Chapter 7 #3
Grateful she hadn’t seen the bartender’s fangs, he reached for her hand. Once she saw his vampiric beast, learned the truth of his affliction, she’d probably never talk to him again.
Though Greyson never spoke a word, Rafe sensed the tension.
Vampires without a leader were kindling to the chaos.
And it was clear from the bartender’s flippant response to the presence of an ancient vampire such as Greyson that he’d either run out of fucks to give or his boss was as big a fish as him and Viktor.
Rafe sucked a deep breath, tucking the thought away until he had a chance to talk to Greyson alone. He’d never mentioned the other ancients, but his odd response to Zyaire’s name had planted a seed of suspicion that the vampire knew more than he was saying.
As they pressed through the doorway, they once again found themselves in a tunnel. Unlike the tunnel in the casino, this one was larger and modern. Its deep purple walls and gold trim were gaudy at best. Disco music blared through the speakers.
“Stay close,” Rafe warned Skylar.
“Nearly all the other blood clubs in Vegas are shut down,” Xavier told him.
“There’s one open over in Red Rock, but all the others have closed.
Word must have gotten round about the party in the desert.
” Xavier kept his voice low. “Kade’s concerned.
P-CAP said they’ve had reports from police of ten vampire killings this past week.
North Vegas mostly and one in Henderson.
It hasn’t made the news. Most of the humans are transients. They don’t want to cause panic.”
“There were only five dragons I know of who called Vegas home, and I can’t sense any of them.” Kenji shook his head. “Everything is feeling pretty dark. Quiet. Too much so.”
Rafe steeled his nerves as he caught sight of a glistening silver curtain. “Looks like we’re about to join the party.”
He held his hand up to the wave of shimmering fabric.
Thousands of iridescent fish scales had been sewn together, giving the illusion of silver.
The humming of black magick emanated from beneath the seemingly beautiful portal.
Rafe’s hand tingled as he touched the fabric, the dark energy ominous yet familiar. “This isn’t good.”
Within seconds, they’d entered the darkened room.
A sea of humans gyrated on the dance floor as a DJ on a platform in the corner pounded his fist into the air.
Dressed in red, the women wore variations of crimson bodycon dresses, and the shirtless men donned tight satin shorts.
Several humans with neon yellow collars speckled in between the donors, mingling.
A short pudgy man dressed in an orange tuxedo approached them. “Welcome to the party. Any questions about the rules before you proceed?”
“Where’s Topper?” Rafe growled, his wolf itching to shift. With the scent of blood in the air and black magick all around him, he fought the urge to present as his beast.
“He’s in the main room in the back.” The man didn’t flinch. “Would you like a table for the show or are you staying in the dance hall?”
Rafe looked to Greyson, who nodded.
“We’ll take a table.” Rafe continued to scan the room for threats. Guards watched from nests in each corner of the room. They carried guns loaded with silver, sure to take out vampires and humans alike.
“This way.” The man spun on his heels tapping at a tablet. He looked up to a guard and pointed to their group.
Rafe kept Skylar tucked between him and Greyson. As they moved through the crowd, the donors attempted to touch him, but he barreled through. Vampires in their booths glared at them. He released a burst of his power in warning. Instantly heads turned away, gazes averted.
He noticed Greyson hadn’t released his energy. The ancient vampire could take any one of these vampires. Rafe sensed Greyson’s tension, confirming the vampire was hiding something.
Xavier walked with confidence as he came up next to Rafe. “Now this is some kind of club. Do you feel the energy?”
Rafe nodded without saying a word, his attention focused, scanning his surroundings. As they passed through a large archway, he glanced back over his shoulder, and though he could still see the dance floor, the din diminished into silence.
They entered a small amphitheater with a circular stage in the middle. Black and white art deco wallpaper lined its walls. Gothic patterns projected upon its metallic black dome ceiling. A cold dead atmosphere permeated the room.
The host gestured to a crescent booth with black velvet chairs near the stage. “The show starts in ten minutes. Your server will be here soon.”
Rafe pulled out a chair for Skylar. He sat next to her with Greyson on her other side. Save for a couple of vampires on the upper rows, the room appeared empty.
“I want to see Topper,” Rafe repeated to the host.
“I’ll go find him, sir.”
Rafe leaned into Greyson as the odd host shuffled away. “This place is pretty far out of the way. You sure about this?”
“I dunno. I trust Xavier but I’ll never trust a fae.”
