us. After a moment, she excused herself and headed for the sign indicating the restrooms. I waited for a beat, then followed her, with Yutani behind me. He stood outside the door, keeping watch, as I entered.
The women’s bathroom was luxurious, with a leather sofa in one corner, stools in front of a vanity, and high-end fixtures everywhere. Raven sat down on one of the stools and began to touch up her makeup. She said nothing as I sat beside her, staring into the mirror, but she pulled out her phone and mine suddenly vibrated with a text message. I glanced at it.
i don’t want to talk in here. chances are they have the room bugged. but i’ve found out quite a bit. i think we should leave soon, though, because the longer we stay, the more chance we have of bringing undue attention to ourselves.
i agree, I texted back. i already have the manager of the club on my back, wanting to rent me from yutani. i found out a few things too, so let’s get out of here before things go south.
Without saying a word, I stood, put my phone back in my clutch, and headed out the door. Yutani and I began heading toward the front of the club. I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see Raven following us.
“Leaving so soon?” The voice was unmistakable. Eldris stepped out of the crowd, in front of Yutani. “I was hoping we’d have a chance to discuss my proposition.”
Yutani paused, motioning for me to stand behind him. “She’s not feeling well. I’m taking her home.”
I immediately adopted a stricken look, placing on hand on my stomach.
Eldris crowded in closer. He lowered his voice. “Somehow, I don’t think that’s the truth, Yutani. Herne sent you, and I want to know what you’re doing in my club.”
Chapter Fourteen
I caught my breath as Yutani glanced at me, then turned back to Eldris.
“Is there somewhere we can talk?”
Eldris let out a slow laugh. “I thought you might change your mind. Follow me.” He turned and began walking briskly through the crowd. They parted for him as though he were royalty.
Yutani and I followed. I wondered what Raven would do—she had already exited the club. But I didn’t want to give her away. We followed Eldris to the spiral staircase. He lightly took the steps two at a time and Yutani and I followed. At the top, Eldris opened the door into a long hallway.
“Shut the door behind you,” he said.
I obeyed. The hall looked utilitarian, the walls were painted a light cream, and the bulbs along the way were fluorescent. Eldris marched down the hall, all business now, until he was halfway to the end. He stopped in front of an office door that had his name stenciled on the frosted glass pane. He opened it, ushering us in, then shut the door and flipped on the lights.
A large oak desk sat toward the back, with two computer monitors, a desk blotter, what looked like a planner, and a large accessories tray. It was the desk of someone who actually got things done. Behind it sat a leather chair. On the opposite side, toward us, were two leather wing chairs. To the left of the door was a loveseat covered in a blue microsuede along with a matching oak table. To the right were a series of filing cabinets and a smaller desk with a laptop on it.
“Sit.” Eldris motioned toward the wing chairs. He positioned himself behind the desk and adjusted the mouse, staring at the screens. I wanted to peek over the top to see what he was looking at but decided that wouldn’t be the best idea.
“So you know who we are?” Yutani asked.
“Of course. I make it my business to know who walks through the doors of this club. We’ll wait for a moment while Larry brings up your companion.”
Uh-oh. I glanced at Yutani. That must mean they knew about Raven.
Sure enough, not five minutes later, someone tapped on the door. The front door bouncer was standing there with Raven and the other Ante-Fae I had seen. Raven looked irritated as hell. The other Ante-Fae looked bored. The bouncer motioned for them to enter and then closed the door as he left, all without a word.
“Raven BoneTalker, welcome to my humble abode.” Eldris’s tone was a combination of suave and sarcastic. It reeked of arrogance. “And Trinity, as well. Wait for a moment and I’ll get you