~ Chapter Six ~
M usic filled the space as bodies moved to the beat.
The bass from the sound system reverberated through his body and he couldn’t help but move his head in time.
The crowd was unlike any Regan had seen before.
Most appeared human, or humanish, but some appeared to be creatures from legends and fantasy books.
He was afraid to ask about the crowd, but he would be lying if he said he wasn’t the least bit curious.
I wonder if there are vampires or werewolves. Maybe even merpeople. Oh, I wonder if there are dragons. That would be epic.
Regardless of the makeup of the group assembled, all of them came off as having a good time dancing, drinking, and, in some cases, making out.
As Regan found his footing and once Lutin stopped tugging him along, he continued to take in the space.
They were in a bar, or a club, but he couldn’t say where as they arrived through Lutin’s rainbow swirl gate.
“Where are we?” Regan leaned in to ask so he could be better heard.
“We’re at a club in San Jose.” Lutin glanced around and flagged down a bartender who nodded in his direction. “The owner and his husband are important figures in the mystical community. If we’re lucky we might get a peek of them.”
“Really?” Regan scanned the space, not seeing anyone evoking an image of ownership or power. “I’ve never seen a club like this.”
“Nor would you. Well, not till today.” Lutin pointed to the bartender. “I’ll have a Long Island. What do you want?” he asked Regan.
“Um… I don’t… I’m…”
Lutin huffed. “He’ll have the same.”
The bartender had horns growing from her head and resembled a… what were the creatures called that were half goat? He wanted to peek over the counter to see her legs, but stopped himself.
He lowered his voice. “Is she a… a…”
“She’s a satyr. Yes.” Lutin scanned the club. “Don’t gawk—it’s rude.”
“How is any of this possible?” Regan asked as he tried not to focus on any one individual too long. He managed to keep his gaze on Lutin instead.
“After all you’ve seen today and you still don’t get it.” Lutin shook his head, accepting the drinks from the bartender. “Thanks, love.”
She winked at him and walked off.
“Drink this, maybe that’ll help you lighten up.” Lutin pushed the drink toward Regan.
He accepted the drink and took a heavy swallow before speaking. “I just… how has no one ever not seen this before?”
“Oh, they have.” Lutin sipped his drink. “We just do a good job of altering or wiping out the memories.”
“You can do that? Jesus.”
“Well, who do we have here?” a strong deep voice called both their attention and Regan turned to greet the voice.
Before him was a beast of a man with a dark complexion and close-trimmed black hair.
He wore glasses framing his deep brown eyes.
Regan hoped he was a man—he appeared to be a man at least.
“Hello, Blaise,” Lutin greeted the man. “It’s been a while.”
“It has, and who is your friend, Nubs ?” Blaise gestured to Regan.
Lutin’s smile dropped slightly before speaking. “This is Regan—he’s new here.” Regan forced himself to make eye contact with the man.
“I gathered.” Blaise sniffed the air between them. “Are the two of you…” He waved a hand between them.
Regan’s eyes grew large—there was no mistaking Blaise’s innuendo. “No,” Regan finally spoke. “We most certainly are not.”
Blaise smirked. “Good, then you wouldn’t mind a dance?”
“What?” Regan glanced at Lutin, then up at Blaise. The guy was a monster of a man.
“Go. I’ll watch your drink.” Lutin took the drink from Regan’s hand.
“But I don’t?—”
Blaise laughed. “Stick close to me and you’ll be fine.”
The two made their way over to the dance floor where individuals of all sorts danced and laughed.
It had been years since Regan danced. He and Max didn’t go out much, because crowds weren’t Regan’s thing.
Now being here with a complete stranger dancing among magical beings was so far out of his comfort zone all he could do was follow this beast of a man’s lead and hope for the best.
Dance and music were like bike riding, and after a moment all his moves came back to him.
He quickly found Blaise, despite his size, was light on his feet and had moves rivaling any he had seen even on some of those dance shows.
Blaise’s hands found their way to Regan’s hips, which he was about to protest at, but Blaise’s gesture had been more about movement than taking advantage of his dance partner.
His hands help guide Regan and loosen him and his body up.
Once they were in sync, Blaise grinned down at him. “For an Elemental, you move well. I’m impressed.”
“Thanks.” Regan cleared his throat, finding it easy to speak with Blaise and not have to shout over the music.
“You’re also quite handsome. I noticed you when you and Lutin arrived.”