Kenji crossed his arms across his chest. “I don’t trust anyone. But this place? I don’t like it. Can’t you feel it?”
“There’s someone else leading them,” Greyson said. “I sense chaos. The power. Something is brewing. Someone runs this place. A small coven perhaps. Whoever it is, they aren’t of my lineage.”
“Look at the humans. They look like zombies.” Rafe scanned the room assessing the situation, observing the blank stares the humans wore as they shuffled in and filled the seats. Though the vampires spoke, they did so quietly, a sullen vibe settling into the room.
“There seems to be more reds than yellows. Whoever is attempting to lead from the shadows appears to have a stable of willing humans,” Kenji noted.
“I don’t like this. Something’s not right.” Xavier watched as three vampires violently shoved a man onto a table, sinking their fangs into him. Instead of screaming, the human lay back motionless as if he was a test crash dummy. “Opportunistic parasites.”
“Tends to happen with the absence of a strong leader. They sprout like weeds,” Greyson explained. “I say it’s time we rip them up by their roots.”
“How long do we need to stay here?” Skylar whispered.
“Not much longer.” Rafe looked to Greyson, wishing he’d pressed him about Zyaire. His skin prickled in recognition of a greater force. Instinct warned him that whatever it was, it was ancient; powerful. Not wolf or vampire, the dark power lingered in the air.
“The wolves. I can feel a couple of them here...they are scared.” Rafe eyed the ceiling. “Hunter needs to get here soon.”
“An Alpha leads the wolves?” Skylar whispered.
“Yes. Hunter’s coming soon.”
“But you’re an Alpha,” she replied.
“Not theirs. I’m just a wolf.” Rafe looked at Greyson who gave a small smile and raised an eyebrow at him.
Jazz music blared from the surround sound speakers, saving him from a long explanation, one he hadn’t quite sorted. Vampire. Hybrid. Regardless of his Alpha nature, he couldn’t lead a pack.
A waiter dressed in a ruby argyle satin suit approached. In silence he placed glasses in front of them. He held a bottle of champagne and presented it to Rafe and Greyson, ignoring everyone else at the table.
Rafe immediately sensed the weakened beast within him, the energy struggling to live. “You’re wolf?”
“Alpha,” he answered without making eye contact. “I’ve brought a bottle of champagne for the human. Shall I open it?”
Skylar shook her head no.
“We need to speak to Topper,” Rafe insisted.
“Yes, I understand, sir. I apologize. He’s been helping in the back with the negotiations with a donor.”
“So I hear. I thought he was a bartender?” Xavier questioned.
“Well, of course, sir. He’s a jack of all trades.
As you are aware,” He quickly looked over his shoulder, his face tense as he spoke.
“We’ve had some issues. Everyone is a bit stretched at the moment.
” He lowered his voice to a whisper and leaned toward Rafe, fumbling with the bottle.
“You must be careful. There are dangerous things here. Unspeakable things,” He looked to Skylar. “You’re not safe. You should leave.”
“What is going on? Where is the vampire?” Rafe sensed his fear, his grief. The waiter’s hands trembled, sweat beaded on his forehead. The bottle slipped from his fingers and Rafe caught it.
“It’s not a…” A couple shuffled by the waiter and he straightened his back, his face serious.
“Please accept my apology. I can’t talk about this, Alpha.
” He looked to Greyson and nodded. “Ancient.” Once again, he turned to Rafe.
“Alpha. If I am called, I will come. It’s my nature.
But I’m afraid I can’t say anymore, not without pack. ”
Rafe’s stomach knotted as he watched the young wolf walk away. The loss of an Alpha and the rest of the wolves had left the remaining wolves weak, divided, unprotected. Each wolf walked alone in the midst of danger.
“Waiter,” Rafe called out to him.
He turned in silence.
“What’s your name?”
“Laz.”
“You are no longer alone.” Rafe stared at the wolf and held his gaze, sending his power over the wolf. You will be called.
“Yes, Alpha.” He nodded.
Laz gave Rafe a quick nod and set off toward a door near the stage.
Rafe sucked a deep breath. He heard me. The power of the Alpha grew stronger within him. Both terrified and exhilarated, he glanced at Greyson and nodded.
“Hey, you okay?” Rafe asked Skylar who continued to focus on the table.
“Yeah.” She nodded. “Not really. I can’t look.”
“We’ll be done soon,” he promised as he reached for her hand.