Darkness Clashes (24 page)

“Make yourself useful.” Lucas shoved a bag into the guardian’s arms.

Kerbasi’s expression turned sour, but he took it.

Neither of the men appeared fazed by the heat. I’d been to New Orleans once before while on leave in the army, but that had been six or seven years ago. Somehow I’d forgotten what the weather was like. Kerbasi hadn’t been wrong when he said it was similar to Purgatory.

“Please let the air-conditioning be on inside.” I wiped a sheen of sweat from my brow.

“It is. I prepared everything before your arrival,” Sayer said. He was Lucas’ other fifteen-hundred-year old vampire minion and the one who’d picked us up from the airport.

Kariann gave the dark-blond vampire a considering look before joining me on the sidewalk. “The French Quarter never seems to change much.”

“How many times have you been here?” I asked.

“Too many to count and I’ve only lived in the country for fifty years.”

I nudged her. “Thanks for making me feel young.”

“Hey, it doesn’t last forever. Enjoy it while you can.”

I heard a grunt and glanced over my shoulder. Lucas was piling more bags into Kerbasi’s arms. The guardian looked less than amused, but we’d told him if he didn’t behave while on the trip we’d dump him into a nest of alligators out in the bayou. After playing a few YouTube videos, he’d gotten the message.

“I’ll park the car and join you shortly,” Sayer said, settling into the driver’s seat of the black sedan we’d arrived in.

Lucas waved him off. Then he unlocked a heavy metal gate in the wall I hadn’t noticed and led us through a long breezeway into a courtyard. There was a fountain in the middle with patio furniture around it. Two of the high walls closing the place in had garden beds with colorful flowers blooming in them. A large tree grew at the back and likely provided needed shade during the day.

The building itself was an “L” shape with apartments on all three floors. We headed up a set of circular steps to Lucas’ condo on the second level. There were several sets of French doors that almost reached the ceiling. He opened up the one in the middle and waved us all inside. To my relief, the air-conditioner was on and the large dining room we walked into felt cool and inviting.

The condo had an open floor plan so that I could see into every room on the first level. A spiral staircase was close to the middle and a modern kitchen to my left. The living room was past the dining area and a set of double doors opened to a bedroom next to it.

I walked across the worn but well-maintained wooden floors to the windows. Curtains covered them, but it was apparent they were as tall as the entry doors. I looked outside and caught a glimpse of a long balcony running the length of the condo. Beyond that I could see Royal Street. There weren’t many people out there, but the real action would be one block over on Bourbon.

Lucas put a hand around my waist. “Your bags are in our room. I assume you’ll wish to change before we go out for dinner.”

It was weird hearing him say that. We’d never had a room we considered “ours.”

“Uh, yeah.” I glanced down at my jeans and t-shirt.

After riding in a plane all day and then sweating when we arrived in New Orleans I wanted to put on something clean and cooler.

“Where am I supposed to sleep?” Kerbasi asked.

“On the couch,” Lucas said, guiding me toward the stairs.

“You cannot be serious.” The guardian gave us an incredulous look. “I must have my privacy.”

Kariann sidled up to him. “What’s the matter, big boy? All that sexual frustration need an outlet where no one can watch?”

His face turned red.

“You’re sleeping down here. Deal with it.” I gave him a meaningful look.

“Kariann, you have that bedroom,” Lucas said, nodding at the one I’d noticed before. “Sayer has the spare upstairs.”

We reached the second floor landing. A bathroom was just before us and a bedroom door immediately to the right. Lucas led me down the hall toward the one on the left. The room opened up to a high ceiling, and wood floors covered in the middle with a large rug. A queen size four-poster bed was against the wall across from us and had matching walnut nightstands on either side. I didn’t see any closets, but two armoires stood opposite of the bed.

Lucas had left our bags in front of them. I dug through mine and pulled out a black nylon skirt that would reach to a few inches above my knees, and a blue sleeveless blouse that matched my eyes. Lucas stepped into the hall to talk on his cell phone while I changed clothes. He was already wearing a pair of khaki pants and a white t-shirt.

By the time we got back downstairs Sayer had returned. I’d sensed he’d had to go about a block away to park the car. From what I’d heard, places for people to put their vehicles were at a premium in the French Quarter. During my last visit I’d used taxis or walked everywhere.

Sayer nodded at Lucas as we walked up. “Master, I’ve reserved a table for us at The Spectrum. They’re expecting us shortly.”

“Excellent.”

“I hope they have good food,” Kerbasi said, joining us. He was still wearing his jeans and t-shirt.

“They do,” Lucas answered.

We headed back out and went down Royal Street for a couple blocks before turning toward Bourbon. The closer we got, the louder the noise from all the people and music. It was known as a favorite place to drink and party regardless of the day of the week, but Friday night was especially busy. They blocked the road off in the evenings, presumably so drunks could stumble around without too much fear of getting hit by a car.

Just before we reached it, Lucas stopped at a heavy black wooden door. No markings indicated it as a place of business, but a werewolf’s face appeared through a small opening to look at us. We didn’t have to say anything. He opened the door a moment later and stood at attention as we passed.

We walked down a narrow breezeway that was barely wide enough to accommodate the men’s shoulders. A set of black steps came up next. We followed them up to another door that stood open to the right. Inside was a cavernous room that must have taken up the entire second and third floors of the building. The walls were painted royal purple, and black railing separated the seating area from a dance floor that took up half the space. Fog drifted from ground vents to give it a murky atmosphere.

Along the back wall was a bar running half the length of it and what I assumed was the kitchen for the other half since it was closed off. A balcony with more private seating was above the bar, which was where a shapely female vampire led us. She didn’t have much on other than a short skirt and a dark green bustier. With her curves, she probably got a lot of attention.

