Vampires Dead Ahead (8 page)

EIGHT

The Pit was rocking.

Rodán’s nightclub was easily the best club in New York City for paranorms. Thanks to Rodán’s magic, the Pit’s location was shielded. New Yorkers and tourists never even noticed the entrance, which was beside the Dakota building at Seventy-second Street and Central Park West.

The place was packed. As a Tracker, I didn’t have to wait in the long line at the entrance.

After checking his ID, the bouncer, Fred, let the Shifter in front of me through the door. All paranorms had to get an ID showing that they were of age according to their race. Elves came of age at twenty-five, while most of the Fae were only fifteen by Earth Otherworld standards. Beings aged differently.

“Hey, Nyx.” Fred gave me one of his adorable puppy-dog smiles as he greeted me. He was a Doppler whose animal form was a beautiful golden retriever.

“I’ve got something for you.” I dug in my purse then handed him a giant Milk-Bone, his favorite.

With a grin he pocketed the treat, thanked me, V"0">

Tonight Festival had the stage. The paranorm band included two Shifters on guitar, a Werewolf on keyboard and drums, and a female Shadow Shifter who was the lead vocal.

Also on stage were Nymphs One and Two, who had extended such “gracious” invitations to Rodán when he and I were out to dinner. I had to admit that Trixie and Bubbles had great voices as they sang backup for the Shadow Shifter, Leslie.

I waved at Fred before the crowd sucked me in.

I didn’t think I’d ever seen the Pit so crowded. Bodies were slick with sweat from dancing. The higher body temperature of the mass of paranorms made even me feel warm.

Thanks to my keen Drow sense of smell, I was almost overwhelmed by the odors of the many races of paranorms crowded together, mixed with the smells of bar food and alcohol. I made my way toward the back corner where Trackers hung out every night before we hit the streets.

One of my closest friends, Nadia, perched on the arm of an overstuffed couch as she looked over Lawan’s shoulder. Nadia had long, thick, gorgeous red hair and was a Siren from the Bermuda Triangle.

Lawan was a petite Doppler from Thailand whose animal form was a Siamese cat. She was just as beautiful as Nadia but with long black hair, dark brown eyes, and dark lashes. We’d almost lost Lawan to Zombies in December. Just the thought of Zombies made me shudder.

Ice, a cocky Shifter with white-blond hair and ice-blue eyes, slouched in a chair in the corner while Joshua, an Australian Shadow Shifter, sat in the chair next to him. With my sensitive hearing, I overheard them making rather lewd comments about some of the females in the club.

Knowing the pair, I wasn’t surprised. Despite the fact that Ice could be a real ass, and Joshua on the sexist side, I considered both of them to be good guys overall and outstanding Trackers.

Kelly, a Doppler bunny, was flopped down on the other couch. Nancy, a Pixie, sat next to her, both of them engaged in an animated conversation with Hades, a Shifter.

“How’s my beautiful girl doing tonight?” Colin’s deep voice sent a shiver down my spine as he came up behind me.

I started to face him but he put his hands on my shoulders and massaged me.

“Amazing.” I sighed and leaned into him. “Considering everything, I’m doing just fine.”

He brought his mouth close to my cheek. “Popcorn, beer, and a movie tonight?”

“Mmmmm.” I tried not to let out a groan of pleasure at the feel of his hands and fingers.“I will do anything if you just keep that up.”

“Anything?” he murmured close to my ear.

My face heated. “Almost anything.”

“Too late to change it.” I heard him take a deep breath as he nuzzled my hair. “You smell so good.”

“Colin.” I beca [in.ed me aware of my surroundings. I couldn’t let my and Colin’s relationship become obvious to the others. I was one of their leaders, and I needed to maintain professionalism in everything I did. “Save that for later.” I stepped away and faced him.

“Consider it saved.” His sexy grin sent tingles through me. “Right where we left off.”

“Rodán’s ready for us.” Angel shoved her long blond corkscrew curls away from her face as she joined us. Her intelligent diamond-bright blue eyes held a hint of concern.

“Rodán called me,” she said when we were several feet away from the others. Colin stayed close by my side. “Interesting what you and Olivia came up with.”

