Red-Headed Stepchild

Page 7

I turned on my heel and walked to the door before I popped a blood vessel. Like I didn’t have enough on my plate without a demon racking up debt on my credit card and drinking all my beer. Just before I closed the door, he yelled, “And get more cheese doodles!”
Freakin’ demons.
Sepulcher didn’t open until nine, so when I pulled up in front of the building, the lights were out. I knew Ewan would be back in his office, doing whatever it was he did to get ready for opening. I looked in the window and didn’t see any movement. After knocking for a couple of minutes, I decided to try around back.
The metal door in the alley stood ajar. I grabbed the edge and opened it, pulling out my gun just in case there was trouble. I crept down the hallway, my boots sticking to the floor. Ewan’s office door was closed, but a light spilled from under it into the dark hallway. I heard shuffling followed by a grunt. I grabbed the doorknob and threw the door open.
I’m not sure my eyes will ever recover from the sight that greeted them. Ewan’s bare ass was like a beacon in the dim light. He had one hand on his hip and the other on top of someone’s head. His own head was thrown back. The person kneeling before him wore a gray pinstripe suit and black wingtips. Realizing what I’d walked in on, I gasped. Ewan turned, his face morphing from ecstasy to shock.
“Get the fuck out of here!”
I backed up quickly and shut the door. My mouth hung open as I leaned against the wall. I wasn’t shocked to find out Ewan was gay. Instead, I was surprised he had a sex life at all. Ewan seemed to get off on strategically gathering and spreading information. But I guess even gossips have needs.
Hushed voices came from inside the office. I considered leaving, but, despite my embarrassment, I needed Ewan’s help. Since I needed everyone to think I was breaking from the Dominae, Ewan was the perfect person to go to. All I had to do was convince him I was sick of the Dominae’s shit, and he’d take care of the rest by telling everyone he knew. Hopefully, once word got out, it would reach Clovis and he’d come find me.
A few moments later, the door opened. I’m not sure who I expected Ewan’s blower to be, but it sure as hell wasn’t who walked out that door.
“Councilman Vera.” I tried to keep the shock out of my voice, but it wasn’t easy. With his perfectly combed executive haircut—a bit disheveled at present—and his strict adherence to the letter of the Dominae’s laws, he’d always seemed to have such a stick up his ass. I guess I wasn’t too far off on that assessment, after all. I almost smiled, but stifled it. No sense making the man more embarrassed—his cheeks already burned.
“Sabina,” he said with an awkward nod. “I don’t think I have to tell you how damaging it would be if word of this—indiscretion—became public.”
“Say no more.” I mimed turning a key at my lips. “They’re sealed.”
The tension in his shoulders relaxed a bit. “Thanks.”
I nodded, not sure what else to say. The situation definitely called for some off-color jokes, but I restrained myself. He scurried away toward the back door. I watched him go, wondering how in the world Ewan had managed to seduce the most conservative member of the Undercouncil. With a shrug, I decided it wasn’t my business—unless I could use the knowledge as leverage against Ewan.
I took a deep breath and headed into Ewan’s office. His pants no longer sagged around his ankles. Instead, he leaned fully dressed against his desk, smoking a post-b.j. cigarette like some bad cliché.
He looked up and exhaled a puff of smoke. “I thought I told you to leave.”
I walked forward with a small smile pulling at the corners of my mouth. “Oh, you meant the building? I thought you wanted me to get out of the office so he could finish.”
“You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?”
“So I’ve been told.” I leaned on the desk next to him. “So … Nicolo Vera, huh?”
He took another drag and held it. “Yes, and …” He blew the smoke at my face.
“What?” I scrunched my nose up and waved away the smoke. “I’m just surprised is all. Not about the gay part,” I said quickly. Ewan cocked an eyebrow. “Just he’s so, I don’t know, conservative.”
Ewan crossed his arms and pinned me with a stare. “I’m surprised, too.”
“You are?”
“Yeah, I’m surprised you have the balls to show up here after you lied to me the other night.”
I pursed my lips and considered how to play this. If I wasn’t careful he’d know I was using him. “I wasn’t ready to talk about it. I had some shit to work through.”
“What kind of shit?”
I crossed my arms. “Can I be honest with you?”
He stubbed out the cigarette in an ashtray and nodded. I had his full attention now that he thought I had secrets to share.
“I’m sure you’ve heard about my suspension.”