“I’ve never been here before,” Regan offered.
“I’m aware,” Blaise responded. “I hope you’ll come back or perhaps give me your contact info.”
Regan laughed. “You want me, to give you my contact info?—”
Blaise came to a full stop and studied Regan,. “Is there something wrong with me?”
Regan froze. That wasn’t what he meant. “No… you’re…
I mean… you’re, well… I’m just… I’m…” He shook his head, wanting to crawl under the nearest barstool.
His lips pinched together. He had to stop his hands from clenching together as well.
“I’m sorry,” he continued. “I… I’m not used to people asking for my information. ”
Blaise spun Regan around and smiled down at him. “Ahhhh, you’re shy. That explains much. How wonderful.” They started dancing again. Regan feared people would be watching them, but the only set of eyes on them were Lutin’s.
“May I contact you again?” Blaise asked as they moved. “Or perhaps you’d like to come home with me and we could have a drink and talk, if you’d like,” Blaise continued as if the interruption was part of the dance. “Or, if you’re game, we could find other ways to pass the time.”
Regan didn’t know what to say or do. He had never been approached in such a manner and he wasn’t sure how to respond.
When was the last time I’ve had this kind of proposition? Should I say yes? Would it be safe?
Lutin appeared, saving him from speaking. “May I?”
Blaise slowed his movements with Regan. “I see I must return you safe and sound.” Dripping with charm, Blaise pulled out a card and slipped the piece of paper in Regan’s chest pocket, allowing his hand to linger a moment longer than necessary.
“Lovely to meet you, Regan. I hope to see you again.” He glanced at Lutin.
“Good night, Nubs.” He nodded and moved off.
Lutin watched Blaise go and shook his head. “Sorry about that.”
“Nubs?”
“Never you mind.” Lutin frowned as he danced with Regan, working them to the end of the dance floor.
“Okay, but who was that?”
“Blaise. He’s, well… he’s a bit of a flirt and loves to dance.”
“Is he a… a….” Regan glanced down at the floor as they continued to dance.
“He’s a Fae like me, but… “ Lutin chuckled. “Like I said, he’s a flirt and enjoys meeting the newbies.” He pointed. “See.”
Blaise was already chatting up another person, this time a younger woman and he quickly moved them to the other end of the dance floor to dance.
“Well, he doesn’t waste any time, does he?” Regan couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous and hurt.
“Don’t be angry—everyone here is open to having a good time.” Lutin pulled them off the dance floor and back over to where he left their drinks. He waved a hand and a sparkling dome dropped from around their drinks.
“What was that?”
“Nothing. Well, I enchanted our drinks so nothing happened to them.” Lutin picked up his drink to have a sip.
“Regarding Blaise, as I said, don’t be offended.
He wouldn’t have approached you at all if he wasn’t attracted to you.
Despite his quirks, he has… well, he tends to have discriminating taste in potential partners.
” Lutin tapped Regan’s pocket. “And he gave you his card. I haven’t seen that in some time. ”
“So, I should be flattered?” Regan huffed, picking up his drink. He’d need to get some water as well. The dancing made him thirsty and he didn’t want to drink too much.
“No, you should be however you want to be and feel however you want to feel. I’m saying Blaise is a good man and only approaches people he fancies, which sometimes is no one and other times is someone, like you.”
Regan said nothing more as he focused on his drink.
He didn’t want to be some random trick for some guy he met in the club for five minutes.
He wanted something more. He wanted something like he had with Max.
A friendship. A partnership. Someone to build something with.
That’s why he hardly dated since Max died.
People these days didn’t seem to want the same thing as him.
How many dates had he been on since Max’s death?
One, maybe two? He pushed the thought away and continued to sip his Long Island.
I should probably get drunk and not worry about my life so much and have fun.
As the evening grew and the music and the drinks relaxed Regan, he found himself studying Lutin more and more.
He appeared younger than Regan. His shoulder-length blonde hair seemed to flow around his face and neck, making him appear so delicate.
But not weak like he thought, more angelic if he had to pick a word.
The more time he was spending with Lutin, the more he wanted to spend time with him.
The patrons of the bar seemed to vanish as he focused solely on Lutin.
In the letter from Max, he mentioned trusting Lutin and needing Lutin.
The more they spoke about the magical community, the less Regan found himself interested in magic and the more he found himself interested in Lutin and his bright green eyes.
Who knows? There might be something building between them.