Dark Realms (75 page)

She smiled. “Let’s just say that I like you
Slade. I want you on the team.”

What she really wants is
to control me and the band,
I
thought.
Along with anyone else that poses
a threat.
There was no way I’d let that
happen. “I need to speak to the band about this. Quite frankly, it
would be
i
nconvenient for us to settle here.
Really
inconvenient.”

Her eyes gleamed a purplish hue. “It would
also be dangerous if you didn’t. Really dangerous.”

That bitch just threatened me?

“I don’t take
intimidation
well
,” I replied sternly. I’d survived a century in Romania, where
vampires were hunted and crucified by both humans and other
immortals. I’d been beaten and tortured by more than the likes of
Faye Dunbar and there was no way that I’d allow her to push me
around.

“Then I suggest that you don’t do anything
that will provoke any further threats,” she replied icily.

“You don’t scare me,” I
said. “So if I were you, I’d forget all about me and the other
members of
Venom
.
There is no way in hell that we are going to take orders from
you.”

“You’re making a big mistake,” she said,
standing up.

“Doubtful. I think we’re done here,” I said,
preparing to leave.

“Oh, you’re done all right. Lucas, take the
girl,” she ordered.

I turned to face Lucas. “Don’t even try
it.”

With a look of uncertainty, Lucas took a
step towards us.

“Stay the hell back,” I hissed, baring my
fangs. “Or you’ll regret it.”

“
Slade, seriously,
reconsider what we’ve talked about,” said Faye. “You’re risking the
lives of your entire band if you cross me, you know.”

“Save it,” I said, backing away with the
girl.

“Dammit, your defiance is infuriating!” she
snapped, pushing a button on the side of her desk.

The door in the back swung open again and
this time three men dressed in security uniforms entered the
office.

“Escort Slade and this human to the
basement,” said Faye. “And make sure they don’t escape.”

They advanced towards me.

I swore under my breath and met them half
way.

Chapter
Twelve

Chelsey

“What?” I asked, in shock.

“Now
that
pisses me off,” said Liam,
frowning. “He was just giving me a hard time about screwing…,” his
eyes darted to me. “I mean
partying
with fans.”

“Well, he left the party
with her last night. I believe they were heading to the hotel for a
little
something…
something
…,” said Jimmy,
smirking.

“
But she
never came home after
something…
something
…,” I snapped, angry that I’d been
so attracted to a player like Slade. What did I expect, though, he
was in a band and drop-dead gorgeous. He wasn’t a normal guy that
one dated or developed real feelings for. He was just a one-night
stand that would never amount to even a phone-call afterwards. “So,
he needs to help us find her.”

“Oh, he will,” said Liam, still scowling.
“I’ll make sure of that.”

“You know, I’m a little surprised that he
left with her,” said Sean. “It’s not like him. Seriously.”

“That chick was really hot, though,” stated
Jimmy, throwing his cards down. “I’m out.”

“Yeah, but he’s turned down hotter,” said
Bradan. He looked at me. “No offense.”

“None taken,” I replied.

Susan stood up. “I think we should find him
right now and ask what he did with her.”

“I think we know,” chuckled Jimmy.

She rolled her eyes. “You know what I
mean.”

“I agree,” I said, not wanting to wait any
longer. I just wanted to get out of the club and go home. I stood
up. “Let’s go talk to your boy.”

“Faye might get mad if we interrupt their
so-called meeting,” said Bradan. He shook his head. “That guy is
getting all kinds of action this week.”

Liam, who appeared to be still sulking,
stood up. “I agree with the girls, we need to find Melody, now.
Plus, something doesn’t feel right, here. I can’t quit put my
finger on it, but I’m feeling a little anxious. Let’s go interrupt
them.”

The others stood up and we walked out of the
lounge.

“Did you see where Faye Dunbar and Slade
went?” Sean asked Mason, who was still standing just outside of the
lounge, guarding the doorway.

His face hardened. “No, I’m sorry I didn’t
see them.”

“They just walked out of her less than five
minutes ago,” said Liam, who towered over Mason.