“Yeah. Thanks for killing that asshole in my club, by the way. The Dominae’s task force showed up to snoop around later that night.”
I cringed. “Sorry.” He shrugged and waved a hand at me to continue. “Anyway, this suspension is total bullshit. The more I think about it, the more I wonder if maybe I should just walk away.”
“Walk away? What do you mean?”
“I think maybe it’s time for me to go out on my own. Get out from under the Dominae’s thumbs.”
“Like a mercenary?”
“Something like that,” I said, inwardly smiling that he was taking the bait. “Look, I had major reservations about the David thing. I didn’t tell you about it the other night because guilt was eating at me big time. Then, on top of all that, they punish me for defending myself?” I shook my head, playing it up. “It got me thinking that maybe it’s time for me to strike out on my own.”
“Sabina, you shouldn’t talk like this. If the Dominae—if your grandmother—finds out you’re thinking about quitting them, they’ll freak.”
I stood and started pacing. “I don’t care anymore. I’ve gritted my teeth and taken their shit my whole life. I’m tired of being reminded how much of an embarrassment my mixed blood is to her. I’m tired of doing the Dominae’s dirty work. I’m tired of not having a life of my own.”
“Holy shit, you’re serious, aren’t you?” He lit another cigarette and inhaled deeply.
I mentally pumped my fist, amazed at how easily he was buying my story. Maybe if he hadn’t just gotten off, he’d have been harder to convince. Or maybe I was a better actress than I thought. Either way, it was working. I schooled my features into a frown and continued, “I know it won’t be easy. As it is, once they find out I’m going solo, I’ll probably have to disappear for a while.”
“Who else have you told?” he asked on an exhale. This question wasn’t asked out of concern for my welfare, instead he wanted to be sure he had the scoop.
“No one,” I said. “My suspension was for a month, but I’ll probably start looking for work before then. Word will spread pretty quickly once that happens.”
Ewan glanced at his watch. “Look, I’ve got to get the bar open in half an hour. Do you want to hang out and we can come up with a plan?”
I shook my head. “I need to figure this out on my own. But I do need a favor.”
“Name it.”
“What do you know about demons?”
Ewan hadn’t been able to shed much light on my little demon issue. Of course, it’s not like I could tell him the whole story. I’d just said a friend of mine needed to get rid of a demon. He’d given me directions to the Red Moon because he’d heard the mage who owned it specialized in demon issues.
I couldn’t believe he’d bought the lie about “my friend,” let alone the one I’d fed him about wanting to break from the Dominae. I wasn’t sure if I was just a good actress or if his gullibility stemmed from his post-fellatio glow, but I wasn’t going to argue with success. He’d probably started spreading the word the minute I left. Half the vamps in California were probably talking about my little epiphany by the time I pulled up to the Red Moon.
The sign for the store hung from an archway between two buildings. The tunnel led to an ivy-draped courtyard filled with statuary, small stone benches, and a bubbling fountain. The hidden garden smelled of rosemary, sage, and other herbs I couldn’t identify. Small twinkling lights draped over more ivy, which hung over the open front door. I ducked inside, wondering what other surprises this shop offered.
Inside, pipe music drifted through the space, which smelled of incense and candle wax. In the far corner, a fire crackled in a small stone hearth. Two rocking chairs stood to either side of the fire. Every inch of the place was filled with treasures, from magical implements to candles and essential oils to books. Dried roses and herbs hung in tidy bundles from the ceiling. I should have felt claustrophobic from all the clutter, but instead I found the place charming. It was as if I’d entered the home of a hobbit instead of a place of business. I certainly didn’t feel like I was still in L.A.
I walked to the front desk and rang the little bell next to the cash register. A voice called from behind a purple curtain near the back of the store. “Be right with you!”
I leaned against the counter, wondering if I was making a mistake. Vampires and mages didn’t exactly hang out, and I wasn’t sure how helpful one would be when I told him about my current predicament.
The curtain parted, revealing a raven-haired man who appeared to be in his early forties. His welcoming smile faded when he saw me.
“Can I help you?” His brusque tone verified my suspicions.
He was closer now, so I took a deep breath. Sure enough, the telltale scent of sandalwood overpowered the mingling scents of herbs and elixirs. His eyes narrowed as he took stock of me.
“You’re a mage?” This was really just making conversation. Besides the distinctive sandalwood scent, something about the way he carried himself told me he was powerful. Maybe it was his aura or his posture. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I knew he wasn’t someone to mess with.