“What’s that?” Colin said.

“Rodán will probably tell everyone just as soon as we’re seated,” I said as we walked into the conference room.

Twenty-four of us made it into the room, including Olivia, who came in last. Olivia was the only norm Tracker, and every one of the other Trackers had come to respect her and her abilities during our past assignments. The twenty-fifth Tracker was Tristan, but he was in Chicago, training.

When we were seated, Rodán came into the room. He was as regal and impressive as always. Something about his presence was usually reassuring, and right now was no exception.

I thought about what he’d said about me being the one for him, and it made me smile to myself. We both knew that it would never be, but my love for him as my friend and mentor was deep, strong, and everlasting.

When Rodán spoke it was with concern in his voice. “We all know about the missing Trackers and Proctor. Though all are on the West Coast, I feel compelled to get involved. Nothing remotely like this has ever happened. All were talented Trackers, experienced Trackers who disappeared with virtually no trace.”

The room remained silent, all expressions serious, as we listened. “I had Nyx and Olivia look at the cases. It’s difficult to do a lot from this distance, of course. But one thing is peculiar—every disappearance has happened ten days after the last one, except for two in LA who disappeared on the same night.”

He paused as he looked from one of us to the next. “We are not sure of the significance of this. However, today is the tenth day since the last Tracker vanished.”

A low murmur rolled through the room.

“Also peculiar,” Rodán said, “is that humans have disappeared near the locations where each Tracker went missing. We’re not sure this is related, but we need to consider it.

“I have made sure that every Proctor across the country is aware of these facts,” Rodán said. “All will be on guard.”

Angel frowned and folded her arms across her chest. “What can we do to help them?”

“I have called you together for two reasons,” he said. “The first is that our New York Trackers have been considered elite among Peacekeepers around the country. We have always shown leadership and have been considered examples of wh [xamackers hat it takes to be an exceptional team. We will involve ourselves heavily in solving these mysterious disappearances.”

Rodán continued, “We have our own cases to solve in each of our territories, so we cannot bring our full resources to bear. I have suggested to the other Proctors that we organize an experienced team, pulling from the ranks of Peacekeepers across the country. Each member of the special task force will be chosen for complementary skills.

“I have been requested by the Proctor Directorate,” he added, “to head this elite group. I have agreed.”

After a pause, Rodán went on. “Therefore, my full attention will not be with you. You all know what needs to be done. You don’t need me at every turn.”

He was dividing us into three groups, he explained. Angel’s team would be ready in the event they were needed to help with the US task force Rodán was establishing. Until they were called upon, Angel’s team, along with the rest of our Trackers, would monitor the fifteen territories that New York City was divided into.

“Desmond will also be a part of our group,” Rodán said as the Sorcerer entered the room. “He will be aiding Nyx in trying to solve the mysterious disappearances.”

Before meeting Desmond, I never dreamed a Sorcerer could be so hot looking. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, but was much older. He had a swimmer’s build, shoulder-length, almost wild wavy brown hair, and a day’s growth of stubble.

Rodán went over what Olivia and I had come up with. He mentioned that a summit was being organized in San Francisco for the newly assembled task force. In the interim, a video conference would be set up from my and Olivia’s PI office using the new monitors.

“The second reason for bringing this group together tonight is to emphasize that we, as Trackers, could be at risk here on the East Coast. Just because the disappearances have occurred on the West Coast doesn’t mean we are immune. Again, these where skilled, experienced paranorm Trackers who were taken down.

“Myself and the other US Proctors have discussed the need to develop new rules among Trackers,” Rodán went on. “We will work in teams only. We stay together as best we can and trust no one.

“When a disappearance occurs, we often look to people the victim knew and trusted, but this case is baffling because there are so many missing Trackers from diverse locations.

“Be careful out there,” he concluded. “Be safe. Be smart.”

NINE

“No one has seen Rodán since last night.” Unease stirred in my belly as I set my phone on my desk and looked at Olivia. “He had an appointment with Angel at seven this morning and then a lunch appointment with her team at noon but he wasn’t there.”

