Chapter 8
The taxi cab was just a couple of avenues away from the club. "Back to work again?" Julian asked, given he picked me up just couple hours ago. He had been my personal taxi driver ever since I started working here, picking me up after my shifts, which often ended around 3 a.m.
At first, I was hesitant to get into the cab so late, knowing that regular taxis don't usually operate at those hours. Chartered cabs are available at night but can be prohibitively expensive.
"I have to come in a bit early. New boss," I replied.
The traffic wasn't too bad, but it was far from ideal. It was a Tuesday night, so the roads should have been clearer by now. I looked ahead from the backseat, the red brake lights ahead glowing brightly.
"Your club," he commented, adjusting his cap, which had seen better days. Julian had been in the taxi business for years, and it was hard to watch age slowly take its toll on him. "Are they hosting an event? The line was long when I was coming to get you."
"It's a new opening," I said, feeling my heart race at the thought. I couldn't bear to think that Cloney was gone without even saying goodbye. How would the rest of us girls cope? We had grown accustomed to doing things on our own.
"Well, since they cater only to those damn suckers, I haven't gone there," he blurted out. "I can't stand those vampires." We had many names for them, especially since they began to dominate our world. We were here first.
Julian had come into the club a few times.
He wasn't the type to watch girls twisting on the pole; he was more of a man who enjoyed a few shots before heading on his way.
Part of Cloney's failure with the club stemmed from his decision to ban humans from entering, cutting off access to services like drinks and the chance to watch a few girls shake it.
As the car inched closer, passing a jewelry and accessories shop, my heart began to race even faster. I wasn't sure what I was walking into or what was going to happen now that vampires were our managers.
The night in Las Vegas didn't feel like night at all; it looked more like day with all the lights blinking around. I was essentially living in a city infested with casinos and gambling, and the clubs that came along were just small players in comparison.
The casinos used to employ human girls, but that had changed. Now, humans were selling their franchises and businesses, effectively disappearing. I think it was because they realized they couldn't compete against vampires.
Vampires were like machines; they had a longer shelf life than humans. While age and sickness might take us, vampires would always be around.
The cab finally came to a stop, and I slowly jumped out. "I'll come by at 3 a.m., the usual, right?"
I nodded. Julian was right; the line was long. It didn't surprise me. Club openings always drew crowds, fueled by curiosity about what the new venue had to offer. After a few months, though, the excitement would typically drift away like a breeze.
The city was radiant, illuminated by the imposing casinos lining the strip. I approached the bouncer, only to find it wasn't Sal. It seemed they had replaced the bouncers. However, the pale blue neon sign reading "Bloodlust" remained the same—Cloney's lifelong brand.
If they were making changes, why not start with the name?
"You can't go in. Back to the line," he barked, his strong voice cutting through the chatter as he held the crowd back. They were pushing forward, eager to catch a glimpse of the club.
"I work here."
Another unfamiliar bouncer stepped forward, clipboard in hand. Had Wade and Jager managed to set everything up in just one day? They must have been very wealthy. I hoped they hadn't decided to get rid of us girls without any announcement.
"Name?" he asked.
"Xanthe. My performance name is Snow Bunny."
He smirked, glancing down at the clipboard. "Identification card."
"Are you serious?" I snorted. "Cloney never made us go through this." I momentarily forgot that Cloney was no longer my boss; he was now just a piece of trash for selling the club without even informing us. I pushed my ID toward him. He scrutinized it for a moment before looking back at me.
I rolled my eyes. An identification card was meant to last for thirteen years. I got it when I was eighteen. Did they really think I would look the same? Obviously not. My face had grown thinner, and happiness had become a distant memory. Life had given me little to smile about.
He patted his colleague on the chest. "Let her through," he said, handing my card back. I took it, feeling a mixture of relief and annoyance.
"The boss said all workers should go to the dressing room," he added.
I walked past without a word. The first thing that caught my eye was the lighting.
The purple glow created a luxurious, vibrant atmosphere.
The DJ booth had been upgraded from old vinyl turntables to sleek laptops and mixers, and the booth itself had transformed from ugly blue and red to a sophisticated black.
As I made my way to the changing room, I stepped onto brand new black carpets, a welcome change from the old, dirty white ones. They had outdone themselves. In just one day, everything had changed.
