She wasn’t exactly eager to learn what lay on the other side of the door, but Cassidy kept her discomfort to herself. If Dante sensed her dread over stepping inside, he’d take her away, and she would not let a little uneasiness get in her way of helping with this. She’d spent most of her life sheltered and was tired of it. Even if they walked into a giant orgy, she would help him bring Julie home.
“I don’t smell any Savages,” she whispered to Dante.
“Would you be able to smell them out here?”
“Yes. It’s a stench you don’t forget, and you can’t miss it.”
“Are you coming in or not?” the man behind the door demanded gruffly.
“We’re coming,” Cassidy said.
Her eyes widened on the man behind the door. He did not resemble the guard at the gate of Emerald City. The massive man’s shoulders were broad as a bull’s, and his hands could crush a basketball. He removed a cloth from his pocket to wipe away the sweat beading across his forehead and causing his brown skin to glisten.
Cassidy’s breath sucked in as they fully entered the building and the heat of the packed room hit her like a punch to the gut. It was at least twenty degrees warmer inside the building than outside. No wonder the bouncer was sweating; she was considering removing her jacket and shirt. He was only a couple of inches taller, but the bouncer had a good hundred pounds on her.
She almost removed her jacket before recalling the stakes inside the pockets. She couldn’t have one fall out or be unable to get it if there was a problem. Nope, she had to suck up the fact she’d stepped into a sauna.
A sauna that was nothing like what she expected to discover here. She’d expected the place to be so dark only a vampire could see their way through it. She’d anticipated a haunted house setting with coffins in the corners, blood on the tables, and maybe an orgy in the back.
And though she wouldn’t be surprised to discover back rooms with orgies taking place, she was shocked to discover that shadows didn’t enshroud the building, blood wasn’t flowing everywhere, and no coffins were used as furniture. There were no windows.
Instead, the dimly lit room was no darker than Addy’s. In the center of the room was a cleared space. People and vamps packed the open dance space as the music flowed from the speakers in the corners.
While a lot of it didn’t seem hastily assembled, some of it did as the speakers were plugged into surge protectors whose cords ran across the floor to outlets in the wall. The bar was little more than plywood on top of concrete blocks with shelves full of liquor and blood. There were no taps, and she would bet the beer came from coolers stashed behind the bar.
Probably due to a vampire’s sensitive hearing, the music was quieter than it would be in a human club, but the bass still vibrated the glasses on the tables and booths set up throughout the cavernous room. Red candles, set in red glass jars, flickered on the tables. There weren’t any flashing lights, but vampires wouldn’t want them.
Inside, the smell of blood was more potent, and when she inspected a few of the glasses some of the vampire patrons were sipping, she saw they held red liquid. Her gaze went to the glass jugs set up behind the bar, and her stomach rumbled in response. She fed two days ago, but the scent of all the blood in this place was pricking her hunger.
About half the occupants were vamps and the other half humans. She didn’t know if any of the humans had been here before, but she doubted they would remember the events of this night. She hated that they were using them in such a way, but she suspected many of them came here willingly. However, she doubted any of them had truly believed in vampires.
Because of that, they were now dinner. Goose bumps broke out on her skin. She glanced over at Dante, who studied the room with cool detachment. Annoyingly, he didn’t seem as affected by the heat, despite still wearing his leather jacket. She was starting to feel like a wilting flower, and he didn’t have a drop of sweat on him.
“Do you want to leave?” he asked.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, it’s just—” She glanced around the room. “—it’s all so weird.”
Dante couldn’t help but agree. This was not something he would enjoy, but these humans put themselves here, and who was he to knock how others survived? At least these were willing victims and the vamps weren’t killing them.
“Where do we start?” Cassidy asked.
“The bartenders. Bartenders always know everything.”
Dante realized he was still holding her wrist, but he couldn’t bring himself to release it, especially not when there were already men turning to look at her. Instead, he drew her closer and his hand clasped hers.
He waited for her to release his hand, but her fingers entwined in his, and the little squeeze she gave it made his heart soar. After drawing her closer, they made their way through the patrons and toward the bar. He searched the crowd as they walked, but he didn’t see Julie anywhere.
When men and a few women turned to look at her, he shot them warning looks that caused most of them to turn away. However, a few braver and stupid souls didn’t bother.
Dante ground his teeth as he resisted punching one of the men in the face. Getting into a fight in here would only put her in danger, but the blood and his growing jealousy were causing the vampire part of him to be more on edge than ever before. Never had he contemplated killing someone because they couldn’t keep their eyes to themselves, but he’d gladly tear the throats out of more than a few vamps in this place.
Chapter