Olivia shrugged. “She’s a blond. She probably got confused on the time.”

I rolled my eyes. “Considering Angel has an IQ equal to a savant’s, I don’t think so.” ^an>

“Blonds get confused all the time.” Olivia waved my comment away. “For that matter, Rodán is blond. It was bound to happen sooner or later.”

I shot her with an eraser before she even realized I had loaded the rubber band.

“Hey.” Olivia rubbed her temple but was holding back a grin. “Just sayin’.”

“Uh-huh.” I glanced at her chocolate-brown T-shirt.

I’M NOT SHORT
I’M FUN SIZE

“Oh, is that what you’re calling it now?” I said. “Fun size?”

“Scott thinks so,” she said with a wicked grin. “Real fun.”

“Whatever you say, short stuff.”

That earned me a volley of erasers.

“Besides, it’s barely two in the afternoon,” she said. “Isn’t that a little soon to start worrying about a big boy like Rodán?”

“You’re right.” I frowned. “However, not only did he miss Angel’s seven AM appointment, but he missed the lunch appointment, too. He also mentioned the lunch appointment to Nadia, so Rodán was aware of it. It’s not like him.” I rubbed my arms as I felt an odd chill. “And something just doesn’t feel right.”

I picked up my phone and dialed the Pit. “I’ll check with Fred.”

Fred answered on the third ring. When I asked him about Rodán, he sounded puzzled. “Haven’t seen him. He’s never been late and he’s never missed showing up for anything here at the Pit.”

Another twist in my belly. “Maybe he went to Otherworld to see the Great Guardian.”

“I dunno.” I had the image of Fred scratching his head. “This just doesn’t happen with Rodán.”

“He’s supposed to meet with me in a couple of hours.” I rubbed my forehead. “He’ll probably be back by then.”

“Probably.” Fred still had concern in his voice. “See you in a bit, Nyx.”

Olivia and I spent the two hours before I left working on the possible link between the missing humans and the missing Trackers.

When it was time, I grabbed my handbag and walked the short distance to the Pit to meet with Rodán. It was still early. There was plenty of time to talk with him before the place started to get busy.

After I said hello to Fred at the entrance, I made my way through the mostly empty nightclub. The entrance to Rodán’s chambers—which I’d referred to as the dungeon on occasion—was well hidden behind a wall of gray fog. Very few were favored enough to get close enough even to see the doorway, much less enter through it.

The fog smelled of rain and moist earth as I passed through and made my way down a torchlit passageway. At the end was an arched black carcidth="1em"doorway that looked as if it came from a medieval dungeon.

Torches flared to life at either side of the door when I neared it. To the right was an oblong black pad, and I placed my hand on its spongy surface.

My palm itched as the colors swirled beneath my hand until they stopped at blue, the same shade as my eyes. A brief burst of white light flared in the hallway from within the blue, just like the dangerous flash in my eyes when I’m angry.

Cool air swept over me as I entered his large bedchamber. I frowned. Normally it was warm in here, enough to cause me to break out in a sweat. The room’s usual firethorn and woodland scent had faded. A hard ball started to form in my belly.

I passed the wall that had a huge framed oil painting of a Faerie and past a display of artifacts from Otherworld and the Fae places in the Earth Otherworld. Instead of glowing, the Dragon scale looked dull in the torchlight. And the Faerie cone—normally lit like a city within a pinecone—was dark. The Pixie dust in its jar didn’t sparkle, and the Sirens’ rare golden seashell didn’t gleam.

With every step I took my heart beat faster and my throat grew drier. Something
was
wrong. I knew it with everything I had. Something was really wrong.

Another fog-shrouded wall led toward his den. The normally chilly air was almost freezing as I stepped through the fog to the landing atop a staircase. I walked down the steps to his den, my shoes soundless on the stone.

Rodán’s den wasn’t exceptionally large, much smaller than the bedchamber above and smaller even than my bedroom. Rows of heavy books and rolls of parchment lined the earthen walls, and wisteria climbed across the otherwise bare places.

All the wood, including Rodán’s desk, had been commissioned from the Dryads. They didn’t give anything up without a price, but this time I didn’t wonder what Rodán might have paid.