I entered the girls' dressing room and spotted a mix of familiar faces blending in with newcomers. To calm myself, I quickly made my way over to Bombshell. I was looking for Shy-Star and Sparkles but couldn't see them anywhere.
I had a nagging feeling that Sparkles was around to witness the changes, and part of me wished I weren't here either. I leaned against the wall, feeling its familiar oldness, which brought back a flood of memories.
"Waiting for the boss?" I asked Bombshell.
"We all are."
"I noticed the new bartender out there. He seems to have his hands full." Despite the chaos, he appeared to handle it all effortlessly, balancing trays of blood wine and shots with ease.
"The boss isn't really the boss," she said.
"Who is then?" I asked, curious.
"The manager. He just oversees things. He makes my stomach turn with how boastful he is."
"Great," I muttered.
I couldn't help but think about Cloney. Despite his tendency to overcharge us, I found myself wishing he was still around. Sure, he had his quirks, but things weren't supposed to be like this.
I watched as more girls streamed through the doorway, all new faces. One girl approached us. "Hi!"
Bombshell and I both responded, "Hello."
"I hope I get the job," she beamed. "I've been trying for months to land a position at a club."
"Uh, yes," I replied, unsure. Were we all here just to see if we still had jobs? I didn't remember going through a recent interview process. I glanced down at her outfit; she seemed confident, already dressed for serving drinks.
"You think you're going to get it?" she asked us both.
"We have to. We've been working here for years," Bombshell replied. Just then, another group of girls stumbled in, making the room noisy as everyone began to interact.
"How does he look?" I asked Bombshell, my voice barely above a whisper. I felt uncertain, glancing around the room at the fresh and pretty faces of the other girls. Compared to them, I felt like a washed-up toy washed ashore—tired and constantly worrying about everything.
I longed for a day when I could lie down and not feel like the world was changing beneath my feet.
"He looks like absolute trash," she replied. "Walking around as if he owns the place."
"Technically, he does."
"And there he is." She rolled her eyes and gestured to the man in the baggy suit who was walking in, holding a cigarette and a clipboard.
"Listen up, bitches!" he yelled, a smirk spreading across his face as the room fell silent. I couldn't help but remember that even during the most degrading moments with Cloney, he never referred to me that way.
"Alright, humans. I'm going to call your names.
When I do, please find your designated sections in the club.
If you can't figure it out, let the bouncer help you.
I'm your boss, Ethan Spruce. Some of you may know me; others may not.
I don't like humans, but I know you need the money, which is why you're all here.
Everyone should work, and the boss I work for doesn't want a cut from you, but I do.
I'm the one who makes sure I get my share. "
His introduction was long and far from pleasant. However, I wasn't intimidated. He wouldn't treat me like garbage and get away with it. His appearance matched his attitude; not even his suit could disguise his unhinged demeanor.
I wished I could quit and find a better job. Heck, I'd even consider marrying a bloodsucking leech and becoming their food for life just to escape Ethan's ravenous gaze. He prowled around like a hungry lion, ready to devour everything in sight.
"What's your cut?" I asked, trying to keep my tone steady.
Ethan smirked, his fangs glinting with a greed all their own. "Whatever I want."
"Bullshit," I spat, the words slipping out in anger, though I kept my voice low. I was tempted to shout, but I was too busy crossing my fingers, hoping I'd land the job, even if it meant working for a bloodsucker. It was the reality of the world now; I might as well roll with it.
"If I decide to take it all, I will," he continued, unbothered.
No one even murmured a protest. All around me were pretty faces adorned with makeup, yet they wore hunger like a badge. We were all desperate for money, ready to endure whatever came with it.
"Roll call now!" he shouted.
"I told you he was a piece of work. Just imagine if he takes all the money, and we go home with nothing," Bombshell muttered.
"Yeah, that goes for you too," I growled back. "He's a lion for his, and I'm a lion for mine."
As he called out the names of the girls, they exited one by one through the door like mindless animals heading to a circus, their only purpose to perform.
"You don't know Ethan. He really doesn't like us. He's in history class."
I smirked. "Good thing I didn't take history. I'm not scared of that creep. Look at him; he doesn't even look like a true elite. He looks like a half-blood trying to fit in for centuries, and it's just not working."
She laughed.
The girl who had greeted us earlier was called, though I wasn't really paying attention. "Bye, guys! I hope to see you out there!" she said as she dashed off in her heels.
"Okay," I replied, forcing a smile as she disappeared through the door.