He shrugged. “Sorry, man, I don’t know where
they are.”

“If you see Slade, let him know we’re
looking for him,” replied Sean.

Liam cocked his head and then swore.
“Something’s really wrong and Slade needs us. Now. Dammit. Let’s
go!”

Before I knew what was happening, Liam took
off running down the hallway followed by Jimmy, Bradan, and
Sean.

“What the hell?” mumbled Mason, charging
after them.

“Uh, what do we do?” asked Susan.

I wasn’t sure why, but my gut told me that
this had something to do with Melody. “Just… follow them,” I
replied and began running.

Chapter
Thirteen

Slade

“You done!?” snarled Lucas, who’d just
slammed his fist into my face for the third time.

“Fuck you!” I growled, spitting out blood.
I’d given the other vampires a run for their money, but there were
four of them and only one of me.

“He’s stubborn, I’ll give him that,” laughed
Faye.

I glared at her. “Glad this amuses you.”

“Would you hold him down better,” complained
Lucas as I broke my right arm free and punched one of them in the
jaw.

“Slade!” screamed the girl, who was in the
corner, watching as they wrestled me back down to the ground and
kicked me in the spleen. Although it would heal quickly, it sure
hurt like a son-of-a-bitch.

“Bring him into the basement. We can
restrain him better there,” stated Faye. She rolled her eyes and
waved her hand in exasperation. “Great, he’s gotten blood on my
white carpeting. I just had that installed last week, dammit.”

I grunted. “Bill me.”

Before she could respond, her office door
was kicked in and pieces of the splintered wood flew
everywhere.

I sighed in relief as Liam and my boys
entered the office. When they saw me bleeding and being subdued by
Faye’s goons, they didn’t think twice. With a roar of anger and
bloodlust, they launched an attack.

“Stop!” hollered Faye, now staring in horror
as my guys slaughtered her so-called vampires in a whirlwind of
blood and madness. It was obvious that we were much older and
stronger and in a one-on-one combat, they were screwed.

“You okay?” asked Liam, helping me up.

The bruises on my face were already healing.
I spit out another wad of blood and nodded. “Yeah. Cheap
bastards.”

“Oh my God!” shrieked Chelsey, who was now
standing in the doorway with Susan, and staring at the grisly scene
in the office. The terror on her face did something to me. I felt
an urge to comfort her, but found myself frozen instead.

“Shit,” said Liam, also staring at her.

Bradan and Jimmy were still attacking Faye’s
henchmen. Fangs were bared and blood was everywhere. I could only
imagine what she was feeling. This was my world, not hers.

“Vampires!?” screeched Susan in horror. She
tried to turn and run, but behind her stood a dark-skinned security
guard, blocking her way. He grabbed her by the arm.

“Forget about her, Mason!” hollered Faye.
“Get the others and bring them here!”

Reluctantly, Mason released Susan and took
off.

“Chelsey!” sobbed the other girl in the
office. Terrified, she’d hidden behind a tall metal filing
cabinet.

Chelsey turned toward her and gasped.
“Melody!” She ran over and pulled her into her arms. “Are you
okay?”

Melody, who had tears running down her face,
nodded. “Yes. I think so.”

“You guys, come on!” hollered Susan, her
face white. “We have to get out of here.”

I sighed.

“You need to make them forget,” said
Liam.

“I know,” I said, moving towards Chelsey and
Melody.

“Stay away from us!” choked Chelsey, backing
away with Melody. “You… you’re all monsters.”

The look in her eyes crushed me. Just like
Vanessa. “I’d never hurt you,” I promised, forcing a smile. “Swear
to God.”

Chelsey looked behind me and screamed.

I turned around just as some kind of winged
reptilian creature lunged towards me.

Chapter
Fourteen

Chelsey

The creature that landed on Slade reminded
me of some kind of gargoyle, with its greenish black scales and
rubber-like wings.

“Oh my God,” gasped Susan, covering her
mouth in horror.

Just when I thought the madness couldn’t get
any crazier, Liam turned into a massive wolf and sprang at the
reptile trying to attack Slade.