The desktop was spotless as usual. It didn’t look like anything was out of place in the den.

I clung to my purse as I stood in the center of the still, lifeless room.

Hair prickled at my nape, as if someone was watching me. I spun around then placed my hand over my pounding heart when I saw nothing.

How could everything be so awfully quiet?

The feeling of being watched didn’t pass. Dread built up in me like a living thing. Like black snakes sliding through my abdomen and pausing to squirm just enough to make me want to throw up. Why was I having such an extreme reaction? Rodán hadn’t even been missing for a full day yet.

I hoped he was with the Great Guardian. I’d have to kill him for scaring me, but I could live with that. At least then I’d know what happened to him.

Okay. I had to calm down. Look at things logically and not jump to conclusions. I needed to treat this like any missing person case.

I made my way back upstairs, trying to shake the eerie feeling that his empty chambers gave me.

I had to find out who had last seen Rodán.

“Fred.” I reached the Doppler bouncer as he was letting a trio of Pixies into the club. It was way early, but Pixies like to party long and hard.

“Did Rodán show for your appointment?” Fred asked, his puppy-dog eyes looking big and worried.

I shook my head. “When was the last time you saw him?”

Fred’s forehead wrinkled and he looked deep in thought. “Just after the Tracker meeting, around ten. He was talking to Angel. Then he went toward his chambers and she went out the front.”

“Thanks.” I offered him a smile because he looked so worried. “It’ll be okay. We’ll find him.”

Fred gave a nod and tried a smile himself. “I know you will,” he said despite the concern in his big brown eyes.

I patted him on the arm then left to see who else I could question.

Two waitresses and a barman later, I had as much information as before. Nothing more than vague recollections of Rodán in the nightclub through one AM. At least I had that much to go on.

I needed to use the facilities, but when I went into the restroom designated for females, I ran into Kathy, one of the Shifter cleaners who helped keep the Pit in order. I asked her if she’d seen Rodán last night.

“Backstage,” Kathy said with certainty in her voice. “He watched from there until the band quit for the night, around one thirty in the morning.”

My heart began to race a little. “Did you see him leave with anyone?”

Kathy leaned on her mop. “Those trampy Nymphs who sing backup for that awful band.”

The same two Rodán and I had seen at dinner not long ago. Maybe he’d decided to take them up on the invitation they’d extended.

“Trixie and Bubbles,” I said.

“Tramps.” Kathy rolled her eyes. “The three of them left together. Arm in arm.”

I thanked Kathy, went back out into the club, and dug my phone out of my purse.

When I reached Olivia I said, “Can you track down two Nymph backup singers for Festival? I only know them by the names Trixie and Bubbles.”

Olivia choked with laughter. “You have got to be kidding me. Stage names, right?”

I couldn’t hold back a grin. “No kidding.”

“You’ve got it.” Olivia cleared her throat and I heard the click-clack of keys on a keyboard. “What’s up?”

I explained everything, from my search of Rodán’s office to talking with the Shifter cleaner.

“Got it,” she said just as I finished filling her in. She gave me an address on Fortieth Street, where they apparently lived together. “I’ll swing by and pick you up a cpicinit the Pit.”

“Bring my clothing and weapons belt, please,” I said. I would have to shift soon. “Take my ’Vette,” I added. I preferred my car over her bucket-of-bolts GTO anytime.

Five minutes later Olivia swung my Corvette onto Seventy-second Street and I climbed into the passenger seat. I realized my mistake as Olivia cackled, the wheels screeched, and we took off.

I braced my hands on the dashboard. “Should have let me drive.”

“Buckle up and shut up.” Olivia maneuvered through New York City like one of the cabbies who took people’s lives in their hands every day.

I had to remind myself that if I could defeat Demons, Vampires, Zombies, and mad scientists, I could certainly live through Olivia’s driving.

At least I prayed I would every time she drove.

After we made it to our destination alive and managed to find a parking spot, we went up to the apartment building. It was fairly nice. Not exceptional, but nice. We took the elevator to the fourth floor.

When we got to the apartment, we heard squealing laughter and the fast beat of music coming from inside.

