Trixie walked back over to us. “They’re checking camera’s now,” he said to us. “I let Zin know as well, he won't be happy if someone one is messing around in his club.” He looked worried also. “I’m going back in to look for her,” Pheral yelled as he headed back to the entrance. I started after him knowing she couldn’t have just vanished. “I don’t think it's wise for you to go in, you will do better out here, especially with your emotions. It may be too much for you.” Cash said grabbing my arm before I took two steps. “She’s my friend, and I will burn the place to the ground if I have to, in order to find her.” I could feel my aura push and my franticness rise to the top. “Ayda, you will just make things worse. This is a club for Others, you will just draw attention, and it could cause chaos.” Cash pleaded with me. I had a feeling since Zin pointed out I was an abomination of sorts, Cash looked at me in a whole different category. The instrumental Ride to Hell came blaring
“Ah, sorry boss.” The words came out like domino’s being knocked over, one after another. The entire kitchen went silent other than the hum of the machinery and music blaring in the back ground. “Resume your work, I will speak with you all later regarding, how much time, you have and don’t have, to use manners.” The look on their faces when Zin spoke made me almost feel bad. “Now, Miss Ayda, would you please follow me, I have something to show you.” I turned back around, hopeful, as I followed Zin out of the double doors. The most impressive thing for the night happened the moment we stepped on the dance floor, the club goers parted, like the sea and the rip of a record was heard before the music stopped. Some of the Others were giving small waves, mostly women, and some were looking annoyed, mostly men. Was the Vampire in front of me that impressive? It took a moment to get across the large checkered floor, but the moment we did, the Dj’s resumed and bodies continued on wit
The candy apple red paint greeted us once again as we entered the inner hall ways. I realized this time it reminded me of red latex stretched tight over someone's skin. The door to the boiler room was plain and unmarked which made it even more odd that someone found it to use as an access point in kidnapping Reggie. “Are the floor plans for the club available at the records office downtown?” I asked Zin as we headed down a metal set of stairs. “Yes, I’m afraid, though I am unsure if the old tunnels would be included however. The club was originally a townhall, one of the firsts to be built amidst the mid 17th century. When I... acquired it, I was unaware the tunnels existed until our expansion in 1913 when we converted it into a Speakeasy before the ban of liquor and coming out of Others.” Zins words lost my attention as we descended, the boiler room’s massive size drew my attention. It smelled of damp and musk, reminding me of Lou’s dungeons below oblivion. The walls were rock
The vampire chuckled as I headed into the tunnel, using my phone. There was suddenly a click and then more light showing the way. I turned around to see Zin and his security guy both holding flash lights. “Might I suggest you stay between us, and save the battery of your mobile phone?” He said smoothly walking past me. I almost laughed out loud at his word selection, who said mobile phone anymore? I didn’t feel nervous being surrounded by a vampire, if they drank my blood, the Almighty would find out and they wouldn’t last a day, at least I hoped that’s how it worked. The faint drips along the walls of the tunnels echoed forward and the remaining silence was eerie. “So, you’ve never seen the end of the tunnels?” I asked either one. “No, we lost a lot of good people down here so we stopped sending them.” The vampire behind me responded. I nodded, wondering if they just got lost or if there was really something big bad and scary lurking around. Doing my best to not imagine
The vampire waved us against the small tunnel wall as we listened. “What the hell is that?” I said looking back at his security guard. “Sounds like someone dragging something.” He whispered back. I looked back towards Zin and his brows were furrowed. “I do not smell the blood of anything but us, nor can hear its heartbeat, so I am unsure of what it is. Best we wait for a moment.” He spoke barely above a whisper. So, we waited a moment and the dragging sound had stopped. A second later it was followed by slight hissing sound that echoed towards us. I suddenly had intense fear hit me with the thought of Reggie being dragged, so before I realized it, I went full on sprint down the narrow tunnel. “Ayda, wait!” I heard Zin yell behind me followed by their foots steps. I felt like I was flying, I couldn’t see anything but dark walls around me as I felt the air getting cooler the further I ran. Before I knew what happened, I fell, and kept falling, until an icy blast of col
The animal was watching us, it’s eyes occasionally shifting between Zin and I. I could barely see though the tears but I could tell it knew we were talking about it. “My mind knows you are right, by my heart says we can’t leave it and we can’t stop going forward to find Reggie.” I whispered. “Then we must go.” Zin turned from me and continued towards our way out. I could no longer see it when he shifted the flash light, but I swore silently I would come back and get it out of here. The hissing grew louder when we entered the small tunnel and then within minutes the sound stopped, no longer echoing around us. I could tell we were getting closer to the river from the moisture in the air and the sound of water racing in the background becoming louder. It was only about a half hour and we could see light touching the opening. I almost ran to it in short relief. The opening was located in the woods that butted up to the river, but it was obvious someone had been through there befo
Cash started to put on his seat belt but paused and looked at me. “No, he didn’t. Michael said he was too damn busy chasing the demon that was let loose. We stayed there about 20 minutes before going back upstairs.” He said in a somber tone which made me realize he was truly worried. We rode in silence back to the penthouse. I didn’t know what to say and didn’t want him to get any ideas that his worrying was special. Once we arrived, I had wiggled enough in the blanket I was able to get out. “When are you going to confront Kelly?” I asked Cash as we walked up to the door. “Soon, very soon. I will not wait on my brother to take action. He has lost that favor and I feel it’s about time he stops trying to protect his mother as well.” His words were full of anger and determination. I only nodded, believing he would hold true to his statement, and followed him in the front door. “You should get out of those cloths and take a hot shower. I need to take once myself, I have to h
“I have been helping you, little bird, what more can you want from me?” Michael was right, he had done what he could so far. “I want you to take me to Hell.” I said bluntly and the look on his face was amusing. “You’re serious? First why would you even dare risk your life like that? Second, what good is finding Reggie if you’re willing to just give up life here?” He asked me throwing his elegant hands in the air. “I won’t be risking my life, you know that, and I am not giving up anything. I know who can put this demon away for good and I will need Lou’s help to release him. It’s been 18 years and I am sure the person of interest I am referring to may have settled down by now and work with us, if only to get a break from his iron cage.” The look on Michael's face went from curious shock to absolute defiance. “No.” He shook his head and turned away facing the counter while Kelpson and Pharel just watched us. “Yes, Michael, it’s the only way. Nybbas visited me again, in my dreams, a