know anything about vampires, either. We use our powers to alter their perceptions or memories, or both.
This is the real business of Club Toxic—keeping Tucson’s vampires supplied with willing meals. Believe it or not, there are plenty of humans willing to be a meat-sack juice box.
Especially if they get orgasms out of the bargain. The trick is, they can’t be harmed.
Which is another reason why Lucius brutally enforces his rule about not harming humans in or near the club without his permission. Drawing attention from law enforcement is not an option. Especially not now.
Not when there are other entities out there—like secret military units and diabolical scientists—who would destroy our world if they could prove our existence. Or, worse, take us prisoner and experiment on us for their own nefarious purposes.
In that way, we are truly aligned with the Tucson shifters. We don’t want anyone knowing about us who doesn’t need to. In fact, it is not unheard of for the wolves and other shifters to utilize vampire services to help wipe the minds of humans who stumble across their existence.
It’s better than killing the humans.
Down here in the dungeon area, there are a few private alcoves at one end of the space, where people can play, feed, or even have sex, and draw a curtain for a little privacy.
The main space holds various play stations, such as St. Andrew’s Crosses, spanking benches, and other items. There are no holds barred down here—we allow full-on sex, as long as there’s consent.
Certainly, most vampires can compel the average human to do what they want. However, if the point is to enjoy the pleasures of a sweetblood, it’s far better to willingly coax them downstairs and have them enjoy it from start to finish.
Or, at the very least, thrall them so they think they enjoyed it.
Forcing someone downstairs against their will is not only frowned upon, but against what few rules Lucius has for the vampires who frequent Club Toxic.
Lucius and Selene’s thrones—yes, literal thrones—sit on a riser off to the far end, since the king and queen aren’t around right now to warrant the riser being positioned in the middle of the room, where Lucius prefers. There’s a bar down here, too, which serves more than alcohol. Several types of ethically sourced blood are served on tap, as it were. Not to mention, our vampire clientele can always sip from a willing sweetblood, whether they’re a customer or one of our human staff. There are also a couple of private bedroom suites in the back, which are sometimes utilized by special guests who need to stay overnight, and who also need a secure and sunlight-proof bedroom.
Although, now that Dexter’s resort is open, and he has a special wing with rooms that cater to the very exacting needs of vampire guests, it’s not often that people stay overnight here at the club. His Sunwolf Valley casino resort has become an integral part of both the shifter and vampire communities. Lucius and Garrett Green, the Tucson wolf Alpha, have built a lasting if not sometimes reluctant truce that has made life lucrative for all involved.
Including me, and my brothers who work for Lucius.
My house, up in the hills, has a spectacular view of the valley, but my bedroom was built in the basement because I’m not an idiot. I roll down the house’s secure shutters before I go to bed before dawn every morning.
Some vampires have an actual crypt or coffin they sleep in.
Then there are some, like me, who prefer the modern conveniences, and we custom-build our homes to that end so we can sleep in a, you know, real bed.
I’m old and strong enough that while daytime saps my strength, I can and do sometimes stay up well past dawn. Safely ensconced in my bedroom and safe from deadly daylight, of course, but if I were to have a guest, I’d rather fuck in a bed than in a coffin.
Besides, I’ve spent enough time throughout my many years sleeping in less than comfortable accommodations. When I’m home, I want the luxury I can now damn well afford.
At my age, it’s also not uncommon for me to awaken before sunset, which is another reason why I have the shutters to keep the outside away from my insides. I enjoy the nighttime view my windows give me, but they’d be lethal in daylight. This way, I can safely venture from my bedroom and enjoy my home, unlike some of my brothers, who didn’t