Olivia and I looked at each other. “You don’t suppose Rodán is in there?” she said.

I shook my head. “No amount of ‘playtime’ would keep him away from his responsibilities.”

She knocked. The laughter quieted. We heard rustling sounds from the other side of the door, then nothing. Olivia knocked again, and we heard giggles and voices. Even with my Elvin hearing, though, I couldn’t make out what was being said.

This time Olivia knocked harder. “Open up,” she said. “We need to speak with Trixie and Bubbles.”

Finally I heard the bolt unlock and the rattle of a door chain.

The door opened just enough to reveal Trixie’s pretty face. “What do you want?” she said, almost belligerently.

“We need to speak with you and your friend.” I spoke before Olivia could say anything.

“We’re busy,” Trixie replied. “You’ll have to come back later this afternoon.”

“It will only take a few moments,” I said. “It’s urgent. We need to ask you a few questions that can’t wait.”

“I said we’re busy.” Trixie started to shut the door.

That was all it took to set off Olivia. She stuck her foot in the way then hit the door with such force that the chain snapped and Trixie fell on her butt on the floor.

I’d only seen the Nymph from her neck up as she peered around the door. Now I saw that all she had on was a pair of black panties.

Behind her were three males and Bubbles and a disaster of an apartment. Clothing was scattered from one end of the living room to the other. Food and drink containers w c coes aere on all the surfaces, not to mention lots of dust. Apparently cleaning was not on the top of these Nymphs’ list.

“What are you doing?” Bubbles also wore nothing but panties. She glared and put her hands on her hips as she stood in front of the males, who were in various stages of dress and undress.

The three Shifter males looked a bit shocked that Olivia had broken in the door, but didn’t seem to care much that we’d caught them in the middle of play. Actually they looked amused, not to mention intrigued, by having two more females in the room.

“Throw on some clothes and bring your asses out here,” Olivia said to Trixie and Bubbles. “We have some questions for you.”

Trixie scrambled to her feet, her beautiful face set in a scowl. “We don’t need to put clothes on for you. If you’re not comfortable with us like this, it’s your problem.”

That is so Nymphish,
I thought.

Trixie added, “I don’t care what you want, we’re not answering questions. We don’t have to tell you anything.”

“Either you can do this nicely,” I said, “or we’ll get the Paranorm Task Force down here. They’ll haul your butts off to the detention center and we’ll question you there … dressed or undressed.”

Bubbles looked flustered. “You don’t have the authority—”

“We’re Trackers.” I gave her a long glare. “That gives us all the authority we need.”

Trixie and Bubbles looked at each other then back at me and Olivia. Fear had started to creep onto their faces.

“Okay,” Bubbles said.

Trixie nodded. “That’s fine. Whatever you want. We didn’t know.”

As soon as they heard that we were Trackers, the amusement left the males’ expressions. Olivia directed the Shifters to get their clothes on and leave or they’d end up in the detention center, too.

They were gone within seconds, not bothering to get fully dressed. The males just scooped up their clothing and bolted.

We stepped into the apartment and shut the door behind us.

“You were seen leaving the Pit last night with Rodán, and now he’s missing.” I narrowed my eyes at the pair as their faces started to pale. “We need to know what happened after you went off with him.”

“He’s missing?” Trixie’s throat worked as she swallowed. She hurried to add, “We don’t know anything.”

Bubbles’s eyes widened. “All we did was get him to go there with us.”

“Shut up, Bubbles.” Trixie narrowed her gaze. “We just walked to the car, right?”

“Um …” Bubbles shifted her stance like she couldn’t decide how she should stand or what she should do. “Yes.”

Olivia’s voi clivde ce was deadly, like a cobra ready to strike. “Don’t give us this ‘just walked to the car’ bullshit. Details now or I swear you will look like a couple of beat-up Trolls who no one will ever want to hook up with when I’m done with you.”

The Nymphs looked at each other.

“What did you mean when you said ‘all we did was get him to go there with us’? Where is ‘there’?” I asked. My stomach started to feel queasy again. “Tell me everything. And you’d better start this second.”