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Rozurial was strangely silent, and I noticed there see on between hier on it, but it was as if the tere talking Whether they’d developed some secret rapport, or whether they’d just co, there was a connection between the two I wondered if they were sleeping together, then brushed the thought aside Rozurial was s, but reticent wasn’t one of them He wouldn’t have been able to keep a secret like that to hiet there, what should we do? Will Zach be one of your pets, too, and if so, why isn’t he in a Speedo?" I grinned as he let out a grunt
"Speedo? You’ve got to be kidding I’h I knew very well that at least sohed "Zachary in a Speedo leaves less to the iination than I care to think about No offense, Zach--you’re handsohed "The thought of you eyeingout doesn’t make me comfortable either, so we’re even No Speedo unless we’re swiht"
She let out a snort "Good thinking And yeah, Zach better go in as one of ht; he’s really not dressed for it" Glancing over her shoulder, she shifted into the left turn lane, then turned onto Giles Boulevard We were a few blocks away froood to me I take it I walk in a few steps behind you, since you’re my mistress?"
"Both of you, yes And both of you make sure you never contradict me in public, or speak before I do unless it’s with a request"
"Heard and understood," Zach said
As she s lot of the club, I saw that there was a nulanced around the lot Not iven the rain, that wasn’t a big shock The double doors leading into the warehouselike club were painted bright red, a shocker against the white and black stripes that patterned the walls Three stories tall, the club was housed in what had once been--by the faded sign still propped against the back wall--aplant Leave it to irony
As we climbed out of the car, I noticed the bouncers by the doors One ht Noo very hefty, tall gentle off the entryway We’d have to get through the PVC that looked alht as lasses They were carrying nasty-looking billy clubs that looked capable of breaking bones on first strike
"Make a note," I said softly "Don’t let the leather twins get the first swing"
"This is not going to turn into a confrontational situation," Menolly said in a strained voice "Those ht with thehtsticks to take you out, Kitten One of theuess And the longer the life, the more power he’ll have I wonder why Wade hasn’t mentioned hi sure ht
Zach looked uncertainly at the door "I so do not want to go in there, but I’ht behind you" His voice squeaked a little, and I detected the whiff of fear e a butterfly party of its own
"Don’t worry" Menolly patted Zach on the back "We won’t let anybody get you If Fraale approaches and introduces herself, let et into the mind-set of what a vampire’s pet would act like Then it occurred to me When I was in cat form, and when I wanted to be petted or brushed, I cozied up to Iris or my sisters and played the sweet and fuzzy card
The domesticated puss is, as all cats know, just a ruse Yes, catsa good home But beneath that veneer of cooperation still lurks the tiny heart of a tiger I’ll willingly walk into a gilded cage with ht, but you can’t i purrs fro up on the pillow next to Caht to scratch behind irl I was Yes, in tabby forly wear a collar if it meant love and protection and acceptance
As I sank into the energy, I moved a little closer to Menolly and let out a sirl I see it in your eyes, Kitten While we’re in there, I’ you Desiree, so nobody hears your real name You just call me Mistress Are you ready?" She looked at ood Zach, you should really call yourself so else, too Why not Jerry?"
He blinked "Jerry? Where’d you come up with that? Okay, I’ in a deep breath, he looked over at me "Delilah--be careful Please?"
I nodded Roz indicated he was ready and then he broke off froo in separately and keep a low profile until he was needed With one last look around the parking lot, Menolly led us toward the doors of the Fangtabula
The bouncers were no probleave her a curt nod, and eyed the rest of us as we followed her in
The Fangtabula was va it up for the wannabes and tourists The color scheme was red and black, with touches of silver and white tossed into the mix, and the vista that opened out before us looked like it was right off of an Elvira e, with a staircase descending from the entrance to the main floor, which had been tiled in a checkerboard of black and white The ceiling stretched a good twenty feet overhead, and large cloth panels in black and red velvet draped down to produce a labyrinth of billoalls
The lights were diht and shadow It was like being in the othic Cirque du Soleil tent Only this was a warehouse, not a tent, and the acrobats here relied on supernatural powers rather than the strength of their rand stairwells led up to a second level, one on either side of the roo surrounding three sides of an open area belohere yet another staircase descended into the underground levels of the club
Drinks were served at a bar along the left wall that was surrounded by a number of tables and booths On the other side of the enor a lot like the "pit" back at the Collequia in Otherworld The Collequia was a nightclub and opius, but sheTrillian, which pretty rotto was thick with conveniently placed divans and giant beanbag chairs, where several lovers’ triads lounged It was obvious that one wo blood host for a vamp who looked like he’d just stepped out of a biker’s version of GQ, though there was no way of telling if she was a blood whore or not
The vaeous, with brilliant red hair that draped down to his lower back He wore skintight leather pants and not ht he was kissing her till I saw the trickle of blood flowing from the blonde’s neck Her eyes were closed, a look of bliss on her face as his tongue coaxed the blood out, drop by drop