“Let’s go!” screamed Melody, grabbing my
hand and pulling me towards the doorway.

Terrified and needing to get away from this
nightmare, I obeyed. We grabbed Susan and then all three scrambled
away from Faye’s office, down the hallway, and back to the main
area of the club.

The music was as loud as ever and everyone
seemed oblivious to the horrors taking place on the top floor of
Club Nightshade. Frightened beyond belief, we hurried down the
staircase, towards the exit when our bartender from earlier,
stepped directly into our path

Are you girls okay?” he asked, looking
concerned.

“Brian…. Oh my God,” said
Susan, shaking her head vehemently. “There are
monsters
upstairs. We’re leaving.
Now.”

His eyebrows shot up. “What?”

“Just like she said,” I answered. “Vampires,
werewolves, and gargoyles. We’re out of here.”

He stared at us in amusement. “Let me guess,
too many Cosmopolitans?”

“No,” I snapped. “Look, we’re not making
this up.”

“Calm down,” he said, placing a hand on my
shoulder.

Four security guys raced across the bar and
headed towards the stairs.

“Let’s just get out of here,” said Susan,
watching the staircase. “Before they come and look for us.”

As we attempted to walk around Brian, he
grabbed my arm. “Why don’t you follow me to a quiet place and we
can all talk about this?”

“Brian, seriously, you have to call the
police,” said Susan. “We’re not drunk and there is some scary shit
going on upstairs. No lie.”

“We will. Let’s just find a safe place and
we’ll call the police.”

Susan shook her head. “No. You call the
police, but we’re out of here. There’s no way in hell that I’m
staying in this place any longer.”

His eyes hardened. “Follow me. Now.”

“Excuse me?” I gasped, moving away from
him.

He opened his mouth to talk right as another
security guard rushed over. “Faye wants you upstairs. Go, no.”

Brian quickly obeyed and took off towards
the stairs.

Sighing in relief, I followed Susan and
Melody down the hallway by the entrance until we reached the exit.
Once outside, we bolted towards my car. Susan sat next to me and
Melody got into the back.

“What do we do?” I asked as we locked
ourselves inside.

“I’ll call the police,” said Susan, pulling
out her phone.

“Hurry, get us out of here,” begged Melody,
pointing towards the road.

“Oh my God, I’m so glad you’re safe,” I said
as we pulled out of the parking lot.

“Me too,” she replied and then rubbed a hand
over her face.

“What happened?” I asked, looking back at
her in the rearview mirror.

“Actually, I’m not so sure anymore,” she
said, leaning her head against the back of the seat. She closed her
eyes. “I just remember bits and pieces of last night. Watching the
band, the party, meeting Slade. I don’t know… I almost feel like
I’ve been drugged.”

I frowned. “I wonder if someone slipped
something into your drink.”

“Maybe,” she replied. “Maybe it was Slade.
We left the after-party last night. Together.”

“Yes, I’d like to report a… violent crime,”
said Susan, into the phone. “At Club Nightshade.”

My eyes widened. A violent crime? Well, that
was putting it mildly.

She glanced at me and shrugged.

“Oh, hi Sherriff,” she said, biting her
nail. “You want us to come down to the station? Sure.”

After she hung up, Melody groaned. “Shit.
I’m going to get into so much trouble now. The cops are going to
know that I had a fake I.D.”

“Us too,” I replied. “But I think when they
find out what’s happening at the club, they might be a little more
lenient.”

She snorted. “Right. You know what… why
don’t you just drop me off at home and forget that you saw me
there?”

“Melody,” I snapped. “We were at the club
trying to find you. We probably just saved your life and you’re
worried about getting busted because of the I.D.?”

She didn’t say anything.

“People were being murdered
right in front of us,” said Susan, turning back to look at her.
“Once they start investigating everything, the cops are going to
find out that you
were
there, anyway. I’m sorry, but they need to know everything and
I’m not lying.”

Melody let out a ragged sigh. “Yeah, I
suppose you’re right.”