at Analie, who shifted her weight uncomfortably and scanned the dark streets. Not much to see, just a few other neon signs here and there for some other clubs. The Underground was the only one on the block that still had a packed parking lot.
The guy led the way around the side of the building to a small door with an “Employees Only” sign. He used a key card and a code to unlock it, opening up a bright, white-washed stairwell leading to upper and lower floors. Judging by the sudden wave of cheering and hollering punctuated by music pounding loudly enough to make their teeth rattle in their skulls, the other door just inside must lead onto the dance floor.
As Royce nodded his approval, Bruno grinned, obviously liking his boss. Analie curled her lip and followed in Royce’s footsteps, trudging down the stairs after him. As soon as the door shut behind him, he pulled out a cell phone and called someone. Talking about her as if she wasn’t there, no less. She didn’t pay much attention at first, too busy being miserable with her situation to be worried about the arrangements he was making for her to have a place to sleep tonight. It wasn’t until the end that she paid any mind, and that only because Royce’s voice had become sharp, commanding.
“No. For the last time, John, tell Mouse to straighten up the extra room in her apartment and be ready to keep an eye on her. I’m perfectly aware you weren’t expecting a Were in the house, but that doesn’t excuse that we have a guest with needs to be cared for. Get it done.”
Royce hung up, ignoring the sounds of protest still coming from the receiver before he snapped it shut. He knew it wouldn’t be taken well, but the call had been necessary. Some of his people would have reacted badly to having a Were, even if still a child, suddenly appear in their midst without warning.
He glanced at her over his shoulder as they reached the bottom of the stairwell, pausing before entering the basement. “If you have any belongings you wish picked up, one of my people can handle that for you. Also, I need to know if you are enrolled in school. I’ll see to your continued education if necessary.”
“School?” Analie stopped in her tracks, dumbstruck. On top of all the other horrors, now she’d have to deal with school, too? Ugh. “I guess so. I was being homeschooled.”
“Then we shall continue in that tradition here. I’ll see if I can get one of the local packs to provide a teacher. They can educate you in local pack etiquette and shifter laws. Which reminds me, how is your control when shifted?”
She scratched the back of her neck, unnerved by the question. It was too personal to be having this kind of conversation with someone she didn’t know—let alone a vampire. “Okay, I guess.”
“Good.” Royce reached toward her. She practically fell back on the stairs as she jerked away, but he only brushed his fingertips over the sleeve of her worn jacket. “We’ll have to do something about these clothes of yours. Mouse will see to that, I suppose.”
“What’s wrong with my clothes?” she demanded, flustered.
“As long as you are staying with me, you must dress and act appropriately,” he replied, not particularly kindly. He pushed through a set of double doors and into a wide open space packed with pallets of soda, water, and alcoholic drinks. Analie reluctantly followed a few paces behind him. “Do you have any allergies or special medical needs I’ll have to see to?”
“No,” she said sullenly, lowering her head and folding her arms. His attention to her necessities was not what she had been expecting. That he would think to ask all these things up front made her wonder how many times he’d been through this before. Housing an unexpected and unwanted guest must be the norm for a vampire like him, she thought.
“Any particular foods you enjoy? My staff can provide anything you like.”
“Um.” Damn, this was sounding scarily like a commitment of some kind. An unhappy thought struck her – he was preparing in case she was going to be stuck with him for a long time. Just in case her pack didn’t have anything “good enough” to trade for her. At least she could get some comfort food in the meantime. “I guess. I like fish sticks. Ooh, with tartar sauce!”
He looked back