“Are the rumors true? You’re not human, but nobody knows what you are.”
“Paden deals in information, using his bar as an easy cover,” I quickly told Raphael before he answered. If he decided to offer confirmation to the rumors, it would be knowing everything I could tell him.
“It’s true,” Raphael answered. “I heard you cater to…the not-so-good of the supernatural world.”
“Just in this little area of the world,” Paden said, chuckling. “I know everything about the people who work in Phoenix and the surrounding area. Las Vegas just opened up to me as well.” He directed that last part to me. “I’m thinking of opening a branch of The Jackalope over there and getting a foot in the door, now that Sinclair doesn’t run the city. The power vacuum needs to settle first, though. I want the city to go clean before I move in. Proper vampire nest, real pack, the works.”
“And here I felt bad for the beating you took. You’re going to go play games in Vegas, the city of sin where the baddies like to live—like that place is ever going to clean up its act,” I said, rolling my eyes at him. I should have figured. Paden had been looking to expand his operation for years, and Vegas was close enough to be an easy expansion.
“It’s better information than say Los Angeles or San Diego, where all the rich people live,” he retorted. “Now…” he trailed off, his eyes going a little blank, then frowned. “Did you really invite Cassius here?” he asked, the frown gaining a hefty amount of confusion mixed in.
“I did, him and Sorcha.” Paden paled a little, but I couldn’t begin to understand why. I knew I was going to have to ask him about it later. “Henley, I’ll take a whiskey. I don’t know what Cassius and Sorcha like to drink, but don’t let Cassius anywhere near tequila.”
“I’ll have a beer. Don’t care what type,” Raphael said quietly, following my lead. “Should we find a place to sit down?”
“Sure, but let’s wait on these two.” I turned back to the stairs as Paden mumbled obscenities while he walked over to the dark stairwell.
“Lord Cassius and Lady Sorcha. It’s an honor to have you visit my humble establishment.” Paden’s fake excitement was the epitome of bad acting and fooled no one. He needed to follow the rules of hospitality, though. Cassius’ tight smile when he came into view told me he wasn’t comfortable with the visit, either. Neither of them was very interesting, though, once Sorcha came into view.
I nearly caught my breath. It was her posture, the look in her eyes, the way she tilted her head in curiosity at the underground bar that made me realize something I didn’t expect.
She’s been in places like this before. Lady Sorcha has secrets. How fucking interesting. I wonder if Cassius knows.
The Lady’s eyes lit up with happiness when they found me and Raphael. She waved aside Paden and walked around her husband.
“Kaliya! Raphael! How wonderful it is to see both of you,” she exclaimed.
I chuckled and hugged her, even if the contact made me uncomfortable. I didn’t know the woman well, but she was charming, and Cassius loved her. Normally, that didn’t make me uncomfortable, but what I had just seen on her face had told me there was much more to Sorcha than she’d let on. In Cassius’ mansion, I always got the impression she was your standard-if more daring than most-fae. She understood how to host guests, throw a party, and earn herself political renown that netted her one of the most prized fae bachelors.
She had just shown me she wasn’t only those things.
“It’s good to see you, too,” I said, pulling away first. Her moon grey eyes studied me, and I wondered how I missed how cunning they were when I first met her. She realized I had seen something.
“Why don’t we find a table?” Cassius said as he walked up and wrapped an arm around Sorcha’s waist. He was looking around, anxious. This wasn’t his type of place, but it was fun to see him there. At least, to me, it was.
“I like that idea,” Raphael said. “There’s a little booth open in the corner. Let’s go.”
“I’ll order our drinks,” Sorcha whispered as Cassius started to walk away. He nodded, looking between his wife and me.
Once the men were gone, I looked at Sorcha and raised an eyebrow. Paden walked up, more tentative than I had ever seen him.