Page 5 of The Shade of Things
2
Whether createdby demons or Ohrists, these pockets of reality ranged from a tiny lair to a huge territory such as the vampire-controlled Blood Alley. I’d mastered the art of finding and entering them, which was good since the Kefitzat Haderech didn’t go to these spaces.
Eli stood there dumbstruck.
Four large diamond-encrusted lights shaped like spiky sea anemones threw a cool glow over the swank interior. The real house may have been a gothic beauty back in the day, but the mansion it had become was pure swagger.
It was also empty save for leering inanimate gargoyle faces carved into a water feature that spanned the entire two-story height of the entranceway. The facing wall was made up of a dozen glass panels projecting abstract digital art that pulsed in time to the bass-heavy Latin music flowing out of unseen speakers.
I poked Eli to get him moving, placing a finger to my lips to remind him to keep quiet while we remained under the cloaking since vamp hearing would pick up even the faintest whisper.
A wrought-iron spiral staircase led to the top floor.
Each of the four bedrooms was equipped with a king-size bed, shag throw rugs, and a mirrored ceiling. Your basic porn set aesthetic.
In the last bedroom two half-dressed vamps were going at it with abandon, their hips rocking in time to the sensuous melody, a rosy flush across their pale skin. Neither matched the descriptions we had of Damien or Ian.
The wanton writhing of their intertwined bodies combined with their low moans was hot, but it was crazy awkward perving on them with my ex-husband. Not because we were remembering former intimate times together, but because I knew exactly who he was thinking of when he adjusted himself, and he was damn certain who I pictured when I licked my lips.
We both blushed when our eyes met, sheepishly backing out the door under the cloaking. Our embarrassment turned to smothered laughter as we ran back down the stairs.
A loud coyote howl sobered us up fast because the animal sounded like it was right outside the house.
I pointed down and then made a twirling motion with my finger.
Eli stared at me uncomprehendingly, so I motioned again, more slowly, but all he did was spread his hands wide with his eyebrows raised in question. “Downstairs or around the perimeter?” he whispered.
I twirled my finger again. “This means wrap it up,” I hissed.
He rolled his eyes but made no further protest.
Luckily, the stairs to this basement were much wider than the ones in the dilapidated house because a man built like a brick shithouse stood partway down with his back to us. He was speaking to a slightly shorter man with a hideous wart on the end of his nose. They held brandy snifters and lit cigars, guffawing over some sporting event they’d attended.
“Vamp?” Eli mouthed.
I shrugged because I’d seen Zev drink alcohol and Spike smoked constantly on Buffy. Yes, that did count as a valid frame of reference.
The taller dude turned into profile, and I blanched. Even without the stupid gold braided chauffeur’s cap he adored, there was no mistaking Zev’s human henchman Rodrigo. Or as I fondly called him “the Undertaker.”
For about the billionth time tonight, I wished that we could have snuck in using the Kefitzat Haderech, but it didn’t go to hidden spaces.
Eli poked my shoulder. “Problem?” he mouthed.
I bit the inside of my cheek, debating my answer. Tatiana likely gave Zev the description we had for the person that Ian had left a homeless shelter with two years ago and learned Damien’s identity and whereabouts from the head vamp of Vancouver himself. In which case, Zev was aware we were coming here today.
Even so, why dispatch Rodrigo? Zev and I were on perfectly good terms. He wanted me hale and hearty to find the Ascendant.
Maybe this visit was a coincidence? Vampires had friends. Perhaps Damien was throwing a dinner party.
I gagged, squashing any visual of potential main courses, and flashed Eli a thumbs-up, gesturing that we’d go around the Undertaker. Thankfully he understood and we maneuvered past the duo without incident.
The short corridor was deserted, but the ornate wood ballroom doors were closed. I didn’t want to open them only to have someone get curious about how the doors opened themselves. Unfortunately, the doors were well sealed with no crack to send my animated shadow, Delilah, through to scout on the other side.
Since I wasn’t sure if Rodrigo’s friend was human, I pressed my lips to Eli’s ear, barely whispering. “That’s Zev’s minion. Human.” I pointed to the stranger. “No clue.”
Eli frowned. Then he managed to convey in gestures to go outside and spy in through the glass doors. I’d forgotten what a good charades player he was.
We crept back up the stairs, careful not to brush against the two guys chatting. Even though it was impossible for any human to detect our presence under the cloaking, I still held my breath until we were safely at the top.
