2. Chara

Chapter 2

Chara

Once in Club Descallia's employee area, I shrug out of my long sweater and hang it up in the locker before heading to the makeup tables situated along a wall of mirrors. I pull the black pony holder from my shoulder-length red hair and flip my head upside down, fluffing it with my fingers to give it a little lift. I give myself a critical look in the mirror to make sure the weather hasn't messed up more than my hair before heading out to the bar for my shift.

I recognize two vampire leaders for the region when I join Taylen at the bar in the main lounge. She pours both of the lords a glass of Descallia Red, a mixture of blood and red wine, while I stuff my sweater and purse underneath the bar.

She finishes with her customers, engrossed in conversation, and walks down the length of the marble bar. "I heard what happened to Natalia. I'm so sorry, Chara. I know how close you are. I can't even imagine being human one day and a vampire the next. How is she taking it?"

I sigh, relieved to have someone I can really talk to, who understands exactly what happened and why. "She's actually doing really well. They said she transitioned really fast compared to most. I went to see her again today, and seriously, I don't think I've ever seen her this happy. She was one of the lucky ones. Natalia wanted to be a vampire."

Taylen's eyes flash red. "She's the envy of many female vampires and humans alike. I don't think anyone thought Master Oradea would ever settle down with one person."

I laugh. "Master Oradea is taking very good care of Natalia. All the vampires are really. You know how good they are to us here? Well, they're even better when they're in love with you. I swear, what I wouldn't give to have any male, vampire or human, look at me like Master Oradea looks at Natalia."

Taylen laughs, polishing the black marble bar top to a shine as her dark hair swings in the breeze. "It's been a while since we were on the same shifts with getting all the new girls trained for the Club Descallia expansions. The grand openings are going to be exciting, but getting ready for it all has been a lot of work."

I take the rag from Taylen and toss it under the counter in the dirty bin. "It is exciting, and it will be great to work together again. Why don't you go get a break while it's still quiet?"

She nods. "You don't have to tell me twice. I'm going to go sit for a while and get out of these heels. There was a time when I could stand on these things for a fourteen hour stretch and never feel a thing."

I grin. "You sound like you're forty instead of twenty-three but don't look a day over twenty-one."

She lowers her voice. "Truth be told, I'm kind of envious of the ladies who get to lie down on the job, if you know what I mean. Or bend over the benches, whatever the pleasure."

I laugh, looking down at our standard issue black Louboutin heels with red platforms on the bottom. "It's probably because these things are five-inches high, and that arch is intended to lift your ass as you walk by the horny clientele, showing off your wiggle, these fishnet stockings, and slinky lingerie."

She laughs. "That's exactly what I missed! It's never dull working with you. I'm glad they paired us up. I need some fun in my life. I'll take a quick break and be back soon. They set up a feast for us in the break room a little while ago."

I inhale the air. "I could smell it from the locker room. Overmaster and the masters who own the clubs know how to pamper the employees and the clientele, that's for damn sure."

Taylen waves a red manicured finger with black tips that match my own into the air, and heads toward the banquet which is probably fit for a king instead of to serve Club Descallia employees.

One of the lords lifts a glass, and I walk toward him. "Another Descallia Red?"

His eyes meet mine. "No, just a water. There's much to do tonight." He leans in close. "You've been with the Club Descallia and our family for quite some time."

"I have, about four years, since I was twenty."

Drancus passes me a black and red business card with a bat in the left-hand corner getting ready to take flight and his name etched in raised letters. "I want you to call me at this number if you see anyone suspicious milling around tonight or any other night. You catch wind of a shifter, or someone who doesn't look like they belong, asks one too many questions, you call me. Understood?"

I nod. "Yes, sir."

"Good. We're going to take off, but there are plenty of guards around the perimeter just in case trouble breaks out tonight." He turns. "You do know where the panic button is, and the protocol?"

I swallow hard, hoping that nothing happens tonight that comes to that. "Taylen and I know exactly what to do, sir. We even know where the panic room is and what to do in case we need to go there."

He nods. "Good, Madame Bridgette and the vampires on staff will strive to take care of keeping you all safe, but there is a war brewing. I don't think it's coming our way, the rogues have more important matters to tend to, but you and Taylen should be prepared, just in case."

"Let's hope nothing happens tonight."

His dark black eyes meet mine. "We can only take precautions at the moment, Chara."

The dark-suited vampire strides from the club with the lord he was having a drink with. I realize my hand is trembling. Never have we been warned of the potential for such impending doom, and never have I felt more vulnerable after knowing what happened to Natalia.

Lucas is still out there, and he won't stop until he gets what he wants.

The thought of an attack by shifters and the rogue vampires we've heard so much about of late swims in my mind, overtaking any effort to get rid of the images of my friend recently torn to shreds by their brutality.

Taylen returns a few minutes later looking a little more relaxed and settles onto one of the stools on our side of the bar. Her eyes narrow at me. "What's the matter?" she asks.

I could never hide much from her. It's like she senses this stuff, or just reads my mind. "I just talked to Lord Drancus. He wanted to make sure we knew where the panic buttons were in case things get dicey with the rogue shifters and vampires."

She takes a hard look around at those mingling at the tables and sitting on the couches in the dimly lit club. We know everyone here right now, but it's early. Taylen lowers her voice. "After what happened to Natalia, I don't think we can be too careful. First sign of trouble, we hit the button and head to the panic room. It makes me grateful they had the foresight to put one on every floor of the club now."

No doubt about that. I may have thought the rooms were overkill when I first learned about them, but I don't anymore. "Agreed. Natalia never saw the attack in her brother's home coming. Those guys are syndicate. They were armed and prepared, yet that evil son of a bitch Lucas got her good."

Taylen's eyes flash. "He won't stop. I heard he's out for revenge."

I scan the vampires standing together by the door of the club, and my chest tightens with angst. "He still wants her as revenge for her brothers not taking sides with the rogue vampires. It's such a mind-fuck to think Overmaster Descallia's right hand man for centuries would not only turn rogue but turn out to be leading the charge against the purebloods. Descallia has to feel incredibly betrayed."

Taylen's violet eyes connect with mine as I look up. We both know that if we're being warned, trouble is probably already on its way to the region of Bistrita. My chest pounds with fear that he's heading right to my friend and not to Club Descallia.

"Lucas isn't going to stop until he gets Natalia. He wanted her dead, not turned. He wants revenge on her brother Michael for moving the syndicate support to the vampire masters and not the rogues. The way I hear it, he's not going to let this go without exacting revenge. I have to warn her. If Drancus says trouble is coming, it's coming. He's not going to stop trying to get her, Taylen."

I text Natalia, waiting a minute for a response. A long fucking minute while my heart pounds and blood races with fear for my friend's life when she doesn't answer after far too long. "I have to go warn her."

Taylen touches my shoulder. "I've got things covered here. Just be careful, Chara. It's not going to help Natalia one bit if you get captured and killed, instead of her. Think about how she would feel?"

I know she's right, but still, the angst for my friend overshadows any thoughts of self-preservation as I text Natalia again.

Are you okay??

When I don't get a response this time, my mind is made up. I grab my sweater and purse from underneath the bar. "I have to go now."

I don't even bother explaining to the vampire guards who try to slow me down as I Ieave the club. "Family emergency," I call back over my shoulder, racing down the street to hail a cab and warn my friend.