Not at all. Someone else here.”
“Interesting.”
“It is.” I notice Yannis leaning on the bar to collect his next drink order. “Let me introduce you to someone.”
“Cool.”
We approach and Yannis turns around. I tense for a moment, highly aware of how gorgeous Thorn is and how much attention he attracts, but Yannis’s gaze settles on me.
“Yannis, this is one of my Orpheus brothers, Thorn. Thorn, our newest employee, Yannis.”
“Cool name,” Thorn says.
“Same to you.”
Thorn sniffs the air. “Mortal. Are you enjoying yourself?”
“It’s been an experience.”
“He kneed Henri in the balls earlier,” I say with a hint of pride in my voice.
Thorn huffs. “That douche. What did he do?”
“He got grabby with me.”
“Pretty brave, inciting violence with a vampire,” Thorn says. “I like it.”
Yannis grins and shrugs. “He crossed a line. I won’t do that again though.”
“Probably wise.” Thorn leans in. “But don’t lose your fire.”
“Thanks.” He grabs his drinks. “Better get these delivered. Nice to meet you, Thorn.”
“You too.”
Once Yannis walks away, I turn to Thorn, who’s staring at me with a huge grin on his face.
“Yes?”
“You like him. Finally someone caught your eye.”
Blowing out a breath, I nod, no longer interested in trying to play it cool. “I do. He doesn’t date men and he doesn’t know what I am. Tiny problems to overcome.”
Thorn glances in his direction. “Eh, I wouldn’t worry about either. As soon as he saw you his pulse increased in a good way. I’m no psychic, but I’d say he likes you too.”
“I’ve had that sense too. I’m a little worried about asserting myself and offending him. I don’t want him to leave.”
Thorn puts his hand on my chest “Dude. You need to ditch the reserve and follow your feral little heart. You’ve been locked inside this make-believe cage for too long. I’d tell you life is short, but for us, it’s the opposite. It’s long as fuck and having someone to love makes each day exciting again. My advice? Don’t hold back. If he’s new to liking men, he probably needs a little nudge from you.”
My brow creases as I consider his words.
“You know how it feels to stalk your prey, right?” Thorn asks. “To drop down in front of them and tear their throat out as their blood coats your tongue?”
“Of course.”
“I’ve seen you hunt. There’s a beast inside of you desperate to be let out more often. We can’t always kill to feed our lust, but we can make love. It’s almost as good.”
My body reacts as my mind conjures the image of Yannis naked before me, the miles of soft flesh covering hard muscle on display, waiting for me to indulge. My gums throb and heat spreads through me, making my cock swell.
Thorn grins, gripping my shoulder. “There’s my guy. Don’t hold back. You’ll be surprised how well it can go.”
“Thanks for the pep talk.”
“Anytime.” He leans over the bar. “Ti! Hook me up.”
I laugh as I leave him to walk the club again, my eyes finding Yannis easily. He’s chatting with a table of demons. He probably has no idea as all three women are wearing glamour. I’d be jealous, but I happen to know that group is exclusively into mortal women.
As the hours pass, my desire to be alone with Yannis grows to the point where I’m agitated. The club will be open until sunrise, and there’s no way I’m waiting that long. When he’s back at the bar, I approach him.
“How have you been doing tonight?”
He turns to me, smiling warmly, but I do see the tiredness in his eyes. “Amazing, actually. I really like it.”
“I’m happy to hear that. Does that mean you’ll continue working here?”
“Absolutely. As long as I’m wanted.”
“You’re very wanted.” I push his tray away slightly, stepping toward him to close the distance between us. His breath hitches and he swallows hard. “Since it’s your first night, I thought you could finish early. It’s a lot to take in all at once.”
“I can handle it.”
“I know you can. You’ve proved that, but it’s not special treatment, I promise. It’s typical to have shorter shifts at first.”
“Oh.” His shoulders drop and his face relaxes as he gives in to his obvious exhaustion. “Okay then.”
“Did you do well on tips?”
He pats a bulge in his pocket. “I haven’t counted, but it’s pretty exciting.”
“Excellent. Why don’t you finish your table and then hand off your station to one of the others? I’ll escort you home when you’re done.”
“Okay.”
I watch him deliver drinks and hand off service to Ripley, one of our other mortal employees.
“Taking off?” Tiago asks with a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
“Just to ensure he gets home safely. I’ll be back.”
“You don’t have to be, Hale. We can handle it here if you happen to find something else to do.”
Shaking my head, I grin at his innuendo. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“He did good tonight. Didn’t miss a beat and only got confused on one custom order, but I think that could’ve happened to anyone.”
“He fits well here.”
“He does. The patrons like him. He’s pretty and personable. He was asked several times about donating though.”
“I didn’t hear that. How did you?”
“He told Jade and asked how to politely get out of it.”
“I knew he’d attract attention.”
“Yep, but it seems like he handled it. Even when Henri got out of hand.”
“Yes, but it wasn’t wise what he did. He reacted in a mortal way with someone far from that.”
“Right. Newbie mistake. You’ll help him through it though.”
“I will.”
“Here comes your boy. Have fun and don’t hurry back.”
“Thanks.”
Yannis walks up, smiling. “All done.”
I smile too, mentally pushing back the beast inside me clamoring just beneath the surface, hungry and horny for the beautiful man in front of me.
“Alright then, let’s be on our way.”
Gods of lore, how the hell will I make it through the night without biting him?