We passed supernaturals who ate, drank, and danced with abandon. Some did a whole lot more. I caught a few couples going at it in the dark, foggy corners of the room. The music wasn’t as loud as other clubs, but I attributed that to most patrons having sensitive hearing. They didn’t need it at deafening volumes.

The waitress pointed us to a corner table after we got up to the balcony. Everyone ordered drinks, but Kerbasi and I requested menus. Lucas was the only other one capable of eating food, but for reasons I’d yet to figure out, he rarely ate when other people were around. One of his many quirks.

“Do you come here often when you’re in town?” I asked.

“Yes.” Lucas gazed down at me with amusement. “Fishing for information again, sensor?”

I studied my menu. “Every chance I get.”

“This is one of the few places in town where they do not allow humans inside and everyone knows better than to disturb me.”

I supposed that’s why they had a werewolf at the door. They could sniff out the potential guests. I smelled human, but if sups got close enough they could feel the small thread of power humming through me.

“Is that really a problem?” I glanced up.

“Younger supernaturals who don’t have a strong master often search for one. They haunt places similar to this and pester me with requests.”

“Yeah, that must be horrible.” I shook my head. “And then you went and made one and now you’re stuck with me.”

He leaned in close. “Please let me know when you’ve decided I’m your master.”

His voice was low and full of sensual promise.

“Not in this lifetime.” I returned my attention to the menu.

Lucas chuckled. “Just as I thought.”

The waitress returned and I ordered the Shrimp Creole. Kerbasi got the gumbo. Sayer and Kariann asked for a round of shots to go with their drinks. They weren’t wasting any time getting into the swing of things.

“So if young supernaturals annoy you so much, how do you put up with me?” I asked, running my nails along Lucas’ thigh.

He grabbed my hand and jerked me close to him. “You break every rule I’ve ever made and a few I should have considered.”

“Is it that awful?” I looked deep into his golden eyes.

“It should be—but it isn’t.” He crushed his lips against mine and kissed me deeply. We didn’t come up for air until Kerbasi’s voice floated over to us.

“Are those two men doing what I think they’re doing?” His voice was filled with horror.

I turned my head and followed his gaze to the floor below. Sure enough, there was a werewolf with dark chocolate skin who had a young male vampire flattened against the wall. Though the fog covered the lower half of them, any observer could tell he was pounding into the backside of the vamp.

“I think it’s hot,” Kariann said. “It’s one of the reasons I love coming here—to watch.”

There was a time when I would have been embarrassed to observe such a scene. Now I sort of had to agree with Kariann. It was hot.

I grinned at her. “Do you only watch?”

“Oh, sometimes I join in.” She batted her eyelashes.

The waitress brought our food and drinks. I dug into my food and was surprised to find it tasted really good despite the place being a nightclub. Kerbasi was making moans of pleasure over his gumbo—he’d come to really love meat—until Kariann said something about giving him another reason to moan. He ate the rest of his meal in silence.

I tensed when I saw a familiar woman coming toward us. With so many supernaturals in one place I’d had to tune them out and hadn’t noticed her arrival. She sauntered our way with her gaze locked squarely on Lucas. The red halter dress she wore was tight and her black hair was cut short to frame an oval face and high cheekbones. She reminded me of a cat on the prowl.

Lucas moved around the table to greet her. “Lian, it is good to see you.”

“And you.” She rose up and gave him a peck on the cheek with her ruby red lips. “Master Theirn sent me to check on you and ask if you needed anything.”

“A sharp sword would be nice right about now,” I said, not bothering to keep my voice low.

Her dark eyes shot toward me. “Oh, and you brought your little…mate. She’s looking well after that dreadful attack at the fae city.”

How kind of her to remind me of the attempt on my life made by one of Theirn’s people. She’d probably enjoyed that news and was only sorry I’d survived.

“I could reenact it on you if you’d like.” I stood up.

“Melena.” Lucas stepped toward me, blocking my view of the female vampire. “There are things I must discuss with Lian, but I will return shortly.”

I glared up at him. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“I tolerate Derrick because you ask it of me and now I’m asking you to tolerate her. We will not take long.”

He leaned down to kiss me. I almost turned my face away, but doing that would make Lian happy. Instead I met his lips and gave him something to think about while he was gone. More than a minute passed before we separated. Lucas looked more than aroused when I met his eyes again.

“Soon. I will return to you very soon.”

Lian gave me a satisfied look before walking away with him. They headed downstairs toward a table below. Lucas was keeping his distance from her and the one time she tried to touch him he shrugged her off. I had to gratify myself with that.

“Come on, Mel.” Kariann got up. “Let’s go dance and give him a show. I hate that bitch almost as much as you do.”

She was right. I couldn’t sit here and stew or it would give Lian what she wanted.

“Sayer.” I looked at the elder vampire. “Do me a favor and keep an eye on the guardian while we’re gone.”

He glanced at the man in question. “And if he does anything?”

“Remind him about the alligators.”

“The alligators?” he asked.

“She has been threatening me, telling tales about vile creatures with sharp teeth since before we got here. I’m not sure they truly exist.” Kerbasi sniffed.

“Oh, right, the alligators.” Sayer’s eyes lit up and he pulled his chair closer to the guardian. “Let me tell you a story about a nest of alligators that killed a werewolf friend of mine. It was brutal. Back before New Orleans was built up to the city it is now you didn’t have to go far before running into a swamp…”

Kariann pulled on my arm. “Come on. I think he can handle things while we’re gone.”