“Who and what now?”
“I’m not surprised you don’t know her. It’s a top-secret gig. She’s a vampire erotic dancer/singer from America performing at Undeadly Desires. With the sky and the killings of late, business needed a boost. She’s the best in the world. It’s a sell-out crowd.”
“I don’t get it, why do you have to organise security for a brothel? Since when is that something you even do? Don’t you work for Dante?”
“She’s that important. She gets a royal escort from the airport to the club. When she gets there, her people take over. My role is done then. But this is a big deal. Huge for Dante if I can get this done for him. He doesn’t know about it, but it’ll make him look really good.”
“Why? She’s a stripper for crying out loud?”
“She’s got this mystique about her. No man is allowed to touch her. She gets bathed by women wearing gloves. She has this…I dunno, deal? Where if you can have sex with her you get a million dollars.”
“If you can?”
“It’s like a challenge. A dare. If she refuses, you die. Her skin has an element like acid she can secrete. There is something about her eyes. They say if she stares at you-”
“Let me guess, you turn to stone?”
Clive chuckled. “No. But your eyeballs can melt in your head. Human or vampire it doesn’t matter. She can kill anyone. She’s meant to be the most desirable woman in the world. Men pay to have one on one time with her and end up dead. She’s a mega star in the vampire world. She’s a multi-millionaire several times over. If she likes Sydney, and that’s a big if lately, and she comes back, it would mean Dante gets cash and exposure. Her appearance fee is two million alone. But if she likes the place her fee is waived for any future visits. So look, I’m really sorry it can’t be tonight-”
“Fuck that. I wanna go.”
“You…what?” Clive couldn’t control the grin that spread to his face.
“You don’t just expect me to sit here after you’ve told me all that stuff?” Lauren gave a slight smirk. “I want to go to Undeadly Desires. I wanna know what all the fuss is about. I’ve never been to a vampire strip club. I am so there to see this shit. Never know, you might give her a go, Lackey?”
“No thanks.”
“Didn’t you say she’s supposed to be hot stuff?”
“She is. But she’s a brunette. I like blondes.”
Lauren returned his cheeky smile and went to shower. Dismissing the idea for him to join her. But only just.
*
“Buddy, ya gotta get out,” the cab driver said, his voice rising.
Nick placed the phone against his ear for the third time, hoping someone would pick up, with no success. “Please, if you could just drive me to Mascot…”
“I told you I don’t work for charity.” He swiped the phone from Nick’s hand. “I’m this close to callin’ the cops.”
“Ok, but could you direct me to Mascot, please?”
The driver muttered angry curses and pressed three zeros into his phone. Nick rolled his eyes and got out of the car. “Thanks for all your help, mate.”
As he closed the door, Nick was again reminded of the chill in the air and his lack of clothes. His hearing perked a touch, though the audio he received sounded like it came from an old two-way radio. Not clear at all. The driver was describing him to someone on the phone, perhaps a police receptionist. Instinct told him to hurry away. Nick pressed his palm to his head. The audio still seemed broken, and yet his mind ached trying to process it. A whimper and gasp, however, was heard loud and clear. Nick shook his head and jogged to where he thought the noise had come from. A crunch of sticks brought him closer, rounding the corner of an apartment building. A woman was leaning over a man, and the latter’s legs were kicking out as best as he could. The situation became clear in Nick’s mind instantly.
“Hey!” he growled.
The woman turned to him, blood flowing from her mouth, sneering and licking her fangs. Nick flared his fingers, readying for battle, yet it was a second, perhaps two, before he looked down to see his nails had not grown.
“Oh shi…”
He was stopped by the vampire flinging herself on top of him, slamming him to the ground. Nick pressed upwards, trying desperately to push her away, but it was much more difficult than it should have been. Her rancid breath flowed on to him, and the black of her eyes was nothing more than a void.
Where was his strength? His wolf? Was this a consequence of his sleep? Her fist sank into his cheek and she gleamed at her hit.
“Too bad, hero.”
Another hit brought pain, but also something else. A warmth in his face. Starting from his stomach…a heat. An anger. A rage. Nick chanced a feel with his thumb over his finger nails, and they were sharp. Finally. The vampire must’ve seen his facial features begin to change. She tensed for a moment.
“What the fuck are you?”
Nick clawed her spine and kicked her off him. She sailed four feet and crunched onto her back. Nick rose with a growl, beckoned her closer with his finger, saliva dripping from his mouth as his canines slightly over grew his chin. The vampire hesitated, again taking in Nick’s appearance. Hesitation turning into a retreat, the vampire turned and bolted. Attack was at the forefront of Nick’s mind as he made to give chase, but a sharp, burning pain in his neck made him stop. He pressed his hand to his neck, feeling moisture. He moved his hand in front of his face and saw
