as I address her. “I’m eager to begin the work we’ve come here for.”
As the youngest of my sisters, I am only here to observe. Eshe has the reign of the queendom while we’re away. It is Fayola who is being groomed for these diplomatic talks, though Fay has no taste for small talk, traveling, or anyone other than her queen and sisters.
As I’m two hundred, the Queen Mother doesn’t think I have enough experience of the world to handle our affairs on my own. I am hoping to prove her wrong on this trip. Which is going to be difficult if I get caught sneaking out tonight. But, priorities. As long as I can tag along to her meeting tonight with the vampire king, I’m certain I can sneak away for a second during the talks, to get the sneak peek of real life outside the dry desert that I crave.
“That will have to wait until tomorrow,” says the queen. “The journey has made me tired.”
I raise my lowered head and gape at the queen. She isn’t looking at me. She’s gazing at one of her guards with a hungry glint in her dark eyes.
“I’d prefer to have a nice dinner and then rest,” she says. “I’ve sent a message to the Serranos, but I was unable to get one to King Lucius. The telephonic at his den only rings and rings. I came looking for Fayola to deliver the message personally.”
“I can do it.”
I swallow down the eagerness in my voice, but it is too late. I’m sure she heard it. She doesn’t miss anything. But to my surprise, Queen Malika nods.
“You are a growing girl. I should give you more responsibilities.”
She hands me a card. On it are gold embossed letters with red trim. It reads Club Toxic, along with an address.
“This is the location of Lucius’s den. I believe he has a private room reserved for our use. Cancel it, and make sure we are not charged.”
“As you wish, my queen.”
I bow low, as low as I can go, so that she can’t see the hungry gleam in my eye. When I rise, I go straight to my suitcase to find something to wear. I’m about to get up-up in da club.
Chapter 3
The masked goblins and superheroes have all gone inside for the night to gorge on their bounties in the safety of their homes. But the streets of downtown Tucson still teem with creatures of the night. Outside, the adult versions of superheroes with bare chests and barely covered nipples are all up to no good. But inside Club Toxic, the costumes are black and white and from a time long past.
I take a moment to admire the Venetian theme of the party. It’s like something the upper crust of Tucson would put on. The men are in dark suits, some with a hint of white lace and frills. The women are in ballgowns and corsets, though most dresses are either form-fitting or barely there.
It was easy to throw together an outfit for this party. I simply had to go into my everyday closet. Black suits and ties are my mainstays. What I am missing is the mask.
“Councilman Durand.”
I grimace at the sound of my name, then wince at the sight of the man who said it. Jared Johnson stands at what I now know is the hidden entrance to the underbelly of Club Toxic.
“Thought you learned your lesson the first time,” says the beefy bouncer with tattoos like a sleeve down one arm.
“Times must be hard in the warehouse district if you’re bouncing here instead of in the ring of your own club.”
I had a hand in shutting down the fighting ring Jared and his buddies had set up. But they’d figured out how to make the operation legal, something I’m sure Frangelico was involved in. That must be why the man is here tonight protecting the Vampire King’s assets. Jared isn’t a vampire. I’ve seen him in the light of day. But he might be something else. Not only have I witnessed women with fangs and men who can wipe memories, I’ve seen people shift into jaguars.
Jared lets out a low growl as he eyes me. But his features shift from a menacing frown into an amused smirk. “I guess you’re the Serranos’ pet, with those brothers tapping both your sisters’… veins.”
I clench my fist. I didn’t come here to get into a fight. I have an agenda, as any good follower of